Last Minute Gift Guide

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Craig Mitchell Smith Glass Gallery

Located in the Macy’s Wing of Meridian Mall 1982 W. Grand River Ave., Okemos (517) 420-3721 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon-6 p.m. Sunday

The Glass Gallery, which recently opened in Meridian Mall, has a wide selection for any holiday shopper in the market for art or decorations. One attraction is, of course, Craig Mitchell Smith’s National Christmas Tree Ornament, featuring the figure of a cardinal ($75). The gallery also sells hand-cut glass snowflakes of varying shapes and sizes ($30 for the small, $50 for the large), and icicles ($9.50 each, or 10 for $75) that would make great ornaments on any tree.

Other potential holiday items include glass leaves ($15-$90) and prints of the gallery’s larger works.

Saper Galleries and Custom Framing

433 Albert Ave., East Lansing (517) 351-0815 www.sapergalleries.com 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Thurs.; 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. Sun. (through Dec. 19)

This art gallery has a variety of oil pastels, from realist to impressionist and abstracts. Impressionist Michael Callihan from Rockford specializes in painting landscapes, while Kathleen Chaney Fritz transforms photographs into landscape art. Although Fritz and Heiser’s original works are in the $400-$950 range, smaller prints for Fritz’s works are available for $39. If you’re looking for something else in the lower price range there are also books like “Tears of Mother Bear” and “Gitchi Gumee,” both illustrated by Fritz and priced between $17 and $19. Other pieces include Paul Varga’s unusual bronze sculptures with wooden casts ($3000-$4500), Randall Higdon’s abstracts ($400-$950), Peggy Lynn Smith’s still life pastels ($600- $1200) and the works of Michigan artist Janet Baughman ($900).

Massage & Therapeutic Bodywork

2456 N. Cedar St. Holt (517) 281-6550 brigitt.boucha@gmail.com Seven days a week by appointment

Through her extensive dance background, Brigitt Boucha is able to help mid-Michigan residents sculpt their bodies into lean, mean fitness machines.

With two types of yoga classes (at only $5 per session), a variety of massage styles (including deep tissue, hot stone, medical, and sports massages) and tips on stretching and physical body work, Boucha’s expertise can get you on the right path. And if it’s someone else you’re trying to motivate, she’ll mail you gift certificates. Discounts are offered to couples, students with ID, seniors and military, and punch cards can help you save over the long haul.

A Piece o’ Cake

4966 Northwind Drive East Lansing (517) 333-6881 www.apieceocake.com Tues.–Fri.: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.: 9 a.m. to noon Closed Sun./Mon.

This year, owner Kelly Kobus’s awardwinning cakes were featured on the Style Network, making you exactly two degrees of separation from “Life in the Fab Lane,” if you order one of her almost-too-gorgeousto-eat custom-made cakes (starting at $30).

A Piece o’ Cake goes gluten-free on Tuesdays to accommodate all mid-Michigan coeliacs. Adding to her repertoire of cupcakes, breads and cookies (and utilizing her Parisian training), Kobus recently branched out into the production of macarons, which are little hamburger-shaped cookies that are light, colorful, full of flavor and perfect for the sweets-lovers that made Santa’s “Nice” list this year.

Aggie Mae’s Bakery & Sweet Shoppe

Lansing City Market 325 City Market Drive Lansing (517) 214-2765 aggiemaesbakery@gmail.com www.aggiemaesbakery.com Tues.–Fri.: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sat.: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sun./Mon.

It’s nearly impossible to walk past Neva Austin’s stand inside the Lansing City Market without slowing down and taking in the sights and smells of her daily creations. A rich selection of artisan breads, cookies, cheesecakes and scones beckons you in, and this month there’s another special little something putting a twinkle in everyone’s eye: the glitter balls. Perfect for a stocking stuffer, an edible centerpiece or to bribe Santa, the intensely flavored treats are a cross between shortbread and sugar cookies. Flavors include eggnog, chocolate mint and peppermint, with Kahlua, champagne and cosmopolitan varieties on the way.

