Home-Made Offerings

Add a Western New York twist for holiday gifts that say you care

By Jackie Perrin

The year I presented my finest friends with factory second fruitcake will go down as an all-time personal low. I have some excuse, because at the time I was working for a baking business. But still.

It’s the nature of the busy season: When you're short on time, money, and inspiration, it’s tempting to succumb to the mania of mass production. And when it’s possible to knock off an entire wish list without breaking a sweat at a chain department store, why expend additional effort?

Well, because it really is the thought that counts. So while I can’t undo my fruitcake-giving sins of the past, my giving has the recipient in mind this season. Fortunately, Rochester is so rich in local talent and handcrafted goods that there’s no need to travel very far. Here are some home-grown possibilities for the valued people on your list--from the best-loved babysitter, to the most terrific teacher, to the greatest guy or girl.

Kitchen science

Chemistry kits are a great big ticket gift for budding scientists, but what about when your budget’s limited? We stumbled upon the solution by chance at Edmunds Scientifics. For around $20, choose from two terrific kitchen chemistry kits made right here in Rochester! Concocted by the same folks who own Mayers Cider Mill in Webster, “Brew Your Own Root Beer” can be found here and here. Their Make Your Own Hot Sauce kits guarantee hours of homemade fun. For ages 8 and up.

Classic collection

Share an American tradition when you shop at Strong National Museum of Play®. From Erector Sets to Slinkys, Everything for Play Gift Shop* stocks modern as well as classic examples of toys which have been inducted into the museum’s National Toy Hall of Fame.
* museum admission not required

Little People land

East Aurora, New York, located about 1½ hours west of Rochester, is the world headquarters of Fisher-Price toys. Take a day-trip (see my stories on East Aurora here and here) and visit the Toytown Museum and Fisher-Price factory store. Or, you can stay at home and shop online for favorite Fisher-Price toys as well as exclusive figures.

Game night goods

At one time, Western New York was home to over 100 game and toy making businesses. Though most have exited the area, Buffalo Games, founded in 1986, carries on the century old tradition. Begin a family game night ritual in 2009 with the latest and greatest from the innovative board and card game maker.

Get it from a local gift shop

Rochester is blessed with an abundance of spots to shop for locally made and sourced gifts. Two area directories provide the details: Rochester Wiki’s directory of independently owned gift shops and Savor Independents Guide.

Sweet stuff for baby

Spoil the newest addition to the family with sweet handmade goods from Lib and Cam. From her hand-sewn soft fabric alphabet blocks to a fancy first birthday outfit to a matching game created from your family photos, this Rochester-based crafter has the local corner on cute. $3-60 plus shipping; Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery.

Beautiful blessings

Signature stamp

Encourage a love of reading with a signature stamp. Expertly etched by Rochester artist John Ballou, hand-carved stamps and book-plates can be personalized with your child’s photo or name, or even a family logo. Around $25; Please allow 7-10 days for delivery. An easier way to reach John than fussing with the contact forms is at jackbearstamps@gmail.com.

Local literary finds

Out of the ordinary gifts for kids of all ages can be found at The Rochester Children’s Book Festival, where many local authors and illustrators offer autographed copies of their latest and greatest works. If this year’s event passed you by, you can still purchase signed copies at some local bookstores. Visit the KidsOutAndAbout.com local author page to learn more about individual authors, with links to their web sites. They're often very accommodating about helping you get signed copies of their books.

Letters from home

Help them stay connected with a subscription to a regional magazine:

Grape therapy

When a weekend in the Finger Lakes just isn’t possible, treat your special someone to a relaxing retreat at home. The Spa at the DelMonte’s “Wine Country Getaway” ($194) begins with a luxurious anti-oxidant facial and wraps up with a sumptuous champagne-infused body wrap. Designated driver not included.

Paths to the Past

For history buffs, give a moving getaway to great moments in time. Print out a map to one of four themed New York State Heritage Trails, then add a related book and a gift certificate for an overnight stay along the way.

