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Shop locally for great last-minute gifts

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    Conjured Soap Boutique in Jim Thorpe has plenty of great gift options for fans of all-natural, locally crafted soaps, scrubs, bath bombs and more. BRIAN W. MYSZKOWSKI/TIMES NEWS LEHIGHTON
Published December 22. 2016 12:21PM

Christmas is right around the corner, and if you still have family and friends to shop for, the stress is setting in.

Don’t panic — local businesses are here to save the day. Not only will it help you avoid the long lines at the big boxes, but you’ll be able to pick up a gift with personal appeal, and support the local community. Nothing beats a homemade gift — even if you weren’t the one to craft it.

We checked in with a few independent stores in our area to find some of the best locally produced gifts that are sure to wow everyone on your list.

Sellers Books and Fine Art

If you happen to be shopping for a friend or family member who always has their nose buried in a book, check out Sellers Books and Fine Art in Jim Thorpe. Featuring a vast selection of subjects and titles, you are sure to find something to pique the interest of that special someone. Plus, owner Randall Sellers sells his own beautifully detailed miniature drawings at the shop, perfect to give along with a copy of a classic novel, or a new book of poetry.

Conjured Soap Boutique

An eclectic littleboutique located in Jim Thorpe, Conjured Soap features hand-crafted holistic skin care products, original artwork, pottery, and more. This is a perfect place to pick up some all-natural soaps, scrubs, bath bombs, and other toiletries for the person on your list who loves beauty products without the chemical additives.

“The May Queen Spearmint and Rosemary soap is definitely my favorite. That and our mimosa bath bomb,” said Marianne Rustad, who co-owns the store and crafts the soaps with her mother, Mari Garritano.

Ready-made ensembles like the Lavender Gift Set — including a lavender-scented soap, bath bomb and lotion — and the Mr. Z’s Gift Set — featuring a sandalwood and vanilla-scented soap and lotion — make shopping for the au naturale crowd easy.

Right after Christmas, Conjured will be moving to its new location at 101 Broadway in Jim Thorpe, where they will be able to make soap on the premises.

Rekindled Treasures

Based out of Tamaqua, Rekindled Treasures offers a variety of custom-made woodwork with a country-decor theme. Whether you are looking out for a beautiful set of window shutters, a wooden tissue box, or perhaps a star-topped post with rustic string lighting, Rekindled Treasures has what you need for your homemade country-kitsch fan. If you don’t have time to place a custom order on their website, you can find some of their products featured at Mustard Seed Mercantile at the Schuylkill Mall, and Tink’s Antiques in Tamaqua.

Bramble Ridge Honey Farm

For those bee-lovers on your list, you can’t go wrong with anything from Bramble Ridge Honey Farm in Brodheadsville. A family-owned business that truly loves the little pollen transporters, Bramble Ridge is “more about a labor of love than a business venture.” Pick up some all-natural, minimally processed local honey, soap, lotion and balm, and make a bee-centric gift basket that is sure to delight.

You can find many of Bramble Ridge’s products at NiBor’s Coffee in Brodheadsville.

Blue Lizard Winery

A fine bottle of local wine is sure to be a holiday hit, and Blue Lizard Winery in Andreas has a fantastic variety to satisfy anyone’s taste buds. Shopping for a fan of reds? Try out Blue Lizard’s Jake Anthony, a Malbec with a delightful plumlike flavor that bridges the gap between a cabernet sauvignon and a merlot. Leaning more toward a white? Pinot ponch is a subtle but flavorful bottle that hits notes of honey nut and spicy musk.

If you want to make a grand gesture of a gift, opt for the Vine Club Membership — a vino fanatic’s dream come true. Members get to adopt a vine at Blue Lizard, which they can personally attend to — all the way from growing the grapes to bottling the fruits of their labor. Options include Concord, Ives, Traminette, Cayuga white, golden Muscat and chambourcin. Additional benefits include two bottles of wine per year, discounts, invitations to member-only events at the winery, exclusive access to newly released wines, and a custom plaque to put on the lucky recipient’s vine.

The Country Cottage

If you want to wow the farm-to-table foodie in your life, check out The Country Cottage in Jim Thorpe. They are bound to love the shop’s own canned goods, jams and salsa, the perfect elements for a decadent holiday meal or afternoon snack. You can also pick up some hand-made snowman or Santa figurines from local artist Rich Connolly.

Of course, they are most well-known for their pickles — which may come off as a strange gift, but hear us out.

“One fellow gave his sister a jar of our pickles as a gift about three or four years ago, and she just looked at them, thinking ‘pickles?’ He told her ‘Trust me, you have to try these.’ She’s been coming back ever since,” owner Lori Stahley said.

Just make sure to stock up — these natural delectables will not last long once the lucky recipient pops them open, as everyone at your holiday gathering is going to want a taste.

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