Buzz's Christmas Wish List
The holiday season is officially upon us. However, if you’re feeling like I am right now, it’s more like the holidays are ALL UP ON US! Fret not, frantic fa-la-la-la-la(ers), I’ve done the itty bitty investigating for you and have found the best local goodies for everyone on your shopping list, both big and small (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
BREWERY SWAG
By now, everyone knows that Huntsville beer is a thing and it’s awesome. Why not celebrate local lager love with some brewery-branded merchandise. Grab a growler and a gift card for refills, a stylish T featuring a favorite Stout shout-out or, if you have ears (unlike yours truly), there are even Monkeynaut earrings. Hop to it! Go explore with our crafty friends for unique and fun gifts. Besides, you could maybe use a drink right about now.
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
A picture’s worth a thousand words so, here goes!
Rocket City Frito Pie at Rocket City Tavern
Latte at Alchemy Lounge
C3PO at Toybox Bistro
So grab a handy dandy gift card or simply take the time to sit down for a meal together. After all, sometimes your presence is the present.
SOUVENIRS, SHMOUVENIRS
Not interested in purchasing a miniature license plate with your loved one’s name on it? How ‘bout a personalized keychain? Snow globe with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in it? Okay, that one is cool.
Don’t for one second think this is all you will find at our museum & attraction gift shops. Alabama Constitution Village, Burritt on the Mountain, Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville Museum of Art, Harrison Brothers Hardware, (I could keep going), are all equipped with dangerously good shopping stops. Think local and regional art, home décor, unique jewelry and apparel; even artisanal foods, candles and beauty products. You name it, they got it!
Huntsville Museum of Art Gift Shop
ROCK[ART] CITY
Some might argue that the only thing Huntsville does better than rockets is art. I for one am particularly fond of our rocket art and art rockets. This aside, if there’s a subject matter, medium or style you’re looking for, odds are there is someone here creating it. Heck! There’s probably people out there dreaming up plenty of stuff you don’t even know you’re looking for. Check out places like Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, Clinton Row and any number of other small studios and galleries spread across the Rocket City. Make a day of it! You know you need to walk off those cookies anyway.
Part of the Nightime series by Artimaps
Sleeping Beauty by Ethereal Geometry Arts
SO MANY ACTIVITIES!
Huntsvillians are a well-rounded breed. We like to experiment, try new things, learn valuable skills and embark on great adventures. Did you know the Rocket City has a crazy-cool variety of activities and classes available to experience? Send your loved one out into the world to create comic book art, mold beautiful pottery, paint a masterpiece while sipping Merlot, figure skate, swing dance…
Civil Axe Throwing at Campus No. 805
Your artsy, tipsy, exhausted friend will love you for it!
You don’t need some stinking “shop local” campaign to get you out of your boring online shopping rut. Huntsville shopping is easy, awesome and delivers on the promise of making you look super-creative, thoughtful and dare I say, hip.
There you have it, a comprehensive list of anything and everything my tiny heart desires this holiday season. I suppose this stuff is pretty good for other folks too. Happy Holidays, people!
Which iHeartHsv blogger wrote this?
Buzz Huntsville currently serves as Chief Communications Officer for his internal hopes and dreams. He has been tweeting about the awesomeness of life in the Rocket City since early January 2014. Buzz is perhaps best known for his unhealthy obsession with all things Space. He enjoys tweet-stalking NASA, covertly attending local events where he shamelessly tweets selfies and long walks on the Moon. Follow him on Twitter at @BuzzHuntsville.