Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Regardless of who is on your Christmas shopping list or how long (or short) that list may be, keeping your Christmas shopping local is a great way to stimulate and safeguard the Merrill economy. To keep your money in Merrill, think creatively, and use these ideas as a starting point.
Consider all the stores you may not be aware of by taking a slow stroll down East Main St., East First St., East Second St., West Main St., or Grand Ave. in Merrill with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa in hand and enjoy all the Christmas decorations in the windows at the same time. Or pay extra attention as you’re driving by. You’ll no doubt be surprised at the businesses—some of them new in the last year or three—right here in Merrill, and you’ll probably discover a new place or two to shop that you didn’t even know existed.
Whether you’re Christmas shopping for a man or a woman, child or teen, there’s something for everyone on your list when you shop local in Merrill.
Use this shopping guide as your jumping off point and see how creative you can be this Christmas.
Consider jump-starting your shopping day with a cup of coffee and breakfast at Auntie Ray’s Coffee House on E. First St. or First Street Coffee Station in the Park City Credit Union building on E. Main St. Both coffee shops also offer gift certificates and have a selection of gift items available for purchase at their locations.
Take a peek at Ana Blair’s Boutique for stylish clothing and accessories for the ladies on your list.
Consider shopping for high quality Melissa & Doug toys for the little ones at Johnson’s of Merrill, and take a look at their clothing lines and gift and home decor sections, as well.
Pick out the perfect little gift or shirt for your Christian friends and family from The Humble on E. Main St,
And don’t forget—a lot of ladies would love to find a small box from Klug’s Country Gold under their tree.
Head over to Merrill Ace Hardware if the men [or handy women] on your list are looking to add a new tool to their shop (or a grill to their patio) this Christmas.
And many men would appreciate a gift from Carquest, NAPA, or O’Reilly’s—whether that’s something for their car or truck, tools, car parts, or even shop towels.
How about a new record player (yes, vinyl is back “in”) or a new tv—or an instrument for your favorite music lover—from Merrill House of Music?
Know someone who loves watching the birds outside their window? How about picking up a new bird feeder and some bird seed from River Country Co-op? (And they have some toys and other great gift ideas for pet lovers, too.) Tractor Supply offers food for the animals and a few gift-giving surprises, as well, so take a trip there to see what they have in stock.
Know a local history lover? Take a peek at the books and other local history-related items for sale at the Merrill Historical Society Museum on E. Third St. (or their website at discovermerrillhistory.org/for-sale). [Many of their books are currently on sale.]
You’ll find unique and locally handcrafted items at Iron Angel Arts & Antiques located on Merrill’s west side between the Sixth Ward bridges and also at the Craft Shop in the Merrill Enrichment Center located on the corner of N. Sales St. and E. Sixth St. (at the Merrill Fair Grounds).
What about crafting and hobby supplies for your favorite teen or tween (or anyone really) from Inspiring Creativity Supplies & More on S. Center Ave.?
You can find plants—including houseplants—and a lot more, like blown glass, gift items, decor, and locally handmade pottery and crafts, at the Plant Garden Center a little further south on S. Center Ave.
Give the gift of flowers from Victoria’s Floral on N. Prospect St. Stop in and order a bouquet or plant to be delivered right before Christmas. What a beautiful surprise!
The Creative Spirit on Grand Ave. in Merrill offers artisan-led arts and crafts workshops and private parties, so consider scheduling a holiday-related party or event for your family or inquire about gifting a friend or family member admission to an upcoming class.
Has mom been wanting an updated (or first-ever) family portrait? Pick up a gift certificate or book a session with a local professional photographer. Contact Stacy Literski Photography, DD Photography, or Blue Sky Photography (easily find them on Facebook).
And don’t forget to stop at the Weinbrenner Outlet Store to pick up a pair of Thorogood boots for the working (or hunting) guys on your list.
