2016 Holiday Gift Guide

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With Thanksgiving and Black Friday just around the corner, Southwest Orlando residents are gearing up their searches for amazing holiday gifts for the people on their lists. Southwest Orlando Bulletin’s Holiday Gift Guide provides a comprehensive listing of various local stores, as well as gift ideas — from always-handy gift cards to fun fitness opportunities and more — that are sure to please everyone this holiday season.

Body & Hair Care

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can truly be a fountain of youth. Men and women who have balanced levels of life-sustaining hormones live longer, avoid diseases of aging, and have better romantic lives. Treat your partner to a hormone checkup and change his/her life. Call Florida Center for Hormones and Wellness and get a full hormone evaluation for only $125 (1/2 off the regular price of $250). Add a complete blood package for only an additional $150 (a $1,500 value)! Florida Center for Hormones and Wellness is located at 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Suite 370, Orlando. For more information, call 407-505-6345 or visit www.hormonesandwellness.com on the web.

With balanced hormones, you have the energy and vitality to manage holiday stress. Help your body be better equipped to take on the extra duties that come with the season. Show friends and family how vibrant and youthful you feel by giving yourself the gift of balanced hormones. Call Dr. Marissa Magsino at 407-292-6778 to more fully enjoy the upcoming holiday season by feeling and looking your best.

The holiday season is upon us, and this year, Massage Envy Dr. Phillips is offering an excellent promotion that allows everyone to receive the gift of good health! When you spend $100 on gift card purchases, you receive a free promo card valued at $25, or spend $150 and receive a promo card valued at $50. This promotion runs through Dec. 24, 2016. Massage Envy Dr. Phillips is located in Phillips Crossing at 8081 Turkey Lake Road, Suite 100, in Orlando. For more information, call 407-354-3689 or visit massageenvy.com on the web.

Meisenheimer Day Spa has thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. Everyone likes to be pampered, and what better way than with a custom facial treatment? The spa’s heated tables and fountains help clients relax while music fills the air. Gift certificates are also offered in all denominations. Meisenheimer Day Spa is located in Suite 115 at 7300 Sandlake Commons Blvd. in Orlando. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 407-351-8885.

With the holidays just around the corner, take advantage of Spalidays specials at Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate’s signature Mokara Spa. Treat yourself and others to the gift of relaxation with a spa treatment. From Dec. 14-25, Mokara Spa will feature $99 treatments that include a $25 credit toward spa retail purchases, so you can take home a gift for that special someone. Spa gift cards are also available for purchase (credit not valid toward gift cards). For more information, call 407-390-6603, or visit omnihotels.com/orlando or www.mokaraspas.com on the web.

Southwest Orlando Eye Care, located at 7009 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Suite 110, in Orlando, offers comprehensive eye care to the Dr. Phillips and Southwest Orlando communities. Dr. John Nowell is a board-certified optometric physician who specializes in keratoconus, myopia control and specialty contact lenses. He provides routine eye exams, contact lens evaluations, Lasik consultations and more. Southwest Orlando Eye Care has a beautiful optical boutique and carries several designer frames and sunglasses, including lines by Savile Row, Tom Ford, Ray-Ban and more. Gift certificates are available. For more information, call 407.271.8931 or visit our southwestorlandoeyecare.com on the web.

Give the gift of beauty! At Spa Blue, the expert staff strives to enhance your natural beauty. Spa Blue specializes in skin care, laser and aesthetics, and offers a full line of medical-grade skin regimens. Offered services include Botox Cosmetic; the latest fillers such as Juvéderm, Belotero Balance and Bellafill; and the Vampire Facelift, as well as platelet-rich plasma microneedling for skin remodeling and hair regrowth. Take advantage of Spa Blue’s holiday specials and meet its staff, led by master injector Janet Beres, PA-C. Specials include a membership program for discounts, Blue Bucks and a free gift with a consultation. For more information, call 407-772-2583 or visit www.spablue.com on the web.

