Over the Mountain Journal 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

2011

30 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

GIFT GUIDE

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

holiday gift guide

W

e want your holidays to be bright and merry, so to save you the time of stressing to find that perfect holiday gift, we’ve done some of the work for you. Once again we’ve hit up our OTM merchants for the hottest gifts this holiday, and once again they delivered. Find that perfect gift for the SOMEONE SPECIAL in your life. Or if it’s something for the HOME you had in mind, we’ve got that covered, too. And as always, we’ve got great suggestons for TOYS and HOLIDAY cheer. Happy shopping! someone special

holiday

home Delight the bird lovers on your list with this Cloud Hummingbird Feeder. It’s handblown from recycled glass and beautifully designed with superior functionality. $48.

Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery, 328-1000

This hand-painted platter with layered holiday icons is adorable with a personalization. Serve treats for Santa or display it for some holiday cheer. $40.95. Blue Willow, 968-0909

Make sure she’s in style this holiday season with a Beim Leather Hobo Bag. $323. Chick-a-dees 969-3138 She’ll look stunning in her Mia Lara Jewelry.

This handmade jewelry is made right here in Alabama with beautiful stones, starting at $150. A’Mano, 871-9093

The idea is 3,000 years old, but the Big Green Egg is all the rage now! It’s the perfect smoker, grill and barbecue for the cook on your list. Medium Egg, $649 (assembly and nest extra). AllSouth Appliance, 942-0408 She will love you for this Scott Kay sterling cuff bracelet, with or without diamonds in various gemstones. It’s the kind of accent that never goes out of style. $1,075-$1,870.

Barton-Clay Fine Jewelers, 871-7060

Looking for something for the wine lover in your life? These antique hand-tooled leather decanters are beautiful and useful. Prices start at $10. Mulberry Heights Antiques, 870-1300 Lend an earthy charm to décor with rich color and artistic expression with this Gaither pottery rooster handcrafted in Northern Alabama. $260 Rusty Dime 995-4005

Give a gift of art with one-of-a-kind handmade clay pieces by CHI Carolyn Ingram.

They come in all different sizes and designs.

The “Robbie” Ado-de Bird is just one of the pieces to choose from that will bring smiles and happiness into your home. $79-$175. Art Alley 879-1105

Fontanini Nativity Sets are the perfect keepsake for your family’s holiday decorating. Pieces start at $18 and go up to $275 for a full nativity set. Briarcliff Shop, 870-8110 These are the real deal.

Enjoy the unmistakable jingle that only authentic cast brass sleigh bells can give. $395.

Noordermeer Antiques, 870-1161

Local artist Betty Freeman captures the spirit of the season with this beautiful painting of poinsettias that will remain in bloom for many holidays to come.

12x12 painting, acrylic on canvas. Arceneaux Gallery.

802-5800

toys

Want a creative way of teaching children about the joy of giving to others?

The Christmas Angel will do just that. It includes the plush Christmas Angel, the storybook and a pouch of golden dust. $29.99. Kidz Closet & More 979-0707

This doll is almost as cute as she is, and what little girl doesn’t want a Sophia doll?

She’s fashion forward and the same size as the popular American Girl doll.

There’s also lots of clothing and accessories to choose from. A Tiniy Kingdon, xxx-xxx Just like Fido, he can be sweet and adorable or he can get growling mad.

Kids will crack up Christmas Morning with Beware of the Dog and his many moods.

Snoozy’s, xxx-xxx

On trend for girls this year are socks with toes. Homewood Toy and Hobby has a set of three mismatched socks (yes, that’s the thing) for $13.99.

During the holidays, bop around in the Christmas socks; one pair is $5.50.

Homewood Toy & Hobby, xxx-xxxx

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areacx 1 x 2"

levy’s 3 x 8"

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rusty dime 2 x 3.125"

al auto 2 x 3.125"

red mt theatre 2 x 6.25"

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

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a tiny kingdon 2 x 6.25"

m chamber 1 x 2"

Ad Box 2 x 6.25" arbor 2 x 5"

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Ad Box 2 x 4"

heart of dixie 2 x 5"

GIFT GUIDE Also at Snoozy’s are two great ride-on toys that even children as young as 18 months will love.

The ultra-cool BIT bike ($129) is made of light wood and comes in pink or green.

“It’s from Europe and looks like a piece of modern art,” said George.

The Plasma bike ($80) has an extra-wide wheel that makes it easier to balance, he said.

New this year is the Y Pewi (say “peewee”) walker/bike, at Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy and Hobby for $59.99. It’s for ages 1 to 3; kids can push it like a walker or ride on it.

They don’t even have the steer; the bike’s pivoting wheels go in any direction.

For football fans, A Tiny Kingdom offers Tailgate Toss games in mini, tabletop and large sizes in both Alabama and Auburn motifs.

Boy Toys The Michigan State folks may be wondering why their foam footballs ($7.99) are such hits in the heart of Tide and Tiger country. A Tiny Kingdom, Smith’s and Snoozy’s are stocking them because the Mountain Brook High School faithful like the MSU colors and mascot.