Or, give a year-long membership to one of the marvelous history-oriented nearby attraction or organization. Often, memberships include special events, lectures, or tours that are not open to the rest of the public. Some suggestions:

Play pass

Give the gift of quality time with a family membership or quantity of tickets to an area museum or sports event. Inquire with individual attractions about group and reduced price options that are right for you.

Rochester Museum & Science Center
657 East Avenue, Rochester
(585) 271-4320

Handmade from the heart

Perk up the common coffee mug when you make it yourself – at a local pottery shop.

Rescue rangers

Give Mom or dad a head start on their holiday resolution, with a gift certificate to get organized. Whether you want to give your home office a face lift or get rid of the kitchen clutter once and for all, local professional organizers are on the job. You can contact:

Lisa Martin
Organized Me
585-781-4140
LisaMartin@rochester.rr.com

Dorothy J. Madden
ORGANIZE IT!
Orderly Solutions for Everyday Life
585-381-5511
info@OrganizeIt.biz
Gift certificates are available.

Janise Beguhl
Shipshape Organizing
Helping you organize your home, your office and your life
phone: 585-594-9392
info@ssorganizing.com
Gift certificates are available.

To locate a professional organizer near you, go to http://www.napo.net/.

Culinary creations

Give the gift that keeps on giving, when you send your crew to cooking class. The Kids in the Kitchen cooking series at Wegmans Cooking School features lively hands-on instruction for parent and child pairs, with plenty of practical take home tips. Around $40-50 for two. Gift cards available.

Edible Offerings

Sweet and natural

Take a detour from the traditional fruit basket with a gift box of apples from New York Apple Country. The choicest farm fruit is hand selected and packed, then shipped to the door of your recipient. For a list of participating farms, visit www.nyapplecountry.com/giftboxes.php or call (585) 924-2171.

Tin-sel tower

A beribboned stack of tins filled with an assortment of premium cookies brings the ho-ho to the holiday party. Premier Pastry also offers deluxe hand-decorated shortbread cookies. Premier Pastry
433 South Avenue, Rochester
(585) 546-1420

Tasty trail map

Upstate New York boasts a number of themed culinary trails ripe for discovery. Wrap up a map along with a sampling of what lies ahead.

Holiday memories unwrapped

Colorful and nostalgic, hand pulled ribbon candy from The Original Candy Kitchen in Williamson is an old-fashioned tradition we’d love to keep.
The Original Candy Kitchen
4069 West Main Street, Williamson
(315) 589-9085

Upstate edibles

For the out-of-town aunt or uncle with a hunger for home-made tastes, consider an upstate New York themed gift box or basket. You’ll find a great selection of local favorites, from Abbott’s custard to Zweigles hot dogs.

Heluva Good Country Store & Mail Order
6152 Barclay Road, Sodus
(800) 445-0269

New York Style Deli
1386 Buffalo Rd., Rochester
(585) 235-7860

Wegmans
1-800-WEGMANS

New York Pride

Use the handy search engine designed by New York’s agricultural marketing agency to discover a multitude of gift packages featuring upstate New York specialty products, from Salamida’s Original State Fair Spiedie sauce to Hinerwadl’s salt potatoes to decadent chocolate dipped Angelic pretzels.
http://www.prideofny.com/giftpackages_search.asp

Contribute to a cause: Gifts that aid local non-profits

Barnes & Noble has a wonderful program wherein they designate certain days for the benefit of local nonprofit organizations. All a purchaser needs to do is ask at the front counter whether this is a day that they can direct part of their purchase to a nonprofit group, and if so, they can elect that 10% of their purchase be sent to that group. For example, on December 11 and 12, 2008, your purchase can benefit the Bach Children's Chorus, and on December 13 and 14, it can benefit the Pittsford, NY PTSA. Update: On December 6 and 7, you can direct your purchase to benefit the Brighton PTSA.

(If you know of other stores that are doing similar benefits, or other organizations that have special benefit days at Barnes & Noble, please email KidsOutAndAbout.com and we can mention it here. Thanks!)

© Jackie Perrin, 2008
All rights reserved.