Compiled by Michelle Colesanti
Finding that special gift for those special people in your life can be intimidating and frustrating for those not creative enough to come up with unique ideas. Here are some ideas from local businesses that might help make those gift-giving decisions just a little easier.
Willow Veranda Gifts & Boutique
Located at 11268 Boyette Rd. in Riverview (across from Riverview High School and behind the Sonic) Willow Veranda Gifts & Boutique is a new boutique featuring gifts that are made in the U.S.A.
While shopping, check out Southern Gates Sterling Silver Jewelry. This collection is a tribute to the skills of artisans of ornamental ironwork from the 18th and 19th centuries. The intricate scroll designs are reminiscent of the wrought iron gates found throughout Charleston, S.C.
Another great gift idea is Face Plant, gloriously soft pillowcases that reveal lighthearted and inspiring messages each time you turn down the blankets. These pillowcases are made in Tampa.
See the collection of Willow Tree Angels and Nativity sets. Family traditions sculpted into beautiful figurines.
Willow Veranda Gifts & Boutique is open Tuesday – Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information, call 336-671-4761 or visit willowveranda.com. It can also be found at www.facebook.com/willowveranda.
Bloom Salon & Spa
Escape the ordinary for the extraordinary; that is the motto for organic salon, Bloom Salon & Spa. It offers hair design, including highlights to full color and everything in between. It also offers eyebrow threading, facials and massage. Bridal packages are also available.
For the holidays, Bloom Salon & Spa is offering $100 gift certificates for $80. It is also offering $7 eyebrow threading and 15 percent off all services until Sunday, December 14.
Bloom Salon & Spa is located at 1903 S.R. 60 East, #D in Valrico. It is open Mondays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and by appointment only on Sunday. For an appointment or more information, call 681-8020 or visit www.bloomsalonspa.net.
Corbin’s Stamp & Coin
Sometimes the best gifts are those keepsakes that you hold on to for a long time. The fond memory of that person who gave it to you can remain for a lifetime. If you are looking for that special something for your loved one, Corbin’s Christmas Coins showing the Nativity, Santa and more (one ounce pure silver) are available for $29.95 in a gift box and make the perfect keepsake. Is there a new addition to your family this year? Start the coin collecting tradition early. Corbin Coins offers special coins for baby’s first Christmas.
Located at 209 N Kings Ave. in Brandon, Corbin Coins is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, call 651-3266. You can also visit Corbin’s Stamp & Coin on e-Bay at corbin556.
Sketch and Sip
At Sketch and Sip you get to create your own masterpiece. What matters is the fun you will have painting, and the satisfaction of knowing that yes, you can do it. This is a great gift for friends to share; enjoying a night out while creating your own personal masterpiece. It is very therapeutic and can be enjoyed by everyone.
Why not consider a gift certificate for someone to experience this unique painting class, which offers step-by-step instruction.
Sketch and Sip is located at 11242 Winthrop Main St. in Riverview. For more information, call 644-5954 or visit www.sketchandsip.com
Luxurious In-Theater Dining at CinéBistro Hyde Park
You may not agree on what to watch, but most everyone enjoys a good movie experience. Now you can enjoy dinner and a movie like never before in a luxurious in-theatre dining experience, all designed to ensure your visit to CinéBistro is the ultimate in comfort and enjoyment. It’s the perfect gift. Gift cards are available in any denomination.
It opens at 3:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. CinéBistro will be open at 11:30 a.m. every day from Friday, December 19 through Sunday, January 4, 2015.
For more information, call 514-8310 or visit www.cobbcinebistro.com/hyde.
Fast Frame
We all have those great family photos that we’ve been meaning to do something special with. Or maybe you have an old family picture in need of restoration. Fast Frame can help. With already affordable prices (no coupon needed), Fast Frame will “frame your windows in time.” This holiday season, why not surprise a family member with an old family photo beautifully framed or restored. Fast Frame also offers oil paint stretches, shadow boxes, needle points and repairs.
Fast Frame has been in the community for 15 years and is now located at 6128 Winthrop Town Center Ave. in Riverview. For more information, call 655-6400 or e-mail fastframe@hotmail.com.
DayDreams Day Spa & Bath Shop
We all dream of that one day we would love to just be pampered at a spa. You can treat your loved one to that one day of tranquility in a beautiful local setting. DayDreams Day Spa offers many choices of spa packages, massages, facials, for moms-to-be, teens and much more.
A Spa gift certificate makes the perfect gift for anyone who needs to feel pampered and truly relaxed. Although it offers several Spa Packages this holiday season, the Joy, Peace and Massage spa experience is sure to be a hit. This gift includes a customized Anti-Stress Neck and Back Massage with a Tension Relief Moor Mud Back Treatment and a luxurious Serenity Hot Stone Foot Massage for $99. Give it as a gift or try it yourself to experience the DayDreams difference.
