Support local businesses this Christmas season and find thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list! Check out these independent spots if you need some unique holiday shopping ideas.

Santa’s Got an Airplane
A Discovery Flight from Murfreesboro Aviation (1936 Memorial Blvd.) gives recipients 60 minutes (or more) in the air with a certified local pilot. Taking in the sights of Murfreesboro and beyond from high above makes a truly unique and unforgettable experience gift for thrill-seekers. Book your Discovery Flight today by calling 615-494-1900 or visit murfreesboroaviation.com for more information.

The Gift of Fitness
Give someone the gift of fitness by purchasing them a membership at Avalon Athletic Club, located at 710 Memorial Blvd., where the recipient can access a large selection of free weights, extensive cardio section, functional fitness area, basketball, racquetball, cable and Hammer Strength machines, turf, classes and more. For more information, call 615-396-0999 or visit avalonathleticclub.com.

All Aboard!
Get a Lionel Train set for around the tree, and for all through the year, at Thor’s Furniture and Lionel Trains. This locally owned spot, located at 416 Medical Center Pkwy., sells new and used Lionel sets and pieces of all gauges, as well as other toys and collectables and handmade Tennessee furniture large and small, from small tables and footstools to sturdy bookcases.

A Cozy Book Nook
A beloved local used bookstore, Grumpy Bookpeddler (610 W. College St. #110) is stacked with thousands of gently used favorites, giftable classics, and an ever-changing selection of hard-to-find titles and collectibles. It’s a perfect stop for bookworms.

Seasonal Style
A downtown Murfreesboro boutique filled with trendy apparel, accessories and farmhouse-style décor, Rustic Rebel (301 N. Spring St.) is perfect for gifting cozy sweaters, boutique jewelry and stylish, fun pieces. Visit in person or shop online at therusticrebelboro.com.

Oh, Christmas Tree!  (And Poinsettias Too!)
A great stop for gardeners all year long, this local greenhouse is packed with poinsettias and Christmas trees during the holidays. Valley Growers (985 Middle Tennessee Blvd., near the Co-Op) also offers flowerpots, yard ornaments, plants, garden gifts, arrangements, wind chimes and other potential gifts that can brighten any home or garden space.

Holiday Look for Less
Find sweet deals on gently used brand-name clothing, shoes and accessories at Plato’s Closet, located at 429 N. Thompson Ln. A gift card could make a great Christmas present for your fashionable teen or young adult.

White Christmas
A vendor-curated shop, White Monkey Market is known for its eclectic mix of decor, antiques, furniture, art and oddities. White Monkey Market (224 W. Main St.) is perfect for discovering one-of-a-kind vintage treasures and unique local gift items.

Toyland!
For many, LEGOs bring back lots of fun holiday memories. Grab a stocking stuffer, or a larger set, for LEGO collectors of all ages at Bricks & Minifigs, a new LEGO retailer located at 510 N. Thompson Ln.

Christmas Clean
Make your gift healthy and safe with Safe and Sound Soap Co. Local artisan Savannah Reed handcrafts her hand soaps, body wash, body scrubs, laundry soaps, car fresheners, room and linen sprays and other fine products with all-natural essential oils and non-toxic ingredients. Shop at safeandsoundsoapco.com.

Deck the Halls
Offering premium rugs in all sizes, the Murfreesboro Rug Store warehouse carries a variety of modern designs and traditional weaves. A stylish rug can make a memorable decorative and homey gift. Shop the Murfreesboro Rug Store, located at 3923 Richard Reeves Dr., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Holiday Greenery
Find a huge variety of cannabis-infused items at Emerald Heart Cafe & Dispensary—oils, edibles, lotions, beverages, honey and more. Open seven days a week, this spacious community hangout and dispensary for ages 21 and up, located at 810 NW Broad St., has recently opened Murfreesboro’s first cannabis restaurant.

