We've had flowering tea before but not this hibiscus flower syrup for champagne (or sparkling water). This would really increase the wow factor of a holiday party. It is available on the interesting Epicure Pantry website but also on Amazon. We are also fascinated by Epicure Pantry's Salt Candle Holder. We might have to pick that up.

Christmas Shopping

We got an email from Baikinange asking for unique local places that would have stocking stuffers. She shops at Saraga and Sakura Mart for "oddball" candies and snacks which we think is a great idea. We try to put all of the great local places that we like under the Unique Indiana Shopping label in the right margin. However, since it is that time of the year, it's worth going over some places that we think might have great little gifts.

Some people on our list are receiving gift baskets that we assembled from various Indiana places such as Appleworks, Lisa's Pies, Heartstrings, Oliver Winery, and Willowfield Lavender Farm. We were going to include goodies from Country Mouse City Mouse too but we used up our budget before we could get them. We also think that the following local places would be good for unique and not-too-expensive gift shopping. (of course, you'll let us know your favorites that we didn't include)


At Home in the City
Global Gifts
Christkindl Market at the Athenaeum (we went to this a few years ago and found some unique things)
We sorely miss Turandot in Broad Ripple but there is still Chelsea's and The Bungalow.
We'll see if it has good gift items this weekend but the Binford Christmas Market could be cool.
There are always treasures at antique stores like the ones in Fountain Square or at Midland. Also, mixing the old and new merchandise is the wonderful Logan Village Mall in Noblesville.

For a shopping and sweet treat combo, we've gotten into the tradition of visiting the Heidelberg Haus during the holiday season. This place is packed with unusual gifts from Germany and has been featured on the Food Network. During this time of year, their springerle and pfeffernuss cookies are all the rage.

Of our museum gift shops, we particularly like the one at the Indiana State Museum and the one at the Historical Society.

Ft. Wayne area residents, and anyone looking to take a day trip, should head to the Williams Woodland Neighborhood Holiday Home Tour this weekend. This is an old neighborhood that we didn't really even know existed until we went to the tour a few years ago. It's nice to attend during the day on Sunday but really pretty on Saturday evening when luminaries light your way. These homes are the very definition of holiday coziness. If the weather holds out, we'll be there on Sunday.

Hometown Holiday Icons

While we appreciate the cherub that appears downtown during the Christmas season, not having grown up in Indianapolis, it doesn't especially bring back fond memories of yore for us. For Mrs. WYA!, the definitive childhood holiday display is the Wolf and Dessauer Santa Claus that is in downtown Fort Wayne. Sadly, Wolf and Dessauer was before our time but the Santa Claus display lives on and it is good to see the tradition of going downtown to see Santa is being passed down through the generations.

Having driven through many small towns during the holidays throughout the years, we can appreciate the quaint decorations too. The wreaths around lamp posts or garland strung across Main Street. We'd love to hear what your hometown did for the holidays that stands out in your memory.

Paramount Theatre- Anderson, IN

Everyone needs to see the Paramount Theatre in person. It is the most beautiful theatre that we have ever seen. Actually, it might be the most beautiful structure of any kind that we've been inside. Find any excuse you can to go to it; we usually use their Festival of Trees as an opportunity to gawk at the grandeur of it. Unfortunately, a lot of their events just aren't up our alley. We dearly wish that they would show old movies here. These are surroundings suitable for the likes of Harlow, Dietrich, Bogart, and Gable. Pictures can't do it justice but you can get the idea that you feel like you in an ancient Spanish courtyard under a starry sky. It is one of the few "atmospheric" theatres left in the country and it is right in our own backyard. The last picture was on their wall from back in the day when they were showing The Marx Brothers in The Cocoanuts. What we wouldn't give to see that there today.

We were near Markle, IN over the holiday weekend so we had a chance to shop at one of our favorite places, Heartstrings. We found these really cute pails that we thought would make for a unique gift presentation. When we checked out, kind owner Jeannie told us to just show her which of our purchases were for the pail and she would wrap it up because that is part of her service. Pictured is the gorgeous result- a gift that is ready to go. You just can't beat that. Be sure to visit her newly updated website.

If you're planning to be part of Cyber Monday today by doing some online shopping, you might want to check out these two websites. Pricegrabber.com does price comparisons for you and the really nice part is that they include the tax and shipping costs when they compare (because, really, we just want the final bottom line). Also, you can track free shipping offers on one website, FreeShipping.org to make sure that you aren't missing out on any savings.