A SEASON OF CELEBRATION
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Castronovo’s decadent truffles make a sweet holiday gift. Pick some up for the chocolate lover in your life at the Stuart location or at the Fort Pierce Farmers Market.
Holiday
gift guide L
Things to buy and do
BY ALISHA McDARRIS
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Casa del Rio Collection offers luxury accessories made from wild Florida alligator.
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ooking for unique gifts or gift certificates for the holidays? You won’t have to travel far. Check out these offered by Treasure Coast businesses: ALLIGATOR ACCESSORIES
Casa Del Rio Collection Owner: Misty Minton Location: Fort Pierce, sold at Cooper & Co. in Vero Beach and online at www.casadelriocollection.com Casa Del Rio Collection of Fort Pierce provides the discerning stylist with luxury accessories designed locally with casual elegance in mind. The family business offers stylish purses, clutches, even iPad cases, all made of wild Florida alligator and manufactured in the U.S. Also available are money clips for the guys and a new tote bag out just in time for the holidays. The bags, wristlets and cuffs come in all shapes and sizes and in a plethora of colors, including new sapphire and platinum, hot holiday colors. And if you don’t see a color combo you like, Casa Del Rio Collection may be able to customize an item using an available hue. The business also donates 10 percent of its profits to Everglades restoration. “They make great gifts for anybody who appreciates quality, luxury, American-made products,” designer Shirelle >> Minton Sioui said.
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE A SEASON OF CELEBRATION
Things to buy Castronovo Chocolate
Owner: Denise Castronovo Location: 555 Colorado Ave, Suite 103, Stuart, FL 34994, 561.512.7236 Chocolate: It’s sweet and delicious and makes the perfect gift for everyone from holiday hostesses to busy moms. But this year, why not give sweets that really impress? Castronovo Chocolate in Stuart specializes in flavorful, single-origin chocolate made with only two simple ingredients: organic cocoa beans and organic sugar. It’s the simplicity that really highlights the unique flavor notes in each bar, according to owner Denise Castronovo. All the bars they create are unique from the Dominican Republic chocolate with dark cocoa and citrus notes to their Bolivian chocolate with dark cherry flavors and a coffee finish. “It’s a whole new chocolate tasting experience,” Castronovo said. Castronovo offers cold and hot drinking chocolates, truffles and chocolate chips, and will also have gift baskets with coffee, tea, even honey for the holidays.
ART GLASS
Backstreet Gallery Owner: Lisa vom Orde Location: 3215 NE Maple Ave., Jensen Beach 34957. 772.225.4499 Leave the ho-hum mass-produced gifts on the shelves this year and give something truly original.
Alisha McDarris
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Hand-crafted glass wind chimes from Backstreet Gallery in Jensen Beach are a one-of-a-kind gift.
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A SEASON OF CELEBRATION
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
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Etched glasses from Glass Blasted are a gift that puts the “fun” in “functional.’’ This design is called Bacon Power.
Swing by Backstreet Gallery in downtown Jensen Beach for art glass of all varieties from magnets and ornaments to bowl sinks and wind chimes, all made by artist Lisa vom Orde and all one-of-a-kind. There are functional items like cabinet knobs and fan pulls and decorative items like wall vases and framed glass in vibrant colors, but nothing boring and all of it is made by hand. Don’t see exactly what you want? Custom orders are always an option. The wind chimes made with recycled bottles, driftwood, shells and hand-made glass are particularly intriguing and according to vom Orde would make great gifts for anyone with a penchant for the unique.
DECORATIVE GLASS
Glass Blasted Owner: Jennifer Harris Location: Hobe Sound and online at www.glassblasted.com Jennifer Harris of Glass Blasted designs dozens of unique glasses perfect for gift giving. There are skulls, ThunderCats, classic henna designs, even a pipe-smoking octopus to choose from, all sandblasted onto pint glasses, wine glasses and champagne flutes. “They’re great for people who want something different in their cabinets,” Harris said. You can even personalize your order with names or initials — think his and hers wedding day champagne flutes, client holiday gifts with a business logo or custom bottles for your home brewer. The designs are permanent and the glassware is dishwasher safe, good news for the practical gift-giver. Order one glass or a set and even mix and match the clever designs. The glasses can be found at several local holiday craft shows and online. >> 4
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
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Patisserie offers hands-on classes to demystify baking.
