Good Gifts

"I give in hopes that it gives someone a break. Everyone needs a break at some point in their life."--Margaret McDonald, owner of Let's Cook, from the December 2006 The Rake

So it's the first week of December, the start of a busy month at our house--and I'm sure at yours as well. We deliberately lounged this weekend in anticipation of the month's activities: ate French toast late, read the Sunday papers, brought home slices of pepperoni pizza to eat in front of the TV, watched two football games (could it get any worse than the Vikings-Bears game?), fell asleep on the couch like those back-of-the-class mouth breathers, woke up in time to shoot a few pucks at our makeshift shooting gallery set up against the garage. Young Morneau would have been proud!

But today we put our slovenly ways aside and become little Midwestern versions of Rachel Ray or Regis. Chipper and industrious. We have three birthdays and Christmas. Come on! The show's about to go on.

Now isn't this a nice gift-giving quote, the one from Ms. McDonald (above)? And check out her store in Northeast, too. My good friend presented me with just such a "you deserve a break" gift for my birthday. A bottle of good red wine, some exotic chocolate, two DVDs, and the new Madeleine Peyroux album. What a treat!

The theme of our gifts this year is "buy local." And if we can make them also "you deserve a break" gifts, all the better. So here are some of my favorite Minnesota giftsellers:

1. Blissful Bath. Really nice products, great customer service, based in Woodbury, Minnesota.

2. Joe's Sporting Goods, a third-generation local sporting store. REI is hard to resist, but check out Joe's stock--love the Dale of Norway hats--online or at the Rice Street store.

3. Sausage Sisters. Rockin' dogs.

4. Sunrise Bakery, that famous spot up in Hibbing. Potica, strudels, biscotti to make Dylan proud.

5. Avalanche Looms. okay, Wisconsin, but close enough. Love her potholders. Can I be jealous of her life. too?

6. Micawber's Books. Best independent bookstore in town.

7. Sisu Coffee and Tea, on Snelling Ave. near Highland Parkway. Lori and Karen are making up amazing and affordable gift baskets: coffee, breads, caramels, Finnish cookies, etc.

8. Paper Patisserie, 366 Selby Avenue 651-227-1398. Great host/hostess gifts.

9. Paper Source. I know they did not start here, but who can resist the company's history--"begun in 1983 from one woman's obsession with paper . . . " Rubber stamps, inks, gorgeous papers and stationery. Visit the store on Hennepin for some delightful browsing.

10. Gypsy Moon, Grand Avenue near Wet Paint. Lovely owner, lovely selections.