Christmas Day is fast approaching, and if you’re still needing a last-minute Christmas gift, there’s no need to panic because there’s still plenty of cool gift options at many local retailers. And most of them will be open through Tuesday.
One of the best places to go for a gift for someone of any age is TC & More in downtown Scottsbluff. Although TC & More has seen a lot of traffic this holiday season, owner Nancy Dillman said there’s still lots of gift items to chose from like purses, jewelry, soaps, lotions and toys.
Dillman did offer some advice, though, for shoppers coming into her store in the next few days.
“If you come in and find something you like, you might want to grab it because if you leave and come back an hour later, it could be gone. That’s been happening quite a bit lately,” she said.
TC & More is open Saturday (Dec. 21) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 1-4 p.m., Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Dillman said she’s seen an increase in the number of people who are shopping locally this holiday season, and she appreciates that.
“We’ve had a good holiday season,” Dillman said. “A lot more people are shopping local, and we’re also getting more customers from outside of Scottsbluff and Gering because many of the smaller towns around here don’t have a lot of places to shop. And with us offering free gift wrapping and providing excellent customer service, people are coming back, which is great.”
It’s not just older people who are shopping local, Dillman said.
“We’re getting more and more younger people buying local, which is great,” she said.
To make holiday shopping more convenient for people, Dillman decided to keep her store open seven days a week and have extended business hours during the holiday season.
“I was expecting this to be a good year because it’s been a year since Herberger’s closed,” she said. “That’s why I decided to stay open seven days a week and have extended hours. Being open on Sundays and being open later have helped us this season.”
Keep in mind that there’s a 20 percent off any regular-priced item coupon in the current issue of Nspire Today! magazine. Also, all Christmas ornaments and Christmas decor are 30 percent off right now at TC & More.
Other Christmas gift ideas
If you’re looking for some other Christmas gift ideas, we’ve rounded up a few of them from some local retailers:
• Kitchenware at The Gift Shop at Regional West in Scottsbluff. There’s a wide variety of kitchenware items still available, including serving platters and chip bowls. And the best part is that all holiday items are 40 percent off through the end of this year. The Gift Shop also has lots of other Christmas gift items available, such as jewelry, clothing and home decor. The Gift Shop is open Saturday (Dec. 21) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday (Dec. 23) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Reading socks at Compliments in Scottsbluff. These aren’t your average socks. These are extra comfy, warm socks lined with fleece, and they’ve been one of the most popular items at Compliments this holiday season. They’re called reading socks because of how cozy they are when worn around the house. These socks come in different colors, styles and sizes – and some are even “one-size-fits-all.” You can snag a great deal on these socks – and other items in the store – because right now Compliments is offering 20 percent off regular-priced items storewide. Here’s an even better deal, though – you can use the coupon that’s in Nspire Today! magazine for 30 percent off one regular-priced item! Other gift ideas at Compliments include jewelry, floral arrangements, and clothes. Compliments is open Saturday (Dec. 21) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Cold weather accessories at Lynne Morgan Boutique in Scottsbluff. Whether it’s a comfortable scarf, a nice pair of gloves, or a cool-looking stocking hat, Lynne Morgan Boutique has a great selection at affordable prices. Any of these items would be a great Christmas gift for someone. Also, if it’s a sweater you’re looking for, Lynne Morgan Boutique has a great selection on those, too, and you can get 10 percent off any sweater by using its coupon in Nspire Today! Magainze. Lynne Morgan Boutique is open Saturday (Dec. 21) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday (Dec. 24) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They’ll be closed Sunday (Dec. 22) and Monday (Dec. 23).
• Handmade jewelry by Jessie Cozad. If you’re looking for something cool and unique and that will “wow” guests, check out all the Handmade Designs by Jessie Cozad at Creative Signs by Cozad at 1836 7th St. in Gering. We recommend using the coupon in the current issue of Nspire Today! magazine, which allows you to buy two jewelry items and get a third item half off.Gift certificate at Prairie Pines Quilt Shop in Gering. If you purchase a gift certificate for that quilter in your family at Prairie Pines Quilt Shop, they’ll add 25 percent on to the purchased gift card amount. This applies to amounts over $100, and the deal is good from Dec. 19-24.
• Gift card at Asian Buffet in Gering. If you purchase a gift card that’s $20 or more, Asian Buffet will add an extra $5 to the gift card for free. These gift cards will be sold until Dec. 31, but the cards can be used anytime.
Refills half price at the Roasted Mug
Want to get drinks at half price from now until the end of February?
You can at The Roasted Mug in Morrill. Here’s how it works: If you purchase a fancy tumbler at The Roasted Mug for $30, you can bring the tumbler back into their coffee shop to get unlimited refills at half price until Feb. 29.
Each 16-ounce tumbler comes with two lids – one spillproof lid and one regular lid.
Sounds to us like an awesome Christmas gift idea!
The Roasted Mug, which has a relaxing, cozy sit-down environment, is located at 621 W Webster St.
Did You Know?
The Potter Sundry in Potter is recognized across the nation because it’s the home of the super yummy Tin Roof Sundae.
Yes, the Tin Roof Sundae was invented at the Potter Sundry, and those delicious treats are still both famous and popular at the Sundry. The business was even recognized recently by The Food Network because of their Tin Roof Sundae.
We were curious how many Tin Roof Sundaes have been sold so far this year, so we asked owner Kendra Mitchell. The answer is 3,061! That number was through Dec. 10, so the total will no doubt be even higher by the end of this year.
