By Marie Gilmore

This holiday season, the Osprey Observer is partnering with local businesses to highlight the best of Shop Local gift giving. The campaign is called, the Osprey Observer, A Few of Our Favorite Things and we have gone to local businesses and asked them to give us ideas of a few of the top items available this holiday season.

From now until December 16, we will be collecting Our Favorite Things all throughout the community and putting them together in one giant gift basket that will be given out in a Sweepstakes for our readers.

“We have so many great items coming in and someone is going to be very excited to receive all of these great items from the businesses in our community,” said Kerrie Hoening, Advertising Sales Manager.

“We have never done a program like this in the paper and we are excited to share some of the treasures from our local small businesses with our readers.”
Bridget Jenkins Wilson, owner of Cardinal Roofing and a member of the Valrico/FishHawk Chamber of Commerce said the Chamber is also focused on encouraging local shopping this holiday season and in face has a Shop Local Holiday Expo coming up on Saturday, December 3, 9 a.m.-12 Noon at Park Square in FishHawk Ranch. “Anything we can do to keep our local businesses in the spotlight is great for our community,” she said. “And, this is a great opportunity for Osprey Observer readers to have a chance to win an amazing holiday gift.”

To enter, email Sweepstakes to contest@ospreyobserver.com or fill out the entry form and send in by mail, fax or email. Good luck and thank you for shopping local!

Invest In Gifts That Give Back To The World At Be Happy Boutiquepoppy-boutique-2

As you enter Be Happy Boutique, warm teas perfume the air and guests are surrounded by fashionable, unique lines of apparel, shoes, accessories, home décor, specialty gifts, and candles. Positive energy radiates throughout the entire space, and best of all you will find something here for every taste and every budget.

Owner Tonya Antaki seeks out items that give back to the world in some way so you can feel good knowing that the gifts you purchase will have additional impact around the world.

A great gift idea for your special friend or family member is Jewelry Snug. It is the perfect gift for the girl who has everything. This is for the friend who loves to travel and look good when she arrives at her destination.  (Don’t forget to buy yourself one!)

Be Happy is located in the Marathon Plaza, 11369 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview. Call 677-2300 for more information or visit www.behappyboutique.com.

Gift Basket Item: Jewelry Snug
Value: $30


A Few Of Your Favorite Things Can Be Found At Music Showcasemusic-showcase-300x219

Music is the international language that is understood and enjoyed by all. Share your love of music by offering voice or instrument lessons to your favorite student. Instrument rentals start at $10 (if you don’t want to make a purchase). If you sign up online, the instrument will be delivered to your school.
All of your music needs can be found at Music Showcase, which offers competitive pricing on sheet music and books, in-house repair shop, private and group lessons.

Is your child interested in musical theatre, acting, or maybe photography? Sign them up at the Florida Academy of Performing Arts at Music Showcase.

Music Showcase is located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon. For more information, call 685-5998 or visit MusicShowcaseOnline.com and FAOPA.org.

Gift Basket Item: Music Lessons Certificate
Value $70

Corbin’s Stamp & Coin Can Help You Start Treasured Family Heirloom

Are you looking for the perfect keepsake gift for a family with a new baby? Maybe you are interested in starting a new family tradition by commemorating the Christmas season each year. Holiday coin collections are the perfect way. One ounce pure silver coins are available for $29.95 in a gift box or also as an ornament that can be displayed.

Corbin’s Coins is located at 209 N. Kings Ave. in Brandon and is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Gift Basket Item: 1 oz. Silver Christmas Coin
Value $30

Journey To Tranquility At DayDreams Day Spadaydreams

With all the stress the holidays bring, what better gift for someone (or yourself) is to escape for a few hours to DayDreams Day Spa & Bath Shop. You can make that possible with a gift card to Daydreams.

There are many different types of spa packages to choose from including massage therapy, body, therapy, skin car therapy, nail and pedicure treatments. There is also a shop that includes spa products. Pevonia Skin Care products are offered.

Gift certificates are available at the Spa, located at 658 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon or online at www.daydreamsdayspa.com.

A second DayDreams location is in Lakeland at 1463 Town Center Dr. For more information on this location, call 863-686-5859.

Gift Basket Item: The Tranquility Journey – “Escape to Tranquility” when you indulge in this 80 minute Relaxation Massage. The pampering continues with a Hydrating Heated Hand Therapy Treatment and Serenity Hot Stone Foot Massage that will relax the muscles, allowing for a therapeutic experience. Total Time is 95 minutes.
Value $135

gift-guide-dks-outletDK’s Outlet Offers Great Gift Ideas At Outlet Prices

Are you ready to look your best this holiday season? All new top designer looks are available at outlet prices at DK’s Outlet, located at 3455 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. (Winn Dixie Plaza).

