“The Brew-Master’s Bible: The Gold Standard for Homebrewers,” $20
Buy it: The Winemaker’s Shop
Stephen Snyder’s guide to home brewing has been a standby for pros and amateurs alike since 1997. Besides offering 30 recipes in a variety of styles, “The Brew-Master’s Bible” digs deep into every aspect of brewing, from ingredients to techniques. —Chris DeVille
| 3517 N. High St., Clintonville | 614-263-1744 | winemakersshop.com |
Vintage vinyl, price varies
Buy it: Kafe Kerouac
Though known more for java than jams, this eclectic cafe is home to a good selection of used vinyl, with decent-size doses of oddball country and ’70s folk. It’s reasonably priced, so you can grab a few records for less than $20. —John Ross
| 2250 N. High St., North Campus | 614-299-2672 | kafekerouac.com |
Elephant dung gift cards, $3.50-$6
Buy them: Global Gallery
No, seriously. Sri Lanka-based company Mr. Ellie Pooh churns out gift cards, stationery and other paper products made partially from elephant dung, which supports the area’s economy. There’s nothing crappy about it, though, so don’t worry about filth or not-so-fragrant aromas. —Chris DeVille
| 3535 N. High St., Clintonville | 614-262-5535 | globalgalleryonline.org |
Travel Mug, $18.50
Buy it: Stauf’s
The coffee lover could always use another travel mug, but this isn’t just another travel mug. It earns the owner discounted fill-ups at Stauf’s and at Cup O’ Joe locations. The mugs are available in red, black, stainless steel and blue. —Jesse Tigges
| 1277 Grandview Ave., Grandview | 614-486-4861 | staufs.com |
“Lines for All Occasions: Tweets & Status Updates,” $9
Buy it: Bink Davies
This fun little book promises readers will “go viral in no time” if they use its suggested tweets. I wouldn’t recommend that, though. These sassy and laugh-out-loud suggestions for what to tweet at co-workers, spouses, famous people, etc. could get someone into some serious trouble. —Heather Gross
| 668 N. High St., Short North | 614-725-4588 | binkdavies.com |
Tasting set, $16.95
Buy it: Pier 1 Imports
This holiday season, help someone be the host with the most — the most economical and adorable way to serve desserts or appetizers, that is. This serving set comes with six metal spoons, six shot glasses and a colorful glass tray. —John Ross
| 1609 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington | 614-486-0851 | pier1.com |
MOR hand and body lotion, $18
Buy it: Found
This luxurious line of body products offers many scent combinations that will make your gift-getter swoon, but we particularly love the basil and grape. It leaves skin smelling both fresh and romantic and feeling silky smooth. —Jackie Mantey
| 21 W. Olentangy St., Powell | 614-781-0000 | foundat21.com |
Ohio coasters, $12.50, and beer cozies, $4
Buy them: Wholly Craft
Show off your state pride with handmade, Ohio-imprinted coasters by Ape Made, which is based in Kent. A four-piece set of coasters pairs nicely with an Ohio beer cozy by Alison Rose. —Chris DeVille
| 3169 N. High Street, Clintonville | 614-447-3445 | whollycraft.com |
Mechanical Music Box Set, $19
Buy it: Tigertree
This music box by Kikkerland lets the owner create the music. It comes with a hole punch and a step-by-step manual to help you make the gadget play three different songs. Might I suggest Lil Jon’s masterpiece “Get Low”? —Heather Gross
| 787 N High St., Short North | 614-299-2660 | shoptigertree.com |
Irish old-fashioned glass, $20
Buy it: Ha’Penny Bridge Imports of Ireland
Four different images from Irish and Celtic lore decorate these old-fashioned cocktail glasses. (On the glass shown is the claddagh.) Give one and maybe you’ll get lucky. —Jackie Mantey
| 75 S. High St., Dublin | 614-889-9615 | hapennybridgeimports.com |
Candle Gift Set, $21
Buy it: The Candle Lab
Okay technically these aren’t under $20, but you can splurge one extra dollar for some great-smelling handmade candles. The Holiday Happiness and Hippie Mix (with cannabis scent) sets are pictured, but a large variety of four-fragrance sets are available. —Jesse Tigges
| 1251 Grandview Ave., Grandview | 614-488-2009 | thecandlelab.com |
Hip Hopsicles ice-cube tray, $8
Buy it: Wexner Center Store
San Francisco design firm Gamago crafts memorable party accessories and must-have gadgets. Their four-shape cube tray will make your next glass of lemonade about five times more street. Sip that sizzurp in style! —John Ross
| 1871 N. High St., Campus | 614-292-1807 | wexarts.org/bks |
Vintage silverware hooks and stands, $7.50-$18
Buy them: Sobo Style
Columbus artisan Basilicus Jones twists cast-off silverware into functional household decor that’s at once rugged and exquisite. As Jones’ website promises, “we form forgotten treasures into new family heirlooms.” —Chris DeVille
| 3282 N. High St., Clintonville | 614-447-8880 | sobostyle.com |
Handmade Earwarmer, $20
Buy it: Objects for the Home
Sadly, winter is coming. At least it gives you the chance to keep the special lady warm and stylish, with a MegDesigns handmade, all-cotton headband. —Jesse Tigges
| 1392 Grandview Ave., Grandview | 614-485-9039 | objectsforthehome.com |
Bathtub Tea, $4.95 per bag
Buy it: Helen Winnemore Craft
They’re tea bags, for a bathtub! There are four different flavors each named after the desired effect: Relax, Refresh, Clarity and Healing. Package them together to create a thoughtful gift set. —Heather Gross
| 150 E. Kossuth St., German Village | 614-444-5850 | helenwinnemores.com |
Record coasters, $14
Buy them: What the Rock?
The set of four floppy silicone coasters will be a hit with any music fan. Not only do they put a new spin on a functional item, but the little vinyl lookalikes are dishwasher safe. —Heather Gross
| 1194 North High St., Short North | 614-294-9428 | whattherock.com |
Quotable mug, $11
Buy it: Barnes & Noble
This giant Campus bookstore is a great destination, even if you don’t need a new chem textbook. Among the abundant affordable gift ideas is this series of mugs, which features quotes that are inspirational, not irritating. —John Ross
| 1598 N. High St., Campus | 614-247-2000 | ohiostate.bncollege.com |
Print by Grace Hester Designs, $20
Buy it: Market at Serendip
Created by a local graphic designer, these super-cute prints make a room especially, ahem, cozy when framed. Other prints at this Powell locale feature imagery like the alphabet and jungle animals; a nice gift idea for the people on your shopping list who have young kids. —Jackie Mantey
| 30 W. Olentangy St., Powell | 614-358-2784 | marketatserendip.com |
Winter tea packets and tea brew basket, $18
Buy them: TehKu Tea Company
The flavors in TehKu’s Snow Flakes tea mixture? Premium black tea, cinnamon, candy canes, peppermint and vanilla. Yum. Not your cup of tea? The Dublin shop sells plenty of other loose leaf flavor combinations certain to excite anyone’s taste buds. —Jackie Mantey
| 55 S. High St., Dublin | 614-761-3808 | tehku.com |
Spoonful Records T-shirt, $15
Buy it: Spoonful Records
Created by a local graphic designer, these super-cute prints make a room especially, ahem, cozy when framed. Other prints at this Powell locale feature imagery like the alphabet and jungle animals; a nice gift idea for the people on your shopping list who have young kids. —Jackie Mantey
| 116 E. Long St., Downtown | 614-586-1918 | facebook.com/spoonfulrecords |