It may not sound politically correct, but buying a bottle of booze for that adult (age 21 and older please) is an age-old standby.
Is that person really hard to buy for? A bottle of their favorite liquor or liqueur is always an option. Westside Market has an entire liquor section and a big selection of bourbon. In and Out Liquor Store also has a great selection, and you can stock up on everything you need for drinks for those holiday get togethers at the same timet.
A bottle of locally-made wine from Sunset Hollow Winery & Bistro also makes a classy gift, and you may find some other fun gift items while you’re there, as well. It’s also a great place to stop for a bite to eat while you’re out and about shopping.
Or purchase a locally-made beer from Sawmill Brewing Company for those who prefer a craft brew. Perfect on its own or to tuck into a gift box of goodies from the area.
Dreaming of new furniture or a comfortable new bed or recliner for the New Year? Courtside Furniture and Miller Furniture in Merrill have so many options, and A & R Furniture in Gleason has beautifully handmade furniture for nearly every room in the house.
Maybe your spouse has been wanting new appliances. Take a look at Hargrave Appliance Center on E. Main St. or Gruett’s Appliance Center on W. Main St. to find the perfect stove, refrigerator, freezer, washer, or dryer and have them delivered just in time for Christmas.
A new computer, printer, or ergonomic office chair for that special someone’s home office would make a great gift! Check out all the options at VIP Office Supply on E. Main St.
Maybe your family really wants new flooring for the new year. Central Carpet & Flooring has you covered—and they’ll cover that floor, too.
Or a new fireplace or wood stove? Look no further than the Firefly Lodge Showroom at Merrill Sheet Metal Works on N. Center Ave. to see their selection of wood and gas fireplaces, stoves, and inserts.
Considering a new garage door? Ziebell Door Company on Heldt St. has some great custom options and provides service and installation.
Yes, that really is a thing! Many people, tired of rampant consumerism and high prices and focused on creative gift giving, are doing a thrifted Christmas, either entirely or in part, shopping at secondhand stores, resale shops, and thrift stores for their Christmas gifts and home decor. Even if you’re not doing a thrifted Christmas, these places are some of the best places to find gifts for a white elephant gift exchange. And thrifting has also become a popular hobby in and of itself, so consider a gift certificate to one of these local shops.
Check out St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on E. Main St., Main St. Resale on W. Main St., Helping Hands Bargain Center on N. Grand Ave., and Old Time General Store & Mercantile in Gleason.
Lots of families are choosing to forego the extra “stuff” of Christmas and opting to give the gift of experiences. Merrill’s got you covered with that, too! Give a gift certificate to the Cosmo Theatre so your family and friends can enjoy a movie and popcorn when their favorite new movie is playing, or give a gift certiicate for the family to go bowling at Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes and maybe enjoy a meal afterward.
How about a date night for your favorite couple? Give them a gift certificiate for Red Granite Bar & Grill or Pub 1638 so they can get away for an evening at their convenience (and offer to babysit the kids as part of your gift).
Have you considered a gift certificate for a family trail ride at Chism Trail Ranch west of Merrill or Blue Haven Stables south of Merrill? Or perhaps a gift certificate for riding lessons at either venue for your favorite horse lovers or a gift of cowboy boots, clothing, jewelry, decor, or tack from Blue Haven’s Western Wear & Tack Shop.
For those who love body art, gift them the gift of a henna tattoo at Henna North on W. Main St. or a piercing or time on their next tattoo at Iron Raven Tattoo or Redemption Ink Tattoo and Art Studio, both in Merrill.
Whether your family lives in or out of the area, the gift of a mini Merrill vacation—or an overnight or weekend staycation in Merrill—is a great experience to consider! Both the AmericInn and Cobblestone Inn are located conveniently on E. Main St. and both offer whirlpool suites, while the AmericInn also has a pool and hot tub and the Cobblestone Inn has a workout room, making them great options for couples and family fun. And once they’re here, there is so much to do in Merrill. Have them turn to the Area Events & Entertainment Community Calendar page in the Merrill Foto News or find the latest article online at MerrillFotoNews.com to see all the fun things to do in our area once they’re here.