Visit www.DayDreamsDay Spa.com to purchase gift certificates online. The Brandon Spa is located at 658 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon. For more information, call 657-2992.
Martin’s Jewelers
Are you planning to surprise your loved one with an engagement ring for the holidays, or maybe just that special piece of jewelry to let your loved one know how much you care? If so, Martin’s Jewelers, which has serviced the Brandon community for over 50 years, is the place to go.
Located at 664 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon, it is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday, December 21, it will be open from 12 Noon-5 p.m.
Twisted Cigar
For the cigar smoker in your life, Twisted Cigar offers some unique gift ideas for this holiday season. Some of the more big ticket items include Humidors – both travel and desk top size, Wiley Pipes – made from the world famous Randy Wiley and Xicar lighters, which are guaranteed for life.
Smaller gift item ideas include cigar gift packs, cigar cutters, over 800 choices of cigars, pipe tobacco and accessories.
Twisted Cigar is located at 3644 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. It is open Monday to Thursday from 12 Noon-10 p.m., Saturday from 12 Noon-12 Midnight and Sunday from 12 Noon-6 p.m.
Call 571-7500 or visit www.twistedcigar.com for more information.
AJ’s Fine Wines & Liquor Offers Best for Holiday Gatherings
You can shop at AJ’s Fine Wines & Liquor for all of your holiday liquor needs, including wines, craft beers and cigars (walk-in humidor). Do you have some people on your list that appreciate fine wines or liquor? AJ will help you select something just right for that person with a special appreciation for the very best.
A great gift idea – AJ’s will offer engraving by Gentleman Jack, compliments of the Jack Daniels family on Monday, December 15 (a Monday night Special Event) from 6-9 p.m. Special orders are available upon request. AJ’s Fine Wines & Liquor is located at 3443 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., located at corner of Lithia Pinecrest and Bloomingdale Ave. in the Publix Plaza. For more information and to find out about delivery, call 654-6488.
Dog Gone Holistic 
Offers Gifts for Pets and their Owners
Your family pets are special. Why not treat them with a special gift this year, too. Dog Gone Holistic has a huge selection of Christmas gifts for pets as well as gift cards to give to all of your friends and family who are also pet lovers. A great gift for any dog lover is Dog Gone Holistic’s new line of breed-specific Christmas ornaments.
Dog Gone Holistic is located at 5620 FishHawk Crossing Blvd. in Lithia. The hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday to Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call 651-0842, visit www.doggoneholistic.biz or www.facebook.com/Dog GoneHolistic.
Just Ride Bicycles for the Holidays
What a thrill for your young child to wake up on Christmas morning and see their brand new bicycle under the tree. The kid’s bike selection at Just Ride Bicycles is extensive, and all Trek bikes are eligible for the trade-up program. The trade-up program allows you to trade in a bike your child has outgrown and get a trade in credit toward the purchase of a new bike.
Just Ride Bicycles is located at 13412 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. It is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 Noon-4 p.m. For more information, call 381-3907 or e-mail Justridebicycles@verizon.net or visit Facebook: Just Ride Bicycles.
Pinch-a-Penny FishHawk Will Make Gift Shopping EGGstra Special
A great gift for anyone’s list this Christmas is The Big Green Egg, the ultimate in outdoor cooking. Take your pick on cooking style as The Big Green Egg allows you choice of grilling, smoking, roasting and baking. With its great versatility, you can use it to make steak, pizza, dessert, breakfast, ribs, roasts, chicken, burgers and turkey.
Pinch-a-Penny FishHawk is located at 16715 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia (located in the Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza, across from Newsome High School). For more information, call 655-3700.
Pinot’s Palette Offers Fun While Bringing Out Your Inner Artist
Be everyone’s favorite Santa and give the gift of fun. Pinot’s Palette offers an unforgettable evening of fun and friends, where you can discover your inner artist creating any number of festive, whimsical and pretty paintings while sipping your favorite beverage. At Pinot’s Palette – anyone can be a Picasso. For each $35 gift certificate purchased, you will receive a $5 gift card to use for yourself to paint, drink and have fun. Pinot’s Palette is located at 2086 Badlands Dr. in Brandon. Office hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Parties are available any day and any time of day. For more information, call 618-3064 or visit www.Pinots Palette.com/Brandon or www.facebook. com/Pinots PaletteBrandon.
Rich’s Backyard Birds Offers Many “Tweets” For Bird and Science Lovers
Rich’s Backyard Birds not only carries guaranteed squirrel-proof Birdfeeders, but also lots of unique gifts for that hard to buy for person on your list like color-changing Solar Garden Stakes or Handmade in Colorado Wooden Table Top Lanterns and the largest selection of kids science kits in the entire area.
Rich’s Backyard Birds is located at 5670 FishHawk Crossing Blvd. in Lithia and is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. -6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 Noon-4 p.m. For more information, call 657-2473 or visit Rich’s Backyard Birds on Facebook.
