Great gifts to bring to Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas morning brunch: gourmet pretzels paired with chocolate fudge pretzel dip or gift of boxed chocolate cupcake mix with peppermint frosting, a packet of hot cocoa, and two pretty candy canes. Gift bags shown here are each $17.50 at Sweet Nothings. An assortment of additional gift bags and baskets is also available. Sweet Nothings will be open starting at 10 a.m. on Christmas through early afternoon. A pencil set from Sweet Nothings, complete with its own drawstring bag, is more of a gift than meets the eye. The "Know-It-All" Pencil …

Stumped on what to get the people on your holiday shopping list? We've got you covered and everything you need you can pick up right here in downtown Summit: Need a gift for parents of a newborn? Summit shops have tons of nifty gift ideas including everything from blankets to books. Looking for the perfect toy but want to avoid going to Toys 'R Us? The adborale toy stores in town have plenty of options to cover all ages groups.  Teenage angst? Don't fret, downtown Summit offers tons of gifts the teens in your life will be sure to grunt or groan at. Check out these rock band t-shirts and eco-…

Caviar hoop earrings look good enough to eat! Find them at Beautylounge in gold or silver, various sizes, and made with a variety of sparkling gemstones, starting at $82. Choose from a selection of styles in the store or custom order the designs according to preference. "I am" perfumes are unique gifts with scents named to reflect a particular mood or mindset. Four different "I am" fragrances are available at Beautylounge: Peace, Good, Me, and Naked for $72 each. Eternity scarves are soft and pretty for $34 each at Beautylounge. They are available in assorted colors and stand apart from a…

Scotti's Record Shop has a large selection of guitar picks for the musician who wants to personalize his playing. A five-pack of Beatles themed picks sells for $7.99. Other colored and themed packs range in price from $3.99 to $5.99 and make great stocking stuffers!  Popular Skullcandy brand earbuds which feature the brand's skull logo, are $39.99 each at Scotti's Record Shop. The brand also makes over the ear headphones which are also sold at Scotty’s for $49.99 and come in numerous colors and styles. Cuff links for collectors or for those seeking something truly unique are a real find at …

Giving holiday gifts this season that are considered "green" is good for the planet. More and more companies are selling products that are eco-friendly – those that are made from recycled material, can be recycled or produced using best organic practices. In Summit, several local businesses are meeting increased consumer demand. Here's some of our suggestions for giving green gifts this holiday season: Orleans Hill Winery is certified organic by the US Department of Agriculture. They utilize organic farming practices that are pesticide free and have little or no environmental impact on the …

This holiday season instead of giving your spouse something they can use on their own, why not consider a gift for the two of you? Here's just a few ideas of things right here in Summit you and your hubby or wife can do together: You may think a couples massage is only something you can do on a white sandy beach in the Caribbean, but think again. Head over to the Mind Body Wellness Center right here in Summit for couples therapy. You and your better half can each have your own massage.  For the month of December, massages are $50 an hour for new customers and $30 for half an hour. Book a …

Had an especially good year this year?  If you've got some extra cash you're looking to spend on the people on your list, check out some lavish gifts you could pick up right here in Summit: Stay extra warm this winter with a cashmere throw. Throw, $400 at Duxiana. Ski jackets will keep you toasty on the slopes. Kjus women's Emotion Jacket, $799, and Men's Formula Jacket, $899, both at Summit Ski and Sport. (Modeled by Ski and Sport employees Merry Richter and Cyp Roy.)   A beautiful briefcase will complete anyone's work ensemble. Jack Georges ostrich briefcase, $2,500 at The Luggage Center…

Looking for a reasonably priced bottle of wine? Ivan Ruiz of The Wine List says the best value for the holidays is an Argentine Malbec called Daniva. "It's very versatile, like biting into a ripe plum," he said. "Goes great with pizza, burgers or a very fine steak." $19.95 at The Wine List. If your budget is  around $50, Ruiz said you should always go with Cabernet Sauvignon. "It's the king of grapes and a recognizable name," he said. "Saviah Sellers from Columbia Valley in Washington state is a small production wine with no chemicals or pesticides.  It's almost considered organic." $49.99 at…

Helen's Books and Gifts has a new larger location at The Strand Mall and a whole wall full of the latest cookbooks.  For the nostalgic foodie, Endangered Recipes has old time favorites like mac and cheese and green goddess dressing, $17.95. For the fancy foodie, Chez Jacques, about the celebrated French chef Jacque Pepin writing about his life through his recipes, $45. Whet their appetites with scrumptious roasted garlic and fig dip. " It's so amazing you can eat it with a spoon right out of the jar," says Sweet Nothings owner Donna Puzella. "Makes a great topping over baked brie or as a …

It's the time of year for holiday parties and company events. To show your gratitude for the host or hostess, here are our suggestions for that little something to say thanks this holiday season: Give the gift that keeps on giving. Nothing is more glamorous than Cymbidian orchids.  They'll last three to four weeks and look great anywhere in the home.  Starting at $65 at Stahl del Duca Grab and go unique gifts beautifully wrapped and perfectly festive. Starting at $10 The Teapot When the holidays are gone and so is the tree, they'll be happy to have a Modern Notes home fragrance diffuser in …

For those looking to stay out of the malls this holiday season, downtown Summit offers plenty of options for everyone on your list.  Here is a (by no means exhaustive) list of picks for those 20-something college kids or recent grads on your list: For the inevitable all-nighters, give your college kid a cool coffee mug they won't confuse with someone else's. Chalkboard mug, $10, and Polka-dot "sippy cup" mug, $12, both at Zoom.  They'll never lose their dorm or apartment keys again with a funky board game keychain. Board game keychains, $8-15 at Zoom.   Cool pint glasses are decorative and…

For those looking to stay out of the malls this holiday season, downtown Summit offers plenty of options for everyone on your list.  Here is a (by no means exhaustive) list of picks for teens. Music T-shirts are always sure to please. T-shirts, various prices at Scotti's Record Shop (on sale for a limited time).  Teens can decorate their walls with the Boss for instant Jersey pride. Springsteen poster, $9.99, and other posters, starting at $8.99 at Scotti's Record Shop.  Colorful pouches to hold anything. Bags (assorted colors), $45 at Catchware.  Boxers in a variety of sports patterns …

For those looking to stay out of the malls this holiday season, downtown Summit offers plenty of options for everyone on your list.  Here is a (by no means exhaustive) list of picks for children's toys. Let your kids make their own race car tracks. Doodle Track, $15.99 at Seal & Co. The fun game that quizzes you on facts. Brain Quest, $10.95 at Seal & Co. For those brave enough, kids can get their first taste of the musical arts with these starter instruments. Instruments, $24.99 at Seal & Co. Webkinz are sure to please any child on your list. Webkinz dolls, various prices at The Toy …

For those looking to stay out of the malls this holiday season, downtown Summit offers plenty of options for everyone on your list. Here is a (by no means exhaustive) list of picks for new parents. Books for the few spare minutes the new mommy finds: Yoga Mom, Buddha Baby, $18.00, Simplicity Parenting, $15.00, both at The Papery. Boy and girl bib sets, both $14.95 (set of three) at The Papery. A stuffed animal friend that helps fussy infants go back to sleep. Back to Sleep Bear, $37.99 at Seal & Co.  Adorable baby socks keep kids stylish. Baby socks, $24.99 (set of 6) at Seal & Co.  For…