Anne Taintor flask, $19.95
Buy it: Sobo Style
3282 N. High St., Clintonville
614-447-8880
It’s hard finding flasks that are feminine and yet not froufy. These Anne Taintor flasks will do nicely. Four ounces to freedom, ladies!
Pill boxes, $6
Buy it: Cottage Street
3284 N. High St., Clintonville
614-565-3366
Pillboxes can be used for any number of illicit activities, but we prefer candy. Not “candy.” Just plain ol’ candy. Plus, they’re just so darn cute.
Mill City Makery clutch, $18
Buy it: Wholly Craft
3169 N. High St., Clintonville
614-447-3445
Shelling out for a new purse for the lady in your life (friend, mom, wife) can be expensive. Clutches, on the other hand, are not only inexpensive they’re often brimming with personality, like this glasses-wearing-deer. Oh you hipsters and your woodlands creatures.
Cast-iron hand bottle opener, $9
Buy it: Elm & Iron Home Goods
3475 N. High St., Clintonville
614-824-5611
Bottle openers are a dime a dozen, but quality, long-lasting bottle openers that are conversation starters are much more difficult to procure. Not anymore, thanks to this cast-iron number from Elm & Iron. Not pictured, but also for sale: fork, spoon and mermaid cast-iron bottle openers.
Highland Graphics dog coasters, $4.95 for one/$3.95 for two or more
Buy it: Captivating Canines
31 N. State St., Westerville
614-882-8863
Artist Robert J. Mays’ realistic depictions of dogs big and small come emblazoned on stone for your coffee table’s protection. Bonus: Works as genuine or ironic depending on the recipient.
The Sawdust Woodshop toys and furnishings, $5 and up
Buy it: Ohio Art Market
30 N. State St., Westerville
614-882-1015
These hand-carved wood products are made in Westerville and tested by a real-life baby. Kid/parent combo: Pair a train, plane or automobile with a $5 bottle opener.
Lulu & Max soaps, $7.50
Buy it: Celebrate Local
4030 The Strand East, Easton
614-471-6446
Made from goat’s milk in varieties including “brown sugar” and “chocolate bar,” these soaps make the threat of getting your mouth washed out sound downright delightful.
vinOair wine aerator, $19.99
Buy it: The Wine Guy Wine Shop, Wine Bar & Bistro
500 Creekside Green Dr., Gahanna
614-536-0411
The Wine Guy’s staff uses this very aerator in-house. So do their customers; it’s been flying off the shelves.
Change purse, $20
Buy it: Peabody Papers
1261 Grandview Ave., Grandview
614-485-9855
Peabody Papers also carries zippered makeup bags in these elephant and sugar skull designs. You might as well pick up one of the stationary store’s clever holiday greeting cards while you’re in there.
Slut Sauce, $10
Buy it: Mikey’s Late Night Slice
1030 N. High St., Short North
614-737-3488
The beloved pizza place sells its most infamous condiment by the bottle, a great gift for any locavore in your life.
Re-purposed vinyl album notebook, $18
Buy it: LP Designs
642 N. High St., Ste. B, Short North
614-309-9972
Seek and… seek and destroy... that to-do list.
Freddie Mercury book, $4
Buy it: Bink Davies
668 N. High St., Short North
614-725-4588
Who doesn’t love the mustachioed Killer Queen? Fun illustrations in this little book re-tell why Mercury is a legend.
Macaron gift box, $15
Buy it: Pistachia Vera
541 S. Third St., German Village
614-220-9070
Any treat from Pistachia Vera is perfection wrapped in cellophane. The dozen-macaron gift box rocks for two reasons: It includes one of each of their flavors, making it completely crowd-pleasing, and it’s wrapped up with a bow and easy to give. Unless you can’t help but sneak some first...
German Village tee, $20
Buy it: German Village Visitor Center
588 S. Third St., German Village
614-221-8888
The neighborhood’s infamous bricks take a new form as the focus of this soft, fitted T-shirt. Available in a full range of sizes and ready to be loved by the German Village lover in your life.
Edmond Fallot gourmet mustards, $7 each
Buy it: Katzinger’s Delicatessen
475 S. Third St., German Village
614-228-3354
Mustard from a deli must be pretty good mustard, right? These delicious-looking spreads come in flavors like tarragon dijon and blaccurrrant dijon, and a pair would make a perfectly pretty gift. Scope out this bastion of sandwiches for all sorts of artisan ingredients foodies will freak out over.
Moleskine notebooks, $13
Buy it: The Book Loft
631 S. Third St., German Village
614-464-1774
Take this from a writer: Moleskine are the best notebooks out there. But you don’t have to be a writer to appreciate that — with their bright, durable covers and handy sizes (find them as small as your palm and as big as a regular notebook), they’ll be appreciated by just about any recipient.
Owl salt and pepper shakers, $12
Buy it: Touched
180 W. Olentangy St., Powell
614-389-3304
It’s official. Owls have replaced wolves as the hip animal of the moment. These funky-colored little guys will be a welcomed addition for that person with all the best kitchen accoutrements.
Pick Up Sticks photo charms, $15
Buy it: No. 693 Antiques Home & Garden
693 High St., Worthington
614-547-1547
The Pick Up Sticks Jewelry Company specializes in these hand-made, reversible charms that feature a number of options— charming trinkets, whimsical phrases, zodiac signs and even romantic ones — perfect for someone on your list.
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, $15.99
Buy it: Worthington Hardware
661 High St., Worthington
614-885-5146
A full-size tree probably won’t fit in your friend’s “cozy” efficiency. And setting up and decorating it can be a pain in the ass, anyway. So why not get them the most adored — and perfectly pint-sized — tree in the history of Christmas.
Christmas tree ornaments, $8-$12
Buy it: Urban Outfitters
1782 N. High St., Campus
614-298-8809
If you have someone who loves setting up the big tree, get them some memorably cool ornaments to hang. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles anything is always awesome, and the meat lover in your life would love to have some bacon on the tree.