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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021

THE COASTLAND TIMES

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

A custom gift basket from Nouvines in downtown Manteo is a great gift for the holiday host.

Gift certificates from Darrell’s Restaurant make a great stocking stuffer.

Office Gifts

Gifting in the office is fraught with worry. First things first, make sure to follow your company’s guidelines about gift-giving on company time. Some companies may have thresholds to accommodate everyone or plan for an for how much people can spend or what alternate gift. types of gifts can be given. You also want to make sure that you include everyone on your team and choose gifts that are inclusive of everyone. You don’t have to give everyone the same thing, but you should make sure you put the same amount of thought and spend the same on everyone. Here are some ideas for gifting at work.

Office Supplies

A coffee mug filled with some of the most-sought-after supplies in your office space is a thoughtful gift. For some offices, it’s colored sticky notes or highlighters, for others, it’s special pens. Consider grabbing and portioning out a box of high-end pens. You can also find a variety of pencils with work-appropriate funny phrases on them. Other ideas: WhimFood Almost everyone appreciates tasty sical tape dispensers, a collection of pa- cards for the office’s favorite quick lunch treats. Christmas cookies and candies per clips or binder clips in fun shapes and spot or to a store you know people in your office frequent. Put each gift card inside a are a common sight around offices at hol- phone charging cords. holiday card, but beware of including any iday time, and some homemade goodies overtly religious sentiments, depending certainly won’t come amiss. Put together Gift Cards a grab bag of sweet and savory treats so Make their daily coffee run a little more on your office culture. that they’re sure to find something they’ll pleasant with a gift card to the local coffee enjoy. And remember, many people have shop. It doesn’t have to be much, even $5 If You Can’t Gift food sensitivities or allergies. Try to make or $10 will be appreciated. Also consider Some offices prefer to forbid holiday

gifts altogether rather than try to navigate the questions around them. If there’s someone you work with that you’re close to and would like to exchange gifts with, feel free, but remember to do it on your own time and away from the office. Don’t be tempted to. Try and sneak the gift in. You may end up unwrapping more than just a great present.

Gift Guide

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021

THE COASTLAND TIMES

A gift certificate for a session to “Step into the Salt” at Outer Banks Salt Cave.

Costa sunglasses, lots of different patterns of Hey Dudes and more giftables at Parrot Bay. Almost everything in the store is 20% off.

Your Besties

They’re with you ever day, supporting you, defending you, telling you what you need to hear, loving you. Friends are the family you choose, and scented homemade soaps, bath bombs, this year, choose to give them the best lotions and other goods. The holidays are gifts ever with these awesome ideas. stressful, so this year, give your besties the gift of some relaxation. Bonus points: Snail Mail Supplies Offer to take the kids/pets/do the errands Yes, like the USPS. With mailboxes and for an afternoon to also give them the gift stamps and everything. Put together a kit of guilt-free time to relax. with cards, envelopes, stamps and maybe even a nice pen or a pack of sealing wax. Give it to your bestie (and get one Kitchen Gear If your bestie loves to cook, look for perfor you, too), and whenever you think of them, drop them a line the old-fashioned sonalized kitchen tools such as cutting way. You’ll both get the thrill of getting boards and wooden spoons. Also a hit are mail. It’s the gift that keeps giving, all pithy tea towels, aprons with or without year long. monograms, fun utensils and cookbooks. Just make sure you choose gifts appropriCustom Map Prints ate to the skill level (or desired skill level) Find a place that means the world to of your friend. both of you — maybe its your hometown, where you went to college or somewhere you both went on an amazing vacation — Tech Accessories We all have that friend that’s always and have a custom map made. For bonus swiping our charging cords. For this points, look for a local artisan that can make your map in whatever colors and bestie, put together a tech care kit with a fresh new case, a charger, a USB hub textures your heart desires. or brick, and maybe a compatible all-inFancy, De-Stressing one charger for your phone, earbuds and watch. Also look for smart watch accesToiletries Hit up the local farmers market or ar- sories, such as new bands and cases to tisan market and find some delicious match their every outfit and mood.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021

THE COASTLAND TIMES

Custom tees at Corner Gals for everyone on your list. Lots of hats and accessories to pair Join a group of friends for a class at AR Workshop in Kill Devil Hills. Gift certificates for classes are another great stocking stuffer. with them are in stock, too.

