20+ Last-Minute, Local Holiday Gift Ideas
Titusville Tips: 20+ Last-Minute, Local Gift Ideas
If procrastination were a sport, holiday shopping would be the procrastinator Olympics.
With less than a week until Christmas and Hanukkah, it’s time to “go for the gold” and turn that to-do list into an it’s- done list. The bad news is, you’ve pretty much run out of time to order online without paying out the wazoo for shipping. The good news is, we’ve got you covered with a collection of even better ideas that are sure to make you look like a rock star. Just because you’re a bit of a gift-shopping slacker doesn’t mean the people on your list should suffer, right? It’s not too late to be a #shoplocal superstar
We’ve 20+ creative ways to shop local, support your hometown business community, and impress your friends with your thoughtful approach (score!). Added bonus- you can pick up almost all of these items without ever leaving Titusville city limits- no malls or toll roads required! This gives you more time to focus on what really matters this holiday season, like eating piles of Christmas cookies and drinking wine.
Cheers to the Space Coast community we’re lucky enough to call home, to the spirit of giving, and to an even brighter year ahead!
- Gear from your hometown brewery is always a hit with the craft beer lovers on your list. A zip-front hooded sweatshirt or a button-front brewer’s shirt from Playalinda Brewing Company is perfect for those who prefer to stand out from the crowd. PBC gift cards are also available, and can be used for food, Playalinda merchandise, craft beer, food or bottles at both the Hardware Store location downtown, or the new PBC- Brix Project brewpub in south Titusville.
- Spoil someone with a super spa day at Wellspring Day Spa in downtown Titusville. The Pure Indulgence Getaway package includes a 60-minute massage, a facial, manicure & pedicure, lunch, and a glass of wine for $185. Book your bliss here.
3. Got a style hound on your gift list? A stylish set of hand-spun copper cups from Barn Light Electric are display-worthy, trendy and locally-made. Slip a recipe for a dynamite Moscow Mule into the cups and instantly up the cool factor. $30 each, or four for $100. Check out these sweet copper cups here.
- A cool kite from Kitestop on Cheney Highway would make an entertaining, original idea for the kiddos on your list (and the young at heart). Ranging in price from $16-$200+, they’ve got everything from a single-string Star Wars Millennium Falcon to trick kites and three-dimensional box kites.
- Everybody could use a little more Zen in his or her life, right? Give the gift of yoga and hook them up with a one-month unlimited class pack at The Inverted Elephant yoga studio! The new student package lets them try all the classes they want for one month, for just $49.
6. You can’t go wrong with a fresh loaf of banana nut or jalapeño cheddar bread ($6) from Sunrise Bread Company. Pair this with a beautiful, hand-made wooden cutting board ($24) and bread knife ($24) made by Titusville local, Dennis Matthews, for a stellar Sunrise Bread gift set. Visit their website here.
7. Give the gift of the great outdoors with a stand up paddleboard rental from Stickee Surf Shop. The mornings are magical on the Indian River Lagoon this time of year, and SUP’s allow explorers access to the collection of spoil islands, shallow flats, mangrove tunnels and open waters of our local waterways. This is the closest surf shop and rental point to Playalinda Beach, Canaveral National Seashore and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. SUP rental is $30 per day, and includes a paddle and required personal floatation devices.
8. Speaking of the great outdoors … if you want to give a gift that keeps on giving, consider a one-month or one-year admission pass for the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge ($25 for the year) or Canaveral National Seashore, which provides nearly unlimited access to Playalinda Beach. A combined CANA/MINWR annual pass is just $35, and provides access to both the Wildlife Refuge and the National Seashore. You can also purchase an America the Beautiful pass for $80, which provides unlimited access to over 2,000 National Parks and federal recreation sites.
9. Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch? If you’ve got a local or two on your list, give them a gift certificate good for lunch for two at one of Titusville’s tasty new sandwich shops. Both Quam’s Schoolhouse and The Heroes Grill are just steps from the historic district, making this a perfect option for someone who works downtown.
10. Know some parents who could use a night out? Offer to babysit (priceless) and give them a gift card for dinner at Dixie Crossroads and/or drinks at Dave’s Downtown Lounge.
- With the Coast to Coast Connector Bike Trail that passes through Titusville nearing completion, now would be a great time to give the gift of a bike tune-up, a new helmet or other cycling accessories. Ten Speed Drive Bicycle Center on Hopkins Ave. has all the bells and whistles your “biker gang” needs. Another great two-wheel option – the new Coast to Coast Bicycle Center inside the Visitor’s Center. Coast to Coast has a wide variety of bike rental options, including road, hybrid, cruiser and mountain bikes.
- Has learning to play music always been on your bucket list? Ask for a few lessons to get you going at Noteworthy Music Shop. Piano, guitar, violin, ukulele, voice lessons … rope in a few friends to join you, and by next year, you might be ready to start a band.
- Whisk your wife right off her feet by surprising her with ballroom dance lessons. Downtown Dance Studio offers ballroom, salsa, Latin and swing dance lessons for just $15 a pop. What a an awesome date idea!
- For the golfer (or the wannabe golfer) in your network, a round of golf at LaCita Country Club is sure to be a hit. This time of year, $60 gets you 18 holes, golf cart rental, and all the Caddyshack jokes you can stand.15. Beachbunnies,this one’s for you. Blue Jasmine Boutique carries an impressive line of stylish sunglasses from Electric, including polarized options. Right up the road, Hotpoint Boutique has Playalinda Beach hoodies, t-shirts, tank tops and more.
- Another killer, kid-friendly idea- A paint date at the Painted Turtle.These step-by-step painting, drawing and craft classes are offered for kids and adults (added bonus- adult classes sometimes include WINE!). Classes generally run $10-$35, and include all your supplies.
- If the person you’re shopping for has artistic tastes that are a bit more refined- a framed piece of local art from the Downtown Gallery would make an impressive, unforgettable year of gift giving. Everything from classically inspired to modern and abstract options can be found here. Downtown Gallery, located just a few doors away from Playalinda Brewing’s Hardware Store location, also does custom framing and re-framing for your favorite pieces18. With the current focus on clean eating and locally- sourced foods, a gift certificate to Sledd’s Produce in Mims for a day of berry-picking or a batch of local honey from Webb’s Honey would be a thoughtful gift for the health- conscious people in your life. Webb’s Honey is a hop, skip and a jump west of Titusville, on 520 in east Orlando, but the organic golden goodness is totally worth the trek.
19. For those who prefer the gift of experiences, a nature-filled sunrise kayak tour would be an epic thing to give. For about $35
($25 for kids) A Day Away Kayak Tours offers guided tours through the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge suitable for people of almost any fitness level.
20. A pair of tickets to one of the fantastic performances at the Titusville Playhouse is a creative way to give the gift of culture and experience. Tickets for shows in this cozy theater range from $22-$28.
Blog update by Michelle Mulak
