Local shopping: Silver Bay/Beaver Bay gift guide

• Wilderness Family Naturals

Featured product: Healthy popcorn trio, $16.20. The oil and seasonings make your popcorn taste movie-theater delicious but are made from organic, vitamin-packed ingredients for a guilt-free snack. Seasonal specials: Wilderness Family Naturals does much of its business online, but customers can get 10% off if they purchase the products in-store. Also, get a free cookbook with each purchase through the month of December. Wilderness Family Naturals, 99 Edison Blvd. (Mary Mac Center, Silver Bay), 226-3985
• Zups Dollars, Flowers and Gifts

Featured product: Winter-themed bouquet, $35. The bouquets can be ordered and delivered locally or picked up at the shop. Zups Dollars, Flowers and Gifts, Silver Bay Shopping Center, 226-9901
• Beaver Bay Sports

Featured product: Everything. ATVs start at $2200 and snowmobiles range from $8,000 to $13,000. If your budget doesn’t permit a big-ticket item this year, there are plenty of winter sports accessories and ice fishing gear (poles start at $18) from which to choose. Snowmobile can be rented for a day—it costs $190, and riders can access trails from the parking lot of the shop. Seasonal specials: 25% off of select clothing Beaver Bay Sports, 4878 Highway 61, 226-4666
• Cedar Chest

Featured product: Northland Woolens Warmest Wool Socks (made in Minnesota!), $17.95. The socks are a popular winter item and after applying seasonal and local discounts, they’re only $13. Seasonal specials: 15% off everything and 10% off for all local customers (Two Harbors to Grand Marais). Christmas Up North/Cedar Chest, 1009 Main Street (Beaver Bay Mini Mall), 226-3517
• Company Town

Featured product: Company Town, an oral history of Silver Bay, $10. The book chronicles over 60 interviews with original Silver Bay residents and was produced by Silver Bay natives. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to William Kelley High School. Available at: Cedar Chest (Beaver Bay), WKHS or the Silver Bay Area Historical Society.
• Dilly Dally Thrift Shop

Featured product: Gently-used board games and puzzles, ranging from $0.50 to $5. Dilly Dally Thrift Shop, 99 Edison Blvd. (Mary Mac Center, Silver Bay), 220-0728
• Julie's Variety and Hardware

Featured product: Gingerbread House and Cookie Kits, $12.99. The kits contain everything (prebaked) to make the perfect gingerbread creation. Seasonal specials: Kids’ night on Dec. 16, 3-6 p.m. William Kelley High School French Club members will help kids select and wrap a gift for their parents—while parents are kept busy with snacks and a movie. Julie’s Variety and Hardware True Value, Silver Bay Shopping Center, 226-3803

Talk about it

Last week, the News-Chronicle featured holiday gifts that can be purchased at locally-owned shops in Two Harbors. This week, we took a trip to Silver Bay and Beaver Bay to find some unique gifts (see them below). However, tangible gifts aren’t the only option for holiday shopping. Gift givers can purchase an experience or service for someone on their list and give the gift of great memories while supporting local businesses.

• Buy a loved one a gift card for a night out at a local restaurant. If the recipient has children, offer a free night of childcare as a complement to the gift card.

• Give a loved one a night—or a weekend—away. There are numerous hotels and resorts within driving distance. Check websites for amenities and rates. What could be more relaxing than watching the sun set over the Big Lake?

• Gift cards can be purchased for a number of local establishments—not just restaurants and hotels. Consider buying a loved one a gift card to pay for a service they use regularly or give them a new experience. Treat them to a haircut, gym membership, massage, auto repair or housecleaning.

• Enroll a loved one in a Community Education class and give them the gift of a new hobby. Winter options include wire basket making, cooking classes, knitting and felting courses, guitar lessons, swing dancing classes and Russian language courses. This winter, for the first time, folks can rent the pool at either Wm. Kelley School or Two Harbors High School for a pool party. The winter issue of Good News, which is mailed to all school district residents, will contain information about community education classes. Winter classes all start in January and gift certificates can be purchased at either community education office (Two Harbors or Silver Bay.) Go to isd381.k12.mn.us or call 834-8201 ext. 8230 for more details.

This week, check out:

Dec. 7

• Christmas Tea and Cookie Sale, 1 - 3 p.m. at United Church, Two Harbors.

Dec. 8

• Holiday Open Houses, all day at Waterfront Gallery and RSJ’s Everything.

• Holiday Craft and Gift Sale, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Two Harbors Community Center.

• A Northwoods Christmas Craft Show, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Northern Rail Traincar Suites.

Tags: gift guide, silver bay, beaver bay, life, news, shopping