As we drive down Detroit Road and see the bright snowflakes hanging from the lampposts, we know it’s that time of year—Christmas! While it’s a season for giving, we’re still in the preparation phase. Questions arise: What do I get for this person? Can I pick up an extra shift? What’s my budget? Where should I shop? This can be a stressful part of the holiday season. So, why not hit two birds with one stone by finding both the perfect gifts and shopping locally? What can you find in Lakewood for all the people you love?

For the Coffee Lover: We all have that one person in our lives who consumes way too much caffeine for their own good (or their heart’s good). While we don’t want to support their addiction to the delicious brew every morning, we know they won’t stop no matter what, so we might as well give them something they want. Lakewood is home to many coffee shops, and I asked a few questions to the biggest coffee addict in my life: my mother, Caroline Purcell.

“Caffeine (a local coffee shop in Lakewood) is hands down my favorite,” said Purcell. Everyone has their preferred coffee spot, so the best option would be to get gift cards to all the amazing coffee shops in Lakewood, such as Caffeine, Roasted, Blue Cafe, La Mocha, Rising Star, Phoenix Coffee, and more. Even places like Nature’s Oasis offer great coffee and food, along with a small store where you can buy candles, snacks, and various Lakewood souvenirs for coffee lovers. Additionally, even if your loved one prefers brewing coffee at home, many of these shops sell their coffee grounds.

Something I know about the number one coffee lover in my life is that she is very picky about her mugs. “You can never go wrong with a mug,” Purcell says, “but you have to make sure the handle is big.” Her philosophy is that to hold a mug perfectly, you need to be able to put your hand through the handle. You can find the ideal mug at places like Propaganda Coffee, Cuyahoga Collectives, Cotton Lakewood, Mishi Lifestyle, CouCou Sentiment, Souvenir, and many more.

For the Kids: Little cousins, nieces, nephews, grandkids, and the little kids next door—there are so many children around us, and they truly bring magic to Christmas. While they’re young, take advantage of making Christmas as special as possible—as we all know the holidays can become stressful as we grow older. However, it’s not as simple as circling what you want in a magazine anymore; today, you can discover the latest trends just by scrolling through social media. To help kids reconnect with reality, encourage them to unplug from their screens. In Lakewood, there are many great children’s shops, like Apple Jax Toys and Paisley Monkey, where you can find clothes, toys, and children’s books. Even better, these stores offer arts and crafts supplies for things you can do together. For older kids, consider visiting Superscript or James Games in Lakewood to find comics and games, along with stuffed animals or characters from popular games like Mario or Pikachu.

For the Artsy Ones: Some people are fortunate to have a creative imagination and can translate that into real life through various outlets, such as drawing, quilting, poetry, writing music, or storytelling. However, these hobbies can be expensive. Gifts such as a new paint set, vinyl records, or books are greatly appreciated. For those who craft, there are many different gifts to consider. While journals, paint, pens, quilting supplies, and clay may be the first items that come to mind, I decided to dig deeper and ask the most creative person I know for additional suggestions.

“I can’t pinpoint just one thing I use every day, but I can never have too many good scissors or pins,” said Shirley Purcell, a quilter with over 30 years of experience. Perfect places to visit in Lakewood include Wavespace, Lakewood Art Supply, and The Quilting Bee.

For Music Lovers: If you’re passionate about music—whether that means creating or listening—Exchange in Lakewood is the perfect destination. Here, you’ll find a wide selection of vinyl records and even record players for those who don’t own one. They also offer CDs for anyone with a CD player, including those installed in cars. While there are not many musical instrument stores in Lakewood, you can always turn to lessons for beginners at places like Lakewood Music Academy, Lemon Seeds Music, Lakewood Suzuki Strings, and more.

For the Literary Enthusiasts: For those interested in writing and reading, journals and books are always appreciated. You can find various journals around Lakewood, such as CouCou Sentiment and Oktobers. Books are available at Book Brothers in Lakewood, and if you’re unsure what to choose or want to explore, you can always opt for a gift card.

For the Self-Care Queens (and Kings) in Your Life: Those who embody the “clean girl aesthetic” with their clear skin, shiny hair, and perfectly manicured nails—consider giving the gift of beauty. While looking good can be pricey, a gift card to their favorite salon or product can help them save money. A gift card to Verb Studio is perfect for hair maintenance, while LK Nails is ideal for nail care. For a two-in-one option, consider a gift card to Tease, where they can enjoy both hair and nail services. If they prefer waxing, a gift card to Peach Fuzz will meet their needs beautifully.

I asked Fallon Todd, the “clean girl” in my life who works at Revival, what her top product is right now. She replied, “Hydrating serum for sure; especially as the weather gets colder, you need to keep your face moisturized.” Revival is a wonderful place to shop for products for the hair, face, and body. They offer facial sets, scrubs, hair oils, and more. If you’re unsure what to give, a gift card is always a safe bet. Stem Soaps is another excellent option for skin and hair care products, as well as soaps in various scents; they also offer gift cards.

For the Hippie in Your Life: Hippie or not, everyone loves clothes. Lion and Blue offers a perfect selection of hippie-designed clothing, sandals, bags, and jewelry. Upon entering, you’ll find cool home decor, like tapestries, and enjoy the captivating aromas. For those more inclined toward the spiritual side, Magically Found and Oktober are great destinations for crystals. It’s fun to learn about the properties of each crystal and choose the perfect one for your friend.

For Foodies: New Year’s is just around the corner, which means that more than half the population will be starting diets and hitting the gym—but not this crowd. They understand the importance of a good meal. You can either ruin their New Year’s resolutions before they begin or give them a gift they truly appreciate. Lakewood offers an array of great dining options; a gift card to any locally owned restaurant there is sure to please. For something ready to eat, consider visiting Breadsmith or Blackbird for delicious desserts, with my personal favorite at Breadsmith being the Monkey. If you prefer a fruit basket or chocolate gifts, Sweet Designs is an excellent choice. For the vegans in your life, Frosty’s and Cleveland Vegan are perfect destinations.

For the gym rat and sports fanatic: For those dedicated individuals who stay motivated to hit the gym all year long instead of just in January, Lakewood offers various gift card options to ease their monthly payments or purchase one-time classes. Consider gift cards from Fitness Edge, Decent Shape, Birdtown Strength, Ride Row and Workouts LLC, Field House Gymnasium, Vital Pilates, and Wellness Bar. After their workouts, they may also appreciate a massage from Lakewood Massotherapy. For physical items, you can support their favorite sports team with merchandise from GV Art and Design or Lakewood RYCO Sports. If you want to provide more gear for the sport they play, Geiger’s is a great place to find shoes, equipment, and clothing.

For Those with a Green Thumb (or Wannabe Green Thumbs): Whether you’re shopping for someone who has every type of plant in their house or a wannabe plant lover who struggles to keep plants alive, a potted plant makes a great gift. For seasoned gardeners, consider new pots and seeds to inspire their next planting project. For those still honing their skills, a plant that’s already grown, paired with a watering can, is perfect. Lakewood Garden Center and Lakewood Plant Company are excellent places to find these gifts. While you’re there, don’t forget to pick out a live Christmas tree!

Christmas is just around the corner, so be sure to finish your shopping soon! What better way to do it than by giving back to your community and supporting locally owned businesses? Have fun shopping and enjoy the holidays!