Last-minute gifts for all

I have been busy driving around the past couple of weeks, finding fun gift ideas from local businesses. Gaudy Gals on Main is a true gem that is found close to home in Waitsburg. It is the type of store that I visit when I'm not sure what I want to get. I have yet to leave without that perfect, didn't-know-I-needed-it gift from the Main Street store.

Located inside Waitsburg's Town Hall, Gaudy Gals is packed full of unique antiques, gorgeous jewelry, delicious candles, tea towels, and some of the cutest wine bags I have ever come across. The store is owned by talented sisters, Lori Sharp Davis and Kimi Bruzas. Lori is a crafter with an eye for all that shines. Kimi is a collage artist, creating quirky and clever work that is guaranteed to make you stop, look and buy.

Some of my favorite Gaudy Gal options are their selection of jewlery including earrings, and brooches, found throughout the shop. You will find colorful, handmade clay earrings decorated with flowers, leaves, and delicate lines. Other handmade earrings handcrafted with pearl, shell, and gemstones are guaranteed to be the most unique at holiday parties. Shiny, golden statement brooches and sparkling diamond clips round out the shop's collection.

In the last guide, I noted a vintage revival trend, , and Gaudy Gals has always been strong in that market. Their variety of home decor is second to none. Tea sets, with delicately painted florals, weathered silver, and matching cups were some of my favorite things resting on and Gaudy Gals has always been strong in that market. Their variety of home decor is second to none. Tea sets, with delicately painted florals, weathered silver, and matching cups were some of my favorite things resting on the shelves, but it was the hand-painted mushroom heads that made me circle back three or four times.

A set of thrown-clay storage jugs, featuring wheat stems and leaves, would be the perfect touch to that farmhouse kitchen. If you know someone who loves quirky art, check out the jewelry collage pictures created by Davis and Bruzas.

If you're sending a gift out of town, Gaudy Gals has some fun tea towels. Printed with plenty of sassy sayings they can be paired with one of their Waitsburg mugs to make distant relatives want to visit.

It would be a sin if I didn't mention the candles. I love receiving candles almost as much as I enjoy giving them. Gaudy Gals offers an assortment of scents including Balsam Fir, Freshly Baked Blueberry Muffins, and lightly scented Echeveria candles. I bought a coffee-scented candle for a Mother's Day gift, and when lit it was like walking into a coffee shop.

Gaudy Gals on Main are located at 121 Main Street, Waitsburg, and are open Wednesday- Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. through December 23. Stop by on December 18 for some shopping before the parade!

While talking with coworkers this weekend, someone said they were going to get their parents a tree for Christmas, to replace one that had recently been removed. Trees and plants are the gifts that keep on giving, and, lucky for us, we have the cutest little garden center right here in Waitsburg.

Nancy's Dream Garden Center, located on the corner of Second and Warren Streets in Waitsburg has become a bit of a therapy stop for me, especially in the winter. I had never considered giving a tree for Christmas, but the more I thought about it, the better the idea sounded.

Unlike gadgets and gizmos, trees thrive when given care and love. Imagine gifting an apple tree, and years later picking a crop of crisp, sweet apples with your mom. Something as simple as a tree will provide memories for a lifetime.

Nancy's Dream Garden Center has a well-curated and cared for selection of indoor and outdoor plants perfect for those who have everything. If you can't pick out a plant, there are tons of quality soils, mulches, barks, and planters that are available for spring projects, and, if you genuinely can't decide, grab the gardener in your family a gift card.

Owners Doug Biolo, Janet Lawerence, and their team are always so much fun to chat with, and they are all knowledgeable about the plants they have for sale.

They also have Christmas trees, decorations, and supplies for sale, for those last-minute decorators like me!

Nancy's is open from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. everyday.

As the holiday shopping starts its sprint before Christmas, be sure to check out your local businesses first. Remember- Shop local; Santa is watching!