Fremont stores offer last-minute shopping ideas

Uh oh.

Just when you thought you’d finished your holiday shopping, you go through your list and realize the worst.

You forgot someone.

Not to worry. Local stores have lots of gifts for last-minute shoppers hoping to get just the right present for their mother-in-law, aunt or that pal at work.

“We have a lot of custom-made jewelry that’s all ready to go,” said Sue Harr, new owner of Main Street Bead Studio in downtown Fremont.

Various items sell for $20 and or less.

“We have earrings and pendants, a few necklaces and bracelets, some bookmarks and key chains,” she said.

The store does have more expensive bracelets, necklaces and earrings, but also has a good selection in the $20-and-under range, she said.

Still perplexed about what to buy?

Harr said many people like to wear silver, copper and brass. Earth tones are a favorite because they go with everything, but no one color seems to be especially popular this year.

“It’s all over the board,” she said.

L & L Gifts on 23rd Street has a variety of jewelry as well, said owner Lucinda Brester.

Most of these items also sell for an average of $20. Some items are specifically meant for a sister or mother.

The store offers a host of other items, too.

Popular this year are pie plates and cutting boards with the “Amazing Woman” poem. They’re decorative enough to hang, but practical enough to use, she said.

Willow Tree figurines continue to be favorites among shoppers. These resin figures sell for $7 on up.

Christmas tree ornaments are a fun gift, as well.

The store is offering an M&M musical, animated ornament. Precious Moments ornaments remain the top seller. Next comes the “Merry Christmas from Heaven” memorial ornament. This ornament features a poem. Some even have room for a photograph of the loved one. Others can be engraved with a person’s name.

“Since we do engraving, we can do that right here,” Brester said.

Cherished Teddys figurines remain popular. So are Jim Shore’s quilted pattern figurines and ornaments.

Those who want something a tad bit different might opt for the Santa Barbara wine or martini glasses or coffee mugs with sayings and recipes.

“It’s a nice woman’s-type gift. It’s fun,” Brester said.

For men, the store offers various items including the Terry Redlin plates, pictures, figurines and even mugs depicting farm life.

Customers also might want to stop by and look at the Department 56 Village items. These are more expensive, but fun to look at, Brester said.

Shoppers in a hurry also might appreciate something else at L & L Gifts: Store clerks will gift wrap items.

Some shoppers have friends and family members who are artistic or who like making crafts. Busy Bees at Big B’s Copies in downtown Fremont has all sorts of items for these folks.

A treasure trove of items awaits the card maker or scrapbook affectionado.

There are paper kits, rubber stamps, inks and embossing powder.

Many card makers use the embossing powder which gives a raised look to the lettering on cards, said employee Jodi Westermann.

There are also ribbons, buttons, stickers, decorating chalks, tapes and glues. There are scissors that make special types of cuts and heart-shaped and star-shaped paper punches. Various die cuts, which can be added to a scrapbook page, are available also.

The store has other items.

“We have a lunch pail that you can decorate and it has cards that go in it,” she said.

There are Band-Aid boxes and old-fashioned photo tins that people can decorate, too.

Sharon Flamme, co-owner, also noted the store offers gift cards and custom baskets. Shoppers can tell what they want to spend and the store will put together a gift basket, Flamme said.

The store also will offer card making and beginning scrapbook-making classes at the start of the new year.