Special Advertising Section
Get into the holiday spirit, start shopping and support local businesses. Whether it’s the perfect present for a party host, or a unique gift for people who have everything and say they want nothing, we have holiday shopping solutions.
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
322 W. Ann St., Ann Arbor.
734-971-2228 | a2ct.org
Voted Best Theatre Troupe
Founded in 1929, the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre is a quintessential community theater, boasting 1,000+ performances, 75+ nonprofit partnerships and 500+ young actors and artists. Their experience shows: the 2018-2019 season was endlessly captivating and the new season promises highlights including The Fantasticks (January 9-12) and Godspell 2012 (April 23-26). Take a theater-lover on your list tickets to specific performance— like the Home for the Holidays Cabaret show on Sunday, December 15— or consider one of the many passes offered to ensure admission to performances throughout the season. For friends who are dedicated to being a patron of the arts, make a donation in their name to the Theatre’s 90th Anniversary Campaign as a wonderful way to say “I care.”
Fischer Honda
15 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti.
734-483-0323 | fischerhonda.com
Look, we’re not telling you what to do. We aren’t saying that you shouldn’t buy a new car for someone on your list, but we are suggesting that you make a point to remember the most important person on your list— yourself (and of course your family and pet too)! Whether you’ve been daydreaming of the open-road freedom of your first car, or want to level up to a new ride, Fischer Honda’s Happy Honda Days will get your wheels turning. Right now, Fischer Honda has all 2019 models on clearance and they even deliver. Easy Zero down leases are available and, while you’re there, be sure to ask them about FREE oil changes and powertrain warranties. Stop in for your chance to win a $500 gift card with the purchase of a new or used car! Fischer Honda, Prices You Love, People You Trust. You deserve it! Cheers! Happy Holidays!
Unity Vibration Living Kombucha Tea
93 Ecorse Rd., Ypsilanti.
734-277-4063 | unityvibrationkombucha.com
If you have a friend who loves both kombucha and beer, go with your gut— head to Unity Vibration. Since 2008, founders Rachel and Tarek Kanaan have transformed their shared passion into an internationally-loved business. Offering the world’s first high-ABV craft Kombucha Beers— a functional and savvy combination of organic dried hops, organic flavors and the tart, unmistakable taste of kombucha— to their premium, lightly-alcoholic Kombucha Tea, Unity promises out-of-this-world flavors that make a perfect gift for your SCOBY-loving friend. Treat them with a visit to the tasting room, or pick up a bottle (or 20) for a gift with some seriously good culture.
Abracadabra Jewelry/Gem Gallery
205 E. Liberty St.
734-994-4848 | abragem.com
Voted Best Jewelry Store
Since 1974, Abracadabra has been serving the Ann Arbor community with one-of-a-kind designs. You can be assured that their enchanting custom pieces are made with eco-friendly materials and conflict-free diamonds. If you enjoy bringing your own design to life, or if you appreciate a wide selection of pieces from local, national, and international artists, then this family-owned boutique is the jewelry store for you. Whether you are there to buy a wedding band, to have a family heirloom engraved, or to get a piece appraised or repaired, Abracadabra is a trusted resource for a reason.
Vinology Restaurant
110 S. Main St.
734-222-9841 | vinologya2.com
Voted Best Ann Arbor Restaurant and Runner-up for Best Appetizer
Variety is the spice of life, so let the gourmand in your life indulge in both with a gift from Vinology. Whether you’re treating them to a night out at one of Ann Arbor’s favorite restaurants or offering a gift card to say “take a load off, you deserve it,” a trip to Vinology offers a culinary experience like no other. Whether the person you are buying a gift card for is a seafood lover or enjoys a nice, juicy steak, Vinology is a sure bet. But, if you’re unsure whether or not a fantastic evening of fine food, cocktails and wine is enough to satisfy the oenophiles on your list, we have some suggestions. First, consider finding a less difficult friend. Then, treat yourself to a night out and pick them up an impressive bottle at a deep discount during Vinology’s Holiday Wine Sale, which lasts until December 24.
Collected Works
303 Detroit St., #107, Ann Arbor.
734-995-4222
collectedworksannarbor.com
There are some women who embody relaxed elegance. You might see them at the farmers market donning flowy tunics and eye-catching jewelry, casually picking up vegetables (that you have no idea how to cook). You might see them laughing with their equally-enchanting friends, making plans to attend some exclusive yoga class/book club/wine tasting. You might imagine that these sophisticated, eccentric women have a fascinating origin story, but we’ll let you in on a secret— they just shop at Collected Works. Since 1977, Irene Patalan’s unique and elegant boutique has operated with an enduring belief in the idea of clothing as art. Find high-quality and beautiful pieces made by small American designers that will make anyone on your list look more interesting than they already are.
