ERIN EDGEMON, Business Columnist
Posted: Sunday, December 20, 2009 8:27 am

Need a last minute Christmas gift? Why not try something local.

Here are just a few last minute gift ideas with a Murfreesboro connection for that special someone.

Since 1997, Country Gourmet has been selling Murfreesboro-themed Christmas ornaments at the shop located at 107 E. Main St.

This year's limited edition ornament is the historic Rutherford Hospital that was constructed in 1927, said store co-owner Chris Gerbman. The ornament comes with its own stand and sells for $28.99.

When the store originally started designing and then selling the ornaments, Gerbman said he set out a suggestion box and received about 35 unique suggestions of iconic Murfreesboro buildings.

The Rutherford Hospital was one of those.

Gerbman said he thought it was fitting to feature the original hospital since Middle Tennessee Medical Center is scheduled to move to its new location in late 2010.

Country Gourmet's original ornament of the historic downtown courthouse, which is not a limited edition, is also still available. The ornament sells for $22.99.

Additionally, the Country Gourmet has a Murfreesboro-themed charm made out of silver and glass that can be worn as a pendant or on a charm bracelet. The charm features the historic downtown courthouse. It sells for $39.99.

A wooden sign featuring a simple quote about home being Murfreesboro is also available at the shop.

Gerbman said the sign looks nice over a door.

Murfreesboro artist and owner of Appletons Creative Framers Bill Brison is once again offering his watercolor snowmen this holiday season.

These original paintings come matted and finished off with a silver leaf holiday 8-by-10-inch frame for $45.

Larger versions including more than one snowman and a wintry scene sell framed for $135.

Brison will customize the paintings with special family street signs when time permits.

The artist began painting his famous snowmen for family and friends more than a decade ago. People saw them and began to ask if he would paint them for their family.

Brison said he gets a kick out of customers returning to his shop year after year to add snowmen to their collection.

Appletons is located at 124 N. Spring St., across from Beckman's Pharmacy. The store can be reached at 896-6816.

For something a little more funky and unique check out Mesh. at 113 Lytle St. about a block off the Public Square.

Much of the products at Mesh. are made by local artisans.

Great gift ideas include Paos soap made by Mesh. owners Jenny Kitchen and Heather Harring. The soaps are vegan and olive oil based and scented with essential oils.

“It is a natural and very good smelling soap,” Kitchen said, adding that soaps are $5.50 each or $5 if you purchase more than one.

Hand-dyed scarves made out of T-shirt material is another unique gift item, she said. The scarves are $10. Toboggans with flower appliqués are $15.

Another funky Christmas gift are coin purses, clutches and shoulder bags made out of crocheted grocery bags, Kitchen said.

“They are really neat,” she said. These items range from $10-$40.

Rings made out of copper, silver and colored wire are a big seller as well, Kitchen said. Stones and beads are set into the wire rings, making for fun and funky costume jewelry. These rings are $7.

Personalize a gift by purchasing pendants made from Scrabble pieces, she said. These charms feature the game letter on one side and a graphic on another. They sell for $10.

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Ten downtown Murfreesboro merchants are offering gifts under $20 this holiday season. These stores include Shacklett's Photography, Trendy Pieces, Ray Hines & Co., Bungalow, The Write Impression, Sugaree's, Southern Stained Glass, Mesh. and The Country Gourmet.

Customers can also still register for a drawing to win $100 after making a purchase at any Downtown Business Alliance member store. For a complete listing of shops, visit www.downtownmurfreesboro.com.

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.