Toast the Holidays at The Vineyard Wine Company

The Vineyard Wine Company shop is the perfect place to find a gift for anyone who enjoys wine. The shop offers over 2,000 wine varieties in its impressive cellar, as well as a selection of charming home-décor and wine accessories, including hand-painted wine glasses, fine stemware and carafes. The Vineyard's 3-for-$30 rack is great way to be ready for every gift-giving occasion.

Thanksgiving Wines
This Thanksgiving holiday, The Vineyard has a wide selection of wines that pair well with the traditional turkey dinner. Both white and red wines can complement the savory flavors of this holiday favorite. The Vineyard's top recommendations: Gauthier Riesling, $17.99; Foris Gewurztraminer, $14.99; Rubicon Merlot, $43.99. Byron Pinot Noir, $16.99 and Llopurt Rose Cava, $20.99.

The Vineyard Wine Company
1140 Town Park Ave.,
Lake Mary;
407.883.WINE (9463)
thevineyardwinecompany.com.

Sanford Flower Shop:
Holiday Flowers and Decorations

The Sanford Flower Shop is currently celebrating its 55th year. Located in downtown Sanford since 1956, the shop's staff has unparalleled floral expertise and keeps up with the latest trends and techniques, enabling them to provide the freshest product creatively designed, and promptly delivered.

But this 4,000-sq.-ft. shop stocks more than fresh flowers. On display in the shop's Christmas showroom is a wide variety of ornaments, artwork by local artists, stained glass, jewelry, hand-painted pillows, and more. The shop also carries Southern Candles in traditional and holiday scents, plus books, photos, cards and stocking-stuffers.

Sanford Flower Shop has a selection of wreaths, garlands and centerpieces, available in fresh or permanent materials, decorator-quality ribbons and bows for trees or wreaths, and custom bows.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00am-5:00pm; Saturday 8:00am-noon.

Sanford Flower Shop 209 E. Commercial St., Sanford; 407.322.1822; sanfordflowershop.com.

Find the Perfect Gift
at Oviedo Mall

Enjoy sensational shopping at the Oviedo Mall this holiday season. With more than 70 national, regional and local retailers available under one roof, finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list will be a breeze.

Sears is perfect for the practical person on your list—whether it's a Dyson vacuum or a Craftsman cordless drill. Dillard's satisfies the fashionista of the family with beautiful handbags by Coach, Michael Kors and Brahmin. Magical gifts at Macy's include traditional holiday décor from Fitz & Floyd, Lennox and Waterford, and new fragrances such as "Wonderstruck" by Taylor Swift. Brookstone has unique gift offerings for just about anyone, featuring an App Controlled Rover, uAstro Massage Chair, and a plentiful assortment of iPad accessories.

Amy's Hallmark has all the trimmings for this season's holiday gift giving with stunning ornaments and festive holiday wrapping paper, bows and tags. Not to mention cards for everyone on your list. If jewelry is what you're after, visit Kay Jewelers, Precious Fine Jewelers, Piercing Pagoda, and La Maison Diamonds. Also, Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios & Boutique carries Pandora, Vera Bradley and Brighton. Bath & Body Works has a wide selection of packaged gift sets—perfect for teachers, babysitters, and assistants. And Sassy's Bridal and Men's Wearhouse & Tux will dress you up for this season's holiday parties, galas and fundraisers.

Oviedo Mall 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd., (located near the intersection of 417 at Red Bug Lake Rd.) Oviedo; 407.977.2400; myOviedoMall.com.

Rich Hippie: Comfort/Style

Rich Hippie in Altamonte Springs, a boutique open about a year and a half, brings a large, contemporary mix of fab fashion and accessories, including many exclusive lines. Owner Jean Gasperoni says the shop has had "a surprisingly wonderful reception from the community." She calls it a multi-generational store. "A mother, grandmother and daughter can all shop together. We carry mostly fun, interesting clothes that express a person's personality. And we stock from size 2 to 2X."

The shop focuses on items that have both style and meaning, with pieces from small designers with a flair for color and style, including tunics and other pieces with bead work and embroidery in fabrics that have a touch of glitz and sophistication. New inventory arrives daily.
Some current exclusives: a line of handmade embroidered boots in biker and cowboy styles; vintage leather jackets in Boho Blue, Tea Green and Creamy Vanilla with patterned silk linings; and a new fun line of "Rich Hippie"-emblazoned T-shirts with crystals on silk.
While the fashions are up to the minute, the shop's customer service is old-school: attentive, personal and upbeat. Staffers even help carry purchases to the customer's car.

Rich Hippie is also available for charity fashion shows at the shop, with all proceeds going to the host organization's charity. Call for details.

Rich Hippie
1094 Montgomery Rd.
(in the LA Fitness Plaza)
Altamonte Springs; 407.682.7969.

The Gift of Health

Traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced for 3,500 years and has helped millions achieve optimal health and well-being. From treating the common cold and allergies to more serious issues like chronic pain, headaches, hormonal imbalance, and digestive disorders, traditional Chinese medicine uses natural, drug-free methods.
StillWaters Healing Center, offers a wide range of services including acupuncture, custom herbal formulations, massage therapy, and aesthetic services. At StillWaters, the "gift of health" takes on additional meaning with the center's gift packages—perfect for holiday giving.