Muse Atelier Vintage
336 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor | 734-277-7763.
facebook.com/museateliervintage
Voted Best Locally Owned Women’s Boutique
A pretty pink house at 336 S. Ashley Street in downtown Ann Arbor is the home of one of the most beautiful and inclusive shops in the Midwest. MUSE offers a beautiful collection of affordable vintage clothes, jewelry, and accessories that are all infused with the whimsical and colorful spirit of the shop’s owner, Tanya Luz. Assembling an eclectic and beautiful assortment of unique pieces from all over the world, Luz’s efforts have resulted in a shop where customers of any size and shape can play dress up and express themselves. Plus, MUSE also offers a gorgeous guest suite upstairs, and they occasionally offer boudoir photography sessions and private birthday parties to help celebrate your unbridled ultra-femme sides! No matter how you feel when you enter, we love that you’ll leave feeling like a Queen!
Massage Mechanics
7 S. Washington | 734-408-1648
YpsiMassageMechanics.com
Runner-up for Best Massage Therapy
Know someone who needs a break? Help them escape the stresses of their mind and body by giving the gift of massage. Since opening in 2011, Massage Mechanics has provided high-quality therapeutic massages, as well as a wide variety of techniques, at affordable and accessible prices. Whether you are suffering from chronic pain or simply seeking relaxing bodywork, know you’ll be in good hands with this team of licensed massage therapists, who use their experience to ensure every single massage is catered to the needs of the client. Find Massage Mechanics gift certificates online in preset or custom denominations.
Food Gatherers
734-761-2796 | foodgatherers.org
Humane Society of Huron Valley
3100 Cherry Hill Rd., Ann Arbor
734-662-5585 | hshv.org
A puppy adorned with a bow may sound cute, but it’s essential to be sure the recipient really wants a companion who’ll take a lifetime of love and expense! While the Humane Society of Huron Valley offers gift certificates for adoption, you may want to consider a gift that everyone will certainly appreciate: Name a Shelter Animal! What a pawsitively wonderful way to honor a loved one and make a difference in the life of a needy animal at the same time. Your tax-deductible donation of $100 will go toward the feeding and care of a homeless pet in our community while they await adoption into a forever home, and they’ll wear the name you give them proudly. For this and other gift ideas for animal lovers, visit hshv.org/holiday.
The Rumpus Room
510 N Main St., Chelsea.
734-626-6646 | therumpusroomchelsea.com
The interior of the Rumpus Room, one of Chelsea’s hottest destinations for live music, makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the pages of a fantasy novel. But your ears will be telling you a different story as some of the area’s best and brightest musical acts take the stage on a regular basis. Mix in weekly trivia nights, special “Brew and View” events with classic movies, the Rumpus’s extensive selection of draft beers and, of course, plenty of delicious Jet’s Pizza on hand, and you’ve got a great getaway for any music lover on your list. Consider picking up tickets for their New Years’ Eve Bash, which is a perfect gift for ringing in the new year.
Tuesday Productions, LLC
734-506-0650 | mishatuesday.com
Certified consulting hypnotist Misha Tuesday puts on a show like no one else. As a master magician and expert on training the mind to reach its untapped potential, Misha delivers a humorous performance that will teach you “mind hacks” that help audiences discover the power of their brain’s potential. His shows are a perfect gift for a person interested in the powers of the human mind and who loves a good laugh. Misha Tuesday’s shows can be customized to fit any topic, theme or message, making it a wonderful and memorable surprise to an upcoming event or celebration. Or, take a friend to one of his Mystic Night at the Grotto performances, held at 8pm on the third Wednesday of each month at the Zal Gaz Grotto Club in Ann Arbor. Maybe you are a mind reader after all!
RelaxStation
300 W. Huron St. & 117 N. First, Suite 30, Ann Arbor
734-623-1951 | relaxstation.com
Voted Best Massage Therapy
For your friends or family members with a type-A personality, give them what they really need— the choice of how they want to relax and improve with the help of a gift card to RelaxStation. From 30-minute walk-in massages to 120-minute full-body massages and everything in between, your giftee is sure to be in good hands. For those seeking a specific type of massage RelaxStation’s thoughtful and experienced licensed massage therapists have a wide array of specialties to heal what ails. Scheduled appointments are required for full-body massages, but all other services welcome walk-ins at any time during business hours. As a bonus— type-A personalities with jam-packed schedules can plan ahead for warmer months when RelaxStation offers outdoor massages.
