Maplewood Holiday Gift Guide: Countdown to Christmas

There are 11 days left until Christmas. If you still have some gaps in your gift-giving list, Maplewood Patch has compiled some clever, highly desirable  -- and locally minded -- ideas that will please a multitude of recipients.

We present the first part today, in the categories of Arts, Health & Wellness, Food, and Helping Others. Look for Patch's Gift Guide Part 2 next week.

Shop Like a Pioneer

Visit the Durand-Hedden Country Store at the Durand-Hedden House, 523 Ridgewood Road, on Dec. 16 from 1 - 4 p.m. Great gift ideas for children, teachers and more, including early American children's games and toys, facsimile documents, quill pens and ink, historic cook books, cookie molds, tin lanterns, hand blown blue birds, reproductive decorative items and ceramics, and more. For more information call 973-763-7712.

Buy Affordable Art by Local Rising Stars

Support a young artist by purchasing their work at 1978 Maplewood Art Center's 5th Annual FRESH 5.0 Advanced Placement Art Students Exhibit, featuring art by students from Columbia High School and nearby high schools.

Days and times: Dec. 16 to Jan. 5, 2013. Opening Reception is Sunday, Dec. 16 from 2-5pm. 1978 Springfield Avenue. 

Give the Gift of Art Classes

Geralyn's Art Studio in Maplewood Village offers gift certificates for its adult and children's classes. Registration is taking place now for 2013 Winter Art Classes beginning Jan 14 (12-week program).

Call 973-275-1966 or email info@geralynsartstudio.com for registration and class details. 103 Baker Street.

Frame it with Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa Framing in Maplewood Village will offer Patch readers $75 off a complete framing package; just mention this article. (For a quick stocking stuffer, one item that has been flying off the shelves is the Priti magnetic lucite frame, available in different sizes).  

Mona Lisa Framing, 187 Maplewood Avenue, 973-762-2777, krista@monalisaframing.com 

Calendars, Photos and More

Local Maplewood photographer Joy Yagid is offering photo related gifts perfect for the holidays: a 2013 calendar with her photos is $10; also available are photos of owls, other birds of prey, koi, an angel and other images in sizes 5x7 ($25), 8x8 ($60) and 10x10 ($80). Yagid also offers gift certificates for photography lessons.

Joy Yagid Photography, mobile 201.657.6631/google 973.996.8424 joy.yagid@gmail.com.

Help Orphans Around the World

Worldwide Orphans Fund, an organization founded by Maplewood's Dr. Jane Aronson, has a slew of cool merchandise highlighting art work by orphans. All proceeds go to support WWO's programs throughout the world. 

Give Back to Your Local Library

Maplewood Memorial Library was a beacon of warmth, electricity and fellowship during Hurricane Sandy. In the week post-storm, nearly 14,000 people visited, stretching resources. Consider giving a gift to the library in someone's name. Drop off or mail a check to Maplewood Memorial Library, 51 Baker Street, Maplewood, 07040. 

Put Someone on the Highway to Well

Highway2Well, a new business owned by Tara Roscioli of Core Mind & Body, is a holistic health and wellness practice that helps busy women lose weight, gain energy or learn ways to manage their stress by looking at how relationships, career satisfaction and spirituality are connected to the way we eat. 

Special offer for Patch readers: a Health Consultation, 60-Minute Reboot (health counseling session including a personalized grocery shopping list and meal plan to meet the client's dietary needs and tastes) and a 32oz. jar of homemade Granola Nut Clusters all for $100 (a $150 value.)

Help Someone to Go Organic, without Leaving the House

Go Organic NYC, an organic food delivery service, has just expanded to Essex County and is now available in Maplewood. Described as a customizable farm share meets FreshDirect, Go Organic delivers boxes of fresh, organic produce to your doorstep. Consumers can customize their own items week to week or choose a preset box filled with staples (bananas, oranges) and seasonal produce.  

Patch readers can receive a 20% discount:

Go to www.goorganicnyc.com/box

Enter zip code when prompted

Scroll down to Step 2 and click "gift certificate".

Choose a $35, $55, or $75 gift certificate and follow the directions. At check out, enter GOORGANICPROMO. You will receive a confirmation email first, followed by a printable gift certificate that includes a prepaid code for the recipient to redeem on GoOrganicNYC.com.