Stress Relief Package: Mini Stress Consult plus two auricular acupuncture treatments, shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. A great introduction to this ancient medical practice. $75.

The StillWaters Experience: A treatment for muscle or skeletal issues, this is a full acupuncture treatment with a full one-hour therapeutic massage. $170.

The Traditional: Ideal for someone with serious or chronic issues, the comprehensive Traditional Medicine diagnostic includes a nutritional consultation followed by two acupuncture treatments. Holiday gift special: $180 (a $346 value).

Facial Rejuvenation Package: For younger-looking, revitalized skin. This package includes a complete skin analysis and two Facial Rejuvenation sessions. $195.

Hot Rock Massage Holiday Special: A unique experience—fabulously relaxing. $75.

StillWaters Healing Center, 260 Lookout Pl., Ste. 209, Maitland;
407.772.9243; stillwatershealing.com.

From Starters to Steinways

There's a Steinway-designed piano that's perfect for every family and every budget. The entire line is on display at Steinway Piano Galleries in the Renaissance Center in Altamonte Springs. As one of only 21 licensed Steinway Galleries in the United States, Steinway Piano Galleries provides a level of selection and service unavailable elsewhere in the area. 

In addition to the gallery, owners Gary and Kathy Grimes—strong supporters of local music and arts—founded the Steinway Society of Central Florida in 2007 to provide second-life pianos to children who wanted but couldn't afford a piano. More than 100 pianos have been donated by people throughout the community for "gifting" by the Society. In addition, free piano lessons are available to qualifying students in Sanford and Orlando's Parramore district.

Steinway Piano Galleries
303 E. Altamonte Dr. (next to Baer’s Furniture) Altamonte Springs 407.339.3771 steinwayorlando.com

HobbyTown USA: Selection, Service, Savings

Sanford's HobbyTown USA, well-known for its model train equipment, rockets, RC cars, boats, planes and helicopters, also has educational toys for kids of all ages. Inquisitive customers will find games, puzzles, science kits, erector sets, telescopes, microscopes and robotic toys. Hobby­Town USA also has micro helicopters, micro airplanes, and a full line of pine car and slot car kits and accessories.

Jim Howerton, owner with 20-plus years in the hobby business, opened HobbyTown USA in Sanford in November 2008. "HobbyTown has the best selection of plastic models in the Orlando area and a full line of modeling paints and accessories," Howerton says. "We also have an expert staff who are modeling and RC hobbyists themselves and can help customers choose the right project based on age, interest and skill level."

Howerton's expertise and passion are in model railroads, evidenced by the very large HO-scale and N-scale model railroad layouts set up inside the store. The store stocks an impressive selection of trains in N-scale, HO-scale and O-scale, along with tracks, accessories and supplies. Howerton also offers free model-railroad building classes on select weekends.
Hobbytown USA products are also available online at hobbytown.com/flsan. Purchases can be shipped or held for in-store pick-up. HobbyTown USA is located on N. Entrance Rd. just north of Seminole Towne Center Mall (near Books-A-Million).

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10:00am-8:00pm, Sat. 10:00am–6:00pm, and Sunday noon–5:00pm.

HobbyTown USA
300 N. Entrance Rd., Sanford
407.321.4003
hobbytown.com/flsan

Make a Statement at Walk on Water


Walk on Water in Lake Mary and Winter Park is a one-stop shop for unique, fashionable clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories and gifts. Walk on Water stays on top of the latest trends and constantly rotates inventory to keep it fresh, so customers can get something special for everyone on their lists—grandma, mom, sister, daughter, teacher, friend.

Much is new at the Lake Mary shop: an updated Brighton section including a charm bar, an expanded Pandora jewelry display, and more Vera Bradley than ever. There's also a new home décor section, and the latest holiday gifts are in: ornaments, plates, cups and candles. There's also a line of exclusive lotions.

Pandora. Check out the expanded lines of rings, the earring and necklace line, and the huge selection of charms, including the Autumn/Winter and Holiday collections.

Vera Bradley. The winter patterns are in, as is the new "A to Vera" line of luggage. Walk on Water has one of the largest Vera Bradley collections in the area. Volume purchasing allows Walk on Water to carry exclusive pieces, including limited-edition headbands and scarves.

Kameleon. This is a new line of sterling silver interchangeable jewelry: Buy the ring, necklace or earrings base-unit, then add a "JewelPop" in your choice of color and style. The "Pops" click right in, providing infinite possibilities for every mood and wardrobe change.

Brighton. Brighton's "statement" bags include new Italian leather handbags in metallic hues and shiny metallic finishes in sapphire, plum and mercury. Pewter, bronze, silver and animal prints are also trending.

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10:00am-9:00pm; Fri. & Sat. 10:00am-10:00pm; Sun. noon-5:00pm

Colonial Town Park, 1140 Town Park Rd., Lake Mary; 407.805.0477                      
Winter Park Village, 460 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park; 407.539.2079

walkonwaterfl.com.

