15 Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Procrastinatin' Clevelander

With the popularity of handcrafted beverages these days, you likely know a brewer or are a brewer. We won't judge you; in fact, we support it. Sign up solo or with a friend for a beer-making class at Cleveland Brew Shop (4146 Lorain Ave., 216-574-2271, clevelandbrewshop.com), the Ohio City shop helmed by Platform Beer co-owner Paul Benner.

Cleveland is in a renaissance in all sorts of ways, not least of which is in the apparel realm. Stock up on T-shirts from CLE Clothing, Made by Superior, I Love the Hype, Fresh Brewed Tees and others. We wear our pride on our sleeves. Now go wear some Cleveland sleeves on your sleeves.

The community of local bikers who continue their two-wheeled commute all winter long deserve some serious applause, and probably some new bike gear. Head over to Blazing Saddle Cycle at 7427 Detroit Ave. or at 2190 Murray Hill Rd., to stock up on winter riding accessories like thick tires, reflective tape, and new fenders, as well as some helpful tips on riding through ice, sleet, and snow from the staff. Visit blazingsaddlecleveland.com for more info.

Only recently released, Tom's Foolery's Ohio Straight Bourbon is a labor of love from Tom Herbruck, who you probably know from his applejack, which comes from the same small distillery on his property in Geauga County. The bourbon is three years in the making, at least, and Herbruck and his wife have been filling one barrel of whiskey each day. The waiting is over, and you won't spend a better $39.95 this year. Thank us later.

Don't be a heartless bastard this holiday season; give one of Cleveland's rescued animals a warm and loving home. The Cleveland Animal Protective League has dozens of puppies and kittens, as well as fully grown cats and dogs, just itchin' to go home with a new human friend. Think about it: Spot could be sprawled out under your Christmas tree by dinnertime. Wouldn't your fiancé love that? Visit clevelandapl.org for more info or stop in at 729 Willey Ave. in Tremont.

You used to ski when you were a kid and then you stopped. Why? Get back on the slopes this season and bring your best buds too. Day passes at Boston Mills are $43 for adults and equipment rentals are just $30. Seasonal passes start at $459. Visit bmbw.com for additional details.

Leather is in this season dontcha know, and Fount, a Cleveland-based leather design and production house, offers a lovely line of his and her items. For the gals, pick up a dark expresso turban or a hair-on-hide tote (which were going fast, last we checked), while an Americana wallet or penny pouch are perfect for the gents. Browse the collection at fountleather.com.

Born in southern France, jewelry artist Anne Harrill moved to Cleveland in 2002 where she launched Oceanne, a line of nature-inspired body accessories that range from whimsical and delicate to bold and refined. Each piece is hand-designed — that means Anne hammers, torches, and files every item herself — and crafted from brass, copper, silver, gold or recycled metals. Browse her collection online at www.oceanne.net and on Etsy.

It's your go-to choice for that picky person who refuses to drop any hints about what he or she wants. And for good reason: You can't go wrong with wine. Enter Persona, a medium-bodied syrah with inflections of berries and spice from Pepper Pike-based Sonkin Cellars (sonkincellars.com) that's been garnering national attention. Stop it up with an upcycled oak wine stopper from local Darbynwoods (darbynwoods.etsy.com).

The husband/wife duo behind Fizz Creative likes to say that their design studio began over a pint of beer, and perhaps that's why the pair has created a clever line of Ohio-inspired alcohol accessories, such beer glasses, koozies and coasters, perfect for that relative just shvitzing state pride. Take a look at the collection online at hellofizz.com or hellofizz.etsy.com.