Local Holiday Shopping Gift Guide Part II

And now, part two of Patch's Shop Local Gift Guide. You can catch the first part of the gift guide by clicking .

Now where were we? Ah yes, I left you along Frederick Road after a Lewis and Clark style expedition. Filled with the spirit of adventure, I veer off the beaten path and visit three locations: Mellor Avenue, Edmonson Avenue, and Paradise.

First stop the shops on Mellor.  


87 Mellor Avenue

Tucked away in a building that looks more like an industrial park than a hot bed of shopping, is a jewel of a store for geeks, hipsters, cool kids, men, women, young and old. For anyone who has ever loved a comic or graphic novel, welcome to nirvana.

What I found:

Walking Dead Graphic Novels $14.99
The hottest show of the season is also the hottest gift item this year. A couple things: first I had no idea that the Walking Dead started off as a graphic novel; Second, when the zombie apocolypse comes, be prepared with a Walking Dead lunchbox ($14.99). Not only will it hold sandwiches, it shows the zombies whose side you're on. Plus, the shininess might distract them long enough for you to RUN!

Tin Tin Comics $8.99
Combine these with a pair of tickets to see the Peter Jackson/Steven Spielberg film based on the comics. The predicted holiday blockbuster arrives in theaters December 21st.

Posters $8.99
The shop now carries comic posters for under $10. They'd make a great gift for the holidays.

A special note about Cosmic Comix: First-time visitors leave with a swag bag filled with comics, a button, pen and stickers. Mine even came with a X Men coaster.


75 Mellor Avenue

Remember how your grandma used to knit? Actually, neither of mine ever did— one grandmother's hobby was telling salty jokes, the other's was chopping wood and butchering deer. But I digress. The point I'm trying to make here is that knitting is "in" again. People want to return to the tradition of making things with their hands and knitting is a way to connect past with present. Now before you go thinking it's just women, I'm going to tell you what I told the man in the shop who was buying a gift certificate, "We're living in an age where men can do anything a woman can do."

What I found:

Gift Certificate for Knitting Class $40.00
A $40.00 gift certificate will get you a two hour beginners course. In it, you'll learn two stitches (stockinette and garter) and walk out with a scarf made with your own two little hands. It's a multi-layered gift.

Tiny Kits $12.50
Know an intermediate knitter who loves some kitschy cute? These Tiny Kits will have the knitter whipping up adorably cute characters in no time. Each one contains a knitting patter and enough wool/nylon yarn and polyester stuffing for two characters.

Knitting Bags starting at $79.50
These knitting bags are cool enough they could double as purses.


67 Mellor Avenue

A couple doors down from the yarn shop is a little store called The Stitching Post. Between these two and the fabric shop, you'll never have to trek to JoAnn's again.

What I found:

Stephanie Dawn Bags starting at $19.00
The first thing I noticed was how similar the bags look to the ones at the mall. So I came home and did a little "research." Here's the story, as told to me by the internet: Stephanie Dawn used to work for Vera Bradley. When Vera took the manufacturing overseas, Stephanie created her own line which is made in the USA. Either way, these bags are perfect for people who love the Vera Bradley look but want to buy domestic. Bonus? The price points are 10-20% less than VB. A wallet will run you about $19.00, while a tote will set you back $37.00.

Silk and Ivory Thread $5.25/skein
These lovely threads come in a rainbow of colors. They'd be a great gift for any switcher.

Model Artwork pricing varies
The wall to your left when you first walk in is filled with completed projects. They served as models throughout the store and are now looking for new homes. It's perfect for anyone intimidated by crafting but still appreciate it. The items are marked but they'll entertain any reasonable offer. All proceeds from model sales goes to a local charity.


77 Mellor Avenue

What I found:

Gift Certificates
Yoga classes start at $15.00 a session.

Neti Pots starting at $14.00
Okay, so it may not be the sexiest gift this holiday season, but it's sure to be the most useful. It's great for allergy sufferers and anyone who has a cold. Which, includes pretty much everyone in the greater Baltimore area.

Yoga Book $24.95
Have a friend who wants to try out yoga but is too shy to attend a class? The Iyengar Way is perfect for them. This guide features 100 key postures with detailed step-by-step instructions and photographs.

Doris' Closet
81 Mellor Avenue

I almost missed the new upscale women's consignment shop. Owner Nancy Klein opened the shop just two months ago and up until now, it's flown completely under my radar. 

What I found:

Cigar Box Purse $25.00
An upcycled cigar box features a glittering New York scene.

Bracelet $25.00 and Coral Colored Necklace $12.00
Either would make a great stocking stuffer or gift.

Next I headed over to Edmondson Avenue to see what it had to offer.


1701 Edmondson Avenue

The Italian Grocery store has been in Catonsville since 1972. When I first moved here, I thought it was the coolest thing that the town had an Italian market. Mental note: I really should shop there more often. 

Panettone Classico $9.99
Translation: big bread. Seems less romantic in english. Take big bread to a holiday party. Left overs make killer french toast. Or I guess it'd be a french-italian toast.

Amaretti Cookies in decorative Tin $21.99
Perfect for foodies. Could also double as a host/hostess gift.

After my stroll down Edmondson, I hopped in the car and headed over to Paradise.

Lucky 3
6414 Frederick Rd

This has got to be one of the hippest salons in Catonsville and it's located in Paradise? That's right! Owner Val is super sweet, super blonde and super tattooed. And she's a new mom. I loved her immediately.

What I found:

Paul Mitchell Holiday Gift Sets $14.95 to $19.95
For the teen who cares about his/her hair.

Gift Certificates
Gift certificates work for gift swaps where you never know what to bring. Waxes start at $10 (eyebrow), men's cuts $15 and women's $25 (includes shampoo, cut and blowdry).



Housed in the once legendary The Store, which you may remember from such films as Pecker, this grocery turned wine/beer/liquor shop features some serious square footage and stellar finds.  

Bushmills 21 Year Old Scotch $99.00
For that boss you're trying to impress.
 
Wassail $9.99
Here we go a wassailing! Bring a bottle of this Maryland wine to your next holiday party.

Sam Adams Infinium $22.99
The tag on the bottle says it's a champagne-like blend with fine bubbles and a fruity, spicy aroma. The Sam Adams site says their brewers worked for two years with the world’s oldest brewery, Germany’s Weihenstephan to come up with the recipe. All I'll say is this, it makes a statement.
 
Midnight Moon Moonshine $19.99
Moonshine? I know, I know, I can hardly believe it myself. But if knitting can make a comeback, why not moonshine? It's ironic, so hipsters will love it. It's kind of back woodsy, so your uncle will love it. And it's not-quite-yet mainstream, so your sister, who thinks she has her finger on the pulse of all things cool, will marvel at your mighty fine tastes.

6429 Frederick Rd

"But Lucy's doesn't have gifts!" You got me. This isn't actually part of the gift guide. But you can't head out on an empty stomach. This Saturday, stop by Lucy's in Paradise for the annual Christmas Cookie Spectacular! Actually, I don't know if that's the approved title, but I like the razzle dazzle quality of it. For one day only, the counter will be ladened with 115 dozen cookies that diners can munch on with breakfast (served 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.). That's right folks 1,380 cookies. The restaurant is very small so be prepared for a wait. But oh, won't the wait be worth it. 

And now my friends, this is where I leave you. I hope to see you out shopping locally this weekend. There are some amazing things you can find right here in our own little Mayberry.