Need something with a “wow” factor for under the tree on Christmas morning? Bruder Toys’ bright yellow Mack Crane Truck ($99.99) at Homewood Toy and Hobby and Snoozy’s telescopes up to 51 inches. The store also has the Park Tower Garage ($159.99).

Its seven layers include a gas station, working elevator, helipad and car wash. Some cars are included, but all Matchbox and Hot Wheels vehicles work, too.

Two can play at this game: Spin Force, $39.99 at Smith’s and Snoozy’s, encourages friendly combat. The set includes a big bowlshaped arena; two players each have a radio-controlled car. The object is to knock the other guy’s vehicle out of the ring without sending yours sailing, too.

Tosy AFOs – Alien Flying Objects – light up, shoot up and then boomerang back to you.

Smith’s has them for $19.99.

The Blade Scout CX radiocontrolled helicopter ($49.99) comes highly recommended from the experts at Homewood Toy and Hobby. It’s easy to fly and very durable; in fact, you’ve got to hit something really hard to damage it. It bounces and then is ready for another takeoff.

George at Snoozy’s likes the Lite Hawk helicopter ($49.99 to $74.99, for ages 8 and up).

“This is a good remote control helicopter,” he said. “I’ve purposely crashed ours, and it still works fine.”

The well-dressed little football freak will cheer for NFL jerseys stitched with the names of players popular in these parts: Mark Ingram, Cam Newton and Marcell Dareus ($39.99 in youth medium and youth extra-large sizes).

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

They’re at A Tiny Kingdom.

To really show their colors, kids can don super-hero capes ($32.99) that come in Alabama and Auburn styles, from Snoozy’s and A Tiny Kingdom.

Startle poor grandma out of her wits – but harmlessly so – with the Airzooka ($19.99) at Smith’s. It’s a fun gun that blows a soft ball of air toward any object or person.

“We sell about 300 of these a year,” said Steve.

For Girls Only Girls like to get creative, said our toy experts. One way for even the artistically-challenged to get in on the fun is with Paint-A-Doodle sets ($24.99 to $29.99) from Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy and Hobby. Ages 8 and up (adults like these, too) can create a work of art with pre-printed, ready-to-hang canvases. Designs include a peace sign, flowers, owls, elves and ornaments.

Another simple way to be a budding Van Gogh or Klimt is by using Master Kitz ($29.99) that allow you to create your own masterpieces by these artists. Painters ages 4 and up can produce their own versions of “Starry Night” or “Tree of Life” that are ready to hang when they’re finished. You find these at Smith’s and Homewood Toy and Hobby.

Most stores have a great selection of craft sets. At Learning Express, the Stick ’N Style Really Pretty Wristlet Kit (starting at $14.99 for ages 5 and up) and Slap ’N Switch Watch Kit ($29.99 for ages 7 and up) let girls create their own accessories.

Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy and Hobby have fashion headband sets ($19.99 for ages 5 and up) that include 10 satin bands with ribbons, flowers and butterfly attachments.

These make great party favors, too.

Smith’s has an entire aisle dedicated to girls ages 7 to 11. You’ll find everything from stocking stuffers like flower-shaped bath gels and lip glosses to room doorbells ($24.99). Smith’s and Snoozy’s have a bright idea for girls’ rooms: a delightfully posh chandelier ($179.99) from Molly and Me. Pint-sized shopping carts ($49.99 for ages 2 to 6) at Homewood Toy and Hobby and Snoozy’s can be filled with faux food from Melissa and Doug – fruit, sandwiches, pizza, sundae and birthday-themed sets.

Snoozy’s is the only Alabama store that carries the Casdon Little Cook series from England. The line includes a stove, washing machine, sink, iron and pink vacuum, all of which make sounds ($14.99 to $44.99).

Also at Snoozy’s is a play kitchen that falls into the “why didn’t someone think of this before” category. The Hideaway Playtime Kitchen ($249.99) folds up so it can be stored under the bed or in the closet. It’s wooden and comes in white or pink.

Dollhouses are making a comeback, according to Tricia at Homewood Toy and Hobby. She

likes Educo’s contemporary-style, multilevel house with the ever popular open floor plan ($99.99, age 2 and up).

Christmas morning, for girls, wouldn’t be complete with a special doll. At A Tiny Kingdom, the Lee Middleton nursery is full of adoptable babies, including Wee Wonders “preemies.”

Several of our stores have Baby Stella ($29.99), designed for ages 12 months and up; she’s soft and comes with a magnetic pacifier.

Adora’s Nursery Time baby dolls ($79.99 for ages 2 to 8) come in their own carriers and are weighted to feel like real babies.

You’ll find a variety of tea party sets at Smith’s and A Tiny Kingdom, from sturdy plastic and tin to metal that replicates mom’s good sterling silver.

Girls have a thing for nightlights, said George. Snoozy’s has an assortment of mod designs, fairy and butterfly shapes and some that flicker like a candle ($9.99 to $19.99).

For infant girls – and boys, too – the Twilight Ladybug ($29.99) at Smith’s Variety and Homewood Toy and Hobby is a nightlight that projects constellations on the ceiling.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

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Ad Box 2 x 6.25"

Ad Box 1 x 6.25" mbaa 2 x 4"

dyron 2 x 6.25"