We’ve tried the Tin Roof Sundae at the Potter Sundry ourselves, and we can say it’s definitely worth the drive to Potter to enjoy that treat – along with the many other treats and items on their menu. You can check out their Facebook page for their daily specials.
Celebrate New Year’s at Pesto Italian
You can ring in the New Year with a special offer from Pesto Italian Restaurant in Mitchell.
You can treat yourself and your special someone to a five-course dinner that will start with drinks and appetizers, music, and then a tasty salad, two-course entree, and a three-trio dessert.
Call 308-424-1055 to make a reservation.
Getting to know Michael Tallmon at Tallmon’s in downtown Scottsbluff
Michael Tallmon is the owner of Tallmon’s in downtown Scottsbluff, a business that focuses on fine jewelry and watches.
Michael is the third generation of his family to own Tallmon’s. His grandfather, George, started the business in 1948, and then Michael’s dad, Bill, eventually took over the business.
When Bill began talking about retiring, Michael decided that he would take over the business in 2002.
“It kind of worked out really well because my dad was talking about retiring at the time, and our kids were babies, so I was excited to move back to this area,” Michael said. “With the job I had, I was at the point where I would have needed to move to a larger city, but I didn’t really want to do that. I wanted my kids to grow up in a smaller town around my parents.”
Michael actually started working for Tallmon’s when he was in high school. He graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1987.
“That’s when I started learning all the shop work and goldsmithing,” he said.
After graduating high school, Michael attended South Dakota School of Mines, graduating from there in 1991 with an engineering degree. He was an engineering manager for about 10 years, working at locations in eastern Nebraska and in eastern South Dakota.
Michael said he looked forward to moving back to Scottsbluff to live in the community that he loves and also to help keep the family business going at Tallmon’s.
“I enjoyed the Scottsbluff and western Nebraska culture growing up, so it was nice being able to move back here,” he said. “Also, I’m big on family business and small business, so I was excited to be part of that. I learned all the goldsmithing and shop work from my dad, and I enjoyed that. It’s more of a craftsman activity. It takes a lot of concentration, but I enjoy that and also working with and talking to people who come in.”
Michael is the only full-time employee at Tallmon’s. His wife, Dawn, works at the store about three days a week, and Michael’s mom, Susie, also helps at the store from time to time.
Michael said he appreciates the strong support Tallmon’s has gotten from people in Scottsbluff/Gering and the surrounding communities.
“It’s been going well, and I’m pretty optimistic about the future, too,” he said.
He said sales have been strong this holiday season.
“You never know going into the holiday season if it’s going to be really strong or just kind of mediocre. With all the things going on in the valley, with people being concerned about this or that, like with crops, I wasn’t sure how things would go. But it’s been going well, and this past week has been really busy,” he said. “I’m really happy with how it’s turning out. I have no complaints at all.”
Michael said Tallmon’s still has lots of inventory for people who need a last-minute Christmas gift. They have stocking stuffer-type gifts, ranging from $10 to $100, and they also have other jewelry with a wide range of price points.
“We have a good variety of things, and we try to hit a lot of budgets,” he said. “We’re into fine jewelry, but we do have a lot of other items to meet people’s budgets. We have a good selection of gifts.”
The most popular item this Christmas season, he said, is anything with diamonds.
“Diamonds are always the most popular,” he said. “The guys are always safe buying diamonds, whether it’s earrings – we’ve done really well with earrings this year – or other jewelry.”
Tallmon’s will continue to have its White Christmas Sale through Christmas Eve. All regular inventory in the store is up to 35 percent off.
In addition, he encourages people to check out its estate consignment department in the store, which he said is “full of great jewelry.”
He added, “It’s the best inventory we’ve ever had in there, and you can save up to 70 percent. People like it when you can get a really nice gift for 50 percent or 60 percent or 70 percent less than what you would normally pay. Some items in there are even brand new with the tags still on them.”
Tallmon’s will be open Saturday (Dec. 21) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Tuesday from 10 a.m. until at least 2 p.m.
“I’m eager to help anyone out who’s looking for a last-minute Christmas gift,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of great gift ideas.”
When he’s not working, Michael said he enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife have two kids – Brenna, 20, and Alexia, 18. Brenna just graduated from the IT program at WNCC, and Alexia is entering the business program.
“Family is what I’m all about,” he said. “As far as hobbies and things like that, anything that involves spending time with the family – like hiking the Monument or biking – is what I enjoy doing.”
Tidbits
The Bible Book Shop in downtown Scottsbluff still has lots of items available for Christmas gifts. You’ll want to keep the Bible Book Shop in mind, too, after Christmas because all of its Christmas items will be 50 percent off. … Mark your calendars for Jan. 25 and Feb. 22. That’s when there will be comedy shows at Flyover Brewing Co. in downtown Scottsbluff. Tickets to the comedy shows are only $10. Also, there will be live music at the Flyover on Jan. 5 from 5-8 p.m. … The Tangled Tumbleweed’s new rotating brunch menu is on the first and third Sundays each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. So, in January these brunch menus will be available on Jan. 5 and Jan. 19. … Infinity A Salon has several tanning packages available, including 300 minutes for just $51.79. They also do spray tanning for $35; however, you can use their coupon in Nspire Today! magazine to save $10 on the spray tans. … Valley Auto Locators is running its Cyber December special, featuring an oil change, new air filter, tire rotation, new wiper blades, and wash and vacuum for only $89.95. This special is good through Jan. 16. … Tossed & Found is another local business to keep in mind for your last-minute Christmas shopping. In addition, all Christmas-related decor there is 25 percent off.
