By Elizabeth Wulfhorst |
Thinking outside the box is a must when buying gifts for the the person you think already has everything. Here are some unique gift ideas from around the Two River area.
Back to Nature
Do you have a grandparent or grandfriend who loves feeding and watching the birds? Add some whimsy to their hobby with an edible seed character from
Wild Bird Center. In varying sizes and shapes (some come with hangers and other require a feeder, sold separately), these cute creatures will please the birds and the watchers alike.
Seed characters, various sizes, $6 – $20; Seed Owl, pictured, $10.
Wild Birds Unlimited, 844 Route 35, Middletown, 732-671-3155 wbu.com/middletown
Save the Date
Local history buffs will love a copy Dorn’s Classic Images’ fifth annual calendar to hang on their wall. Entitled “Young At Heart,” the 2018 calendar features over a dozen archival images from Fair Haven, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright and Shrewsbury – dating back to the 1930s – of children having fun and adults acting playful. The cover image shows a graffiti-covered McCarter Bridge. The calendar is available online or at a few locations around the area, including Bain’s Hardware, Sea Bright; Fair Haven Hardware; the Monmouth Museum; Sickles Market, Little Silver; and Alphagraphics, Red Bank.
Dorn’s 2018 calendar, $12.
Dorn’s Classic Images, 732-747-9350, dornsclassicimages.com
Write It Down
While many may have embraced technology, help friends forgo the emails and texts and go “old school” with the gift of customized paper and pen. The employees at
Pauline’s Paperie in Fair Haven can help you choose the perfect combination of font, design and cardstock to fit any personality. The acrylic boxes come in assorted sizes to hold your personalized creations. The shop also offers pens and cards to complete your gift. Assorted acrylic holders with personalized paper, starting at $25.
Pauline’s Paperie, 775 River Road, Fair Haven, 732-212-1071, paulinespaperie.com
Elegant Sweets
Festive French macarons from
The Vintage Cake in Atlantic Highlands will make the perfect gift for anyone with a refined sweet tooth. The assortment of specialty treats are handmade and decorated, boasting seasonal flavors like apple caramel, Tahitian vanilla bean, white chocolate peppermint and eggnog and spiced chocolate. Other indulgences, like the devil’s food cake with dark hot chocolate mousse and marshmallow buttercream, adorned with holiday macarons, are available as well. Orders must be placed by Dec. 17. Two dozen holiday French macarons, $75; 6-inch Holiday Hot Chocolate Cake, $65.
The Vintage Cake, 171 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, 732-872-2253, thevintagecake.com
The Gift of Sunshine
Giving citrus at Christmas is a tradition dating back to ancient Turkey. A Calamondin orange tree from
Colonial Nursery in Lincroft will fulfill that tradition and bring a touch of sunshine to the drab winter months. A cross between a mandarin and a kumquat, the Calamondin tree makes a great houseplant when placed in a south-facing window with lots of bright sun. The beautiful blooms will fill the room with citrus fragrance and later bear fruit. As the months get warmer, the tree can be moved outside into the sun. Starting as an approximately 1-foot shrub, the tree can grow to several feet or be pruned as needed. 8-inch potted Calamondin orange tree, $29.99.
Colonial Nursery, 1124 West Front St., Lincroft, 732-530-3838, colonialnurserynj.com
This article was first published in the Dec. 14-21, 2017 print edition of The Two River Times.