In need of last minute gift ideas? We’ve got ’em

By Tim Goodwin - Dec 23, 2014 | 0 comments

Crust and Crumb also has cookies!

Crust and Crumb also has cookies!

Crust and Crumb Bakery has awesome locally made jams and spreads.

This book is like Google without the pesky search history lingering in your browser.

Stretching your brain is okay medically if you only do it with fun games and puzzles, which are big this year at Gibson’s Bookstore.

If we knew this – also spotted at Yo Yo Heaven – is what everyone meant when they described what you got for being bad, we would have misbehaved way more often!

The Maverick is one of the most popular yo yos at Yo Yo Heaven.

Got someone on the fence about comic books? Double Midnight has a gift box full of issues they can try. And they’re all surprises!

For the 342nd consecutive year (roughly), Batman is a popular Christmas character.

Don’t panic, but we’ve got some news for you – the time remaining until Christmas morning has finally reached the point where it’s more appropriate to count down by hours rather than days.

And we know a number of you are like us, waiting until the last minute to do just about all of your shopping, so we understand just how overwhelming that can be. Last year we just about cancelled Christmas, but for some reason we didn’t have the power to do that. So since many of you are in the same predicament, we set out last week for a little walk down Main Street, covering both North and South, to find some last minute gift ideas to make this a Christmas to remember – in a good way.

Double Midnight Comics, of course, has comics, and people that will help pick out the perfect one for whomever you’re buying. But there’s more at this store than it’s name might imply. There’s just about anything to do with Breaking Bad, Magic the Gathering and even stuff for the Bronies in your life. And just so you know, those are adult dudes who like My Little Pony.

“Anything on the pop culture radar, we have access to it,” said owner Brett Parker. “We’re well versed in what we do.”

Cards Against Humanity, which is “A party game for horrible people,” is one of the top sellers so far.

“It came out of nowhere,” Parker said. “We get calls for it all the time, sometimes hourly.”

Pop Vinyls, plastic figurines that come in small mystery boxes or larger characters from Frozen to Breaking Bad, have been extremely popular these days.

“It’s always a pain to figure out what you’re going to put in your kids stocking,” Parker said.

They even have prewrapped boxes of a variety of comics for the person who loves a surprise.

Gibson’s Bookstore always sees a ton of last minute shoppers, so don’t be surprised if you find others scouring the shelves in a mad dash.

“Last minute is the name of the game in the book business,” owner Michael Herrmann said. “People will say ‘I need one more thing to round out the gifts.’ ”

And with about 100,000 books on hand, you’d be hard pressed not to find the right one for that special someone. Although it’s not all just books. There’s Concordopoly (a local take on the board game classic), desktop stuff and mugs.

“We have mugs from Monty Python to Doctor Who, for the nerd on your list,” Herrmann said.
But don’t forget about the kids section, including games – like everyone’s favorite, Candy Land – arts and crafts, and Christmas stories.

Yo-Yo Heaven is the perfect destination for the yo-yoer in your life, but we’re sure you gathered that by the name of the business. They have yo-yos for all ages and abilities, even beginners like us.
“We personalize it for them,” said Dan McBride.

Yet, did you know that the store is more than just spinny things on the end of a string? It’s the place for brain puzzles, pocket magic and Kendama, as well as juggling accessories, Slinkys, Frisbees and even a lump of coal – in the form of marbles that is. You can also pick up all your yo-yo accessories, like holsters and extra string.

“All toys sell really well at Christmastime,” said owner Andy McBride. “We’re all about the heads and hands, no electronics.”

McBride and his son, Dan, will even teach your gift receiver how to use whatever you purchase.
And if all this running around has left you without a tasty treat to serve your guests, stop by Crust & Crumb Baking Co.

It’s a little late to get your order in for pies and cakes, but owner Alison Ladman always makes extra. So don’t waste any time getting down there. With options likes Apple Streusel, Forest Berry Crumb and Chocolate Cream pies, fruit cake (yes people actually do eat it, and it’s delicous when done right, Ladman said) and gingerbread cheesecake, your mouth will be watering when you walk in the door.

“We also have great local goods that make great stocking stuffers,” Ladman said.

There will even be a selection of cookies to choose from, but once again, don’t wait, because you won’t want to miss out.

“We do trays and trays and trays of cookies,” Ladman said. “But it’s first come, first served.”