With the holidays just around the corner, one of the best — and most-forgotten gifts — is the gift of good health. Dr. Niral Patel and the staff at Windermere Medical Center believe preventative wellness is a vital tool to managing health, yet many people choose instead to be reactive, scheduling an appointment only when something “doesn’t feel right.” The fact is, many of the top risk factors relating to illness are preventable, and that’s why preventative care is so important for the continued health of your family and loved ones. For more information or to make an appointment, call 407-876-2273 or visit www.windermeremedicalcenter.com on the web.

Does someone you care about complain of chronic pain?  Back and knee pain, fibromyalgia and arthritis are daily nuisances that impact the lives of those we love. They can be caused by weight gain, structural issues, lack of flexibility or simple heredity. Exercise, specifically Pilates, has been shown to help decrease the pain associated with these issues. Encourage someone you love to give it a try. Give the gift of health this holiday season. A gift certificate to Zero Gravity Fitness may just change their lives. For more information, call 407-654-2600 or visit zerogravityfitness.net on the web.

Home Services

Molly Maid, 1101 S. Park Ave., Winter Garden, 407-877-0184, www.mollymaid.com, is a residential home-cleaning service. Molly Maid sends a team of two trained, insured and bonded home-service professionals to clean the home. Whether it is a one-time or regular service, Molly Maid will design a custom cleaning plan with a free in-home estimate. The gift of time is always the perfect present. Gift certificates and more information are available.

Odds & Ends

Capture Video & Photo, 407-883-7555, offers a range of photography and videography services, and much more. Whether you are looking for family holiday portraits or LinkedIn head shots, a birthday photo booth or event video coverage, or you have any other need for a photographer or videographer, Capture Video & Photo can help. Visit www.capturevideo-photo.com on the web to see a complete list of services and online galleries, and schedule your shoot today!

Gifting with style has never been easier. Ca Va Chic Boutique, located at 4757 The Grove Drive in Windermere, is the place to go for an assortment of fashion-trending clothing and accessories for your favorite fashionistas. Items are hand-picked in Atlanta by Southwest local MarieChristine and her daughter, Aly, so Ca Va Chic Boutique has something unique for your loved ones. Stop by and check out the great selection of apparel or pick up a gift card today! Holiday hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m. For more information, call 407-217-7607 or visit www.cavachicboutique.com on the web.

For gifts that are best for her, visit Dynasty Gallery & Gifts. Mantrabands are simple, elegant bracelets with a touch of delicate polish and an uplifting message, promoting a lifestyle of optimism, positivity and mindfulness. Pandora Jewelry offers women across the world a universe of high-quality, hand-finished, modern and genuine jewelry products at affordable prices. Alex and Ani designs and creates bangle bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings that adorn the body, enlighten the mind and empower the spirit. Dynasty Gallery is located at 1067 S. Clarke Road in Ocoee. For more information, call 407-522-4400.

Looking for the perfect educational gift to give this year? Edu World Tutors, 407-413-3961, eduworldtutors.com, is a convenient online, in-home or by phone tutoring service. It pairs students with some of the best tutors around to help students achieve their maximum potential on their studies and test scores. Whether it is for your student or a busy family that would benefit from convenient tutoring, Edu World Tutors offers great hourly rates and gift certificates for tutoring services. Give the gift of education this year with a gift certificate from Edu World Tutors.

Life insurance is a gift of love, wisdom and legacy. It is care and love that spans years — that never loses value, goes out of style, or breaks. It says no matter what happens, I have been there for you and continue to be there. In many cases it means survival for your loved ones. Life insurance may not glitter under the tree, but it can be a ray of light in a person’s darkest moments. For the gift of life insurance, call Eton Bridge Insurance at 407-351-3331. For more information, visit www.etonbridgesolutions.com on the web or stop by 7625 W. Sand Lake Road in Orlando.

