Last Minute Shopping
Hanukkah has already begun and Christmas is right around the corner….ready yet?
If you are like many Long Islanders, pressed for time, money and ideas, and tired of the holiday shopping frenzy, here are some ideas for last-minute-gifts. Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays!
Hit Some Local Shops:
Lola’s Gifts
451 Route 25a
Miller Place, NY 11764
(631) 509-1554
Lola’s has a wide variety of merchandise including trendy clothing and jewelry, children’s gift items, cards, candy, and home décor.
Pocketbooks are on sale for 15 % off.
Record Stop
279 Portion Road
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
(631) 585-3294
A great independent music store, Record Stop sells CD’s for under $10. This is not just a sale-this is their regular price- all the time. Bruce Berg has owned Record Stop for 35 years and when I asked him why shop his store rather than a large retailer he said, “Service, price and selection of music is our niche. We have what you can’t find elsewhere and if we don’t have it, we can special order it -with one day service”.
If you can’t decide exactly what to buy among the store’s 15,000 plus CD’s, gift certificates are always available.
Shop Online…With a Local Business:
Ornament Express
17 Demont Street
Smithtown, NY
www.ornamentexpress.com
Owned by the former proprietors of popular gift shop “Bath Beautiful” in Smithtown, Ornament Express is definitely more than just holiday decorations. In addition to the extensive variety of personalized ornaments available, other made to order items such as rocking horses, banks, room signs and bath robes are popular gifts. Ornaments are reasonably priced- starting at $8.95 each. Shipping is free when you order five or more and delivery is guaranteed by Christmas for any orders received by December 20.
Athena Diamond, Inc.
7 Flowerfield
St. James, NY
(631) 862-1322
www.athenadiamond.com
Looking for authentic Greek seasonings, dip mixes, or desserts? An olive oil that is used by fine restaurants throughout Long Island? Gourmet gift baskets, aprons, wine glasses and charms? Athena Diamond is the online place to shop. “We specialize in our olive oil but also offer wedding favors, gift baskets and corporate gifts,” says Athena. Her apparel line is currently available in select boutiques; online purchases will soon be available.
Not Your Run-of-the-Mill Gift Certificates:
Energy Fitness
556 Route 25a
St. James, NY 11780
(631) 862-1737
www.energy-difference.com
Energy has everything a fitness buff could want-state of the art workout equipment, a wide variety of classes, personal training, and child care. Gift cards can be purchased for any amount, for example new members can get one month and four personal training sessions for $99, or a five-pack of personal training sessions for $199.
Guitar Asylum
451 Route 25a
Miller Place, NY
(631) 474-7457
www.guitarasylum.com
Want to buy a memorable gift for a musician-in-training? Guitar lessons at the Asylum are $20 per half hour; gift certificates can be purchased directly online for lessons or merchandise.
Book Revue
313 New York Avenue
Huntington, NY 11743
(631) 271-1442
www.bookrevue.com
Help one of your reader-friends make a purchase at one of the largest independent bookstores in the country with a gift certificate to this fabulous store. Located in the heart of Huntington Village, in addition to an extensive selection of reading materials, Book Revue frequently holds book-signings with well known authors.