Tallulah’s Folly

1220 Turner Street, Sweet B, Lansing (517) 485-4166 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.

Tallulah’s Folly houses a collection of eclectic items to suit any fancy. The stock changes almost weekly, with some locally made items available for the holiday season. From Grand Rapids, Tallulah’s Folly has “Smittens” that were created from old sweaters. The “Smittens” come in a variety of different designs and colors ($40).

Besides knitwear, Tallulah’s Folly also features many locally made sauces and treats.

Sweet Sass, in Livonia, offers a sauce comparable to barbecue and can be used in a variety of ways. Mrs. Dog’s, out of Grand Rapids, makes green chili pistachios, hot pepper sauces, mustard and even marinades ($8 to $10).

Splash of Color

515 E. Grand River Ave. Suite F East Lansing (517) 333-0990 www.splashtattoos.com Mon.–Sat.: noon to 10 p.m. Sun.: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Forget diamonds: If you really want to give the gift that lasts forever, a tattoo from Splash of Color will truly make your gift most memorable. Besides offering the safest, cleanest piercings and tattoos in the state, Splash of Color also has a full jewelry section, and will do special orders if they don’t have what you want. All jewelry is surgical-grade steel and solid gold, and through the end of the month, they’re offering a buy one pair/get the second pair (equal or lesser value) half-off for all organic jewelry.

Marika Sara Schmidt at Kevena V’s Day Salon 4964 Northwind Dr. East Lansing (517) 332-0258 schmidt4643@gmail.com Open for appointments Tues.–Sat. Closed Sun./Mon.

Marika Sara Schmidt is a European-trained esthetician with over 30 years of professional experience. And no, it’s not just for celebrities. “Getting a European facial is like exercising,” Schmidt says. “You can do it once just to feel good, or you can do it regularly to get your skin looking younger and allowing your natural beauty to come out.” European facials are much deeper than traditional ones, involving connective tissue massages that activate the body’s metabolism to naturally detoxify skin. The result is a blissful-looking complexion that allows you to wear less makeup. What better way to start the new year than with a new face?

Market Place Massage

Lansing City Market 325 City Market Drive

Lansing (517) 712-6471 LKmassage@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/

MarketPlaceMassage Tues.–Fri.: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sat.: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday Open House • Black Closed Sun./Mon.

Whether you know someone who could use a 20-minute vacation from reality, or you just need a quick rubdown after shopping all day, Market Place Massage provides therapeutic seated-massage in a friendly, convenient setting. The professional massage therapists are also available for corporate and private events if you want to treat your officemates to a relaxing end-of-the-year treat. Market Place Massage provides full body massages and other therapeutic work, with specialists focusing on reflexology, prenatal massage and clinical massage. Gift certificates are also available, allowing you to give the gift of relaxation.

Katalyst 1214 Turner St., Lansing (517) 708-8916

10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.- Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.

It’s the first holiday season for this gallery, which opened in September. Scented candles to carved soaps, scarves and handbags to jewelry — they’re all here. The soaps, with inlaid carvings and designs, cost $7.95. The store also has Christmas-themed scarves by Jennifer Litteral ($19.99 to $34.99) and unusual cloth handbags by Ellie Conneol for $32. You can also find jewelry and recycled furniture, like Shannon McKeon’s chair from made from newspaper ($195).

Owner Sarah Christiansen sells her own photographs ($95 and up) and paintings ($125 and up) and watercolors ($120 and up).

Mackerel Sky Gallery

211 M.A.C. Ave., East Lansing (517) 351-2211 www.mackerelsky.com 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Wed.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thur.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.

Mackerel Sky Gallery displays vibrant crafts by artists from all over Michigan. If snuggling up in a colorful, cozy quilt is what you’re planning on doing this Christmas, check out the creations of Peggy Szasz and Mckenna Ryan ($575-$1,800). Deb Karppinen’s hats range from $130-$180. Clothing sold at the gallery also includes $60 scarves by Battle Creek designer Diana Morrison; hats, mittens, fingerless gloves and vests from a designer line called Baabaazuzu; and silk-woven scarves ($90) by Kalamazoo artist Nancy Crampton.

