I know it's early. But we all have to do our shopping and it's best to just get it out of the way. Last year, I tried to buy all of my gifts from local stores/businesses. It's possible, but sometimes it’s hard to figure out where to go. Here's a quick guide that I hope will make it easier for you.......

FOR HIM:

Brewery tour: Lakefront, Miller, and Sprecher all have gift shops with the usual T-shirts, pint glasses, and sampler packs that guys love. I suggest getting Beer Soap found at the Sprecher Brewery, made by their brewmaster, Jim Olen.

Hit the gym: Buy them Marquette or UWM basketball shorts and a sweatshirt. Go to Laacke & Joys for even nicer outdoorsy options and camping gear. They get comfortable and stylish duds and you don’t have to put up with their gross old gym shorts. Consider it a Christmas present to yourself.

Creative side: Everybody likes concert tickets. Upcoming shows at the Pabst include: New Year’s Eve with Jim Gaffigan or with Spoon, Anthony Bourdain, and Kevin Smith. Gift cards are available on their website. Vinylville, a Milwaukee artist, sells some nice guy-friendly artwork on Etsy. In particular, the large canvas print of the Hoan Bridge is great for that bachelor pad or man cave. Landmark Theaters (The Oriental and Downer theaters) have gift cards available, too. Pair it up with a good ol’ Milwaukee classic DVD like “American Movie” or another locally filmed movie.

FOR HER:

Coffee/Tea fan: For the tea drinkers: the world renowned Rishi Tea is based in Milwaukee. Good options are the Green Tea Set or the 2009 Award Winning Sample Set. For the coffee drinkers: Go to Alterra Coffee. Not only are there 1lb bags of the BEST COFFEE ever, but lots of shirts, hats, and quality travel mugs and tea sets. During the holidays, they usually have gift sets of Hot Chocolate and Mint Hot Chocolate.

Your BFF: check out Loop in Riverwest for yarn and knitting supplies or Soaps & Scents on Downer Ave. where you can stock you up on “better than Bath and Bath Works” quality amenities. Local artists are always abound on Etsy and at craft shows in the area. Amy Marcella designs great prints like the “Fall Bouquet” one above. She will be at Art vs. Craft next month.

Clothes Horse: My favorite Milwaukee options are Miss Groove, Lela, and Chartreuse, but there are dozens of others. When it comes to buying clothes, make sure you know your friend’s style, aim for something small, and always include a gift receipt. Matt & Nat wallets at Miss Groove or eco friendly scarves at Chartreuse are great gifts. When in doubt, G-I-F-T C-A-R-D.

 FOR THE HOSTESS:

The Cholive company from Milwaukee makes chocolates to put in your martini. These unexpected bite-sized truffles are popular at any party they make an appearance. You can’t go wrong with beer, wine or cheese. The Milwaukee Public Market is the easiest place to stock up on local options of all three. There’s always chocolate and seriously, who hates chocolate? The best (and weirdest) place to go is Northern Chocolates in the Brewer’s Hill neighborhood. A few tips: Knock really loud at the door, Don’t wear fur, Bring cash, Always take your shoes off. Sounds like a lot of hoops but the mint meltaways are totally worth any encounter with the Chocolate Nazi.

FOR THE READERS and WRITERS:

Subscriptions! Personally, I’m worried about losing any more local publications than we already have, so support what’s around. The Journal Sentinel has a Sunday paper subscription (the ‘rents love this). The Milwaukee Magazine is well put together, but more editorial in nature. M magazine and Milwaukee Home and Fine Living Magazine would surely please your stylish friends. For cookbook ideas, see the post a couple days ago (”http://creamcityandsugar.blogspot.com/2009/11/shopping-list-cookbooks.html). In the Third Ward, Broadway Paper sells lots of greeting cards (many handmade), stationery, and MoleSkin notebooks.

