DTSB Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Him & Gifts for Her
Dec 15

DTSB Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Him & Gifts for Her

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I cannot believe we are in the final stretch of our DTSB Holiday Gift Guides and it’s perfect timing… Hanukkah starts tomorrow night and Christmas is next week!! The time has just flown by and it’s been such an incredible opportunity to feature so many amazing local businesses here on OMG’s blog. This week, Kelsie found some great gift options for the guys and gals in your life. We’ve broken it up into ‘Gifts for Him’ and ‘Gifts for Her’, but a lot of these shops have wonderful gifts for him and her — so make sure you check them out!

And, as always, make sure you go back to enFocus’ Facebook Page for your chance to win the prizes mentioned below!

Gifts for Him

Michiana Brewer’s Supply
Prize: Wooden 6 Pack Holder
Location: 117 S Michigan St
Online: http://www.brewmichiana.com/

Michiana Brewer’s Supply is only six months old and is already attracting home brewers and vintners from all over Indiana seeking advice, service, and competitive prices.

While weather may be keeping your loved ones inside during the holidays, it does not limit the fun they could be having making their own beer, wine, and even soda. The owner, Aaron Goldstein, is offering new customers 10% off when they purchase both a Brewing Equipment Kit and an Ingredient Kit.

Home brewing is an easy activity for a family or a group of friends, and allows you to create something together that you can all be proud of. Classes will be offered soon for people who have never brewed before, so get your boots in the store before all the slots are taken!

South Bend Brew Werks
Prize: A Mug Club II Membership (a 20 oz “pint” mug and a t-shirt), $40 value
Location: 216 S Michigan St
Online: http://southbendbrewwerks.com/

Doing good for the community, one delicious beer at a time; this fun and hip brewpub is somewhere all guys will want to visit this Holiday season.

This taste-good, feel-good pub offers a variety of gift packages including mugs, shirts, gift certificates and memberships. From flatbread to eggs benedict, the kitchen and brewery source almost all of their ingredients from local stores. Every penny spent here is benefiting Downtown South Bend.

So, spread the cheer this Holiday Season with beer! Visit their Facebook page to see just how it werks!

CLARIFICATION: South Bend Brew Werks is offering a Membership for their Mug Club II as the prize which includes a 20oz glass mug and NOT one of the Ceramic Founder’s Club Mugs previously pictured

Alex’s Shoe Hospital
Prize: A Punch Card for 6 Free Shoe Shines
Location: 115 W Washington St
Online: http://www.alexsshoehospital.com/

For over 95 years Alex’s Shoe Hospital has been a part of Downtown South Bend, offering both shoe sales and shoe repair.

Do you have a gentleman in your life who takes the time to invest in good shoes, or who you think should? Alex’s shoe hospital is the perfect place for them to purchase and care for shoes they love.

Alex’s offers polishing and repair as well as name-brand shoes at up to 20% off the retail price. They also carry dress socks, dress shirts and, if you can’t decide, gift certificates.

“Salt and snow can cause considerable damage to shoes. Overshoes, waterproof spray, and salt stain remover go a long way towards protecting your investment,” says owner, Steve Kulwicki.

The Exchange Whiskey Bar
Prize: A Bottle of Their Own Blend, Angel’s Envy (must be over 21 to win)
Location: 112 W Jefferson St
Online: http://exchangewhiskeybar.com/

Contrary to the rumors, the Citizen’s Bank that once occupied the same space as The Exchange and The Vault did not get robbed by John Dillinger. However, the deals you’ll now find here are an absolute steal!

The Exchange offers an extensive selection of whiskeys (close to 150). There are prohibition-era cocktails, high-end cognacs and brandies, local craft beers, and even wine selections.

The Vault is a large banquet and party room area separate from the bar itself. It can host up to 200 guests and provides catering from the kitchen at Café Navarre. Gift certificates are available for purchase. Drop by on Taste it Tuesdays from 5 PM – 8 PM for locally produced fine spirits.

The Mole Hole
Prize: An Exotic Sand Sculpture, $70 value
Location: 121 S Niles Ave
Online: https://www.facebook.com/MoleHoleShops

The gifts we cherish are usually those with both meaning and memories. Be it a timeless treasure box, a grandfather clock, or a sand sculpture, The Mole Hole has an eclectic selection of very personal gifts for you to choose from.

Wall to wall, The Mole Hole is adorned with gifts ranging from basketball hoop waste baskets to chess and checkers sets, jewelry boxes and globes. Gifts are hand-selected from all over the world by the store’s owners.