DK’s Outlet also has plenty of gift ideas such as clothes, jewelry, luggage, and shoes. Brand names such as Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Cole Haan, Style & Co. are available.

The store is open Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 409-3521.

Gift Basket Item: Blouse And Jewelry Ensemble
Value $50

Enhance Your Photos At FastFrame For The Perfect Holiday Giftgift-guide-fastframelogo

Did you take a special picture this year while you spent time with your family, maybe on vacation or at a special event? Surprise your family this year with a wonderful family picture commemorating this special shared time.

Once you have that beautiful photo, a frame becomes part of the bigger picture, so it’s important to make sure that it brings out the photo in just the right way. When customers bring in their personal items and they are not sure about how to decorate their art, FastFrame owner Alex Roche helps to educate them on how to enhance their item through framing. He offers competitive pricing and has been assisting customers with frames for over 28 years.

For more information, visit www.fastframe.com or call Roche at 655-6400. FastFrame is located at 6128 Winthrop Town Center Ave. in Riverview. Hours of operation are Sunday and Monday by appointment only with 24-hour notice and Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Gift Basket Item: Two $40 Gift Cards
Value: $80

Everyone Needs The Gift of Relaxation This Holiday Seasongift-guide-daniellas

The holidays can be a very stressful time of year. With the flexible schedule that Daniella’s Mobile Massage offers, you can always find a convenient time to take that break and be good to yourself.

Daniella offers Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, Pre-natal and Sports Massage. The goal is to provide pain and stress relief through therapeutic massage in the privacy of your own home.

What a great gift to give to someone on your list.

Daniella is a professional licensed Massage Therapist, who has 13 years of experience and a background in Physical Therapy.

For more information, call 323-4901, email dveten@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/DaniellasMobile Massage.

Gift Basket Item: One Hour Massage
Value: $65

fhsg_allred-01FishHawk Sporting Goods Offers New And Gently Used Apparel & Equipment

FishHawk Sporting Goods is a new store that recently opened at 13446 Boyhette Rd. in Riverview (RiverSprings plaza at FishHawk and Boyette Rds. It is a locally owned family business, and offers a local alternative for all of your family’s sporting good needs in a family friendly environment that is close to home and offers competitive pricing.

You will find new and gently used sporting apparel and equipment for all sports. These will make great gifts for your favorite young athletes this holiday season.

For more information, call 324-9161 or visit FHSportingGoods.com.

Gift Basket Item: New Football
Value: $25

Find That Perfect Wow Gift At Orange Home Accessoriesorange_logo_a

Orange Home Accessories is a great place to find an inspired mix of great gifts for men, women and children. It carries home accessories, gifts and jewelry. Debbie Ploor opened this chic shop filled with the eclectic color, artistry, elegance and whimsy of top-quality designs. Whether you are looking for something to complete your room décor or a great gift for a hard to shop for friend, this is the place. Orange Home Accessories offers unique gifts for everyone. Orange Home Accessories is located at 1046 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Plaza Bella. For more information, email info@orangehomeaccessories.com, visit www.orangehomeaccessories.com or call 681-8686.

Gift Basket Item: S’well 25oz bottle and The Giving Key (necklace with a key) Value: $85

Find Your Perfect Holiday Ensemble At TMaries Fashion & Gifts Boutiquegift-guide-peacock-purse

TMaries Fashion & Gifts Boutique is your one stop shop for all of your favorite fashion outfits and accessories for the upcoming holiday season. While you are in there shopping for those party clothes, you will also find many accessories including jewelry that would make great gifts for friends and family members. Some brands available at TMaries include Tribal, Elan, Catherine Barclay, Julian Chang, French Dressing Jeans and Cabana Life.

T. Marie’s Fashion & Gift Boutique is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 Noon-5 p.m. It is located at 3407 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.

For more information, call 530-0922. Visit www.TMariesfashions.com

Gift Basket Item: Luxurious blue velvet evening bag with Swarovski crystal embellishment and peacock design
Value $128

Gift the Gift of Health At Campo Yb0-xwqas_400x400

The start of a new year holds a lot of promise. Everyone makes resolutions to eat healthier and to exercise more. This year, it is time to do something about it. By giving a gift of a Campo Y membership to someone, you are letting them know how much you care and want them to live their healthiest lives. Campo Y offers many exercise options for all ages and body types. Many family programs and camps are offered including child care while you work out. Other programs are also offered. For many, Campo Y becomes like a second home.

