It’s the season, so they say, and for many of us that means the search begins for the best and most meaningful gifts. Here are our suggestions for gifts for young and old – for the easy-to-please, the hard-to-buy-for and that person who seems to have everything. We scoured Northern Kentucky in search of local, unique, unusual, simple, serene and exciting gifts.
Some have wide appeal, such as cozy socks or a sweet picture book, while others are aimed at very specific interests and hobbies. This year, we’ve included a number of experiences as well as physical gifts. Whether it’s honing your golf game, hitting a target with an axe, decorating ceramics or blending your own whiskey, these gifts are for the doers in the crowd.
Wherever possible, we stuck to small and local businesses and high-quality gifts that won’t break the bank. Now, make a list and check it twice. Happy holidays!
For the avid golfer
Always in Play
Baby, it’s cold outside! No matter. Gift your favorite golfer a round inside this winter. Gift certificates are available in any amount. Rent time with a golf simulator for nine or 18 holes. You rent the bay, so it doesn’t matter how many golfers you have, but it takes about one hour per person to complete 18 holes.
Price: Rates are $20/hour for non-peak times and $30/hour during peak times (Monday-Friday, 5 p.m.-close; Saturday and Sunday, noon-close).
Location: 90 Alexandria Pike, Suite 15, Fort Thomas
Website: alwaysinplay.com
Phone: 859-251-6980
For comfort-seekers
Barb’s Cozy Cottage
Keep the whole family’s toesies warm this season with a fun pair of socks. These three-season socks come from Solmate, a certified B Corp U.S. company. Sizes for newborn/3 months to XL Adult.
Price: $19/pair (Baby socks are two pair and a spare, so five socks for $19)
Location: 620 Sixth Ave., Dayton
Website: barbscozycottage.com
Phone: 859-581-4972
For the young and young-at-heart reader
Blue Marble Books
Give the gift of reading with a picture book featuring the adorable and adventurous Pigeon. This is Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems’ ninth book featuring the lovable little birdie, and this time Pigeon is determined to drive a sleigh.
Price: $18.99
Location: 1356 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas
Website: bluemarblebooks.com
Phone: 859-781-0602
For the java junkie
Carabello Coffee
Nothing like a good cuppa joe from this neighborhood favorite. With a gift subscription, you can keep them caffeinated (or half-caff’d) for three, six or 12 months, and let the roasters choose or create their own. Carabello also offers gift baskets and single bags of its locally roasted, fair-trade and farm-direct brews.
Price: $65.95 for three months for the Coffee of the Month program (1 bag per month). Customizable options are also available.
Location: 107 E. Ninth St., Newport
Website: carabellocoffee.com
Phone: 859-415-1587
For the vintage lover
Faded Finds
This shop specializes in a unique mixing of old and new. Bookmarks made from vintage silverware spoons are etched with snappy sayings and a pretty hand-blown bead.
Location: 654 Highland Ave., Fort Thomas
Website: facebook.com/heidisfadedfinds
Phone: 859-609-0920
For those in a pickle
Five Seasons Family Sports Club
Pickleball continues to be the fastest-growing sport in the nation. For those who haven’t gotten their paddle on yet, a gift of beginner lessons could get them out there. “Pickle in 5” is a basics class that runs Monday nights at 6 p. m. It’s free for members, but nonmembers pay by the month. For those with experience under their belts, the club also provides a “Drill & Play” class, also on Monday nights.
Price: Lessons are $79/month for nonmembers; free for members (single club memberships are $89)
Location: 345 Thomas More Parkway, Crestview Hills
Website: fiveseasonssportsclub.com/locations/crestview-hills
Phone: 859-341-3687
For the confident
Flying Axes
Axe-throwing is no longer just for lumberjacks. It’s a full-fledged sport with leagues and everything. Gift an hour or two of this adventurous sport to your friends who have (and will try) anything. Remind them not to wear open-toed shoes, and it’ll all be fun!
Price: $19/hour per person (Discount: If you buy two-plus hours, it’s $17/hour)
Location: 100 W. Sixth St., Covington
Website: flyingaxes.com/covington
Phone: 859-261-0526
For the thrill-seeker
Full Throttle Adrenaline Park
High-energy family or friends? Give the gift of a pure adrenaline rush. Paintball, virtual reality, karting, axes and even a “rage room” is on offer at this home for those with a need for speed and excitement.
Price: Varies. A two-hour Adrenaline Pass is $45 for nonpeak (Tuesday-Thursday) or $50 for peak hours (Friday-Monday). Gift certificates come in all amounts.
Location: 24 Spiral Drive, Florence
Website: gofullthrottle.com
Phone: 859-371-5278
For the seeker of knowledge
Hierophany & Hedge
Awaken the magic within with a beautiful tarot deck from this unique purveyor of “bespoke arcana.” Choose from a wide range from mass-market decks, independently produced decks and limited editions.
