You don't have to spend a penny to buy cool gifts. You can find 10 gifts for less than $20 in the Mohawk Valley.
1. This is a good gift for beer lovers. A bottle of Belgian Christmas beer, Belgian beer holy grail and beverage fries from The Beer Hub. All are $18.
The Beer Hub, 2643 Genesee St., Utica, thebeerhub.net
2. Looking for eco-friendly gifts? There is no shortage of them in Whitesboro's Evolve Gifts. The picture shows the soap made by two Whitesboro students who started making soap as a home school chemistry laboratory during the COVID-19 period. They created 2bSoapworks. These soaps are made from olive oil, coconut oil and sodium hydroxide, as well as two other secret ingredients, and can be made into moisturizing cold-pressed soaps. Each soap is scented with essential oils to create a variety of fragrance mixtures. Price: USD 6 per piece.
Evolve Gifts, located at 214 Oriskany Blvd., Whitesboro, evolvegifts.com
3. What will you give to people who like to entertain? You can give them a gift to light up their next party. Luminary Lanterns by Modgy have four water-activated floating LED candles. Use them as a centerpiece on the holiday table, or put them on the patio when the weather is fine. You can find these and more in the gift shop inside the Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute Art Museum. Price: US$14.95.
MWPAI, Gift Shop, 310 Genesee St., Utica, mwpai.org/visit/museum-shop/
4. This is a practical gift for the newborn or baby on your list. Apple Park’s Organic Farm Buddies pacifier toy has a rattle on the head and wrinkles on the body, providing the ultimate sensory experience for your baby. Machine washable. Price: US$14.
Gracious Home and Gifts, 54 Genesee St., New Hartford, gracioushomeandgifts.com
5. A winter hat suitable for ponytails. This CC soft stretch cable knit messy bun ponytail hat winter hat is suitable for ladies and children, allowing you to wear your favorite headwear in cold weather, but pull your hair from your ears and neck. There is an elastic opening in the middle, which can hold the beanie in place without slipping off. Price: US$14.99-US$18.99.
Olde Wicker Mill, New Hartford Shopping Center, New Hartford, oldewickermill.com
6. When in doubt, whether it is for someone on your list or as a gift for the hostess, candles are definitely the gift of choice. This $8 candle is a timed taper that will open for 6 hours and close for 18 hours. It requires two AA batteries, which are included in the price. There is also a two-dollar berry ring and a six-dollar white tin candle tray. The price of the entire ensemble is $16.
Simple and original, 8088 State Route 12, Barneveld, facebook.com/simprimitive
7. The turkey joint is a unique, delicious and seasonal candy, produced in Rome. Mouth-watering chocolate and Brazil nuts with a crisp and shiny candy coating is the creation of the Haritatos family, owner of Nora Candy Store, and has been a staple of the Roman holiday season for decades. The original Turkish joint-silver icing, filled with rich chocolate and Brazil nuts in the middle, is priced at $12.99 in a 6-ounce container. To find something different, try the Hazelnut Inside Out Turkey Knuckle Cluster-everything in the turkey knuckle is made into a cluster. Price: $9.49 for a 6-ounce package.
Nora's Candy Shop, 321 N. Doxtator St., Rome, turkeyjoints.com
8. Now is the season of decoration. Shop for various wooden decorations designed and made in Nearly Local. Personalized decorations are great souvenirs for family, friends, teachers, etc. Ornaments are priced at US$12, or custom-made ornaments are priced at US$16.
Almost local, 18 W. Park Row, Clinton, almostlocalshop.com
9. The Utica Club magnetic bottle opener is a souvenir/gift that the Utica couple are proud of. Stick it on the refrigerator for decoration, and grab it when you need to open a cold drink sealed with a bottle cap. Price: $7.95.
Saranac Brewery, Gift Shop, 830 Varick St., Utica, saranac.com/shop
10. On a cold morning, nothing can compare to a cup of hot drink. For the cup collector in your life-or for your favorite stylish lover-this 14 oz. Wake up hell! The cork-bottomed mug will surely satisfy you. This stoneware cup sells for $14.99.
Utica Coffee Roasting Co., 92 Genesee St., Utica, uticacoffeeroasting.com