Best Gifts for: Kids

When we celebrate the Experiences holidays, in many ways, Set yourself apart from the usual gifting crowd by giving the kids in your life we’re celebrating children. experiences instead of material things. It’s the time of year when toys and other gifts for children go on sale, and it can get overwhelming to buy for the kids in your life. Fortunately, we’ve got these outsidethe-box ideas to help you win the gift-giving crown.

Cash

Yeah, it feels impersonal, but if you’ve got a teenager or an older child, cold, card cash is what they’ll want the most. For bonus points, give it as a savings bond or in the form of a savings account that’s already stocked for them. Alternatives are gift cards to their favorite restaurant or store, especially if they have a hobby you’re unfamiliar with. You can also stock their favorite app store for them to spend on the latest games or music.

Take them for a day at the beach or an outing to the museum. The point is to get them outside of their comfort zone or to tick off a goal on their list. Maybe it’s a trip to their favorite sporting event or a trip to let them get hands-on with one of their interests. Talk to their parents about things the child’s really wanted to do that you can deliver and then make a day of it with just you two together.

Accessories

Talk to their parents and see what they’re getting for their children this year, then see if it’s possible if you can buy the accessories. For instance, if the child is the kid, but their parents will appreciate getting a guitar under the tree, offer to the help, too. purchase a guitar strap, extra strings and picks. If they’re getting a phone, pony up Classes for a case and charger. You get the point. Kids today have lots of extracurricuNot only will these get you gold star from lar activities, and, chances are, there’s a

class or two the kids in your life have been wanting to try. Pony up for extra martial arts classes, swimming lessons or even a foreign language or music tutor. Find out what the kid’s really been wanting to learn and give the gift to knowledge.

Gift Guide 4B

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021 THE COASTLAND TIMES

For the Bookworm

Sometimes, our best friends are books and sometimes, they’re people with their nose in a book. If your bestie loves to spend time with a with library check-out cards on them. Algood book, here are some great gifts that so look for bookmarks and other readwill tickle their fancy. ing accessories, such as journals and notebooks, in the same theme to make a package. You can even find library- and Lighting Portable lighting makes all the differ- book-scented candles. Most voracious ence to the dedicated reader. Look for readers have logged serious library time, portable book lights with clips to grip the and these gifts will remind them of one of book, LED lights for economical bright- their favorite places. ness, and, for advanced features, light temperatures to help with eye fatigue. Bestselling Books For readers who tend to stay up too late Visit your local bookseller and, bearwith their books, there are alarm clocks ing in mind your bookworm’s favorthat slowly fade out the light and fade ite reads, pick up some of the staff’s it back in to gently put you to sleep and recommendations. wake you up. You can also choose fiction or nonfiction bestsellers or, joy of joys, a gift card so they can shop whenever they want. Library Themed Gifts You can get mugs, shirts and even socks

Soft, Snuggly Blankets

Curling up with a good book on a cold winter’s day is made all the more enjoyable with a soft, snuggly blanket. Look for blankets that are easy to maintain and go with your reading buddy’s home decor. Bonus points: Snag some comfy socks for maximum snuggliness.

Other Accessories

Bookmarks are always a good idea, and

these days they come in cute clips, tiny plants and more. Also look for creative bookends to display their favorite reads in any room. You can also get a variety of book-themed gifts, such as literary tote bags, postcards and even card games. Ask the booksellers in your town what they’d like to get for the holidays, and you’ll be well set on gifts for your favorite bookworm.

Beautiful wind chimes at Gift Garden make a great gift for the outdoor lover.

