Who has been naughty and who has been nice this year? As you’re checking your list once, and checking it twice, be sure to review our annual Holiday Gift Guide for suggestions at every price range. Featuring all local businesses, we hope to make this year’s shopping an arctic breeze!
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1 | Tis the season! As you’re enjoying red wine this holiday season, be sure to keep Wine Wipes handy. They “wipe that wine off your smile!”$6.95 at Just Gorgeous Boutique located at Tina’s Salon & Day Spa, West Reading. Just Gorgeous Boutique, Tina’s Salon & Day Spa, 404 Penn Avenue, West Reading 610.374.5991, gototinas.com
2 | Retro is in! Add some fun to the fridge or file cabinet with a throwback magnet from Sweet Surprises, West Reading. They make great stocking stuffers. And check out a variety of other gift ideas upon your visit. Magnets $4.95 each. Sweet Surprises, 544 Penn Avenue, West Reading, 610.373.2121, sweet-surprises.com
3 | Spice up his life with a bottle of Hempzels’ Horseradish, Hemp & Honey Mustard. The thick texture works great on burgers and dogs or adds kick to homemade dressing. Available from Phoebe’s Pure Food, $6.25. Phoebe’s Pure Food, nosh@phoebespurefood.com, phoebespurefood.com/shop
4 | Lather up with homemade soap from A Touch of Grace, Birdsboro. The top-selling Earth bar — made of shea and cocoa butter with cinnamon, parsley, sandalwood, patchouli and other natural ingredients — provides an outdoorsy feel. $5 each. A Touch of Grace, 215 E. 1st St., Birdsboro, 610.582.0040, atouchofgracegcs.com
5 | Feeling nostalgic? Share an assortment of classic candies including Pop Rocks, chocolate coins, Clove gum, lollipops, caramel crèmes and Mary Janes. Find these and other old fashioned favorites at the Port Clinton Peanut Shop. Pictured candy package is $6.45. Port Clinton Peanut Shop, Route 61 (next to Port Clinton Hotel), Port Clinton, 610.562.0610
1 | Whether you’re bringing bottles to a party or a BYOB restaurant, keep them cold with a Chill It! bag. Place in your freezer and it becomes an instant cooler with a fun, functional design. Find them at the Reading Public Museum Gift Shop, $10 for wine bag, $18.75 for six-pack bag. Reading Public Museum Gift Shop, 500 Museum Rd., Reading, 610.371.5850, readingpublicmuseum.org
2 | A Slate Plate makes the perfect party platter or a great hostess gift! The tray made of natural rock is a unique way to display cheeses or other appetizers. Find this, along with an assortment of cheese, crackers, oils and spreads at Say Cheese! Restaurant & Cheese, West Reading. $15 for small slate, $20 for large; Soapstone Chalk, $1. Say Cheese! Restaurant & Cheese, 600 Penn Ave., West Reading, 610.406.5390, saycheese-restaurant.com
3 | Who doesn’t love the combo of pretzels and chocolate? Share an assortment of milk and dark chocolate-covered Unique Splits. The gift box also includes two “unique” chocolate pretzels with cherry shavings and a white drizzle. $15.95, available at the Unique Retail Store, Reading. Shipping also available. Unique Retail Store, 215 E. Bellevue Ave., Reading, 610.929.3172, uniquesplits.com
4 | For the parent and kids on the go, give the ‘Lina Bean Crayon Roll. Handmade in Malvern and available at Hello Bluebird in West Reading, the rolls hold 15 crayons and are perfect for occupying the kiddos in restaurants, on long car rides and on plane trips. $12.95 each. Hello Bluebird, 609 Penn Ave., West Reading, 610.750.6642, hellobluebird.net
5 | Help him get a handle on the big catch with Cabela’s Folding Telescopic Net! The collapsible handle, made of lightweight aluminum, makes for easy transport and storage. The net springs to full size with a flick of the wrist. $24.99 at the Hamburg location. Cabela's, 100 Cabela Dr., Hamburg, 610.929.7000, cabelas.com
1 | Find Peggy Karr glass, handmade in the USA, at Sunshine Blue Skies in Wyomissing. The fused-glass Tannenbaum pattern will add a festive touch to your holiday table! This functional art is dishwasher and microwave safe. $44. Sunshine Blue Skies, 86 Commerce Dr., Wyomissing, 610.375.0445
