Christmas Ideas…Deadline December 24th
By Chad N. Mitchell
Freelance Writer
Your Home Magazine

As a cooler wind carries the forthcoming season and the visions of Christmas begin to fill your thoughts, once again, it is that time of year to get the perfect gift for that special person in your life. Whether your search is a treasure for your significant other, a family member, co-worker, or a dear friend, each year challenges you to find yet another unique gift to illustrate your seasoned appreciation for that special someone.

There are the patient souls who have shopped throughout the year and saunter leisurely into the gift-giving season. You know them all too well, because your growing jealousy of their year-long efforts laughs at you during the fleeing weeks of December.

But before the stress gets to you, take a deep breath, think about what they wouldn't get themselves, and trudge forward into the serene snowflakes, the crowds armed with winter coats and credit cards, and consider some Central Illinois options that are within your reach.

"We make candles made from soy beans which are 100% natural," says Theresa Kuzel, co-owner of Prairieland Candles, in Mt. Zion, Illinois. "The candles are lead and soot free, have no carcinogens, and because they are made from soy, they burn cooler than other candles and last longer."

Kuzel, who started the business with partner Tara Rohman in July, says that their candles are also more fragrant than most candles because they are triple-scented.

"Triple-scent means that it's one scent, but it's three times the scent," explains Kuzel. "Our candles scent the air more rapidly and hold the scent throughout. They burn evenly and clean all the way down."

In fact, the soy candles burn so clean that Kuzel recommends using the melted soy candle wax as a moisturizer, which contains revitalizing Vitamin E. Working with Archer Daniels Midland, they are the first business in Central Illinois to use the soy candle wax.

Prices for the candles range from $7.95 for a 5 ounce jar, which last for roughly 40 hours, to $13.95 for a 13 oz. jar, which will give you 80 to 85 hours of aromatic enjoyment.

"We started out as a landscaping company and turned into a floral company," says Alison Novak, AIFD, owner of Flora Scape, in Springfield, Ill. "As the market changed in Springfield, we had to change to have more gift items, and we started carrying more things under $50, like cards, truffles, candies, and flowers."

Novak, who is celebrating her tenth anniversary in business this year, says one of her top gift ideas includes the Fabulous Soaps.

"Customers buy a decorative loaf of soap, and they can slice it for their bathrooms or kitchens," says Novak. "The cost for a loaf of soap is $6.95."

Novak also customizes gourmet baskets of bouquets as a high-end home gift idea or a corporate gift option.

"We are a flower shop, so we needed to come up with a new idea to sell flowers," admits Novak. "We make the arrangements and put them in clear glass vases. We use an epoxy, and you arrange the silk flowers in with decorative rocks. It looks like it's in water, and it hardens that way. They start at $30, but we had someone buy a $300 centerpiece for his wife."

Novak continues, "I recommend thinking about what a significant other would really like and what they wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves. The gift should be a real treat. Don't be afraid to go out on a limb."

Living in the corn belt of the Missouri agricultural expanse, Marj Tieman prefers to go out into the autumn corn fields for her inspiration for home décor, which includes custom-made corn husk arrangements.

"I handpick the corn while it is still standing, pop the ear out of the shuck, bleach them, and hand-die them," says Tieman. "I make cornhusk dolls and flowers, which I can put into any type of arrangement or wreath."

Tieman, who has been making custom home decorations for the past decade, is accustomed to special requests during the Christmas season. Using wallpaper samples or samples of paint, she mixes her own dies to create a corn husk masterpiece that adds warmth and comfort to any family room.

Tieman says that her prices range from $25-80 for wreaths and $15-50 for dolls.

But what about that unique man in your life?

"Our customers like to be able to come in and have us make something just for them," says Pam Reeves, of Reeves Lures. "They like the novelty."

Reeves, who specializes in making custom jig heads, tube jakes, curl tails, and twin tails in a variety of colors and materials, also works with her son in making custom fishing rods for the serious angler.

"One wife came in and wanted a custom rod for her husband that was camouflage," recalls Reeves. "She loved it, and we sold three more just like it."

The jig heads start at $2.50 for a package of ten, with bulk jig heads available in lots of 100 for $22.50, depending on the style.

"I encourage people to consider what the [gift recipient's] style and passions are, what they enjoy doing, and what would reflect their personality," recommends Pam Witzig, owner of Personality, in Bloomington, Ill. "We focus on buying direct from artisans. This includes two-dimensional art, like photography and clay tiles, to 3-D art like pottery and art glass."

Witzig, who playfully suggests that men are difficult when it comes to gift ideas, has several gift ideas for under $50. This includes decorative desktop clocks, umbrellas, glass cutting boards, hand-made kaleidoscopes, themes featuring team sports, and even figures created by an artist who makes characters from spark plugs.

For the intriguing woman, Personality has beveled and blown glass perfume bottles, nightlights, and diamond-shaped boxes, all created by a glass artist.

"Our items are just fun, whimsical, and they go very well around the home," says Witzig.

Witzig claims that her store has a gift idea for anyone, from hand-painted magnets for $3 to an Andy Warhol painting for $11,000.

And if the stress of Christmas shopping is getting to you, maybe your last stop should include a massage? Do you need one more idea? Endorphins!

"I probably sell gift certificates on a daily basis," says Amy Shobe, owner of the Stress Reduction Center, in Decatur, Ill., where she specializes in massage therapy, foot reflexology and aromatherapy. "If you were going to give something to someone you love, what better present is there to give than the gift of health. There's a sense of pampering yourself, and you need to do that sometimes. We deserve it!"

At the Stress Reduction Center, a one-hour full body massage is $37, with a 30-minute partial body massage or a 30-minute foot reflexology session costing $27 each.

Before you brave the bitter cold winds of the Midwest, you might want to take note and visit a couple hot spots for last-minute ideas. Whether your target is someone special, a friend, or yourself, think about the unique and the extraordinary and choose the idea for the deserving.

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Reprinted with permission of Stone Marketing Images, Ltd. - Decatur, IL.