Dan's Papers -December 19, 2008 - Shopping Locally for Out of the Ordinary Gifts

Christmas might be less than a week away, but it's not too late to find that perfect present for your friends and loved ones. And what better places to look than some of the many local shops that often offer more unique gift ideas than your typical chain store.

For a refreshing gift idea for men and women, go down to The Essence of Life on Montauk Highway in Southampton, an official distributor of Pink Himalayan Crystal Salt. This salt can be used several different ways - drinking it, in a soothing bath, as a food platter - and has many benefits, says the shop's owner, Bret Evans. It can act as a detox, helping you shed some unwanted pounds; contains the 84 natural elements found in your body, which manmade table salt doesn't have; and helps regulate the water content in your body. For more information on the full range of health benefits, go to the-essence-of-life.com.

For pet lovers, or if you're a pet lover yourself, then for your pet, then check out Little Lucy's Canine Couture Boutique, on Jobs Lane in Southampton. Shop owner Patricia Hurley says one of the more popular gift items she's selling this year is a crystal gift set that comes with an enameled figure, in all different breeds, and a necklace to match, for $64. "Little girls love these," she said. There are also sparkling, crystal dog collars, in all sizes ranging from $50 to $120, as well as a wide variety of shearling sweaters, cashmere coats and parkas for your pooch. And if you're heading somewhere for a holiday dinner or get together, you might want to bring a treat with you if you know there's a dog wherever you're heading. Little Lucy's has gift sets of homemade, Christmas themed cookies in cheese and peanut butter flavors. Other great local shops to pick up gifts for pets and their owners are Harbor Pets in Sag Harbor and One Stop Pet Shop in Amagansett.

Hildreth's in Southampton is a great place to pick up gifts for several people on your list in one fell swoop. The store's children's section offers classic toys, such as the Radio Flyer, and a wide range of costumes for kids to play dress-up all year long. In the Home Goods section, some of the more popular items this year are candles, holiday knick knacks and potpourris and kitchenware. And Stonewall Kitchen's and the Barefoot Contessa's food items are flying off the shelves. Other hot holiday items are comfy down robes, Crab Tree and Evelyn lotions and Vera Bradley bags. You'll also be able to pick up some items, such as holiday-themed hand towels, throw pillows and blankets, to make your guest rooms more festive for holiday visitors.

Have an audiophile in your life? Well, forget about hitting up a chain store for the latest releases when you could support the only independent record store in our area, Long Island Sound in Southampton. They have all the newest music - Britney Spears, Kanye West and Beyoncéé, as well as critical favorites and classics, such as Bob Dylan's latest volume of the Bootleg Series, Neil Young and David Byrne and Brian Eno's collaborative effort. But, they also sell used CDs and actual records, an archaic mode of listening to music, sure, but not for collectors.

After leaving Long Island Sound, you might want to hit up Crescendo, also in Southampton, that has everything your loved one will need to play the music you just bought them. Hot items this year are the Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin, an award-winning iPod speaker, for $599.99; Krell KID, a top notch iPod docking station, for $1,500; the Focal Scala Utopia, a three-way, freestanding speaker, at $29,500 for the pair; and Sony's OLED digital TV, described as the future of television, for $2,499.99. They also sell old-fashioned turntables.

Metaphysical Books & Tools in Sag Harbor is another place that sells cool and unique gifts. From incense, salt lamps and candles to cult and underground movies and books, the shop's owner says by far the biggest sellers this year are jazz box sets, particularly Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

If you have to buy a gift for someone who loves the theater? You can purchase gift cards, in any denomination, for Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. They can be used for the Target Mainstage, Kidstreet, Comedy Club or The Picture Show. Go to baystreet.org for more info.

And don't worry if you're on the North Fork and can't make the trip south, there are plenty of options for you close to home. Bay Bliss, in Greenport, is a gallery devoted entirely to the work of local artisans, selling art, jewelry and home accents. Main Road Home in Cutchogue sells everything one might need for the home, from furniture and lighting fixtures to decorative accents and accessories for the home. And Clawflowers in Greenport is more than just a florist. They also sell cards and unusual vases and candles, which would make great gifts.

Another unique idea this season is, if you're not interested in buying material objects for people, you might want to consider using the money you'd spend on gifts to adopt sea turtle, seal or a dolphin through the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation. For more information, go to www.riverheadfoundation.org.