Loomis has plenty to offer shoppers

It's easy to create the perfect holiday season without ever leaving town. Loomis boasts a myriad of well-stocked shops that can provide everything you need, from decorations and food to gifts for everyone on your list.According to Amanda Weaver, co-owner of Simply Portraits, now is the time to have portraits taken for Christmas cards or to give as gifts. Santa will be visiting their studio Friday, Dec. 16, by appointment only, and for drop-in from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17. The session is just $25 and includes one 5 by 7 photo and helps buy a toy for a child in need. Simply Portraits also has gift certificates available online. Nothing compares to the smell of a real Christmas tree, whether fresh cut or alive and Foothill Feed and Gift sells cut trees that are stored in water on his lot. Owner Ted Greenfield, said his trees are "really fresh." The store also features animal feed and supplies, gifts for wild birds, pets and people, unique equestrian and western themed ornaments, garden art and home decor.For a living tree, Baker's Nursery offers a wide choice of Colorado Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Norman Fir and Alberta Spruce trees. Owner Carrie Baker also brought in lots of miniature one-gallon Alberta Spruce trees that are available pre-decorated or plain for do-it-yourselfers."You can pop one on a buffet table now, then plant it outside. They are super cute for entertaining," Baker said. Blue Goose Produce's locally grown mandarins and persimmons and selection of gourmet jams, mustards, balsamic vinegars, cooking sauces and beverage elixirs are ideal for hostess gifts, stocking stuffers and gift baskets, plus Blue Goose can ship them. Another unique gift idea is a framed painting of the Blue Goose fruit shed.Entertaining can be sweet with treats from Divine Desserts on Horseshoe Bar Road. Their special cakes decorated to look like Christmas packages, stars and snowbells, as well as their Yule Logs and Mocha Rolls, are as beautiful as they are delicious.The Green Elephant Candy Shop on King Road has a large assortment of hand-crafted Christmas truffles, chocolate Santas and stuffed animals ready for gift giving, hostess gifts and stocking stuffers. Skadoodle Toy Store offers toys in all price ranges – from Sophie the Giraffe for babies, to Slinkies and Hula Hoops, lots of board, card and travel games and even handmade wooden swords and gumball machines. Plus, they gift wrap."We try to offer more creative, hands-on toys rather than battery operated," said owner Kelly Warden. "The kids aren't exposed to them anywhere else and really enjoy them." Older kids and adults would enjoy a gift from Black Bear Outdoors, which specializes in new and used biking, fishing, camping, kayaking, rock climbing and paint ball equipment."We sell a lot of refurbished high end bikes and paint ball guns at reasonable prices, and used rental kayaks for Christmas," said co-owner Tate Addon. "We can also tune ups your skis and snowboards by hand waxing and sharpening them to get them back in shape for the slopes."Main Drug Stores has a large selection of candles, ornaments, frames, stocking stuffers and locally made Bella's Soap and Emu Gold products. They also carry an extensive collection of Japanese products including orgami paper, food stuffs such as noodles, tea and vinegar, food-safe Japanese ceramics, sushi molds, iron tea pots, chopstick rests and collectible Kokeshi dolls.Heaven Scent Flowers has ready-made Christmas bouquets that make great hostess gifts and will make custom arrangements, wreaths and centerpieces with just a day's notice by calling owner Jewel Ann Cusack, at 577-5038.EDITOR'S NOTE This is the first of a two-part series on holiday shopping in Loomis