Shop Local for Last Minute Gifts

Whether you're looking for that perfect present or in search of one last stocking stuffer, you dont have to go very far to find it. Patch recently reached out to local business owners and asked for some great gift ideas. Here they are:

The Durham Pharmacy has a wonderful card and gift selection. We are currently having a 25 percent off sale on all christmas themed gifts including name ornaments, all christmas mugs, wine glasses, tumblers, jewelry, hostess sets and christmas scented candles. We also have a large selection of Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall t-shirts and sweatshirts. We carry Gund and Sesame Street stuffed animals, DaVinci beads, Russell Stover and Abdallah candy and gift cards for a variety of stores and restaurants. Of course we are the perfect stop for all your stocking stuffer needs so don't delay and stop in today.

New England Alpacas - 14 Bethke Road, Killingworth

Unique, handmade alpaca products for everyone on your list. Sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, and our famous socks!  Open by appointment.  Call 860-663-3482 or e-mail nealpacas@aol.com.

Satisfy someone's sweet tooth with an assortment of homemade and handcrafted sweets, including KCC's popular white chocolate popcorn, decadent chocolate covered creations or a variety gift-basket. (See photos)

You'll find a range of unique gifts and home accessories, including handbags, jewelry and silverware. Must have items include decorative hand towels and zebra print laptop cases. (See photos)

Bring life to any holiday party by giving your host an Amaryllis or Paperwhite Bulb kit($8.99 or 2/$15) from Country Flower Farms. While you're there choose from dozens of Christmas tree ornaments or holiday decorations. 

One of my favorite gift ideas is a wild bird feeder and a bag of seed. Great for any age group, bird watching is very popular. You can spend anywhere from $15 to $100 for a feeder. Put up a simple birdseed bell and watch what birds appear in your yard. Other items include dog and cat beds, heated pet beds (many made in USA), pet toys, cookies, breed note cards and magnets, dog collars. We even carry SLEDS this year for our two footed friends.  Happy Holidays!

The Durham Animal Response Team (DART) is offering pet first-aid kits for a $20 donation. They make a great present for the pet person with everything. Have your pet kit available in case of an emergency. 

We have limited quantities of the Slim Tote and Holiday Tote that are FREE with a $100.00 or more purchase in Vera Bradley! PCB also has home, bath and body care products from the Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender Collection and Nantucket Briar Collection.

Pick up a gift certificate to Perk or some of the many items that would round out your shopping list, including POM t-shirts, locally-made candles or mugs!

Zen Roasters - 106 Bridge Road, Haddam

Zen Roasters (local coffee roasting company) is offering a $5 flat rate shipping! Please send some Zen to your relatives for the holidays or save yourself a trip to the store. Thanks for supporting Zen Roasters! From our small family to yours: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Deerfield Farm - 337 Parmelee Hill Road, Durham

It doesn't get any more local than this: Deerfield offers a variety of handcrafted soaps courtesy of the Jersey Cows that enjoy the good life in Durham. "Be merry & clean this holiday season." Other gift ideas include Deerfield thermal sweatshirts, Emily Brooks' Farmer & Feast (cookbook feat. CT farms) and a variety of dairy products for your holiday party.

The store carries a range of women's accessories, including many colorful scarves that can be worn to accessorize an outfit or give it a whole new look. Winter scarves are also available to pair up with your favorite coat. Or, a perfect alternative to bringing someone a bottle of wine, Wild carries martini glasses decorated and filled with an assortment of handmade chocolate truffles. Lastly, to fill your home with the fragrances of Christmas, Wild has a wonderful assortment of candles and potpourri ranging in scents from Frazier fir to cinnamon spices. All of our gifts are gift wrapped and ready for giving!

The Skincare Studio - 454 Main Street, Durham

Choose from a variety of services including facials, manicures and pedicures. TSS has also expanded the studio into a small boutique carrying hand crafted jewelry, scarves, gourmet teas, aromatherapy candles and diffusers, natural skin and body care products and the Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing Systems. The Clarisonic brushes and the Clarisonic Opals have been great sellers this holiday season. Instant gift certificates are always available through www.theskincarestudio.biz.

Holiday specials include: Standard membership - $50 annual fee/$20 per month for fitness center. All-inclusive membership - includes classes and fitness center unlimited use $50 annual fee/$50 per month. Mix and match - $50 for 10 classes.

New classes include: TRX Suspension Training (space limited) 6 sessions ($72/members - $90/non-members) Starts Jan. 26. Kid Fit teen/tweens Group Cycle Class (space limited) 6 sessions ($29). Meditation, four sessions, begins Saturday, Jan. 14. $60 members/$80 non-members. Personal training sessions: $149.00/training 3 sessions OR a group of 4 is $25 per person.

About this article: Local business owners were asked to provide gift ideas for last-minute shoppers. We also found some great gift ideas on Facebook. Do you have a great gift idea or would you like your business featured in our list? Email a brief gift description (add photos if you'd like) to michael.hayes@patch.com.