Campo Y is located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico. It is open Monday to Friday from 5 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 12 Noon-6 p.m.

For more information, call 684-1371. Visit www.tampaymca.org/locations/campo.

Gift Basket Item: Family Membership for three months
Value $250

Find Great Gift Ideas for Nature Lovers and Birders At Backyard Birdseedgift-guide-backyard-birdseed
Fly on by to check out the great gift ideas for the nature lovers in your life. A great gift idea is the Squirrel Buster bird feeder, which helps to limit squirrels from making claim to the food. Backyard Birdseed carries premium seed for all types of feeders depending on what type of birds you are trying to attract. You can also mix your own blend birdseed.
A wide array of other products is also carried to increase backyard (and front yard) enjoyment for children and birders of all ages., find ideas and problem-solvers for your outdoor living spaces, and discover activities and tools for indoor learning and fun.
Backyard Birdseed is located at 3642 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico (next to Carwash on the Green). It is open Tuesday-Friday from 12 Noon-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It is closed on Monday. For more information, call 816-BIRD (2473) or visit www.BackyardBirdseed.com and on FB: Backyard Birdseed.

Gift Basket Item: Squirrel Buster & Food
Value $50

Tasteful Gifts From Edible Arrangements Make Great Holiday Treatsgift-guide-edible-arrangements
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.
Choose from many beautiful holiday gift baskets such as the Christmas Tree Bouquet, which is decorated with cantaloupe, “ornaments” made of Swizzle Apple Fruit Truffles®, small pineapple star “lights”, a large pineapple star tree topper, and a Merry Christmas Gourmet Belgian Chocolate Pop; or an adorable snowman keepsake with a Season’s Greetings Celebration™ bouquet featuring gourmet chocolate dipped pineapple stars, reindeer, and strawberries. Following the traditional Delicious Celebration® bouquet recipe, honeydew, cantaloupe, strawberries, and grapes are scattered throughout to create an eye-catching and wow-worthy effect. There are many other eye-catching and delicious choices.
Edible Arrangements can be found locally in the Shoppes at Lithia, located at 3455 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico (571-7200), and also at 10273 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview (Bell Plaza) Call 672-6111 or order online at www.ediblearrangements.com.
Gift Basket Item: 12-count chocolate covered fruitValue: $40

ifly-logoSoar to New Heights At iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Enjoy some holiday time creating amazing memories with your family. Why take flight at iFLY? – To experience the fun and sensation of flying in a safe environment. From age 3 to 103, almost anyone can fly. New to the Brandon area, iFLY Indoor Skydiving now brings this experience locally. Imagine the excitement when loved ones find out they will have the opportunity to fly like a bird. iFLY also offers kid and adult parties, corporate team building opportunities, educational experience for students and much more. It will be open seven days a week. iFLY is located at 10654 Palm River Rd. in Tampa. For more information, call 773-4359, email info.tampa@iFLYworld.com or visit iFLYworld.com.

Gift Basket Item: Family 4-Pack Indoor Skydiving Value: $240

 

Shop Pet Supplies Plus This Holiday Season For All Your Pet Needsgift-guide-pet_supplies_plus_logo
Holiday gift shopping is not just for your two legged family and friends. Your pets will enjoy receiving some new toys and snacks and Pets Supply Plus is the perfect place to find the perfect gift.
If you are planning to welcome a new pet member to your family this holiday season, Pet Supplies Plus is the perfect spot to pick up any supplies and goodies for your new family member. You will find everything you might need for dogs, cats, smaller pets, reptiles, birds, and fish.
Pet Supplies Plus is located at 1937 E. S.R. 60 in Brandon. It is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call 540-0645.

Gift Basket Item: GloFish Aquarium
Value: $50

restoration-1-logoRepair Your Home Damage In Time For The Holidays With Restoration One

Restoration One offers remediation and restoration of residential or commercial properties for damage caused by water, fire, smoke or mold. It is locally owned and operated by David and Heidi Adams. Trained and certified technician’s offer 24/7 emergency service. For more information, call 888-466-8055. Visit www.restoration1.com/tampa-bay or www.facebook.com/Resto1TB.

Gift Basket Item: Family Basket with $50 Visa GC and accessories Value: $120

 

Great Gift Idgift-guide-rolling-pin-logoeas And Classes Help Make Rolling Pin A Great Stop For Holiday Gift Needs

If you are stuck coming up with creative gift ideas, make a visit to Rolling Pin and you will find something for every chef in your life. Rolling PIn offers a gourmet retail store, cooking classes, Open for Private events, gift cards and lots of great holiday gift items.

If you are looking to bring wine to your host or hostess, Rolling Pin has many choices of quality wines.