Price: $20 to $80
Location: 19 W. Pike St., Covington
Website: hierophanyandhedge.com
Phone: 859-261-2710
For the sports collector
Hit Seekers Sports Cards
Do you have a sports card enthusiast in your midst? The world of sports cards is constantly changing. A gift card allows them to choose from starter packs and the most popular sets or maybe find that one special card to complete a collection. Call or stop by to request gift certificates.
Price: Varies widely. $20 to $100 and up.
Location: 2501 Dixie Highway, Suite 2, Fort Mitchell
Website: hitseekerscardbreaks.com
Phone: 859-331-1063
For the merry
The Lavender Trail
Help someone decorate for a Kentucky Christmas or celebrate the winter season with themed covers for their pillows. Designs come in a variety of sizes.
Price: $25
Location: 1 Highland Ave., Suite B, Fort Thomas OR Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport
Website: shopthelavendertrail.com
Phone: 859-415-0015
For the artsy crafter
Morning Star Pottery Painting
Handcraft a personalized gift with a ceramic you decorate yourself – or give a gift certificate to a creative friend to choose from more than 300 ceramic pieces to paint. Group paint parties are also available.
Price: $10-20 per piece
Location: 8131 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria
Website: morningstarpottery.com
Phone: 859-908-0037
For the natural dog
Pet Wants
Fido deserves a gift, as well. These small-batch dog treats made, with human-grade beef, are perfect for pet lovers and pamperers. Nutrient-rich and tasty.
Price: $10/3.5-ounce bag; $20/8-ounce bag
Location: 1118 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas
Website: petwantsftthomas.com
Phone: 859-307-8400
For the feline-friendly
Purrfect Day Cafe
Cat lovers will lose their minds at this cafe. A gift certificate can give them 50 minutes of cat contact, where they can sit and pet the kitties while sipping coffee or an adult beverage. It’s a great place to find a feline companion to adopt, but they can just hang out for a bit and cuddle with the cats.
Price: $15 for 50 minutes with the cats
Location: 25 W. Eighth St., Covington
Website: purrfectdaycafecovington.com
Phone: 859-491-7877
For the trailblazer
Reser Bicycle Outfitters
Northern Kentucky is becoming more and more bike-friendly all the time. The heart of the biking community centers around this shop. Keep your bike-riding friends and family safe with this moderately priced Kali Chakra Solo helmet. It comes in sizes small/medium and large/XL.
Price: $40
Location: 648 Monmouth St., Newport
Website: reserbicycle.com
Phone: 859-261-6187
For the sweet tooth
Schneider’s Sweet Shop
They can get back to the gym in January, but for now let them indulge in some sweet treats for the holidays. This historic shop, in family hands since 1939, follows the founder’s original recipes. Opera creams – chocolate-covered with centers of cream, milk and sugar – are the specialty. A box could quickly become a holiday tradition.
Price: $13.90/half-pound box; $25.95/1-pound box
Location: 420 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Website: schneiderscandies.com
Phone: 859-431-3545
For the bourbon explorer
Second Sight Distillery
Gift a distillery tour. Purchase tickets for a behind-the-scenes look at this unique distillery operation, finished off with a tasting, of course. The founders, an engineer and industrial designer, met in Las Vegas when they were working on sets for Cirque du Soleil and Viva Elvis. Then they came here and built their own still. Expect a few circus stories with this tour!
Price: Start at $14/person
Location: 301 Elm St., Ludlow
Website: secondsightspirits.com
Phone: 859-488-7866
For the musically inclined
Stoney’s Etc. (aka Stoney’s Village Toys)
Young and old can experience the joy of making music. This shop has changed its name to better reflect its widening variety of offerings, from toys and puzzles to unique items to a collection of ukuleles and these magnificent Amahi steel-tongue drums. They don’t need experience or special knowledge to start playing!
Price: $145 for 10-inch drum; $159 for 12-inch drum
Location: 323 W. Sixth St., Covington
Website: stoneystoys.com
Phone: 859-655-9571
For the gourmand
vomFASS
A customized gift basket is perfect for those who like to cook and those who like to eat. Fill it with a variety of specialty infused oils, award-winning fruit vinegars, cheese, spirits, liqueurs, crostini and more. This shop is known as a candy store for grown-ups.
Price: $10 and up
Location: 2870 Town Center Blvd., Crestview Hills
Website: vomfassusa.com
Phone: 859-331-1896
For the whiskey explorer
Wenzel Whiskey
The ultimate bourbon experience has got to be blending your very own. Gift a friend the opportunity to be a master blender, and they can go home with a bottle or a case of their custom blend. Book a date and time online for one person or more.
Price: Starts at $35/person for 1.5 hours
Location: 15 Tobacco Alley, Covington
Website: wenzelwhiskey.com
Email: Griffin@wenzelwhiskey.com