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So you picked your rich uncle in the family White Elephant exchange. Or maybe choosing a gift for your grandmother is the real holiday brain teaser.
The Peninsula is ripe with museums, and, of course, well-stocked gift shops. The stores, which never require an attraction admission ticket, are the perfect place to find that unique gift for the geez-what-am-I-going-to-get person on your Christmas list.
And, don't forget the kids. Some of the most fun gift shops in the area are child-focused. You might even find something that will trick them into spending some educational time away from that Nintendo DS that is also under the tree.
The Mariners' Museum
In a rare move, the nautically themed museum is hosting a month-long sale in its gift shop, discounting everything inside of the store by 40 percent and offering even deeper discounts on items set aside near the museum entrance.
In addition to serving as a one-stop shop for the boat lover in your life, the museum gift shop is full of Civil War and pirate gifts. Look for Monitor and Merrimac books, models and gift items for the local historian, or consider a wooden pirate ship kit for $12.99 ($7.79 after the discount).
While we shopped, a cute Santa's milk and cookies cup and plate set for less than $10 and the back wall filled with Civil War fiction and nonfiction books caught our eye.
Inventory is limited, so shop early. The purpose of the sale is to clear the shop for the new year, when new merchandise will be stocked, says a museum spokesman.
Peninsula Fine Arts Center
Shift gears to think artfully just a few steps away at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News, which is hosting a month-long "Artful Giving" display, allowing local artisans to showcase and sell their work for the holidays.
The gift shop itself is a whimsical fantasyland for shoppers who want to decorate themselves and their homes with bright colors and interesting shapes. Look for cork bottle earrings ($7), handmade handbags (in the $50 range) and loads of wall art. In the "Artful Giving" showcase, look for fun pottery lamps to add some interest to your home décor or a set of miniature dolls and accessories.
For those who want to get artistic in the kitchen, well-known local artist Nancy Thomas has illustrated a cookbook put together to benefit the art gallery.
Virginia Living Museum
For the animal lover in your house, the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News is the perfect spot to holiday shop. From stuffed animals resembling fun forest creatures like squirrels and raccoons to guides for the serious backyard birdwatcher, the museum offers a variety of items for those who want to learn more about indigenous Virginia wildlife.
Parents of infants will love the popular Melissa and Doug branded frog pull toy ($22.99) and wiggling worm manipulation toy ($8.99). The cute ladybug nightlight shines stars on the ceiling while soothing your young one to sleep ($34.99). Older kids will stay busy with science kits that guide them in building robots or creating their own hurricanes. Kits cost around $15.
Chunky, gemmed, costume jewelry and miniature glass Christmas trees ($13-$23) are popular items, a store associate says.
Hampton History Museum
There's no better store to please the loyal Hampton native than the Hampton History Museum. From books to toys to Christmas ornaments, if you love Hampton, there's something in the store that will showcase that loyalty.
The glass, hand-painted Christmas ornaments at the front of the store caught our eye. Featuring Fort Monroe, the Hampton Carousel and other iconic Hampton attractions, the ornaments are a great sentimental gift. Smaller ornaments cost $30, with the larger ornaments costing around $100.
On a less expensive scale, go for a crab theme. With plush toys in all sizes, Christmas ornaments and garden flags, you can help your Hampton neighbor showcase his pride for less than $20.
