December 05

20 GREAT GIFTS UNDER $20: SHOP LOCAL!

Posted by thebplot on December 5, 2013 in Gifts + Products, Holiday > December | 2 Comments

The Coaster’s annual gift guide featuring great gifts from local small businesses for $20 or less – and many are much less.

Handmade local city and town beach badge wood ornaments. Soy candles from 1803 Candles in a Kerr Mason jar burn for 90 hours and are some of the best-ever smelling, like limited edition Mistletoe Kisses and Sleigh Bells & Snowflakes. $15 and $19 from Bungalow Road in Avon.

Knitted head wraps embellished with flower blooms or rhinestones are a popular and functional winter accessory from the Emporium. At $18, the wraps by CC Exclusives are a lot of style for little money.

Local small businesses have many attractive holiday gifts and offer better customer service and shorter lines.

For the chef in your life, one of the most popular items right now is the Lilly Pad Silicon Lid by Charles Viancin. It seals water-tight on smooth rims of bowls, is BPA free and looks beautiful in your fridge. It is brilliant. And for the design-conscious baby Shelter Home has the smiley face sippy cup by Gino Zucchino. Shelter Home is the area’s local source for the best in function and design. $10 and $20, respectively.

You cannot beat the value of the retro velcro O’Neill wallets at Ocean Grove Surf & Skate. Water resistant with pockets for change, cards and ID are $15.

The vintage candy you grew up with and loved makes a great stocking stuffer from Sea View Sweets in Ocean Grove. Treat your sweetie with Turkish Taffy, Sky Bars, Gold Mine Nugget bubble gum or locally handmade fudge. Starting at $2.

Crystal “bling” bracelets in aqua, turquoise, butterscotch, wine and plumb colors add sparkle to everyday wardrobes. Bracelets are $6 and matching necklace are also available at Fusion Jewelry in Ocean Grove.

Good energy polished natural crystal pendant on a braided brown leather “chain” and Legend of the Starfish earrings featuring green cut class. Both from Laurie’s Farm Market in Neptune; $20 and $15.

For the gardener in your life, beautiful hand painted, square Mexican pottery planters with saucers are $19 from Ocean Grove Flower Shop.

The Dawg Joint has everything your four-legged friend wants from Santa, including a leather collar by Circle T for $16 and all natural Old Mother Hubbard treats for $5. Plus fun toys at any price point.

Flying Saucers in Asbury Park has lovely hand embroidered cotton dish towels in a gift pouch. The towels feature Jersey Shore landmarks or New Jersey landmarks and is part of the store’s geography collection which includes plates and glasses. Towels are $16 each.

Fingerless hand-crocheted gloves for ladies make texting easy. $10 at This n’ That in Asbury Park.

The holidays have exploded at Robert Legere Home in Asbury Park. Hours and hours have been spent decorating the store – it is really a holiday treat for shoppers. It looks like Santa threw up all over the store, and I mean that with love and admiration. While you are there, check out the 12” tall ruby glass pedestal candle holder at $19.

Architectural salvage shop Salvage Angel in Asbury Park has beautiful vintage French glass beaded flowers that can easily be made into hair clips, brooches or anything a creative mind can think of. Beautiful, elegant and classic at $10 stem.

Goldie’s Soaps with original woody, bohemian scents – Indian Princess and Sailor. $8 each at the new Glide Surf Company on Bangs Avenue in Asbury Park.

Large children’s sticker books by Melissa & Doug are easy to mail and exciting to receive. Book themes include trucks and trains, princess vacation and candy store. $5 each at the Store by the Shore in Ocean Grove.

Finally, there is nothing like a great almond milk latte from Café Volan featuring Doug and Paul’s famous “latte art.” $10 will get the recipient’s choice of two of the best cups of coffee around.

Richard@TheBPlot.com