Celebrating by giving the gift of giving back is trending this holiday season. From giving back to Greater Gainesville’s beautiful community by supporting local businesses, to giving the gift of quality time and experiences, the Guide to Greater Gainesville is thinking outside of the Amazon box for the best gift ideas for 2022.
For the deserving dad
Relive Dad’s wild days by taking him to see one of his favorite bands in concert. Scour the web (StubHub is a great start) to see which musicians are touring in nearby venues like Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa. Wrap a retro t-shirt of the band to tell him about the concert. Here are a few nearby concerts he may be interested in: Styx, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and Air supply in January, both Bruce Springsteen and The Drifters in February, and Blake Shelton in March.
For the mother-in-law
Check out Serpentine Plants and Provisions for perfectly potted presents, plant-inspired gifts and all sorts of sustainable extras. Located at 209 NW 10th Ave., this creative plant and lifestyle shop has everything from Monsteras to merlots. With both a unique potting bar and a natural wines bar, the perfect something can be found to make this special, sometimes stubborn, lady smile.
The fun friend
Give the gift of quality time while learning suave salsa steps and spins. Register for salsa classes at Salsa Mundial. This local Latin dance studio will certainly liven up the traditional holiday gift for either the partner in life or the partner in crime. With varying levels of instruction in both salsa and bachata, Salsa Mundial offers many packages and pricing options for the beginner or the advanced.
The charitable co-worker
Charitable donations and not-for-profit supporting swag are trending this holiday season. There is no better way to check someone off the holiday gift list and give back at the same time. Find the cause that a colleague is passionate about and give a gift in their name or buy a product from a foundation that donates their proceeds to a cause.
The Tote project sells stylish totes and bags that not only spread awareness, but charitably donates portions of profits to empower survivors of human trafficking. Klei supports the Environmental Defense Agency with their amazing sustainable self-care products. With countless charitable foundations and products, it should be easy to find something unique and meaningful. Or find a local charity in need of support right here in the GG community at greatnonprofits.org/city/gainesville/FL.
The super special sibling
Support local artisans in GG by finding something for that special sibling at a local festival. This is a great way to knock out that holiday shopping, be surrounded by community and enjoy the beautiful weather. Holiday festivals can be found nearly every weekend throughout the season. These gatherings feature local artists, talented artisans and craftspeople giving the perfect opportunity to find something for everyone.
From homemade earrings for a sister to one-of-a-kind charcuterie boards for a brother, locally made products are the way to go this holiday season.
Amazing local wares can be found every Saturday at the Haile Village Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon. Another great opportunity is the Blackadder Brewing Company’s Christkindlmarkt on Dec. 2 and 3. This annual holiday market showcases a wide array of beautifully crafted products ranging from candles to jewelry, and orchids to soaps.
By Laura Parrinello.