Special Gifts and Home Décor Section

Presents To Celebrate (From page 56) specialized shopping experience,” Peel added.

Boutiques with more unique or idiosyncratic selections have their own particular twists on the spring occasions. Toko Baru, a Cincinnati shop with a spiritual bent, sells a variety of crystals for both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. “They’re more specific to the person than to the occasion,” explained Manager Aygul Page . Sage and tarot cards are also popular if the recipient is metaphysically inclined, Page noted.

For anyone else, the 550-square- foot Toko Baru has a line of novelty socks with whimsical slogans and graphics. “Grumpy Old Men,” “Master Griller” and “I left the seat up for you” are naturals for Father’s Day, while “Proud Plant Mom” and “Plants Get Me” sell well to moms who garden. “We also have an array

SGN Asked: What merchandise do you have that would appeal as graduation gifts?

“For graduations, people really love giving things for the next step of life — things for a new apartment, or books that inspire,” said Sara Villari, owner and creative director at Occasionette, which has stores in Collingswood, N.J., and South Philadelphia, Pa.

Inspirational books are a popular graduates’ gift at Open House Store in Philadelphia, Pa. Store Manager Sonya Skooglund said the shop also sells a lot of desk plaques with cheeky, funny slogans like “Trust Me, I’m A Lawyer” or “Every Day I’m Hustling.”

School logo pillows are top gifts at Philadelphia Independents in that city, where a large percentage of residents are university students and alumni. “We sell quite a few of our college pillows —Temple, Penn, and Drexel — and we offer custom school pride pillows too,” Owner Ashley Peel said.

Graduate gifts skew practical at Hudson Drug Store in Paxton, Ill., which boasts a huge gift selection. Best-sellers for high school grads include shower caddies and laundry bags that students use to haul their duds back and forth to their parents’ house on weekends — “essentials that are going to help them out,” explained Retail Manager and Buyer Dallas Miller. “We also sell a lot of gift cards they can use to buy pizza; that’ll get any kid through college.”

In Cincinnati, Doug Kennedy said some shoppers at Appointments, his stationery store, still purchase keepsakes like engraved fountain pens or leather briefcases. Such gifts have declined in popularity as more graduates request practical technology like laptops and smartphones. But a computer, Kennedy pointed out, is no heirloom. After awhile, “it essentially becomes a big paperweight,” said the self-described “old school” retailer. “A teen doesn’t need a $450 pen, but he’ll keep it far longer.” ❖ of mugs that are always good for gifts,” Page said.

Also in Cincinnati, Doug Kennedy has sold fountain pens, leather goods and other business-oriented gifts since 1993 at his 1,200-square-foot store, Appointments. But while there is still a market for high-end writing implements and desk accessories, technology has eaten away at the business. “Things have changed dramatically since I went into business 43 years ago,” Kennedy said.

One thing that hasn’t changed, observed Kennedy, is the tendency to spend much more for Mother’s Day than for Father’s Day. Appointments’ merchandise appeals more to men, Kennedy said, and he sells more pens — still his number one item — as well as briefcases on the latter holiday. “Especially for men, I’ll often recommend a travel valet,” said Kennedy of another popular gift. The foldable organizers, which start at just $14, organize wallet, keys, change and other essentials that might otherwise get lost on a hotel nighttable. ❖

Ornaments

Beacon Design is proud to be the Leading Ornament Manufacturer in America. Offering low minimums and quick lead times, all ornament keepsakes are etched in solid brass and finished in 24kt Gold, Silver, or Brass Lacquer. Check out this year’s additions to the retail collection and contact us about creating a Full Custom Ornament unique to you!