2 | Give a truly one-of-a-kind gift like this hand-blown glass bowl from the GoggleWorks STORE in Reading. Created in the GoggleWorks Hot Glass Studio by Scott Krenitsky, Studio Manager, each glass piece is a unique work of art. $48. GoggleWorks Hot Glass Studio, 201 Washington St., Reading, 610.374.4600, ext. 103, goggleworks.org
3 | Even in play, you can keep it all natural with an eco-friendly, organic toy from Apple Park! Kids can cuddle with Who, The Owl, made with 100% organic cotton and filled with a blend of organic cotton and natural corn fiber. $49 at The Woman’s Exchange, West Reading. The Woman’s Exchange, 720 Penn Ave., West Reading, 610.373.0960
4 | Individually crafted, Healing Touch Pottery pieces have multiple levels of healing energy. Beginning with quartz-enhanced raw clay, various quartz and crystals are then infused during the firing process. Each piece is then “Reiki charged.” Available at Cedar Hill Flowers & Gifts in Birdsboro. “The Friendship Mug” is $26.99. Cedar Hill Flowers & Gifts, 3326 Main St., Birdsboro, 610.582.8791, cedarhillflowers.com
5 | Heat things up this holiday season with Panacea’s Open Hearth Collection five-piece fireplace tool set. This line is practical, yet decorative. $49.99 at Fehl's Home & Garden, Temple. Fehl's Home & Garden, 5369 Allentown Pike, Temple, 610.929.5794, fehls.com
1 | For the hair-obsessed, Bell Tower Salon & Spa, Wyomissing, offers Oribe limited-edition gift sets like the Beautiful Color Collection. Adding life and shine to hair with the latest technology, this trio of reparative products is cuticle-enriching, color-protecting and frizz-taming. $80. Bell Tower Salon & Spa, 18 State Hill Rd., Wyomissing, 610.372.6379, belltowersalonspa.com
2 | The City Charm Company has created a line of charms portraying special icons of Reading, as well as Lancaster and Philadelphia. The Reading Hospital Clock Tower is a top seller! Other options include Reading Railroad, Pagoda and Bell Alley Pretzel charms. $79.99 for slide charm, $84.99 for pendant. Available at Justin Bortz Jewelers, West Reading. Justin Bortz Jewelers, 438 Penn Ave., West Reading, 610.373.1101, justinbortz.com
3 | The ancient art of creating face jugs continues at Nolde Forest Pottery in Mohnton. With a combined 60+ years of experience in clay, Wesley Muckey and Greg Zieber create work that walks the line of sculptural, functional and decorative. Their face jugs are serious in construction, exhibiting both grace and humor. The pictured "Smokin Dali'" is an 11" wheel-thrown redware jug that has been hand sculpted. This size ranges in price from $85-95. Nolde Forest Pottery, 3401 New Holland Rd., Mohnton, 610.796.2277, noldeforestpottery.com
4 | Learn the art of making sushi with a class at Go Fish! Seafood & Sushi Bar in West Reading. In a group class, you are taught the basics of making three kinds of rolls and the history of sushi, as well as the etiquette of eating it. By the end of the two-hour class, you will be able to create sushi at home and you get to eat what you make! $65 per person. Go Fish! Seafood & Sushi Bar, 619 Penn Ave., West Reading, 610.376.6446, gofishseafood.com
5 | Add some ease to your dog’s dining with the Bone Elevated Double Dining Station available at Godfrey's – Welcome to Dogdom in Mohnton. Elevated diners reduce the stress on dogs’ necks and spines. For owners of larger breeds, or older dogs with arthritic conditions, they're a must-have. $67.50. Godfrey's – Welcome to Dogdom, 4267 New Holland Rd., Mohnton, 610.777.5755, godfreysdogdom.com
1 | Add to your holiday décor with Santa, dressed and ready for take off! His sack of gifts is spilling over. He stands 36" high. Available at the Plow Farms Christmas Shop, Mohnton, $134. This family-owned farm offers wagon rides on weekends during the holiday season. Plow Farms Christmas Shop, 4339 Morgantown Rd., Mohnton, 610.856.7740, plowfarms.com
