Between the hustle and bustle, the packing and the planning, and busy holiday time, somehow someone slipped off your list, even after checking twice. Don’t worry, we have all your gift-giving needs covered with our road map to Fort Wayne’s best stops for last-minute shopping.

Jefferson Pointe 

With many different kinds of shops, Jefferson Pointe offers plenty of options for everyone. The mall’s open-air layout and pretty Christmas décor make it a pleasant place to shop, too. Park near the Starbucks – get a quick caffeine pick-me-up for you and a gift card and coffee mug for him. Make your away around the shops in a counterclockwise circle. For her, stop by Bath & Body Works – they have great gift sets already wrapped up and ready to go. Next, zip by the Carmike theater to pick up a few gift certificates for movie tickets and snacks for kids and teens. Then, head on over to Yankee Candle for one of their special holiday-scented candles that make the perfect thank you for party hostesses, they’ll package it up for you nicely, too. On your way out, pop into Madeleine’s Bake House for grandma and grandpa – and buy a little pastry to take home with you, too!

Glenbrook Square Mall 

Glenbrook Square Mall

Big malls can be overwhelming, especially during the holiday crunch time when everyone else is doing last-minute shopping, too. Keep it simple for yourself and do a one-stop shopping trip at Barnes & Noble – you’ll be sure to find something for all ages there. Now’s the time to shop for day-planners and calendars – all of the newest styles are out now – and they’re a must for busy moms and working women. Grandparents could always use a photo album for cute pictures of the grandkids (it’ll also be good reason to snap a few new photos during your stay). There’s a Starbucks inside the store, where you can select from tins of teas for hostesses. For kids, a classic holiday book like The Nutcracker, is a good alternative to a toy, and for teens, you can’t go wrong with a book series collection like the Twilight saga or the latest DVD release. A nice coffee table book about Indiana’s history, for example, is a good go-to for dads.

Downtown Fort Wayne

Everyone enjoys going to a show, and, at the Embassy Theatre, you can buy tickets to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and other amazing performances such as Mannheim Steamroller, Cirque Dreams Holidaze or Matchbox 20.

And Around Town

If you’re already on your way to a party or to visit someone, make a quick stop at Casa Ristoranti Italiano or DeBrand – two Fort Wayne favorites. Or, if you’re in a real pinch and you need a variety of gifts, stop by any major grocery store (Meijer or Kroger) or drugstore (CVS or Walgreens) where you can buy gift cards for most stores and restaurants, and other goods like iTunes or pre-paid credit cards, or even flowers or wines as well as popcorn and cookie tins.

Happy shopping!

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Looking for a gift for that hard-to- buy-for person? Look no further than Bittersweet Gifts.

The store, located in Coldwater Crossing on Fort Wayne’s north side, offers one-of-a-kind items for everyone on your list. Owned by Donald Jennings and Nathan Taves, the shop is located in the JoAnn Plaza at 4630 Coldwater Road. They are one of the few, true gift shops left in the city, if not state.

The store moved in 2007 from the southwest side of town to its current location. Jennings started he business with a retail background and dreams of entrepreneurship. Similarly, his business partner Taves found inspiration in his formal study of art, and wanted to bring the joy of hand-made items to the public.

Not sure where to begin? The friendly staff will take care of you. From handbags, to scarves, to candles, to fun socks–there is no shortage of gift ideas here. The owner stand by a simple promise: they won’t sell anything they wouldn’t consider gifting themselves. Products range in price from $3.50 to more than $100.

A lot of items are made in the good ole U.S.A., which contributes to good shopping karma. And most items are affordable and won’t dig into your holiday budget. They can even special order items upon the request of customers. I picked up a nice scarf for my boyfriend’s mother for less than $20. I also found a plug-in night light for his grandmother.

Perhaps the best part is you’re supporting a local business when you shop here. In a time when most gift shops have shut down, Bittersweet Gifts has remained open due to loyal clientele.

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Black Friday is over.  Cyber Monday has passed.  That means if you’re still shopping for gifts, you may be running low on cash.  If you’ve noticed that some of those names on your list tend to be your nerdier friends and family, I’ve done some digging to find some really cool ideas that will brighten their holidays and keep your wallet from feeling like Han Solo trapped in Carbonite.