Santa’s Tech Support
Find great deals on used tech devices as well as fun and functional device accessories like cases, chargers, earbuds and other items at iFix Wireless, located at 1433 Warrior Dr., Suite B. If it has a screen, iFix can repair it. iFix also offers cash for your electronic gadgets.

Music, Movies and Memorabilia
A paradise for collectors, The Great Escape (810 NW Broad St. #202) carries vintage comics, vinyl records, video games, movies, toys and pop-culture memorabilia. It’s an ideal spot for fun nostalgic gifts and rare finds.

Four Colly Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves . . . and a Partridge in a Pear Tree!
Perfect for nature enthusiasts, Wild Birds Unlimited stocks bird feeders, seed blends, binoculars, backyard habitat supplies, birdwatching books and birdbaths. Gift sets for bird lovers are a seasonal favorite. Wild Birds is located at The Avenue, at 2615 Medical Center Pkwy.

Christmas Tunes
Snag a vintage record album or a CD for the music fan on your list at Century 21 Music & More, located at 125 Lasseter Dr., a locally-owned shop in business since the 1970s.

Merry Thrift-mas
Steered Straight Thrift Store, located at 1007 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., is a nonprofit thrift shop that offers ever-changing treasures—from furniture to clothing to collectibles to dishware. Browsers never know what sort of fun gift idea they’ll discover while thrifting.

Healthy Holidays
Sunshine Nutrition Center, located at 621 S. Church St. in Murfreesboro, and its sister store, Sunshine Nutrition Center II, (901 Rock Springs Rd., Smyrna), carry supplements, essential oils, health foods and natural products. Essential oil kits, tea assortments and healthy snacks can make great holiday picks for the health nuts on your list.

Merry Fit-mas and a Muscular New Year
Personal training packages from KK Fitness are a motivating way to start the new year and invest in someone’s future with one-on-one attention and custom nutritional planning. Sessions can be tailored to each individual, making them a thoughtful, personal wellness gift. For more information, email kayce@kkfitnesstraining.com or visit kkfitnesstraining.com.

Gather ’Round the Table
Martin Amish Furniture is a local small business that offers quality solid wood furniture and home design pieces built to last. Tables, chairs and home accessories can all make meaningful, long-lasting gifts that may remain within a family for generations. Shop their showroom, located at 1000 NW Broad St., or visit martinfurnitureusa.com.

It’s the Spa-liday Season
Treat your loved one to a day of pampering at the Nurture Nook Day Spa & Gift Shoppe. This tranquil and cozy local spa retreat offers various massage packages, facials and foot treatments, as well as a gift shop with essential oils, robes, candles, gift sets and other items. The Nurture Nook is located at 624 W. Walnut St. For more information or to book your appointment, visit nurturenook.com.

Holiday Haircut
Gift a man a haircut and straight-razor shave at NexGen Barbershop, located at 2705 Old Fort Pkwy. NexGen also has a retail area with beard oils, shaving gear, skincare products, pomades and other grooming products, which can make classy gifts for the modern man. Book your appointment at nexgenbarbers.com.

Merry Manscape
Uptown Male Spa & Skincare Center offers men’s grooming with a refined touch. A gift certificate here can be used for massage, manicure, pedicure, waxing or haircut services. Uptown Male is located at 745 S. Church St. Book an appointment at uptownmalespa.com or call 615-956-6040 for more information.

Doggies Day Out
Perfect for parents of fur babies, Doggies Day Out, located at 424 Medical Center Pkwy., offers grooming, boarding and treats for canines. Gift certificates for grooming packages or toys make tails wag all season. Gift your dog a grooming session at this spot; or the gift of a boarding package from Doggies Day Out to the dog owner in your life means that they can take a vacation while knowing their dog remains well cared for. For more information, or to book an appointment visit doggiesdayout.net, or call 615-624-6140.

