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Handcrafted Here
Great uber-local gifts to give and get this season by
Emily Townsend
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If you love Kalamazoo, there’s no better way to share your hometown pride with others
this season than by giving them a little piece of the Mall City or its nearby environs. We’ve done the legwork to find great local items to give as gifts or to take to gatherings (because that’s what we do during the holidays — give and gather). And with everything from caramels to coloring books, socks to salad tongs, we’ve got all ages and tastes covered.
For Giving
3. The Original Michigan Salad Servers
1. Dragon Fruit Two-Tone Tie-Dye Socks
These handcrafted utensils are made with Southwest Michigan maple, cherry and walnut wood.
Hip tie-dye? Not an oxymoron. These flamboyant footsies are custom-dyed and made from bamboo.
Made by: Rutgers Wooden Spoon and Utensil Co., Kalamazoo Price: $45
Made by: Bambüz, Kalamazoo
Buy at: Food Dance Market, 401 E. Michigan Ave.; Sticks & Stones, 124 S. Kalamazoo Mall; Natural Health Center, 4610 W. Main St.
Fun gifts for anyone and everyone
Price: $12 Buy at: Sawall Health Foods, 2965 Oakland Drive; Love Your Mother, 39 N. Main St., Three Rivers
4. Mad Love Hat
2. Handcrafted Hand Lotion
This cotton, seven-panel hat with a woven label patch features a flat bill, brass metal eyelets and a premium leather strap in the back. The hat is designed and printed by Handmade Kalamazoo.
Made by: Opulent Blends, Kalamazoo Price: $8 Buy at: Tromblay, 627 S. Burdick St.; People’s Food Co-op, 507 Harrison St. Website: opulentblends.com
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Website: etsy.com/shop/ rutgerswoodenspoon
Website: bambuzsocks.com
Opulent Blends body products are made with natural ingredients and are grease-free and silky. Try the Lavender Essentials lotion to feel calm and spoiled at the same time.
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Price: $24 Buy at: Handmade Kalamazoo, 509 W. Vine St. Website: handmadekalamazoo.com/hats/ mad-love-panel-hat
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10 | Encore DECEMBER 2016