Treat your loved ones to fun, cozy, and personalized picks this holiday gifting season. | Graphic by 6AM City
Psst — It’s nearly mid-December. Finish your holiday shopping this weekend with our gift ideas:
Gifts for your significant other
Local pick: Relaxation 50-Hour Candle | $24 | Cuddle up with the floral + musk notes in this dreamy candle by Lakeland brand Rafa Natural.
Full-zip flannel jacket | $36.99 | Flannel, cotton, and fleece combine in this ultra-soft, stylish hoodie.
Gifts for retirees
Local pick: Personalized baking tea towel | $17.25+ | If their own kitchen has become their favorite restaurant after retirement, add their name to these locally made flour sack towels.
Fidget toy pen | $16.99 | This magnetic pen can be stacked into various shapes.
Gifts for holiday parties and gift exchanges
Local pick: Macaron wax melts | $9 | Tienda Studio’s cookie-shaped wax melts look so sweet, your host may pop one on a warmer right there at the party.
Frustrated golfer socks | $12.99 | This No. 1 best-selling pair of men’s novelty socks is sure to get a laugh.
Gifts for people who have everything
Olive oil mister | $9.99 | A handy gift they can use to turn oil into a fine mist or a steady drizzle.
Gifts for book lovers
Local pick: “A Guide to Historic Lakeland, Florida” | $20.45+ | Add this local guidebook by Steve Rajtar to their shelf — be sure to add your favorite local bookstore to support with your purchase.
All LRH Urgent Care locations are open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday + Sunday. | Photo provided by Lakeland Regional Health
Lakeland Regional Health is making same-day care easier than ever with Find Care Now, a fast, seamless tool designed around patients’ schedules.
Community members can book a same-day visit, alert the team they’re on their way, or simply walk in. Five convenient Urgent Care locations — including the newly opened Highland City site — are open seven days a week. All patients ages 2+ are welcome.
New congestion relief lanes on I-4 just got the green light from Hillsborough officials, and you can expect construction to start in 2028. Get up to speed on this traffic project coming west of Lakeland. (Fox 13 News)
Number
$759 million. That’s the cost for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to make all necessary repairs at state parks over the next 10 years. At Lakeland’s Colt Creek State Park, the list of upgrades includes new campsites, a playground, and equestrian amenities. (The Ledger)
Edu
After pitching their education model, Lakeland-based WonderHere was named one of the top four finalists for the $1 million Yass Prize, which is referred to as the “Pulitzer of education innovation.” Learn from its founders at the CHILDHOOD Conference Thursday, Jan. 15-Saturday, Jan. 17.
The Word
Jólabókaflóð. That’s the Icelandic word meaning “Christmas book flood.” Join the tradition by bringing a wrapped, like-new book to swap with other readers at Pressed tomorrow, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Kids
Planning your agenda for when kids are out of school later this month? Check out the new Happy Hands World sensory play center at the Lakeland Square Mall. Children can create their own slime and use their imaginations in the pretend play mini town.
Eat
No holiday table is complete without a few sweet treats. Born & Bread is accepting orders for its annual holiday bake, with pickups on Monday, Dec. 22 and Tuesday, Dec. 23. Meraki Bakehouse is offering cookie boxes + pastries for pickup on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at Catapult.
Are you taking advantage of these stellar senior discounts? From savings with Walgreens to a discounted Amazon Prime membership, we found 20 hacks all older adults should know about to continue saving and building wealth.*
Shop
Your glasses called — they’re ready for retirement. Shop Zenni’s durable frames + advanced lenses for an upgrade, with most pairs under $80. Bonus: Take an extra 10% off with code TWW.*
Category
Real Estate
Live it up in downtown
Find this condo in the Lofts on The Park, just across the street from Munn Park. | Photo via Leigh Harris, Xcellence Realty
Want to live in the heart of Lakeland? Downtown real estate listings are few and far between, but this rare condo on North Kentucky Avenue just hit the market.
It’s a cozy spot with 917 sqft of space, exposed ceilings + brick accent walls, and you could consider all of downtown your backyard. Here’s how long it would take you to walk from your door to these popular hangouts:
Saturdays at the farmers market | <1 minute
Coffee breaks at Mitchell’s | 2 minutes
Power walks around Lake Mirror or date night at Nineteen61 | 3 minutes
Lunch meetings at The Joinery or happy hour at Swan Brewing | 6 minutes
Afternoon strolls through Hollis Garden | 7 minutes
125 N. Kentucky Ave., Ste. 207 is listed by Leigh Harris of Xcellence Realty — check out the full listing.
Consider me Dutch Bros’ newest fan. I was in Winter Haven this week and decided to check it out before this coffee shop opens a Lakeland location soon. I’m hoping the new one also has an indoor area — you might also need time to look over the extensive menu without backing up the drive-thru.
I skipped the coffee to try the Palm Beach sparkling soda with pomegranate + cranberry.
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