Give the ultimate gift — the gift of faith — by enrolling your child or grandchild in Orlando’s premiere Catholic school — Holy Family Catholic School. Serving students in preschool through eighth grade, HFCS was voted the No. 1 private school in Orlando for 2015 and 2016. It is fully accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference, and as a Blue Ribbon School, it boasts high academics, fine arts, foreign language and a vibrant sports program. HFCS’s mission is to provide a Catholic atmosphere, where students achieve academic excellence in a warm, loving environment. There is no better gift for any child than a HFCS experience! For more information, call 407-876-9344 or visit www.hfcschool.com on the web.

Since 1982, The Maile Image, Modeling & Acting School, 999 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-628-5989, www.lisamaile.com, has been offering classes for kids, teens and adults. The school trains in the areas of image and confidence development, modeling and on-camera acting for TV, commercials and film. Specialized one-day workshops in etiquette, casting, auditioning and more are offered, and all sessions are taught by industry experts. The school also offers a free, professional industry seminar that prepares you for the business. Gift certificates are available. The school is a member of the Better Business Bureau.

Is there a special baby, toddler, preschooler or big kid on your Christmas list this year? Maybe you are a little uncertain about what to give, because you want something meaningful, enjoyable and something they’ll love for a long time to come. Something that even their parents would be thrilled about! Orlando Premier Music Instruction music classes or private music lessons are the gifts that keep on giving. For more information, call 407-963-5529, email opmi@ompi-lessons.com or visit www.orlando-premier-music-instruction.com on the web. Mention this article and get the first lesson free!

Celebrate the season with a gift that keeps on growing from Royal Landscape Nursery. Flora and fauna make great gifts for family members and friends. Give them something they can enjoy over and over, whether they are project planning or just enjoy being with the flowers. Royal Landscape Nursery offers the best in landscaping and gardening needs with gift certificates that fit all amounts and any project size. Give the gift that keeps on growing! For more information, call 407-296-3042 or visit royallandscapenursery.com on the web.

A gift certificate to Theatre South Playhouse in Dr. Phillips is the perfect gift of the arts! It features youth and professional productions, classes and workshops. Students learn from professional performers currently working in their field, teaching the best of the arts. Theatre South offers private lessons in voice, piano, acting, dance and song composition. Group classes are available for all ages in theater, music and dance; and gift certificates are available for show tickets, classes and private lessons. For more information, call 407-489-4458 or visit theatresouthorlando.com on the web.

VIPet Resort, 6600 Kingspointe Parkway in Orlando, is an 8,000-square-foot luxury boarding facility for dogs and cats. It offers overnight boarding, doggy day care and full grooming services. VIPet Resort also features a new expansion called The Companion Club, an exclusive club for small dogs only. All guests will enjoy spacious suites, playtime with friends, specialty treat items, and lots of love and attention. Operating hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 407-355-3594 or visitwww.vipet.net on the web

Restaurants & Entertainment

The staff of Bravo Cucina Italiana, located at 7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, takes great pride in only serving the absolute finest ingredients in season, filled with flavor, and providing exceptional service with each meal, each and every day. The entire team wishes to thank its customers and believes patrons deserve an extra gift this holiday season: Spend $100 on gift cards and get $20 back for yourself as a thank-you for spending the holiday season with Bravo! For more information, call 407-351-5880 or visit www.bravoitalian.com on the web.

Guests will marvel at lavish holiday displays that include more than 2 million twinkling Christmas lights and acres of larger-than-life decorations at Christmas at Gaylord Palms, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee. Activities include heartwarming visits with Santa; the Cirque Dreams UnWrapped Live Stage Show; ICE, featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas, from Nov. 18-Jan. 1; and many other exclusive holiday events and attractions to get everyone in the spirit of the season! For more information, call 407-586-0000.

Craig Millers Field House in the Dellagio Town Center is Orlando’s classic sports bar and restaurant, designed for the sporting and culinary enthusiast. Whether you’re inside or enjoying one of its legendary Dark & Stormies on the patio, there’s not a bad seat in the house! Miller’s Field House boasts a scratch menu, diverse selection of craft beers, more than 70 high-definition TVs, and an exclusive Don Q Owner’s Box for special events. Plan your holiday party or catering event today! For more information, call Melanie at 407-248-3474. Gift cards are available.

