It seems that there is always at least one person on every Christmas list who is impossible to buy for. They already have the latest and greatest, or their unique or specific tastes make shopping quite a chore. Gift cards and cash can feel a bit impersonal, and clothing can be difficult to buy for someone else. We asked a few local shops for some ideas for one-of-a-kind gifts that are sure to surprise and please your Christmas list troublemakers.
ACCESSORIES
Digital camera and cell phone cases made from woven candy wrappers can make great gifts. $36.99 at Re-.
Know a gal who likes funky purses? Re- offers cocktail purses made from pop tabs for $64.99. Check out Bags & Co. or Broms Furs and Fashions at Metro Centre for more unique bags.
For the writer in your life, Re- customizes jewelry made from old typewriter keys. From $25 to $150.
Pick up a hand-painted scarf from Global Village for $15.
Help her make a fashion statement with a glitzy ring from Belle Mie. Prices range from $24 to $54. Funky, adjustable rings from Relics make striking gifts and are $12.95 each.
Give her a Flower of the Month pewter cuff bracelet by Salisbury. Each of the 12 elegant designs is just $20 at Cyrus.
Jack and David Designs make accessories for girls of all ages. Unique, interchangeable flowers can be attached to everything from headbands to shoe clips. Prices start at $10 at Cyrus. S’more Couture offers locally-made accessories featuring vintage jewelry and flowers made from vintage slip material. Prices range from $35 to $45.
Design a unique ring at Cyrus with their Staxx line. Choose a ring base and one to three layers of charms, shells or stones, and complete the piece with the topper of your choice. Ring bases start at $20, and Staxx pieces range from $3 to $35.
Give a unique pair of crocheted, fingerless gloves from S’more Couture this winter. These locally-made items feature vintage beading and delicate lace details for $60 a pair.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Tokyo Milk Perfume is a best-seller at Relics. Check out scents like “Dead Sexy” and “Let Them Eat Cake” for $29 each. Cyrus is the only area shop that sells Clean brand perfumes and colognes for men and women. Prices range from $45 to $74. S’more Couture offers perfume solids from Paris for $20 each.
Pamper a loved one on your list with luxury this season. Bliss spa products from Cyrus start at $8, or pick up a gift certificate to Soderstrom Skin Dimensions Day Spa. For those who are extra-stressed, an overnight getaway at the Mark Twain Hotel or Hotel Pére Marquette might be just the thing.
A pass to LOOP Cycling is an excellent choice for fitness buffs, or a gift of golf lessons at WeaverRidge or the Peoria Park District is great for those who enjoy teeing off. 
THE HOME
Re- and Global Village feature sun catchers and wind chimes made from shells and recycled materials. Prices start at $5. Music of the Spheres durable wind chimes are music to your ears. A variety of sizes are available at the Garden Shop at Luthy Botanical Garden. Prices vary by size.
Global Village offers baskets of all shapes, sizes and colors. Not only do they make great gifts, they can serve as unique, reusable gift wrap. Prices start at $1.25.
Give the gift of art this season. Global Village sells wall hangings made from old oil drums for $60 each. Down the street, Picture This Gallery represents about 30 local artists and offers some of their work for sale. Pettet Jewelry Designs at Metro Centre offers unique art for her to wear.
Handcrafted nativities range from $10 to $70 at Global Village. Their reasonably priced calendars, ornaments and garlands also make festive gifts.
FOR GUYS
Scarves made from athletic jerseys are perfect for the sports fans in your family. Various sports and teams available at Re- for $24.99.
Photo frames, coasters and bowls made from vinyl records are ideal for the collector on your list. Prices start at $21.99 at Re-.
Help your favorite gearhead decorate his shop with a wall clock made from metal gears starting at $32.99 at Re-. The store also offers a chess set made from car parts for $253.99.
Relics offers vintage moon globes featuring the lunarscape in various sizes ranging from $12 to $45.
FOR KIDS
Re-’s eco-friendly stuffed animals are made from tofu waste and are great for cuddling! $39.99 each. Broms Furs and Fashions sells teddy bears made from leftover furs. Prices vary.
Cyrus features Robeez baby and toddler shoes for $30.50. Fun, colorful designs make these great gifts for the little ones on your list.
Batsiranai Twin Dolls from Global Village are two gifts in one. Buy one doll for $25, and its twin is given to a child with disabilities in Zimbabwe. Proceeds are used to help families pay for their children’s medical care.
Global Village sells a variety of musical instruments made from materials native to the countries in which they’re made. Shakers with various types of shells range from $10 to $16; drums of different styles and sizes range from $45 to $70; and wooden frogs that make both mating and warning calls are $15.
PERSONALIZED
The Bronze Frog offers custom-ordered, personalized stationery that arrives in just one week. Both The Bronze Frog and Scrapadoodle also offer personalized stamps that allow friends and loved ones to make their own stationery.
Give engraved or customized jewelry from Pettet Jewelry Designs or Potter & Anderson Jewelers.
Send a Message in a Bottle to your loved one this holiday. S’more Couture sells recycled bottles embellished with vintage jewelry and paper to write your own message on for $20.
Luthy Botanical Garden offers custom potting arrangements. Select your plant, pot and any other embellishment for a personal touch.
If you’re looking to make gifts this year, how about a nice set of handmade cards recipients can send throughout the year? Scrapadoodle has everything you need to get started and even offers classes on card making.
FOR PETS
My Dog’s Bakery in Metro Centre is chock-full of great gifts for your four-legged friends. For those who like to chew on things, give a gift of naturally shed deer antlers or all-natural buffalo chews. Prices range from $1.75 to $20. For those who tend to destroy the average chew toy, check out the line of Tuffy chew toys, rated for their durability. Prices range from $10 to $60.
Chuckit! toys are perfect for dogs who love to play fetch. Plastic ball launchers come in different sizes and allow you to pick up balls off the ground without ever touching them and throw them serious distances. Prices range from $7 to $17.
Give your dog a customized bed for naptime. Prices range from $30 to $400 based on size, shape and fabric.
STOCKING STUFFERS
Reusable Chico bags in various sizes and styles fold into their own attached mini-bags for compact storage. Prices range from $5.99 to $23.99; buy four at Re-, get one free.
Circuit-board business card holders from Re- are great stocking stuffers for the techies on your list. $26.99 each.
Pretty Tools, available at the Luthy Botanical Garden Shop, are household tools designed for women and embellished with flower patterns. Prices vary. a&s
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