Ask An Expert: Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas
Sugar Chest Antique Mall
960 N. Federal Highway
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
(954) 942-8601
www.thesugarchestantiquemall.com
Sugar Chest Antique Mall's Operations Manager, Mike Ruffini, provides a few gift ideas for those looking to buy last minute items this holiday season. Ruffini states, "you will find many affordable treasures in our 30,000 square-foot showroom that make for the perfect gift for your loved ones."
Perfect Little Gifts For All
Sometimes it seems that getting those little gifts for stockings are even harder than buying the larger gifts. Sugar Chest Antique Mall has a large variety of options for everyone's stocking this year. Ruffini suggests for the men that "cufflinks are a perfect stocking, and we are happy to share that we have many unique styles from all around the world available." For the little ones, be sure to "share you childhood with your kids with some of their timeless classics from dolls to cars." Finally for the ladies, a unique and fun little gift could be some of Sugar Chest's vintage Italian glass. Just be sure to wrap it carefully before placing in the stocking!
Gifts With Flair
For those looking for something very different to give this holiday season, be sure to check out Sugar Chest's tortoise line items and black coral jewelry. Their authentic tortoise line items date back over 100 years. Ruffini boasts that these items are "not only fashionable, but also historic." They also have a wonderful line of jewelry called black coral which comes from Cuba, which Ruffini said is very popular among their shoppers.
Mariella Gonzalez
HiNT Miami
6301 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 103
Miami, FL 33138
(786) 518-2715
www.hintmiami.com
HiNT boutique is a unique store that provides some great options for holiday gifts this year. Owned by Mariella Gonzalez, HiNT offers limited edition pieces and designer collections. The store opened in 2013. Gonzalez says her store "caters to a clientele looking for one-off couture pieces, art and designer accessories for your closet and home. Each item is a comfortable and smart investment piece that would be a great addition to any wardrobe."
Grown Up Goodie Bags
We all used to love getting goodie bags at parties and holidays as kids, so why not make them for the adults in your life too? "This can also be a fun and easy DIY project," shares Gonzalez. It can include anything from candles to small jewelry. Gonzalez points out, "Candles are great as they come in all shapes and sizes and can even be customized to compliment someone's personality." Whether it's earrings or a bracelet, any small jewelry piece can add a little bling to a goodie bag.
Related: 5 Practical Holiday Gifts You Can Make At Home
Home Decor
Items for someone's home make a great and thoughtful holiday gift. Gonzalez shares one home accessories gift: "A beautiful set of unique plates or celebration glasses are always a nice gesture. Then just add a bottle of champagne or wine to complete the gift." These are all relatively easy and quick things to buy too for those crunched for time in their holiday shopping.
Sheffield MacIntyre
Back-In-Style
2209 S.W. 10th St.
Miami, FL 33135
(866) 642-6426
www.backinstyle.com
Back-In-Style is owned by Sheffield MacIntyre, who is a Miami native, fashionista and local entrepreneur. In addition to this business, she also owns StyleStud.com, which is another online e-commerce website. Both of these businesses have been providing authentic vintage and designer clothing and accessories to movie stars, socialites, high-schoolers and everyone in between for the last 15 years.
DIY Hot Cocoa Kit
Another fun DIY project and thoughtful gift this holiday season is a customized hot cocoa kit. MacIntyre points out that "this is a great gift to give to a bunch of people without adding too much more time to the assembly." She also says that "there are many options out there to create this kit, but we usually start with either a blank mug we can decorate (kits available at Michael's), or any mug that appeals to your recipient. Throw in some marshmallows, some chocolate on a stick and wrap in cellophane and ribbon." To add onto the gift and make it a little more, add complimentary things like cookies, movies or snacks.
Suzy Fielders is a working mom of a spirited 9 year old daughter. She has an MA in Communication Studies and BA in Psychology and Communications. She works in marketing/public relations, is a freelance writer and is very involved in the Winston-Salem community and arts & films scene.