Sorry, I may have gone too far with that reference.  That just means you’ll relieve the stress on your finances if you follow these tips:

Comic Books

This one’s a no-brainer.  Most single-issues of current comics (including DC’s popular “New 52″ series) go for around $3.99 and comic-lovers are always excited to read a new book.  Grab a few issues (slipped inside comic bags with cardboard backing, of course) to make your nerdy loved one happy.  You can find the latest issues (bagged and boarded) at locations like Clem’s Collectibles in Jefferson Pointe, Books, Comics and Things at Time Corners, and Discount Comic Book Service in the Pine Valley Shopping Center.

Figurines

Action figures are my personal weakness and many nerds like me also love these toys.  Yes, I admit it.  They’re toys.  But in the hands of an avid collector, the right action figures will be treated as museum pieces.  They’re preserved, displayed, and even given special lighting in some cases.  You can find a wide range of action figures in the big toy stores as well as your favorite comic book stores, but you might find the $10+ price tags a bit prohibitive.

Not a Villain was stirring, not even this mouse.

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OK, I admit it, I’m not a shopper. My poor daughters had to drag me to the mall each year for prom dresses. We went through the same procedure in winter to do an annual Christmas shopping trip.

So why am I writing a post on shopping in downtown Fort Wayne? Because I just spent an entire day shopping there and loved it!

As one who is stringent with driving because of the cost of gas, I loved it that we could get to Jefferson Pointe to go to Dick’s Sporting Goods at Apple Glen for a gift certificate for my husband (he wants hunting gear) and new walking shoes for me, then be back downtown in 10 minutes.

Tickets to a Broadway show at the Embassy Theatre for my sister—Check.

Gift certificate to J.K. O’Donnell’s Irish Pub for my daughter who spent a semester in Ireland and loved it—Check.

Purchase of post cards of Fort Wayne at the Fort Wayne Visitors Center for my other daughter who currently lives in Vienna, Austria—Check. (Hint: The Visitors Center has many gift items available for purchase from TinCaps hats and sweatshirts to cookbooks by area chefs and aerial views of Fort Wayne.)

By then, the three of us were ready for lunch. We stopped in at the Lincoln Tower Soda Fountain for malts and sandwiches. Love this cozy eatery!

While downtown, we visited The History Center’s new exhibit on Fort Wayne Innovations. Who said shopping can’t be educational? It’s the Mom in me.

Other shops awaited us downtown, but by then we were tired and ready to plan them for another day. What is your favorite downtown place to shop?

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Making your own presents is a great way to add an extra special personalized touch to your gift-giving. I like to make my own cards and crafts, and while I’m no artist by any means, it’s the DIY gifts that my friends look forward to most. (I also welcome any excuse to break out my markers, glitter and glue!)

In search for gift ideas this year, I looked to a few local spots for inspiration. You don’t even need to be very creative – or invest too much time – to create a memorable gift. Here are a few gems in Fort Wayne that offer DIY classes to put you in the crafty holiday spirit.

Lather & Lotions

Lather & Lotions

613 Brackenridge Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Last year I made bath salts for friends, this year I’m planning to make bath and shower bombs, inspired by Lather & Lotions, a local shop that sells their own line of bath products, handmade soaps and soap-making kits and supplies. They offer classes workshops throughout the year, and if you’re planning a holiday party with friends, they’ll bring their own Portable Soap Studio and help you plan your special event. On Saturday, December 8, they’re hosting a Gingerbread Bath and Body Workshop. See the full schedule.

Country Kitchen Sweetart

4621 Speedway Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46825

If you have a sweet tooth, this shop is a dream come true. You can learn how to make candy, cookies, cakes, cupcakes and every sugar-coated goodie you like – and, of course, take home a box of your own sweet creations to gift (and eat)! With classes for both adults and kids, you can turn it into a fun family activity, too. Classes this month include learning to make candies, cupcakes and gingerbread houses. See the full schedule.

Jo-Ann Fabrics

4616 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825

At this fabrics and crafts mecca, you’ll find classes for just about anything you’ve ever wanted to make – from papercrafts and jewelry to even flowers and cake design. Upcoming classes include painting holiday décor; creating bracelets, earrings and necklaces; and making ornaments. There are also workshops for kids, including snowman cake decorating. And, December 20-22, select classes are 50% off, and every Saturday store associates offer free in-store demonstrations with lots of great ideas. See the full schedule. 

Any other favorite local craft spots that you enjoy?

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