Holiday traditions and joyful celebrations transform the IDrive Resort Area! Begin the holiday season with the lighting of I-Drive’s 50-foot-tall tree Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Blue Martini outdoor patio at Pointe Orlando. The I-Ride Trolley Chords barbershop quartet will perform along with the Dr. Phillips High School dance magnet program and the Central Florida Community Choir. Photos with Santa will be available after the ceremony from 7-8 p.m. This free event benefits The Salvation Army Angel Tree program.

Give the gift of flavor with a gift card from Itta Bena this holiday season. Located on the second level of Pointe Orlando, Itta Bena is Orlando’s hidden gem, specializing in great steaks and seafood. From its 16-ounce bone-in cowboy ribeye to the blackened Gulf red snapper to the Signature She Crab Soup and decadent desserts, Itta Bena has something for everyone. So come as you are for great food in a relaxed atmosphere with unrivaled Southern hospitality. For more information, call 407-757-2910 or visit ittabenadining.com on the web.

Old Town, 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, is a 10-acre walking district that contains a collection of shops, restaurants and family-friendly amusements. Located next door to Fun Spot, 1 mile from Celebration and 5 miles east of Disney, it offers free car shows, car cruises and live entertainment. With its Christmas decor, festive environment and assortment of stores, Old Town will make your holiday shopping experience one to remember. Operating hours are daily. Shop hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m., and restaurant hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. For more information, call 407-396-4888 or visit www.myoldtownusa.com on the web.

This holiday season give something unique — the gift of music. Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra offers music from classical to pop and more. There’s something for everyone! Give that special someone an OPO holiday gift certificate on festive holiday stationery. Call the box office at (407) 770-0071 or visit them at The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  For more information, visit www.orlandophil.org/gift-certificates/ on the web.

This holiday season, give the gift of live theater. Orlando Repertory Theatre presents performances of Harry Connick Jr.’s The Happy Elf from Nov. 7-Dec. 18. From the Grammy-winning musician, this joyous, new jazz musical is sure to become a holiday favorite! Positive thinking, teamwork and faith are wonderful gifts to give and receive, and in this story of elfin magic, the audience finds these gifts are never in short supply. Tickets start at $14. The Orlando Rep is located at 1001 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. For more information, visit www.orlandorep.com on the web.

This holiday season, give the gift of live theater. Join the tradition of attending The REP’s holiday production — this year it’s Harry Connick Jr.’s The Happy Elf — with your family. Tickets start at just $14 at www.orlandorep.com. Harry Connick Jr.’s The Happy Elf plays Nov. 7-Dec. 18 at Orlando Repertory Theatre, 1001 E. Princeton St., Orlando. For more information, call 407-896-7365.

Create cherished memories this holiday season and beyond with a gift card from Rosen Centre, 9840 International Drive in Orlando. Treat your loved ones to a world-class getaway right in their backyard! Whether it’s a dining escape to the Caribbean with luxurious poolside dining at Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill or tantalizing their taste buds with award-winning Florida-inspired cuisine at Everglades, everyone loves Rosen Centre. A trip to its full-service spa will cause troubles to be pampered away, or book an overnight stay and enjoy it all at once!  For more information, call 407-996-9840 or visit rosencentre.com on the web.

What is the holiday gift that keeps on giving? A gift card from Rosen Plaza, located at 9700 International Drive in Orlando, where you and your loved ones can create memories that will last a lifetime. Choose any dollar value good for all of the hotel’s exceptional amenities, from the award-winning Jack’s Place restaurant to ’39 Poolside Bar & Grill for a Sunday poolside brunch to 3NINE, Orlando Business Journal’s reader’s top choice for local nightclub.  Book an overnight stay and enjoy it all in luxury in one of Rosen Plaza’s deluxe guest rooms. For more information, call 407-996-9700 or visit rosenplaza.com on the web.

