Procrastinating? Here are lotsa last-minute gift ideas

If you are anything like my husband and love to do all of your shopping last minute, then this article was written for you. He says he actually enjoys shopping on the 23rd or 24th, when he finds it peaceful and quiet. Most of us have done all of our hustling and bustling by this time and that is our time to put our feet up and sip a holiday cocktail and relax. Oh, who am I kidding, I’m sweating over making food and wrapping presents. So, a peaceful night out shopping doesn’t sound so bad at all!  

 One of my favorite places to swing into last minute for any occasion is October Moon, 119 E. Cesar Chavez Ave., in Old Town. The store is always filled with sights, sounds and smells for all your senses — it’s an experience. I don’t think I have ever been in to the store and felt as though Aura, the owner, was low on any items, and today that’s saying a lot. Her eye for gift making and giving allows her to imagine the perfect item you are looking for. Her knowledge of all the perfumes, candles and chocolates to name a few, make her special. She takes all the guesswork out of it for you, she is excellent at knowing what makes people smile. The store is brimming with food items, housewares, jewelry, the dreamiest blankets, and much more. In fact, it would be easier to list what is not in the store. They have a lovely helpful staff and do a beautiful job gift wrapping if time allows.  

Holiday Lansing Parlor hair salon, at 232 N. Verlinden Ave. in Lansing, is a cute, fun and interesting space. They have a full range of services for haircuts and color with highly skilled colorists and stylists. I am a big fan. In addition to their services and a full range of hair care products. They also have a full-time aesthetician who offers a wide variety of services for eye brows and eye lashes. They have a very friendly and helpful staff that will be happy to help you get whatever you are looking for.

Playmakers, 2299 W. Grand River Road, Okemos, is always such a great gift giving go-to. You can find something for everyone in the family, including the elusive teenage girl because they have Lululemon, a line of active wear that is all the rage these days. On almost every teenage girl’s Christmas list is black leggings, I know this not only because I have two girls, one a teenager and one preteen, and they both are asking for them, it’s their uniform. Beyond that, they have fantastic stocking stuffers like socks, hydration supplements, bags for men and women, watches, and sunglasses. Also, Playmakers has running clinics on Wednesdays from 6 pm to 8 pm. That offers a free assessment to explore solutions and sometimes includes referrals for further treatment. And if you can’t make it into the store, Playmakers offers a Virtual shopping and HomeFit experience. It is a way to get the exact pair of shoes or clothing for you and your needs without leaving the comfort of your own home. What a great gift idea for the home body in your life?!? You would have to be so hard pressed to not find something for someone in your world there. 

A good way to enjoy the town with a loved one or some friends is to hop over to REO Town on south Washington Avenue, in Lansing. I love to go there at the lunch hour and take my pick from several amazing restaurants like Good Truckin’ Diner and Saddleback BBQ or grab a great cup of coffee at Blue Owl Coffee Co. and peruse the shops. Every time I am there, I love to stop into the Vintage Junkies, 1133 S. Washington Ave. It is a feast for the eyes! The scenery and products are always changing from decade to decade and genres, so it’s an adventure. They have a small collection of vintage clothing and jewelry that is so well curated. So whether your looking for something to hang on a wall or put on a table or a table, you may just find it there. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for that time, you need to keep going, they are continually getting new items.

A good place to go anytime of the year for a good laugh is Bad Annie’s Sweary Goods, 1209 Turner St., in Old Town. For that person in your life with fantastic wit and a lover of all things naughty, this is the place for them and you. It is a good plan to spend a bit of time in the shop reading and laughing at all the hilarious, candles, hand towels and socks. To see it is to believe it. Thank goodness we have one of these awesome off beat, off the wall, one of kind shops that keeps this town funky.

Last but not least, you can always stop into Azzi’s Jewelers, 3007 E. Saginaw St., in Lansing, for a sparkly bauble of some sort. The vast selection includes watches, wedding rings, down to simple and elegant everyday necklaces and jewelry. Recently it started caryinging the Swarovski silver bracelets they are very popular with women and young women.

(Erin Hagen is a personal shopper and stylist.)

Support City Pulse  -  Donate Today!