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Visit your local museum and gallery shops for truly one-of-a-kind gifts Ovations365.com O V AT I O N S 3 6 5 . c o m by JONATHAN DYE director of communications, Macon Arts Alliance In the world today, finding the perfect gift can be a challenge. The same stores carry the same merchandise in almost every city. Different stores stock their shelves with the same appliances, electronics and clothes as their competitors. Trying to find a unique gift can seem impossible, but the solution is closer than one might think. There are several museum and gallery shops in this community offering incredible, one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays. The museum stores at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, Hay House, Cannonball House, The Big House Museum, and even the Macon-Bibb Co. Visitors Center are filled with great gifts. Gallery shops such as The Gallery at Macon Arts Alliance, the Middle Georgia Art Association Gallery, Art on the Avenue, and more can offer unique, handmade merchandise. Many have extended hours for the holidays or special events to make a shopping trip more festive. The Ocmulgee National Monument's museum store is hosting an open house December 7, 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with hot, spiced cider and cookies. The Gallery at Macon Arts Alliance is hosting Trunk Shows on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 from 4-7 p.m. featuring local pottery, jewelry, scarves, pottery and more. These items will be available for purchase every day through Dec. 22. Shopping for gifts might be the number one activity of central Georgians during December, but those who need a break will have many opportunities. Christmas in Downtown, sponsored by Main Street Macon features a long list of events for the entire family. These began with the lighting of the Christmas Tree at Rosa Parks Square Park beside the Macon City Auditorium on November 29. They continue with Joey Stuckey's Holiday Concert on Dec 6. at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Middle Georgia Christmas Parade on Dec 9. This year, Main Street has teamed up with Mercer Village, to make their annual celebration an official downtown event. Christmas in Mercer Village will be held on Dec 8 from 5-9 p.m. in the Mercer Village Shopping Center with ornament decoration for children, photos with Santa, and an outdoor screening of "Elf." The fun shouldn't end when the gifts are unwrapped. The first month of 2013 will be a chance for everyone to return to the swing of things with great music, film, theatre and more. The Cortona Trio returns to Fickling Hall on January 11 with a 7:30 performance as part of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings Fabian Concert Series. Tickets are $12 for the general public. Stories and Songs returns to The 567 Center for Renewal on January 12 beginning at 8 p.m. featuring Anna Mae Kersey, Chelsea Hughes and Josh Fletcher. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. The Macon Film Guild will screen "Chickens with Plums" at The Douglass Theatre on January 13 for $5, and "All That Jazz" returns to the Macon City Auditorium on January 25. This black-tie gala benefitting the Tubman African American Museum will feature Phil Perry & Pieces of a Dream beginning at 7 p.m. Of course, this list isn't comprehensive, but it should get you started. For a complete listing of arts, culture and community events in Central Georgia, visit Ovations365.com. 24 l MACON MAGAZINE DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013