Do you have someone on your gift list this year who has everything? You have scoured the malls, checked local gift stores and shopped around to no avail. What you need is inspiration for items that are unique and, as a bonus, help others as well. Here are some Patch suggestions.
Adopt an animal
Locally, you can adopt any animal at Pilcher Park Nature Center in Joliet for $30. Animals can have more than one owner. According to PPNC superintendent Debbie Greene, the park pays more than $6,000 a year to feed the animals.
A little further out, you can adopt animals at local zoos - Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo. Each has selections and information on its Web site.
Internationally, the World Wildlife Foundation gives you many options. You can adopt a species, make a monthly donation and adoption cards, which allow the recipient to choose their animal.
In the Name of
In Joliet, you can buy a brick or buy a pane. The bricks line the pathway to Bird Haven Greenhouse & Conservatory. Inscriptions on the brick can contain up to 13 characters or you can purchase multiple bricks. Bricks are $100 each.
Panes also are located at the greenhouse. Each pane is $500.
In Channahon, you can buy a parkway tree. The prices vary according the tree selection. There are 29 tree varieties to choose from.
Nationally, you can name a star after someone. Prices vary from $54 to $489.
Treat Someone to Relaxation
You can pick a local salon (check our directory for a listing of local salons. Click here for Joliet, here for Channahon, here for Shorewood and here for Romeoville) and purchase a gift certificate in any given amount. The recipient can apply the purchase to a regular haircut or they can treat themselves to a manicure or pedicure or coloring. Want to be creative? Include a bottle of nail polish or a hair care gift set with the certificate.
Massage is something that can apply to anyone and is therapeutic and relaxing. You can purchase just one visit, or, at places like Massage Envy in Shorewood, you can purchase a membership for yourself and then share sessions with someone for an additional fee.
Lastly, you can let someone be creative. Purchase a class for them - at Michaels in Joliet for example. A list of classes can be found by clicking here.
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