A Year of
Family Fun
at Orlando Science Center

In these hectic times, people are looking for gifts the family can enjoy together. Not only is quality time still important, spending quality time on quality experiences has become more of a concern to parents. For just such an experience, thousands of families look to an Orlando Science Center annual membership.

Membership to the Science Center provides a year of unlimited access to exhibits, movies and events that the entire family can do together.

With so much to do and see, Science Center membership provides a full year of fun and exciting activities designed to inspire curiosity and engage a child's intellect. And 2012 promises to be another exciting year for members, as the Science Center welcomes new exhibits and new movies shown on the eight-story Dr. Phillips CineDome screen. Combined with a full calendar of activities and events, members never lack for something to do.

This holiday season, consider an annual membership: $125 for a year of unforgettable experiences and countless memories for the whole family.

More Membership Benefits
In addition to free admission, members enjoy:
• Free guest passes
• Free parking
• 10% discount in the Science Store and Elements Café
• Free subscription to Scope magazine
• Discounts on camps, programs, birthday parties and more
• Free admission to member special events, such as astronomical viewings and new exhibit openings
• Free or discounted admission to more than 250 ASTC science and technology centers worldwide

Orlando Science Center 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando; 407.514.2000; osc.org.

Edible Arrangements' "Edible to Go" at New Lake Mary Location

Edible Arrangements, known for its fresh "fruit bouquets" hand-sculpted to look like flowers, is introducing a new concept called "Edible to Go" at their new location in the Lake Mary Village Center.

Taking advantage of an abundance of fresh cut fruit, Edible Arrangements now offers healthful all-natural drinks like a Fruithy (fresh fruit smoothie), FruZee (fruit juice over ice or blended frozen) and FruJuice (fruit juice).

There's also a FruSundae, FruSalad, a fresh fruit parfait, and fruit slices dipped in chocolate, available with toppings. All of these selections contain no artificial ingredients, and are sweetened with agave nectar. Fresh fruit options include pineapple, orange, strawberry, banana, lime, lemon, cantaloupe, honeydew and grape.

The shop also offers ready-to-go chocolate-covered fruits and fruit gift baskets, and can create a custom basket on the spot in one of their many themed containers. Choices range from Harley-Davidson and NASCAR to balloon and teddy bear motifs. Gifts start at $25, and baskets range from $55 to $65.

Edible Arrangements
Lake Mary Village, 3801 W. Lake Mary Blvd. (at Greenwood Blvd.), Ste. 119, Lake Mary; 407.833.9393

11776 E. Colonial Dr. (at Alafaya Tr.), Orlando; 407.440.4484

ediblearrangements.com.

For the Beer-Lover in Your Life

What's the perfect holiday gift for a beer lover? A home brewing system from the Sanford Homebrew Shop.
It's that very love of home-brewed beer that got experienced brewers Gary Holmes and Aaron Libera to open Sanford Homebrew Shop inside Magnolia Square Market in historic downtown Sanford. "We had been brewing beer together for the past three years and really wanted to help others learn how," says Holmes, "so when we had a chance to open a brew shop close to home, we jumped on it."

"Our focus is on fresh ingredients and good advice because those have always been the hardest things to find," says Libera. The shop is clean and houses a complete assortment of malts, hops, yeast and equipment. "We have everything you need to brew your own beer—and we will even teach you how to do it," says Libera.

The Home Brewery Startup Kit is only $99.99 and includes everything needed to make great beer at home. It includes a True Brew Gold Homebrew Equipment Kit, plus a siphon, siphon clamp, brew paddle, bristle brush and sanitizer.

Sanford Homebrew Shop also offers an "Introduction to Home Brewing" class for $50 (includes two class sessions and a gallon of beer). Purchase the Home Brewery Startup Kit and class together for $149.99 and receive "The Complete Joy of Home Brewing" by Charlie Papazian. (A $14.95 value).

Sanford Homebrew Shop (in Magnolia Square Market), 117 Magnolia Ave., Sanford;
407.878.4942; facebook.com/MSMFermentedBrewShop

Celebrate the Holidays
with Fine Cigars

Family gatherings, office parties, New Year's celebrations . . . or simply a gift for the cigar connoisseur; nothing tops a celebration like premium hand-rolled cigars from Corona Cigar Company. Stop by any of Corona's three superstores and see why it's called "The Ultimate Cigar Experience." Corona's cigar experts will help you choose the perfect gift for the cigar-lovers on your list.
 
Cigar Gift Sets start at just $19.95
 
All three Corona Cigar locations are open late seven days a week to accommodate your holiday schedule. Corona also ships nationwide.

Corona Cigar Company

Heathrow: Colonial TownPark, 1130 TownPark Ave., Lake Mary 407.333.3453

Downtown: 121 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 407.404.5344

Dr. Phillips: Plaza Venezia, 7792 W. Sand Lake Rd., Orlando 407.248.1212

888.70.CIGAR
coronacigar.com