Give the gift that will last a lifetime. Create special memories with a gift card from Rosen Shingle Creek, located at 9939 Universal Blvd. in Orlando. Choose any dollar value you like, good for world-class dining at the hotel’s 15 award-winning restaurants and lounges, including the local favorite AAA Four Diamond A Land Remembered steakhouse. Or choose a relaxing spa day, 18 holes of golf, or a luxurious overnight stay to enjoy it all at once. Mix and match as you please. For more information, call 407-996-9939 or visit rosenshinglecreek.com on the web.

Give the gift of comedy, mystery and intrigue by giving a Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows gift certificate! It’s a great gift idea for employees, friends and family. Guests will mingle with unusual characters while enjoying salad, but watch out! The action is fast and the laughter is contagious as the audience becomes the detectives and solve the crime. They will enjoy dinner, dessert and unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks. Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more. Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows is located at 8267 International Drive in Orlando. For more information, call 407-363-1985 or visit www.sleuths.com on the web.

Sports, Fun & Fitness

Have you been to downtown Orlando lately? Give your loved one a night stay at the stylish Aloft Orlando Downtown. Your guest will enjoy the modern rooms and chic W XYZ Bar with award-winning restaurants, Amway Center, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, clubs, lounges and much more within walking distance. Aloft is ideal for a night to stay and play in downtown Orlando! For more information, call 407-380-3500 or visit www.aloftorlandodowntown.com on the web.

If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer, then a Fun Spot America season pass is a gift that will give them the #bestyearever! With a Fun Spot America season pass, you get two parks for only $74.50 (Black Friday weekend only). Ride go-karts, roller coasters, thrill rides and more. With a variety of rides at each park, one located in Orlando and one in Kissimmee, Fun Spot has something for all ages. There are no blackout dates, and parking is free. For more information, call 407-363-3867 or visit www.fun-spot.com on the web.

Holiday traditions and joyful celebrations transform the IDrive Resort Area! Begin the holiday season with the lighting of I-Drive’s 50-foot-tall tree Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Blue Martini outdoor patio at Pointe Orlando. The I-Ride Trolley Chords barbershop quartet will perform along with the Dr. Phillips High School dance magnet program and the Central Florida Community Choir. Photos with Santa will be available after the ceremony from 7-8 p.m. This free event benefits The Salvation Army Angel Tree program.

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? Give the gift of Kings! Kings Orlando gift cards are good for bowling and nostalgic table games, ranging from billiards, shuffleboard, outdoor bocce ball to foosball and more. Kings gift cards also are good toward the business’ award-winning food, crafted in its scratch kitchen. Kings — located in the Vue at 360 at 8255 International Drive, Suite 120, in Orlando — is the perfect place for a family day out, night out with friends, celebration of a special occasion, a date night or to catch a game. For more information, call 407-363-0200 or visit kingsgiftcards.com on the web.

Sky Zone Orlando, located at 5250 International Drive, Suite C1, Orlando, allows guests to celebrate the season by partying in the dark at the wall-to-wall trampoline park. People age 13-older can get their jump on with music, black lights, laser beams and more. “Glow” takes place Fridays and Saturdays from 8-11 p.m., and the cost is $20. Reflective shirts must be worn and are available for purchase for $5 each. Gather your friends and glow at Sky Zone Orlando! For more information, call 407-326-0482 or email szorlando@gmail.com.

Nothing can replace memories with family and friends, so give treasured moments this holiday season with Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park. With a gift certificate to the park, loved ones will have the chance to climb, swing and soar through incredible aerial obstacles. There’s fun for all ages and skill levels with courses for kids, juniors and adults. Orlando Tree Trek is located at 7625 Sinclair Road in Kissimmee. Departures start at 8:30 a.m., and hours are seasonal. For more information, call 407-390-9999 or visit www.orlandotreetrek.com on the web. 💓