Who doesn’t love food? We’ve all got to eat! When in doubt, give the gift of food in one form or another. Bake up a loaf of homemade sourdough bread for a neighbor or make a batch of your sibling’s favorite cookies. Or shop locally and you won’t have to heat up the oven at all. Pick up a little something sweet or a favorite treat at the Polka-Dotted Pie on E. Main St. or place your order for pies and cookies just in time for the holidays. Grab a coffee refill while you’re there.
Families always appreciate gift certificates to eat out, whether that’s a gift certificate to Pine Ridge Restaurant so they can enjoy a sit-down breakfast Sunday morning after church, a gift certificate to Pine Ridge Arby’s so they can all go for a quick meal together between activities, or a gift certificate to Chip’s Hamburgers so mom or dad can drive through and grab a family pack on the way home. Other area options? Consider a gift certificate or gift cards from Ballyhoo’s, Caylor’s Trophy Bar, Culver’s, Ed & Sharon’s, Eagle’s Club, Hugo’s Pizza, Los Mezcales, Subway, The Dugout, The Grand Stand, Casa Amigos, Salvo’s Pizzeria, the B’s Nest, Friendship House, or Merrill’s newest restaurant, Luis Alberto’s Mexican Taco Shop at 722 E. Second St.
How about a gift certificate to Prairie Pines Country Store in Gleason or Ma’s Place in Gleason? Individuals, couples, and families alike would welcome the chance to stock up on groceries at Prairie Pines or try out some of the new menu items or a Friday fish fry at Ma’s Place.
While you’re in Gleason, how about gifting locally raised beef or chicken? A box of meat from Skaar Family Farm or Huhta Homestead makes a great gift.
Or take a drive out on Pope Rd. just northeast of Merrill to Geiss Meat Service where you can put together a nice gift box of meat and cheese or purchase individual selections as gifts.
Plautz’s Pub now offers bingo and cribbage, so a gift certificate there could cover a drink or two to warm up on a cold day and the chance to enjoy entertainment, as well.
Maybe you’d rather focus on experiences to help someone—or the entire family—get fit and healthy in 2025? Consider buying and gifting a membership or a gift certificate to Riverside Athletic Club so the gift recipient can enjoy some pickleball or basketball, climbing on the rock wall, weight lifting, individual or group classes (for everything from karate to zumba to Silver Sneakers), the warm water pool, and more! Or look into gifting a membership at Anytime Fitness on Merrill’s east side.
Find the perfect gift for your favorite golfer at the pro shop at the Merrill Golf Club or give a gift certificate for a round of golf.
Another great gifting experience? Give someone permission to pamper themselves in the new year with a gift certificate for services at Hair by Julie, Images Salon, Allan’s Barber Chair, Mike’s West Side Barber Shop, Images, Designer’s Plus, Studio 500, Emerald Studio, or Lueur Aesthetics.
It’s easy to give the gift of gas. A gift card for Kwik Trip is perfect for older teens, the new driver in the family, or drivers of all ages—so the recipient can fill up their auto gas tank with fuel or gas up their proverbial gas tank with Karuba coffee, donuts, or other quick foods. Other locally-owned and operated gas stations like Pine Ridge Mobile offer gift cards, as well.
Make life easier with a gift certificate from Brickner’s Park City for an oil change in their shop. Another option for a car owner? Pre-purchase a car wash at Rain Auto Wash on E. Main St. and tuck that into a card for an easy gift option.
If you’re still stumped—or just want to make your Christmas gift giving a lot easier while still keeping all your Christmas cash local—do all your “shopping” at one stop. The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce offers Merrill Chamber Gift Certificates, redeemable at hundreds of Merrill area businesses for goods and services! One and done.
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