BAKING LESSONS
Patisserie Owners: Mark Edmonds and Christian Garcia Location: 1910 Old Dixie Hwy., Vero Beach 32960. 772.770.4122. www.patisserievb.com Let the aroma of freshly baked bread and artisan cheese tantalize the senses of the foodie on your list this season
with baking classes or cheese courses from Patisserie in Vero Beach. Experienced chefs like Michael Glatz and Mark Edmonds teach small groups how to bake an exquisite loaf of sourdough or what makes a perfect cheese pairing. There are even special holiday classes on baking cookies and making gingerbread houses for home cooks of any age or ability. Students will get hands-on instruction that takes the mystery and intimidation out of baking and are sure to leave with something tasty to share after the 2½-hour class. A gift certificate for classes at the bakery, which offers homemade soup, delightful pastries and expertly pulled espresso might just be the perfect gift for anyone who gets excited about good food. A schedule of upcoming classes can be acquired in the cafÊ, by calling, or by signing up for the e-mail list at www.patisserievb.com.
SURFING LESSONS
Cowabunga Owner: Melissa and Brett Jenkins Location: 4336 N. E. Ocean Blvd., Jensen Beach 34957. 772.334.7873. www.cowabungasurfandsport.com For anyone on your list who loves the water, give a reason to get out there: surfing lessons from Cowabunga Surf and >>
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A SEASON OF CELEBRATION
Things to do
A SEASON OF CELEBRATION
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
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Give someone with an enjoyable afternoon on the water. A gift certificate for Cowabunga’s surfing lessons is perfect for all ages.
Sport in Jensen Beach. The shop has new owners as of the beginning of 2013 and they’re all about customer service and offering the best in surf and water sport gear. They sell swimwear, footwear and surfingthemed gifts along with paddleboards, surfboards, skim boards and more. You can pick out an affordably priced board for your new surfer or order a custom board for your surf junkie. Cowabunga also rents boards of all kinds and offers lessons for everything they rent, so if your daughter, brother or grandpa has always wanted to learn, pick up a gift certificate for individual lessons or a package. Lessons are for all ages and are sure to provide an experience they won’t soon forget.
BEER BREWING LESSONS
Longneck Brew House certificates Owners: Bob Hitt and Scott Sundermeier Location: 950 S.E. Indian St., Stuart 34997. 772. 210.2296, www.longneckbrewhouse.com There is always that one person on your list who is impossible to buy for. Longneck Brew House in Stuart has the solution: a gift for an on-premise brewing session. Great for beginners or experienced home brewers, the session offers individuals or groups the opportunity to create their own beer using tried and tested recipes and Longneck’s ingredients and equipment. “No experience is needed. Just a desire to make beer,” said co-owner Scott Sundermeier. The brewing process takes about three hours and Longneck staff will help guide you through the process. Three >> 6
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE A SEASON OF CELEBRATION
weeks later return to bottle your beer — all 12.5 gallons of it. You can even design your own custom label. Gift certificates are available in any denomination and special holiday packages will be available. “It’s a great gift idea for beer lovers,” Sundermeier said.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Tours on Horseback Owner: Alan Hayes Location: 87 Pinewood Lane, Fort Pierce 34947. 772.468.0101, www.beachtoursonhorseback.com There’s no better way to enjoy the serenity of the beach than on horseback. That’s why Alan Hayes offers guided rides along the ocean in Fort Pierce with Tours on Horseback. Purchase a gift certificate over the phone or online and Hayes will have it sent out to you pronto so you can wrap it up and slip it under the tree. The scenic rides are perfect for couples, kids, groups or anyone who could use a relaxing ride along the shifting tide. Riders might even get to spot dolphins, sharks or turtles cruising the waterways during the hour-long trek. Wooded rides are also available by special appointment and Hayes will always help commemorate the trip by snapping photos for riders. It’s the perfect gift for your adventurous horse lover.
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Longneck Brew House offers the perfect gift for beer-lovers: gift certificates for on-site brewing.
Enjoy friendly horses, a pleasurable ride, and beautiful scenery with a gift certificate from Tours on Horseback.
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