5 Holiday Gift Ideas From Kane County’s Great Communities
“This is an idea for a story.”
That’s the note that I left myself when I started collecting some of the holiday gift ideas that I’ve run across on websites and press releases in the past couple weeks. I was hoping to collect more, but gosh darn it, time is running out with only nine shopping days left until Christmas (if you include the rest of today — Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015.) If you’re worried that Christmas shopping is becoming too expensive, then there are plenty of deals that can help you save money. For example, if you are buying from target then you should check out these Target discount codes here.
So, I’m going to post away, with the understanding that there are probably a score of other extremely cool Kane County-centric gifts out there on park district and library and history museum and city and village and chamber of commerce websites that we’ve surely missed.
As the song says, “There’s no place like home for the holidays.” What follows is a small sampling — five in all — of gift ideas for the Kane County resident who wants to put a little local flavor in his or her holiday ho-ho-ho.
Gift Idea #1: Nothing Says ‘Local’ Like Spirit Wear!
This idea comes from Rosary, which put out the press release suggesting that folks “Shop the Rosary Spirit Store for Christmas.”
Spirit wear is almost always a great gift, and just about every high school booster club and high school website has a variety of stuff to offer. The Regional Office of Education website is a great resource that provides a public school directory and private school directory with links to local schools and their websites.
Obviously, we also have some wonderful colleges and universities to root for and support in Kane County, including Aurora University, Elgin Community College, Judson University, Rasmussen College and Waubonsee Community College.?
As a sampling, here’s Rosary’s pitch:
Finish your Christmas shopping and spread some “ROSARY” cheer!
How about a Rosary decal or license plate holder for your sleigh … or a bright and cozy Rosary sweatshirt to wear around town for the holidays? Ring in the New Year with a special gift from the Rosary Spirit Wear Store! Photos of all the items are available to help you with your decision, as well as an easy online check-out process using Paypal. Simply click on the Spirit Store link below, and our spirit wear elves will get to work to fill your order for Christmas delivery. All orders (in stock), and placed by Dec. 18 will be ready for pick up by Dec. 21. Please include your email for pick-up notification. Don’t delay… the sooner you get your order in, the faster our Spirit Wear elves can fill it!
http://rosaryhs.com/
New! Rosary Beads 2015 IHSA State Championship T-Shirts. Look for them in the Limited Edition section of the online store.
SOURCE: Rosary press release
Gift Idea #2: Kane County Cougars Christmas Pack
Kane County Connects posted a Kane County Cougars press release about the franchise being the first in Class A baseball to hit the 11 million mark in attendance. The release included a paragraph about Cougars gift pack.
Here’s the Cougars’ gift idea, which really does say, “Kane County:”
Are you looking for a great Christmas gift for family or friends? Don’t despair! Between now and Dec. 31, fans can purchase a special Cougars Christmas Pack that includes four box seat ticket vouchers for any 2016 game, one general lot parking pass, and $40 in Cougars Cash — valid for tickets, food, parking and souvenirs. ALSO … you’ll get $20 in additional Cougars Cash, plus two reserved seat ticket vouchers for Opening Night on April 7, which is a Thirsty Thursday with $1 specials on select beers and sodas! The Cougars Christmas Pack is priced at $89 — that’s more than a 40 percent savings off the above items! It’s a perfect gift for someone on your list, and a stocking stuffer for you!
Click HERE to order today!
SOURCE: Kane County Cougars press release and website
Gift Idea #3: Golf Club Punch Cards
This one came to my attention via an email message from Hughes Creek. It’s a Kane County golf course and one that my brother and I play several times a year.
Obviously, Kane County also hosts the lovely Settler’s Hill golf course, and there are a number of excellent municipal and public courses in Kane County — so there’s plenty of options.
Here’s the Hughes Creek gift idea:
“Get that special someone a punch card, gift card or any merchandise for the golfer in your family. We have great stocking stuffers to help out,” Hughes Creek said.
Hughes Creek’s pro shop is open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all your shopping needs. Feel free to call 630-365-9200 to set an appointment to shop at a time convenient for you or have us mail anything you may need.
Gift Idea #4: Fermilab Swag
Here’s my personal opinion: Fermilab is way cool. It’s also one of the chief employers in Kane County, a world-renowned federal government institution and an icon in Kane County. So, one local gift idea might be Fermilab logo items, mugs, T-shirts, sweatshirts and posters.
The Fermilab Friends for Science Education makes a website available to you to obtain unique Fermilab items. Fermilab Friends for Science Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing science to students, teachers and families. Your purchases help support science education.
I should mention that Fermilab gear is on sale at the Lederman Science Center on site, in addition to the online store. That’s important because the online deadline is looming.
Gift Idea #5: Municipal and History Center Ornaments and Memorabilia
One of the municipal league leaders in providing holiday gift ideas in Kane County might be the city of Geneva, which each year puts out a pewter ornament emblazoned with a historic site. But many municipalities offer gifts and swag that says, “my hometown.”
You can always do an Internet search for your favorite municipality or history center but good resource is the “Communities” page on the Kane County website, which provides links to websites for cities and villages, townships and schools.
As an example of what you might find if you look, here’s the city of Geneva news release:
Looking for the perfect gift for someone that lives in Geneva or loves our community?
You can shop the Geneva Store at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, or do all your shopping right here online via PayPal. There is an additional fee for shipping depending on the item.
2015 Pewter Ornament
The sixth part in a series of City-themed ornaments, this year’s ornament features the refurbished Patten House. The building 124 S. Second St., is now home to the Patten House of Geneva Restaurant. Built in 1857 by Geneva businessman George Patten, this stately red brick home was constructed in the classic Federal-style.
From 1890-92 it served as temporary courthouse. Since 1919, the house had been owned by the Nottolini family, and for a time between 1920 and 1930, the building was called the South Park Hotel.
The Luyten family purchased the property to restore this gem to its former glory as a popular restaurant destination opening in 2013.
One Last Note
Kane County Recycles suggest that residents DO NOT RECYCLE WRAPPING PAPER! For more info, check out our previously published article: 10 Clever Tips for Reducing Holiday Waste in Kane County.
School Links
Private and Public Schools
Colleges, Universities
- Aurora University
- Elgin Community College
- Judson University
- Rasmussen College
- Waubonsee Community College?
Public Schools