2 | This classic humidor houses approximately 100 cigars and is crafted from Spanish cedar, the ideal wood for a humidor, as it absorbs and holds moisture. The exterior is high gloss. Find this humidor, $145, with several other styles and price points along with cigars and accessories at Cigars on the Avenue, a cigar store and lounge in Sinking Spring. Cigars on the Avenue, 3461 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, 610.670.5259, cigarsontheave.com
3 | Simon Pearce glassblowing began in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1971. Today beautifully designed work produced from premium materials, using time-honored techniques, is created in Vermont and Maryland. The collection is available at Baldwin Brass Center, West Reading. Pictured is the Royalton Optic Footed Bowl, $195. Baldwin Brass Center, 623 Penn Ave. West Reading, 610.373.1040, baldwinbrasscenter.com
4 | Evelyn & Harriette’s in Oley offers a wide array of distinctive gifts including three lines of Polish Pottery. The pottery varies in patterns and styles from traditional to an artisan hand painted series, which is signed by the artist. The pictured platter is $128. Evelyn & Harriette’s, 1232 Oysterdale Rd., Oley, 610.987.6055
5 | UGG Australia keeps reinventing itself with new styles! Check out the Classic Short, with plush twin-face sheepskin in a palette of seasonal shades. An icon of casual style, the chic silhouette showcases all the characteristics of the Classic Collection, keeping feet dry and comfortable with a moisture-wicking interior. $155 at Coventry Corners, Berkshire Mall, Wyomissing. Coventry Corners, Berkshire Mall, 1665 State Hill Rd., Wyomissing, 610.376.0445, coventrycorners.com
1 | She will enjoy blooms year round with a bouquet of the month from Stein’s Flowers in Shillington. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. She’ll love being surprised with beautiful blooms to decorate her home or office space, and she’ll be the envy of friends and co-workers. Approximate value is $420. Stein’s Flowers, 32 State St., Shillington, 610.775.0430, steinsflowers.com
2 | For those who love the great outdoors, check out tents available at East Ridge Outfitters in Blandon, like the North Face Rock 22, designed to shelter two adults from wind and rain. The reliable tent is a favorite for nearly year-round excursions. $209.
3 | Indicator bicycle helmet, suited for a man or woman and offering style and amazing ventilation coupled with a modern design that complements every type of rider. Valued at $40. JB Mountain Bikes, 211 West Lancaster Ave., Shillington, 610.777.5253, JBMountainBikes.com
4 | Designed for HER by three-time World Cup Champion Juliana Furtado and built by Santa Cruz, Juliana Bikes offers a full line of women's specific mountain bikes, accessories and apparel for enthusiasts up to serious racers. Starting at $1,650. The area's only dealer of Santa Cruz bikes is JB Mountain Bikes, Shillington. JB Mountain Bikes, 211 West Lancaster Ave., Shillington, 610.777.5253, JBMountainBikes.com
5 | For the tech-savvy guy, give Citizen Eco Drive Proximity from Van Scoy Jewelers, Wyomissing. This Bluetooth-enabled watch pairs with the iPhone 4S or 5 through a specially designed app to offer email, calendar and call notifications. And locate your phone with a push of a button…even if it’s in silent mode. $495. Van Scoy Jewelers, 2733 Paper Mill Rd., Wyomissing, 610.374.9330, vanscoy.com
6 | Keep her warm and in style with the White Rex rabbit and knit vest. With a small stand-up collar and leather trim around armholes and pockets, it reverses to white leather and knit. Also available in black or brown, $599. This is one of many vests in a wide array of colors, styles and furs available at Bruno Furs & Leathers in Reading. Bruno Furs & Leathers
236 N. 5th St., Reading, 610.373.0757
BY KRISTIN KRAMER | PHOTOS BY TANIA COLAMARINO, AMA PHOTOGRAPHY