The Salt Grotto Caters to Natural Health and Wellness
The Salt Grotto is your local Salt Therapy Health spa dedicated to your respiratory health. The staff will help you start your journey to discovering the benefits of natural health and wellness. In addition to Salt Therapy, massage and acupuncture, a myriad of products help you achieve natural health and wellness. The Salt Grotto carries a large assortment of Himalayan Salt products to help you maintain a healthy environment in your home. It has lamps of all shapes and sizes and bathing salts, cleansing salts as well as cookware. Not only great for holiday gifts, but for your health and well-being during the stressful holiday season. The Salt Grotto is located at 1026 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. It is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 Noon-4 p.m. For more information, call 324-8946 or visit www.thesaltgrotto.com or www.facebook.com/thesaltgrotto.
Treat Your Loved One to Personalized Care at Skin And Laser
Do you want to enhance your seasonal glow this holiday season or know of someone who would love to keep their skin looking beautiful? Obagi Professional Skincare products make a wonderful gift and Skin and Laser is currently offering a 10 percent discount through Wednesday, December 24.
Gift certificates are offered for personalized skin care advice, products and/or treatments, such as laser hair removal. Packages currently start at $125. Services offered for wrinkle relaxation, Juvederm filler, Radiesse filler, Microdermabrasion iPl, laser hair removal, acne treatments, chemical peels, cyst removal, skin cancer screening, mole removal and professional skin care.
Skin and Laser is located at 4325 Lynx Paw Tr. in Valrico in the River Hills Plaza. It is open Monday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For an appointment, call Dr. Dyan Harvey-Dent, D.O. at 684-9600 or visit www.skinlasermedicalcenter.com.
Daniella’s Mobile Massage Comes To the Customer
If you are looking for something special to complete the perfect gift or fill up stockings, what better idea than a massage gift certificate, and what is best of all is that the massage therapist comes to your house. Daniella Vetencourt offers deep tissue, prenatal, neuromuscular and sports massage.
The hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday available by appointment.
Call 323-4901 or e-mail dveten@gmail.com for an appointment or more information. Visit her on Facebook at www.facebook.com /Daniellas MobileMassage.
Gift Some Relaxation To Friends Or Family Members At A Peaceful Harbor Day Spa
A Peaceful Harbor Day Spa and Salon is a full service operation offering massages, facials, waxing, permanent makeup, teeth whitening, spray tans, pedicures, manicures, anti-aging microneedling, vein removal, skin care, and a full service hair salon. A gift of relaxation might be something you would appreciate during this hectic season or wish to gift to someone. If you send your friends and family in to pick up a gift certificate for your next service, they will also receive a complimentary bottle of wine.
Susan Merrick noted, “A Peaceful Harbor wishes you and your family a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season. It is a record year in business and we are very thankful for each and every one of our devoted clients.”
A Peaceful Harbor is located at 901 Apollo Beach Blvd. (corner of Bimini Ct.) and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call 645-3303.
Edible Arrangements Offers Tasteful Gifts
What better way to say you care than with a healthy and tasteful gift of fresh fruit. With many assortments from Edible Arrangements, you will find something for everyone on your gift list. Edible Arrangements can be found locally in the Shoppes at Lithia, located at 3455 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.
New this year is the Merry Christmas Caramel Apple-Salted Caramel. You can also choose from Snowman Celebration Dipped Fruit Delight or Christmas Tree Bouquet arrangements. Chanukah gifts such as the Star of David Celebration Swizzle Apple Fruit Truffles are also available.
For more information or to order online, visit www.edible arrangements.com or call 571-7200. Gift certificates are also available.
Apollo Beach Massage & Welln
ess Center
What better gift than that of relaxation. You certainly know someone on your list who can benefit from that. Relief to people of all ages and from all walks of life, from the competitive athlete to the home gardener or over stressed executive can be provided. Gift certificates are available for Apollo Beach Massage & Wellness Center, located at 100 Frandorson Circle, Ste. 201 in Apollo Beach. Apollo Beach Massage & Wellness Center offers 30, 60 or 90 minute therapeutic massages, for health and relaxation.
Specials currently available (until Wednesday, December 24) include two one-hour massages for $110. Sauna for first time user is $20. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 am-5 p.m. You can make an appointment online by visiting www.apollobeachmassagetherapy.com or call 641-9118 for more information.
Now Is The Time To Gift An Anytime Fitness Membership
Start your New Year’s resolution early or help your friends and family do the same by purchasing them a membership at Anytime Fitness.
This neighborhood 24 hour gym is affordable and convenient. One membership gives you access to thousands of locations worldwide and you can try it for free. Enjoy one-on-one personal fitness training, fitness classes and more. Every new member receives a complimentary coaching session to help you get started.
The three locations are 10875 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview, 501 W. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon and at 11252 Boyette Rd. in Riverview.
For more information, call 269-8463. Staffed hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
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