Money is tight? Not to worry: Mackerel offers $35 wooden jewelry boxes and cutting boards ($32) designed by Traverse City artist Matt Joppich. Plainwell artist Heidi Fahrenacher’s microwave-, dish washer and oven-safe pottery is priced at $30 and up.

Other items include House and Garden Jewelry by Sue Long ($60 and up), Barb Hranilovick’s fairy houses ($35 and up) and the Uncle Goose blocks, which are the only embossed woodblocks in America that come in a host of alphabets, from your regular ABCs to Braille, Russian, Hebrew, etc. ($45-$60, depending on language and packaging).

Absolute Gallery

307 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing (517) 482-8845 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Wed.; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Absolute Gallery features Michigan themed posters ($30) and the work of Michigan artist Sue Wagner, who creates jewelry out of ordinary materials. For instance, Wagner created a bracelet and necklace set out of wing nuts ($30 for the bracelet, $75 for the necklace). The gallery also features Christmas ornaments made by Grand Rapids artist Lori Kanneraad.

MBC

402 S. Washington Lansing (517) 977-1349 mbclansing@gmail.com www.mbclansing.com Mon.–Thurs.: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.–Sat.: 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sun.: noon to 11 p.m.

Ever notice how a stocking is the perfect shape for a 12 oz. longneck? MBC sells sixpacks, cases and growlers of hand-crafted brews, ideal for the beer fan on your list. If you’re not quite sure if you’re shopping for a lager lover or an ale aficionado, MBC gift cards will guarantee you get it right. With a massively upgraded menu, an ever-revolving list of locally hand-crafted beers on tap and live music four nights a week, MBC has made the transition from “place for good beer” to “family-friendly destination for food, drinks and good times.”

Roma Bakery, Deli and Fine Foods

428 N. Cedar St. Lansing (517) 485-9466 www.romabakery-deli.com Mon.–Fri.: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat.: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sun.

For 42 years, Roma Bakery has been supplying Greater Lansing with authentic Italian-style cookies, pastries, breads and deli items. Everything is made in-house from scratch from time-honored family recipes, using all-natural ingredients.

You’ll be the talk of the Christmas party if you show up with a box of Roma Bakery pastries in tow — especially the cannolis, which are practically local legends. Or you could go with a deli platter of hand-carved imported prosciutto, specialty cheeses, pantones (a Christmas specialty, like a cross between bread and cake) or stuffed shells. Imported olive oil also makes a great gift for your favorite saut chef.

Melissa LaFleur at Kevena V’s Day Salon

4964 Northwind Dr. East Lansing (517) 332-0258

Melissa LaFleur is the protg of Kevena Vaughn, owner of Kevena V’s in East Lansing. LaFleur is an expert hair stylist, specializing in manicures and pedicures as well. She has seven years of experience at the salon, working her way up under Vaughn’s tutelage. Kevena V’s is one of the few mid-Michigan salons offering electrolysis for their customers, and starting early next year, Kevena V’s will also be one of the only salons in the area offering esoteric healing, a type of treatment that restores an individual’s balance of energy.

Grove Gallery Co-op

325 Grove St. Suite A, East Lansing (517) 333-7180 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Tues–Fri; noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. grovegallerycoop.com

The Grove Gallery Co-op in East Lansing features pieces made by local artists that are members of the co-op. The gallery sells handmade jewelry: earrings, bracelets, necklaces, etc. Prices start at about $18 for earrings and are determined by the size of the pieces and effort used to make them. Also available are journals and sketchbooks with handmade surface designed exteriors by Candace Farmer. In the holiday spirit, gallery artists are also selling Christmas ornaments in a variety of styles ranging from felt fish and peace signs to decorated glass ornaments. These range in price from $7 to $15. Gift certificates for avid art lovers are also available through the co-op.

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