Be The Star Of The Gift Exchange With These Three Gifts

You may know it as a white elephant gift exchange, Dirty Santa or the opportunity to watch your friends, family or coworkers fight over presents. But if the name of your game is to bring the gift everyone’s clamoring for, put a ribbon on one of these recommendations.  

Air plants, $10-$30
Linda Wagener, owner of Buy the Bead, has been growing and selling air plants for 11 years. The Strongsville resident places some of them in repurposed, seasonal holders, but the rootless plants are easily repotted and perfect for the busy plant lover. “They’re so easy to take care of,” Wagener says. “You just water them a couple times a week.” its4sale2day.etsy.com



Squishable avocado, $42.99
Available at Play Matters in Pepper Pike and Solon, Squishable’s 15-inch avocado pillow is the perfect ingredient for a weekend siesta or as a bit of whimsy in your trendy casa. “Squishable does so many different styles,” says Michael Ziegenhagen, owner of Play Matters. “I think they all tickle the imagination.” playmatterstoys.com 



Journal set, $12
Created by Beth and Shaun Mueller, the Stark County couple behind Champaign Paper, the Llama Pocket Journal Set offers inspiration for any writer with its colorful llama declaring “hey” on each 20-page notebook. “There are a lot of designs that are recycled,” says Shaun. “This is kind of different.” champaignpaper.com