There are many great reasons to attend Rolling Pin’s cooking classes – whether you enjoy cooking – or just eating – from great date nights to learning about new foods, this is a great gift idea for everyone.

It is also Brandon’s Big Green ‘Eggheadquarters’, the ultimate cooking experience.

Rolling Pin’s Favorite Things basket will include items for a Florida-style holiday season, with a fun, novelty food-truck cutting board and a poultry grilling rack for cooking your bird outdoors. These are complemented by everything you need to make the feast flavorful – with a subtropical twist.

Rolling Pin is located at 2080 Badlands Dr. in Brandon. Call 653-2418 or visit http://rollingpinonline.com/ for more information.

Gift Basket Item: Small Basket Including $100 Cooking Class GC And $100 In Products
Value $200

Enjoy Outdoor Time With Great Gift Ideas From Recreational Poolsgift-guide-recreational-pools

What’s on your holiday gift list? Recreation Pools, Spas & More can help you. Are you looking for spas and hot tubs? It has Tampa Bay’s largest selection – Bullfrog, Calder, Sunrise, Dream maker & more.

Maybe your dad wants a Big Green Egg (maybe he doesn’t know it yet)! Visit and see the big selection of the most versatile outdoor barbeque on the market. It is the ultimate cooking experience and dad will love you for it.

Recreational pools also offer custom built outdoor kitchens.

It is located at 509 W. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon. Call 324-8824 or visit www.recreationalpoolsspasandmore.com.

Gift Basket Item: Pool Lounge
Value $50

Martin’s Jewelers Offers Fine Jewelry Fgift-guide-martins-jewelers-logoor The Special People On Your Gift List
Martin’s Jewelers has been a staple in the Brandon area for the last 61 years. It will soon be closing its doors and must liquidate its entire inventory. Great offers on fine jewelry will make you happen and will thrill that special person on your gift list. Come on in to receive up to 60% off on custom jewelry designs and watches.

Martin’s Jewelers is located at 664 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon and is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 681-2298 or visit www.martins-jewelry.com.

Gift Basket Item: A Set of 7mm Freshwater Pearls (Necklace, Bracelet, & Earrings)
Value $135

The Gift of Health Can Be Found At Sunshine State Family Care & Aestheticsgift-guide-sunshine-state-logo

Give yourself or a loved one the gift of health. Gift certificates are available for purchase (for every $100 in gift card purchases, receive $10 free).

Sunshine State Family Care is your FishHawk Community Physican for Health & Beauty. Monica Rivera, M.D. is board certified in Family Medicine and Lisa Hart is a licensed medical Aesthetician.  Specializing in medical spa services and aesthetics, it provides a relaxing MedSpa setting for: Dermal Fillers and Wrinkle-Reducing Treatments, Microdermabrasion and Skin Rejuvenation, Chemical Peels and Medical Grade Facials, Permanent Makeup, Facial Waxing (Brow, Lip, Chin), along with Skincare Products and Consulting.

Sunshine State Family Care is located at 16144 Churchview Dr., Bldg. A – Ste. 109 in Lithia. For information, call 651-9396 for patient care (Monday and Tuesday 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-12 Noon), and 540-5110 for the Aesthetic Center (Wednesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 12 Noon-5 p.m.). Visit www.SunshineStateFamilyCare.com.

Gift Basket Item: HydraFacial Value: $165

Rodan+Fields Will Help You Look Your Best This Holiday Seasongift-guide-rodan

Look your best for the holidays. Grace McKee is an Independent Consultant offering Rodan+Fields Skin Care products. Look fantastic this holiday with the eye lash extender kit.

The company is committed to connecting people and its wonderful products while providing the knowledge, the resources and the opportunities to change skin and to change lives.

Great gift ideas for friends will help them look their best too. The products use Multi-Med™ Therapy, which is designed to deliver the right medicines, in the right formulations, in the right order to transform your skin treating wrinkles, pores and loss of firmness, brown spots, dullness and sun damage, acne, blemishes and breakouts, sensitive, irritated skin and facial redness and more.

To shop products, visit gmckee.myrandf.com or call 766-5040.

Gift Basket Item: Rodan+Fields SPF 30 Sunscreen, Lip Shield SPF 25, Zippered Florida bag Value: $45

Previous articleA Little Dog With A Big Dream – Harley’s Heroes Promotes Puppy Mill Awareness
Next articleFestive Christmas Tree Lightings, Movies And Parades Kick Off The Holiday Season
Marie Gilmore
Marie is the Managing Editor at the Osprey Observer. She covers news, transportation, education and likes to make a positive impact on the community and be 'in the know'!