FOR THE KIDS:

I don’t know many kids that like getting clothes for the Holidays but that may change if their moms go to freckleface. These designer kids clothes are a little pricier, but once a year it’s OK to splurge. For less expensive options, check out the adorable little “Converse” style socks. I, like many young girls, asked for a pony for Christmas. I’m pretty sure this still goes on. A reasonable alternative would be to sponsor an aquatic animal at Discovery World, or Aquadopt as they call it. It comes with a plush animal version of the adopted animal and some nifty “official” paperwork. If teenage girls are on your list I feel sorry for you, but you may win them over with a gift card for the Girls Spa-ahhhh Therapy Works Package at Actaea Works, Ltd in Bayview or Shorewood.

A GOLD MINE OF LOCAL RESOURCES:

The Our Milwaukee business directory for local businesses: http://ourmilwaukee.net/index.php/members/

Milwaukee Buy Local for the Holidays Fair Sunday December 6th at Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden, 1-5pm. http://ourmilwaukee.net/index.php/news_and_events/

Urban Garage Sale:featuring Milwaukee local shops. Saturday December 16th at Turner Hall Ballroom, 10:30-5pm. http://www.urbangaragesale.com/

Art vs. Craft 2009: November 28th at Humphrey Scottish Masonic Temple, 10-7pm. http://www.artvscraftmke.com/

Lakefront Brewery:  http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/main.html

Sprecher Brewery:  http://www.sprecherbrewery.com/index.php

Miller Brewery in Milwaukee:  http://www.millercoors.com/who-we-are/locations.aspx#Milwaukee

Marquette Gift Shop:  http://shop.marquette.edu/

UWM Bookstore:  http://uwmbookstore.aux.uwm.edu/home.aspx

Laacke&Joys:  http://www.laackeandjoys.com/

Pabst Theater Gift Cards:  https://secure.pabsttheater.org/

Vinylville on Etsy.com: http://www.etsy.com/shop/vinylville

Hoan Bridge print on canvas:  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33310354

Landmark Theaters gift cards:  http://store.landmarktheatres.com/

American Movie website: http://www.americanmovie.com/AMERICANMOVIE/

Other movies filmes in Wisconsin:  http://www.onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/wiscmovies.html

Rishi Tea website:  http://www.rishi-tea.com/?gclid=CIS25J2kjp4CFcx25QodbQs_tw

Rishi Green Tea Set:  http://www.rishi-tea.com/?gclid=CJXK2Y62jp4CFSQNDQodmnfZpQ

Rishi Tea 2009 Award Winning Sample:  http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/Organic-Green-Tea-Set.html

Alterra Coffee website:  www.alterracoffee.com

Q Magazine ‘s “The Most Important Drink of Your Day” article naming Alterra Coffee:  http://www.gq.com/food-travel/restaurants-and-bars/200911/best-coffee-in-america#slide=1

Loop yarn store:  http://www.loopyarnshop.com

Contact info for Soaps&Scents: http://milwaukee.citysearch.com/profile/map/11017277/milwaukee_wi/soaps_scents.html

Amy Marcella's Etsy Shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmyMarcella

Miss Groove: http://www.missgroove.com/

Lela Boutique:  http://www.lelaboutique.com/

Chartreuse eco-friendly boutique:  http://hellochartreuse.blogspot.com/”>Charteuse eco-friendly boutique</a> (They just moved to Brady St. this month)

Cholive Company:  http://www.thecholive.com/

Milwaukee Public Market:  www.milwaukeepublicmarket.com

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Subscription:  https://www.subscriber-service.com/mjs/

Milwaukee Magazine Subscription: http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/subscribe/

M Magazine Subscription: https://www.conleypublishing.com/secure/subscribe_m_magazine.asp

Milwaukee Home and Find Living Magazine Subscription:  https://www.kable.com/pub/mlwh/subAll.asp

Broadway Paper:  http://www.broadwaypaper.com/

freckle face:  http://www.frecklefaceboutique.com/

Aquadopt Program at Discovery World: http://www.discoveryworld.org/aquadopt.php

Actea Works Ltd.:  www.actaea.com