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A Christmas Feast
Give the gift of good food while supporting local restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Stuff someone’s stocking with a gift card from one of these fine local establishments:

The Alley on Main, located at 223 W. Main St. serves steaks, pastas, craft cocktails and fish at its downtown Murfreesboro hangout. The Alley is also a popular option for event catering. Call 615-203-3498 for more information or to place a takeout order, or visit alleyonmain.com.

Visit Joanie’s for hot and iced coffee drinks and lots of other beverage options, crepes, burgers, salads, French toast, breakfast burritos and more at two Murfreesboro locations: 13 S. Public Square and 1733 St. Andrews Dr. Visit joaniesboro.com for more information.

La Cucina Italiana invites diners to enjoy authentic Italian pasta recipes, rich sauces, warm bread, meatballs, seafood and even some Cuban selections at 451 N. Thompson Ln. Gift cards are great for anyone who loves a fresh, delicious, scratch-made meal. La Cucina also offers event catering services. Call 615-546-4444 to learn more or to place a pick-up order.

Donut Country, Murfreesboro’s local, 24-hour doughnut shop, offering warm, fresh-baked deliciousness, along with coffee and an assortment of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, is located at 1311 Memorial Blvd. Call 615-890-3129 to place a pick-up order.

Marina’s on the Square, another downtown favorite located at 125 N. Maple St., serves up pizza, calzones, pastas and more warm and delicious Italian favorites in its quaint historic corner space in downtown Murfreesboro. Call 615-849-8881 to order ahead.

Boro Bourbon & Brews is a laid-back bar, located just off the Square at 124 N. Maple St., with a solid whiskey selection, burgers, wings, steaks and bourbon-glazed salmon. The spot also hosts a nightly lineup of local live music. For more information, or to place a pickup order, visit borobourbonandbrews.com.

Nacho’s Mexican Restaurant, located at 2962 S. Rutherford Blvd., is local go-to for queso lovers, along with margaritas, sizzling fajitas, delicious chicken dishes, burritos and South-of-the-border vibes. A Nacho’s gift card is always welcome for an MTSU student or anyone on your list —especially during the busy holiday season when no one feels like cooking. Call 615-907-2700 to place a pick-up order, or visit nachosmexican.com for more information.

Wako Sushi, Hibachi & Seafood, located at 740 NW Broad St., is Murfreesboro’s spot for unlimited, all-you-can-eat sushi, hibachi, teriyaki and other Japanese items. Gift cards are great for anyone who would appreciate a special sushi-themed dining night. Wako also offers individual menu items for delivery. Visit wakojapanese.com for more information.

Find coffee, pastries, bubble tea, cheesecake, scones, hand pies and lots of other freshly baked items and sweets at Oflow (Overflow Brews and Bakes), located at 115 N. Maple St., just off the Murfreesboro Square. This local, veteran-owned scratch bakery also hosts tea parties and weekend brunch, and offers holiday and event catering. For more information, visit overflowb.com or call 615-900-1676.

Champy’s Chicken, known far and wide for its perfectly fried chicken, beers, tamales, bar and bluesy atmosphere, slings that bird atcha from two locations: 1290 NW Broad St. in Murfreesboro, and 835 Isabella Ln. in Smyrna. Champy’s gift cards are pure Southern comfort, great for casual dinners or game-day feasts.

Enjoy karaoke and live music at High Society, a local neighborhood lounge known for cocktails, weekly music nights, burgers, surf-and-turf, po’ boys and socializing at 211 W. Main St. Call 615-962-8095 or visit highsocietyrestaurant.com for more information.

A new local go-to spot for steaks, burgers, sushi, drinks, dips and sports on the TVs, Drake’s (2614 Roby Corlew Ln.) appeals to diners young and old. Place an order by calling 629-282-0080 or visiting drakescomeplay.com.

Las Trojas Cantina serves fajitas, enchiladas, chimichangas, tacos, margaritas, quesadillas and all of your Mexican favorites. Pay them a visit at 3105 Medical Center Pkwy. or call 615-962-7331 to place an order or visit lastrojas.com/murfreesboro for more information.