We get it, shopping is a hassle. Plus, what do you even get a 14-year-old cousin who speaks in memes and acronyms half the time? This list of last-minute gifts serves the local shopper, who would rather put money into the hands of neighbors instead of corporations, while maintaining their reputation as “most hip” in the family unit. You’re welcome.
The Entertainer
Ken Foster, a retired General Motors machinist, has found a beautiful way to repurpose scraps of wood that would go to waste in his shop. Foster, with the help of his grandson, Adam, turn scraps of wood into beautifully made cutting boards in the shape of the state of Michigan. The cutting boards are sold at Old Town General Store and range from $22.99 to $49.99. The store is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas.
Old Town General Store
408 E. César E. Chávez Ave., Lansing
Monday-Sunday, various hours
(517) 487-6847, oldtown-generalstore.com
The Socialite
Polka Dot Boutique holds a variety of unique fashion, jewelry and accessories. Additionally, they hold a line of West Third Brand fragrances. The brand, founded in Austin, Texas, handcrafts a minimalist blend of earthy scents. Shop manager, Andrea Bartlett, suggests the Marche’ de Tabac and Amber Wood. The shop sells 1/3-ounce bottles for $25 and 2-ounce bottles for $40. They will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.
Polka Dots Boutique
Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
1207 Turner Road, Lansing
(517) 267-1479, Polkadotsboutique.com
The Entrepreneur
Face it, you aren’t going to get your Gen Z relative off their phone at dinner, but you can at least help them turn their habit into commerce. We recommend stopping by the Camera Shop and stocking up on accessible video production tools, such as the AXIS phone stabilizer ($50) or a camera-phone LED light mount ($15.99). If your loved one has surpassed iPhone blogging and is building a studio, we recommend helping them invest with an LED ring light ($170) and a Sirui tripod ($100). The shop will be open on Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Camera Shop
6006 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing
Monday-Saturday, various hours
(517) 272-0027, lansingcamera.com
The Birdwatcher
Summit Comics & Games is a family-owned business that holds a longstanding history in the Lansing area. Their recommendation for holiday shoppers is a game called Wingspan. Designed by Elizabeth Hargrave, with art by Natalia Rojas, Ana Maria Martinez Jaramillo and Beth Sobel, the game is a card-driven, engine-building board game. Each player is a researcher, bird watcher, ornithologist and collector – on a mission to discover and attract the best birds to the players’ network of wildlife preserves. The game is $54.99 and the expansion pack is $24.99. Their hours change to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will be closed Christmas Day.
Summit Comics & Games
216 Washington Square, Lansing
Monday-Sunday, various hours
(517) 485-2369, summitlansing.com
Something for your smart mouth niece
Mackerel Sky has a variety of tastefully made gifts. The owners proudly sell a variety of handmade goods created by local artists. Among the engaging displays are handmade ceramic coffee mugs, created by Crazy Cat Lady Ceramics in Isla La Motte, Vermont. The mugs feature portraits of cats, as well as Bernie Sanders and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, all adorned by flowers. The mugs are $52 each, located on the gallery’s “Resistance Display.” Mackerel Sky Gallery will be open on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, the store will be closing its doors preeminently.
Mackerel Sky Gallery of Contemporary Art
211 MAC Ave., East Lansing
Monday-Sunday, various hours
(517) 351-2211, mackerelsky.com
No green necks please
Mad Eagle is an eclectic boutique that has been in mid-Michigan for over 20 years. Located at 301 M.A.C. Ave., the store carries original Clever Clover designs, and exclusive line of pristine sterling silver necklaces created by local artists. The shop offers necklaces for any occasion, person or passion ranging from $25-60. The shop will have shortened hours on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day.
Mad Eagle
301 MAC Ave., East Lansing
Monday- Sun, various hours
(517) 333-3998, madeagle.com
All-Natural Neal
Kathaleen Parker owns Soulful Earth Herbals in REO Town. Parker has been working on perfecting herbal blends that replace the harsh chemicals found in soaps, lotions, cleansers and shampoos. The delightfully scented shop offers themed gift boxes such as the; Body Box, Face Box, Apothecary Box, Hand/Foot Box, a Baby Box and a build-your-own-box option. Boxes vary from $45 to $65 and are perfect for the naturalistic person in one’s life. The shop will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Soulful Earth Herbals
1131 S. Washington Ave., Lansing
Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(517) 316-0547, soulfulearthherbals.com
CBD Sweetie
On the topic of all-natural products in REO Town, Sweetheart Essentials, located inside REO Town Marketplace, sells homemade CBD aromatherapy products. The ethereal shop has beautifully packaged soaking salt ($10), bath bombs ($8) and CBD massage candles ($18). The need for a cannabinoid candle sprinkled with glitter and crystals seems excessive, but with a little time on the internet you’ll see that these are special candles, that upon being heated up, can be used as massage oil. Not sure what happens when the oils dry up again, but if you want to write a review on your hot times you know where to send it. Sweetheart as well as a few other shops will be open on Sundays leading up to Christmas from noon to 3 p.m.
Sweetheart Essentials
1027 S. Washington Ave., Lansing
Wednesday-Saturday, various times
(517) 402-5983, sweet_essentials on Facebook
Green Goddess
Bowls of Jade plant, Echeveia elegans, fascinated haworthia and mammillaria fill the vintage wooden tables of Where The Wild Things Bloom, a plant shop in Old Town across the street from Preuss’ Pets. These succulents are stunning in their plastic holders, but in case you want to take it to the next level, the dainty shop has terrarium-building tools. Trim and slip the plants into the shop’s collection of glass orifices, such as lab glassware by J. Bond, a retired scientist from Williamston. The shop will be open tentatively on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day.
Where The Wild Things Bloom
523 E Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Lansing
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(517) 253-8519, wildthingsbloom.com
DIY Bedroom pop star
Got a brother that never leaves his room, regardless of who is coming over for dinner? He may be suffering from the early stages of chronic beat making, with no outlet to release the creative soundscapes trapped in his mind. Music Manor has used and brand-new DJ and USB controllers, speakers and microphones under $200 waiting to be put in the hands of a music connoisseur. The longtime go-to for Lansing musicians also has startup kits for the aspiring podcaster. Guitar, bass and ukele lessons are available for $20 per half-hour.
Music Manor
3333 S. Cedar St., Lansing
Monday-Saturday, various hours
(517) 393-5995, Music-manor.com
Sucre in the city
Despite a car running into the building last weekend, Don Pancho’s market is still alive and well. This place is great for last-minute stocking stuffers for the person with an adventurous sweet tooth. Surprise them with Pingünos instead of Oreos or freshly baked and frosted cortadillos. Stop by the frozen treats near the cashier and stock up on Mi Michoacana ice cream bars ($3.49) made in Kalamazoo. Our favorites included Pistachio con nuez and Walnut.
Don Pancho market
2120 S. Cedar St., Lansing
Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
(517) 374-0044, facebook.com/donpanchomarket
Something for your ink’d up cousin
You know, the tatted-up relative who has hardly spoken a word since his/her eighth-grade. Give them a T-shirt, notebook or clutch screen printed by ALT. Printing Co. that does all the talking for them. Merchandise ranges from $5-$30.
ALT Printing Co.
1139 Washington Ave., Lansing
Tuesday-Saturday, various hours
(517) 388-3558, linktr.ee/altprintingco
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