Residents of Becker, Clear Lake and Clearwater don’t need to go far or fight the crowds to find the perfect gifts for their friends and loved ones this holiday season; local merchants are stocked with gift ideas for everyone, many unique to the area. 

 

Clear Lake merchants offer a number of places for residents to support the community by shopping local.

 

Along with great food for lunch or holiday gatherings, the Brickyard Bar and Grill in Clear Lake offers hats and shirts for $15 and hockey sweatshirts for $45. Five, ten and twenty-dollar gift certificates are also available for last-minute stocking stuffers.

 

Weekend Cottage in Clear Lake has unique ideas for everyone, whether they’re a collector of antiques or prefer one-of-a-kind items. 

 

The business is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for last minute gift-giving needs. Featured items this year include a large variety of book thongs, each unique and one-of-a-kind with lots of different colored beads available.

 

Cute, handmade cupcakes crafted from vintage sweaters are also available for $12.95, as well as $24.95 handmade, vintage-looking wooden wine bottle holders, perfect for a wine-loving adult on your list.

 

For those interested in history, the Clear Lake area history book, The Life and Times of Clear Lake Township, is still available for $15. Officially launched in August, the 260-page softcover book features photos and memories from the Clear Lake area, including 10 pages of color photographs.

 

The book is filled with historical information on Clear Lake area country schools, churches, farms, fire department and veterans from WWI, WWII and the Persian Gulf, along with personal interviews from township residents.

 

Those interested in purchasing copies of the book can contact Bud Stimmler at 320-761-5793 or bogie375@gmail.com.

 

Over in Becker, Palmer, Santiago and Foley, area merchants also have a lot to offer local residents looking to finish their holiday shopping, including gift certificates that can be purchased at numerous area businesses.

 

The Pizza Depot on Bank Street in Becker has gift certificates available in $5 increments. If you buy $25 worth of gift certificates you’ll receive $5 free; if you buy $100 worth you’ll receive $25 free.

 

Brickhouse Cinema on 4th Ave. in Foley also offers gift certificates in a variety of amounts.

 

Along with gift certificates in any denomination, Kinitski’s Bar and Grill in Palmer also has t-shirts and sweatshirts for sale.

 

Beck’s Pub in Becker and Bailey Ray’s Roadhouse Restaurant and Bar in Santiago both offer gift certificates and sweatshirts. In addition, Beck’s Pub also has hats, shirts and off sale alcohol available for purchase.

 

Becker True Value is filled with items to purchase for Christmas gift-giving, including pets beds starting at $9.99, air fryers for $40.99, Master Mechanic tool sets from $14.99 to $59.99, and veteran t-shirts from $15 to $18. 

 

The business is also offering 10% off all bird seed unless already on sale.

 

For those looking for gifts and who also haven’t gotten their Christmas tree yet, a number of area tree farms can help with both.

 

Jan’s Christmas Tree and Gift Shop located on 37th Street in Clear Lake offers cut your own and precut trees, as well as greenery such as wreaths, garland and decorating pots.

 

The gift shop is filled with thousands of items for gifts and home decorating, from santas and snowmen to lanterns, signs and art prints.

 

Jan’s Christmas Trees and Gift Shop is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Christmas Eve. 

 

Petersen Tree Farm located on Co. Road 6 in Clear Lake also offers cut your own and precut trees along with wreaths, swags, roping, spruce tops and tree stands. 

 

Free hot cider and candy canes are available in their gift shop, which has numerous items to choose from.

 

The tree farm is open through Dec. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Near Rice on Co. Road 12, Golden Nursery and Tree Farm offers cut your own 5-14 ft. Balsam Fir and Colorado Spruce for $25, as well as all varieties of pre-cut trees and wreaths.

 

They’re open daily through Dec. 23, Mon-Thurs. noon to 7 p.m. and Fri., Sat. and Sun. from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.