Green Thumbs

Houseplants are having a moment. As the pandemic wore on, more and more people started bringing the outdoors in with houseplants. Give budding green thumbs awesome plants like a pot with well-drained soil, so the pots you choose should have a drain gifts by using this handy list. hole or holes at the bottom. If they’re growing herbs and veggies, you should Watering Tools It seems easy, watering your plants. But choose pots with food-safe finishes. some houseplants are finicky about the way they’re watered. Look for misters to Lighting make the plant mom or dad in your life’s To make it through the long nights of job a little easier. If they like to travel, winter, some plants need a little help staylook for chic plant watering systems that ing green and growing. This is where grow will deliver water over the course of a few lights can help. Grow lights include everydays so they can take a trip and not worry thing from a light bulb for an existing lamp about their babies at home. to sophisticated systems with timers. If you’re unsure, talk to the experts at your local garden center about lights that Garden Markers There are a variety of adorable garden can work for your gardener. markers on the market. You want to look for functional, too, though. Consider the Tools materials and choose plastic over wood to New tools are always welcome. Go beprevent cracking and fading. Also make yond the ordinary trowels and look for sure they’re easy for your gardener to things such as kneeling pads to help sore read, even from a distance. knees, aprons, gloves or even a new potting bench to help store and organize their gardening goods. Hit up your local Ceramic Pots New pots are always welcome in a gar- gardening store and do some browsing to dener’s house. Look for cute pots that fit find the latest and greatest gadgets to up their personal style and make sure they their gardening game. also fit the plants they like to grow. Most

Gift Guide

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021

THE COASTLAND TIMES

Create a custom goodie bag for your four legged friends from the cookie bar at Holistic Pet Shop.

Holistic Pet Shop.

For Pets and their Humans

you’re at the pet store, look for other things like pet outfits, collars, harnesses and leashes. If your friend’s dog is particularly fuzzy, pick up some grooming supplies like brushes, combs and shedding spray. Food and water dishes are another excellent idea, and you can find a variety of bowls in different materials and styles to suit every decor.

Gifts for Cats

With the kitties, start with toys. Anything that sparks a cat’s instinct to hunt is a great toy. Keep an eye out for small balls and crinkly toys, feathers and wands they can chase, scratchers and, for the advanced cat owner, interactive cat toys. Laser pointers are another popular option. Cat furniture is a great gift, like scratching poles or loungers, but make sure their person has plenty of room for it.

Another pet that loves a toy is a bird. Look for toys that are appropriate to the type of bird your friend has; you may want to look for toys that help keep their birds’ beaks and claws properly maintained. Other ideas are dried fruits and seeds appropriate for your favorite bird’s diet, nesting boxes, perches and cage accessories.

Don’t forget our feathered and four-legged friends this holiday season — and their humans. Fins, Fur and More If you want to impress a pet-loving person, turn up with a great gift for their animals. A great way to start is by making a trip to the local pet store and ask for some advice. Or you can start with these ideas.

Gifts for Pups

Treats. Lots of treats. Some local bakeries may make special pup cakes and cookies just for doggies, and a selection of those will make any pup happy. While

You’re going to see some common refrains for these uncommon pets. Treats and toys are great ideas no matter what pet you’re buying for. Just make sure with the experts at the pet store that the ones you’ve picked out are appropriate for the pet you’re buying for. Many pet stores also offer things like outfits, even for our scaly friends, and grooming tools for all kinds of pets. Ask the experts in the store to help you put together a show-stopping gift.

Gift Guide 6B

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021 THE COASTLAND TIMES

Jewelry by Gail in Nags Head has a limited quantity of natural color freshwater pearls – multi-color or white – available in 32” ($70) and 64” ($135).

Lots of locally made art and jewelry at AR Workshop in Kill Devil Hills.

Needle felting kits at Yarn and More make the perfect holiday crafting gift.

Plenty of gift ideas at Honey and Hive for the trendy one.

Lots of sunglasses and accessories at Corner Gals in Manteo.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021 THE COASTLAND TIMES