With the holiday season fast approaching, it's time to get shopping. If you include gifts for the home on your list of possibilities it will expand your gift-giving options, which will make Christmas shopping a little easier.
Buying gifts for another person's home might seem daunting because you don't know their decor tastes or colours, but there are ways around this issue. Some of the items here I've purchased myself or have been recommended to me by others. All in all, these home-decor gift and shopping ideas will give you a good head start on your Christmas shopping.
Favourite kitchen gadget
Lee Valley Tools carries a unique, stainless-steel double spoon rest that is a must for any kitchen. I bought myself one of these last Christmas and absolutely love it.
The double spoon rest is heavy and sturdy and can hold two spoons, which makes things a little easier when preparing a larger meal. It cleans up well and is heavy enough to stay put on the stovetop or countertop.
This item would make a great hostess gift as well. It sells for under $20 (before taxes), which is quite reasonable. You can order it from their catalogue or online.
In the spirit of giving, Lee Valley Tools is offering one free double spoon rest to one of our lucky readers. Send an email today to fpcontests@freepress.mb.ca with the subject line Double Spoon. The winner's email will be the one arriving closest to a predetermined time today.
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Keep warm
Decor stores like Urban Barn have great home-decor gifts for just about any style of decor. You may remember my touting the handy Dish Cloth Chariot I purchased there some years ago. I still use it and love it.
One of the store's hot sellers this year is the Marcia Sherpe Throw, a great gift for anyone on your list. Check out the colour options and other gift ideas at www.urbanbarn.com
One lucky reader can win one of these cosy throws by being the first person to bring a copy of this column to the Urban Barn Ellice Avenue location in Winnipeg today.
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Shop local
Anyone who reads this column knows I'm a fan of supporting local small businesses. Truly unique decor gifts often come from similarly unique local entrepreneurs.
Fairly new to Winnipeg is a great decor shop called Noble Savage Interiors on Stafford Street. Owner Lynn McMillan has collected an array of great furniture, accessories, art and giftware that is definitely worth consideration any time of the year.
In the spirit of the holiday season, Noble Savage Interiors is offering one lucky reader a Veitri hand-painted blown-glass Christmas tree ornament. The first person to bring a copy of this column to Noble Savage Interiors today wins the prize! Visit www.noblesavage.ca
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Changes by Design, is another Winnipeg decor shop that has great decor items and services. Their extensive selection of accessories, lighting, furniture and unique artwork will keep your creative juices flowing all through the year. Changes by design is offering one lucky reader a Lampe Berger Gift set. The first person to bring a copy of this column today to Changes by Design, located at 620 King Edward St., wins the gift set. www.changesbydesign.ca
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Wicker World, another great Winnipeg business, has a large inventory of gorgeous decorating items in stock at their store on McPhillips Street. From furniture sets to storage baskets, decorative screens and accent items, you're sure to find just the right decor item for that special person on your list, even if that person is you! They are always bringing in new lines of products to offer and are currently carrying recycled wood and Manitoba barnwood furniture, as well as a new line of leather furniture.
Wicker World is offering one lucky reader a gift basket valued at about $40. The first person to bring a copy of this column to the store today wins. www.wickerworld.ca
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Decorating books make a great gift that can be referenced again and again. For those on your list whose decor style you're unsure of, a decorating book will be very much appreciated. I still reference decorating books that I've had for years.
McNally Robinson Booksellers has two new decorating books that are worth consideration. Romantic Prairie Style: Homes inspired by traditional country life, by Fifi O'Neill, is a unique look at country style. This book covers places the author has lived and includes gorgeous interiors with soft floral and lace decor with a rustic prairie appeal.
The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking: decorating, dining, and the gratifying pleasures of self-sufficiency -- on a budget! is another fun decorating book that would make a great gift for the younger crowd.
To help get you started on your book-giving shopping list, McNally Robinson will give a free journal to the first person who brings a copy of this column to their Grant Park Plaza location today. www.mcnallyrobinson.com
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Subscriptions to decorating magazine are another great gift for the home. Canadian House and Home is a popular choice. On the local scene, The Cottager magazine is a great gift for the cottage owners on your list.
The Cottager is a Manitoba-based publication definitely worth checking out. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to say I was a past editor of this magazine and also write for them from time to time. Regardless of my connection, it's still a great local magazine we should be proud to call our own.
The Cottager magazine is offering two, one-year subscriptions to readers. Just send an email today to fpcontests@freepress.mb.ca with the subject-line The Cottager. The two emails closest to a predetermined time today will win. www.thecottager.com
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For the younger generation, a fun bean-bag chair might be just the thing to brighten up a college dorm, student residence or bedroom. The fine people at Bean Bag Boss (www.beanbagboss.com) are offering all readers a 10-per-cent discount until Dec. 31 on all online orders for a bean-bag chair. Use the discount offer COMFORT101 when ordering online to get the discount.
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Finally, for those on your list who have everything, a gift card from a home renovation store or decorating store are a great choice.
Season's greetings and good luck to you all! So that everyone has a chance at these prizes, please limit your submissions to one prize per household.
