Finish your holiday gift shopping at the Austin ArtWorks Center. We have great solutions for all your toughest-to-buy-for loved ones. It’s a great way to keep your holiday shopping local. Buy Mower, Grow Mower!

For the person who has it all. Consider consumables such as hand-made bars of soap. We carry soy-based soap by MinneSOYta Nice in holiday and Minnesota state outline designs as well as goats milk soap in 11 scents by Ivory Oak Heritage Farm. For your ‘sweetie,’ pick up some Costa’s chocolates. These truffles — handmade in Owatonna — are sold in four-piece, five-piece, 16-piece and singles, perfect for stocking stuffers.

For the person who appreciates fine woodworking. A set of handmade salt and pepper shakers by Steve Miller of SRM Woodturning will impress chefs and foodies alike. Austin’s own Dave Dammen carved two dozen unique, hand-painted Santa statues this year. Find the one that speaks to you to add a whimsical, rustic touch to holiday decorating. We also have over 30 wood bowls in all sizes by Austin native Tom Blahnik. Tom uses burl hardwoods from Minnesota and Wisconsin and creates one-of-a-kind vessels on the wood lathe. A burl is a distressed area in the tree that produces a protruding growth.

For Austin lovers. Whether you need a gift for an Austin resident or someone who is missing Minnesota, we have lots of great items celebrating our state and city. Some ideas include iconic photos of Austin and southeast Minnesota scenes by Jacob Schlichter, hand-painted canvases with Minnesota outlines by Katie Stromlund, ceramic coffee mugs and key trays imprinted with a Minnesota license plate by Melissa Henning, ceramic cups and ornaments with Minnesota and a heart shape for Austin by Kyra Bellrichard, or pendants and bracelets with Minnesota outlines and featuring real highway maps of Austin by Sistas with Bad Habits. Austin is also a favorite subject of paintings by Sally Gerhardt which are available as cards and magnets, too. Or find original art by Jim Wegner, Tammy Schneider and Bruce Loeschen depicting Austin scenes like Klegge’s Ice Cream Shop or the Paramount Theatre.

For the free spirit. We all have someone who appreciates the unique — something that can’t be found at a big box store and the ArtWorks Center can offer many choices. ArtWorks Festival demonstrating artist Savana Dahl creates jewelry and ornaments with origami paper folding as well as hand-crocheted earrings. Come in to see the darling tiny crochet hearts she makes. Austin business owner and Mower County Commissioner Mike Ankeny makes table lamps with a variety of vintage, industrial items including a butter churn, stone sharpening wheel and gears. Don’t delay —Mike’s lamps are typically sold within days of arriving. Stay-at-home mom Katie Hunerdosse creates one-of-a-kind pendants by building tiny sculptures with polymer clay using a toothpick to carve and build the images. My favorite is the black cat that is less than a quarter inch wide. Amazing!

Smart shoppers will also want to consider an Austin Area Commission for the Arts gift certificate. They are available in any amount and can be redeemed for shows at the Historic Paramount Theatre, classes at the ArtWorks center, using the Clay Cavern or merchandise in the retail space. Gift certificates are also available online at www.austinareaarts.org/store/gift-certificate.

Good luck checking off your holiday shopping list — we hope to help you get it done!

Coming soon at the Paramount Theatre

•Dec. 6: $5 movie “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” 9 p.m. late show.

•Dec. 8-10: Matchbox Children’s Theatre’s “A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol.”  7 p.m. Dec. 8-9; 2 p.m. Dec. 10

•Nov. 22: $5 movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” 7:30 p.m.

Coming soon at the ArtWorks Center

•Dec. 5: Sterling Silver Earrings with Blue Heron Beadworks, 6 p.m.

•Dec. 12: Winter Trunk Show, 5 p.m.
Find out more at www.austinareaarts.org