It’s that time of the year again…. when the holiday shopping wars begin, and normally mild-mannered folks transform into warriors wielding carts and baskets as weapons.
Relax. This year shop Frankfort’s merchants and ensure your season remains a peaceful one.
To get in the holiday mood, stop into Benjamin’s Flowers and Gifts. Owner Benjamin Lee continues his 35-year tradition of transforming his shop into a Christmas wonderland. While you’re there, you can get inspiration for your own holiday decorating.
“We stock everything you need to decorate the house, both inside and outside,” says Lee.
That includes swags and wreaths, specialty ornaments, holiday candles and gifts, along with trees and poinsettias.
If Benjamin’s is a feast for the eyes, Rebecca Ruth Candies is a feast for the tastebuds. For those on your list with a sweet tooth, Rebecca Ruth is again offering a beautiful red and green packaged Christmas Truffles box containing peppermint, champagne, bourbon and egg nog truffles.
The Linen Closet describes itself as “ethically sourced textiles for the coziest of homes,” and there’s no cozier time than the holidays. At the Linen Closet, you can pick up fine quality linens as well as luxury bath products and fragrant candles. Many items are handmade, and some are made from recyclable materials.
Recycling is also found in many of the unique items for sale at Completely Kentucky. Owner Ann Wingrove expects the Christmas trees made from recycled sweaters to be popular this season, along with numerous other hand-crafted items.
“We have little birds made from hand-painted gourds, hand-blown glass ornaments, stained glass angels, hand-woven baskets and needle felting Santas which take up to 50 hours to make,” she says.
Every item in the store is hand-made in Kentucky by one of 600 artists, so not only will you be giving a gift from the heart, but one from the commonwealth. As a bonus, you’ll get free gift wrapping.
At Poor Richard’s Books, owner Liz Taylor can’t guarantee she will have copies of the season’s hot tome, fantasy novel Fourth Wing, but she has a selection of Christmas-themed books and puzzles.
One unique offering is the package which contains a mug with an author’s picture, specially selected teas, and a book by that author to snuggle up with while you drink your tea.
You can select from Edgar Allan Poe, Louisa May Alcott, Walt Whitman, William Shakespeare and Emily and Charlotte Bronte. Taylor says she can personalize any author package. So, enjoy the company of Jane Eyre or the Little Women this Christmas.
Want to give those on your list something a bit different this year? At Broadway Clay, a community studio of 30 members who sell their pottery and ceramics, they are offering workshops throughout the month of December.
Pottery Pals is designed for children four and up (accompanied by an adult), and there are classes for teens, tweens, and adults in how to make trees and candles. Mom and Dad might enjoy Saturday Date Nights where they make two glazed pots, they can proudly display at their holiday party.
New Leash on Life Thrift & Architectural Salvage isn’t about gifts for your furry friends despite the name. Instead, the store is chock full of vintage clothing, furniture, and antiques, and since inventory changes daily, you can experience more than 12 Days of Christmas.
As it is operated and staffed by volunteers from the Franklin County Humane Society and profits are used to shelter homeless animals, it could be considered a gift to furry friends after all.
Looking for the perfect piece of jewelry for a loved one? Look no further than Glitterati Treasures, which has a wide selection of Mariana, Firefly, Julie Vos and Sorelli jewelry items.
If it’s art rather than jewelry you’re looking to buy, you won’t do better than Capital Gallery of Contemporary Art. Artist-owned by renowned artist Ellen Glasgow, this is the place for original, one-of-a-kind pieces of art.
Finally, don’t forget Frankfort’s museum gift shops for unique items guaranteed to please the history buffs on your list.
Gift shops at the Kentucky Historical Society, Capital City Museum and Liberty Hall all feature unique Kentucky-related items from books to thematic ornaments.
So, with all of these shops and more, leave the holiday shopping wars to others, and shop local.