“So many things in the shop have amazing stories behind them,” says owner, John Boyer.

The friendly staff are there to offer advice and gift certificates are also available.

Boulanger’s Barberie
Prize: A Free Haircut
Location: 715 E Jefferson Blvd
Online: http://www.boulangersbarberie.com/

A visit to Boulanger’s good old-fashioned barbershop is a must for any guy in your life.

Boulanger’s offers cuts, styles, beard and mustache trims, both shaped and lined. They also have chair massages, and several hair-care products from Roffler.

Born in South Bend, the owner, Michelle Schmidt, takes pride in her fair prices. She also supports other local businesses and charities. So, stop in and pick up a gift-card for the man in your life!

Gifts for Her

Bombay International
Prize: $50 gift card
Location 122 S Michigan St, Suite 110
Online: https://www.facebook.com/BombayInternational

Jewelry sparkles in the natural light filling Bombay International, dazzling the viewer with unique and charming pieces just waiting for someone to enjoy!

Most items in the shop are from India, hand-selected by the owner, Mariam Malkovsky, who also funds many women’s businesses overseas. She has wonderful taste in feminine attire and Bombay International offers very distinctive jewelry, scarves, hats, gloves and other clothing. Gift certificates are also available.

“As a boutique, my employees and I offer a personal and friendly touch to our clients that is not found in the larger stores in town,” says Mariam.

Thyme to Sew
Prize: One Free Class, $25 Value
Location: 621 Lincolnway E
Online: http://www.thymetosew.com/

Sometimes winter is just what one may need to pick up or to cultivate a hobby. The classes at Thyme to Sew are bound to distract anyone from the weather.

Beautiful and inspiring quilts hang from the walls at Thyme to Sew. The classes on offer range from embroidering and quilt making to Christmas tree wall hangings, potholders, and more. Beginners, seasoned veterans, and anyone in the middle, are all welcome at Thyme to Sew.

Ever see something on Pinterest you wanted to make? There are classes for that too coming in January! Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Wygant Floral
Prize: $50 Gift certificate
Location: 327 Lincolnway W
Online: http://www.wygantfloral.com

From adding to the joy of the holidays, graduation, newborns and newlyweds to easing the pain of loss and illness – Wygant floral has been offering countless tasteful gifts to the local community year after year.

Wygant Floral has much to offer the public this holiday season. Items in the shop range from unique vases to custom arrangements, wall hangings, candles, wreathes, and more. Wygant is excited to be part of bringing cheer to your life.

During the holidays, Wygant hosts Fabulous Fridays, serving coffee, cookies, and offering 25% off their gift merchandise. Gift certificates are also available.

Ali on the Boulevard
Prize: $35 gift certificate
Location: 722 E Jefferson Blvd
Online: http://alioesch.com/

A weeping willow-like tree of delicate and beautiful necklaces stands on display in the center of the shop and greets you as you enter Ali on the Boulevard.

The necklaces in the shop are hand-made by Ali jewelry, and are featured alongside many other items such as broaches, bracelets, and earrings. Upstairs offers an array of clothing options from scarves to socks and everything in between. A small “Gifts for Men” section is nestled in the corner, offering tie clips, cufflinks and more.

Gift certificates are available for purchase and signing up for their emails, or following them on Facebook is the best way to get the inside scoop.

Inspire Me
Prize: A Chan Luu Bracelet
Location: 520 E Colfax Ave
Online: www.inspiremeonline.com

You will feel at home, literally, once inside Inspire Me. The shop was once a house and has now been remodeled to accommodate several floors of fine merchandise.

From PJ Salvage pajamas to Chan Luu’s line of jewelry – Inspire Me offers an array of items and specials all year long. Supporting local artists such as Nancy Drew and Ellen Brenneman, as well as providing funding for several charities and organizations, the owner, Jeanne Skelton, is invested in the progress of Downtown South Bend.

All gifts purchased will be wrapped for free! Any purchase over $75 will land you with a free gift of your own as well. Gift certificates are also available.

About The Author

Kelsie Ferguson is the enFocus Ambassador of Buzz for Downtown South Bend. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Indiana University South Bend, with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Art History. She developed her talents as the Staff Writer and then Managing Editor at the IUSB campus paper, The Preface.

Competition Details and Rules

The Facebook promotion being run in parallel with this Gift Guide article is administered by enFocus Inc., a non-profit business-consulting firm located in South Bend, Indiana. It is open to residents of the South Bend region over the age of 18 years. The deadline for entries is 9:00 AM on December 19th, 2014. There is a limit of one entry per person. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, OMG Photography or DTSB.