All Over Albany

Holiday gifts: Truemaster Trimingham

Truemaster spending time with his niece Terrease and nephews Andre and Kanian.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

We start with Truemaster Trimingham, AKA DJ Trumastr.

Occasionally you encounter people who make you feel a little better about the world around you. Truemaster is one of those people. Yes, he's an interesting guy -- and one of the most talented DJs in the Capital Region -- but we've also found him to be a thoughtful, kind person with an uplifting spirit.

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Holiday gifts: Deanna Fox

Deanna didn't get the baby brother she asked for. But she did get a Baron.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's thoughts on gifts and giving come from food writer, cooking instructor, AOA contributor and all around lovely person Deanna Fox.

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Holiday gifts: Daniel B.

Be careful what you wish for...

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's thoughts on gifts and giving come from Daniel B., proprietor of FUSSYlittleBLOG, AOA contributor, and connoisseur of donuts.

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Local food gifts

Well, it would be a very heavy -- and happy -- stocking.

We're into the stretch run for December holidays, so we asked Deanna for a few stocking stuffer-type local food gift ideas.

Stockings are my favorite part of Christmas morning. In my family, you are not allowed to open any presents until everyone is awake and in the living room, around the tree. Stockings, however, are fair game. As soon as you wake up, you can tiptoe to the mantle, un-hook your stocking, and dump out all the goodies that are crammed deep into the toe.

Here are some local treats I'm hoping to find in my stocking this year.

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Holiday gifts: Erin Pihlaja

A Range Rover would be nice. Or socks.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Erin Pihlaja is the mother of two girls, a Troy resident, and the executive director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District.

She envies people who can make their own gifts, but knows herself well enough to not try to knit or bake cookies.

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Holiday gifts: Lauren Hittinger Hodgson

Lauren's answer about her favorite gift from when she was a kid includes a photo and some powerful cuteness.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up in the series is Lauren Hittinger Hodgson, a local freelance writer and regular contributor to All Over Albany. She also maintains her own blog, The Thrifty Ginger.

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Holiday gifts: Sean Desiree

Gifts Sean Desiree has in mind this year: things made and used.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up: Sean Desiree shares her holiday gifts and causes.

Sean is a self-taught furniture maker who uses reclaimed wood at her business, South End Pallet Works. She's also a performer under the name bell's roar.

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Holiday gifts: Ethan Ullman

Ethan wants to put a little ho,ho,ho in the holidays.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up: standup comedian and host of Storytime Time, Ethan Ullman.

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Holiday gifts: Rachel Person

Hard working outreach coordinator seeks respite from responsibility

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today's gift giver is Rachel Person.

Rachel is the events and community outreach Coordinator at Northshire Books in Saratoga. Rachel is an Albany High Alum who spent six years working at Symphony Space in New York City as the Associate Director of the NPR program Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story. Today she's the Events and Community Outreach Coordinator at Northshire Books in Saratoga.

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Holiday gifts: Brandon Jones

How do you gift wrap time?

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Brandon Jones is a musical theater teacher and performer from Albany. He's performed locally and in New York City and is currently the music director for Schenectady Light Opera's production of Shrek: The Musical.

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Holiday gifts: Katie O'Malley Maloney

Christmas 1989 was a banner year for young Katie O.

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Today, we've asked Katie O'Malley Maloney to talk about her favorite gifts. Katie is the woman behind Katie O' Weddings & Events, an event planning and coordination firm in Troy.

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Holiday gifts: Elizabeth Zunon

Artist Elizabeth Zunon

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next in the series, Elizabeth Zunon. Elizabeth grew up in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa, where the bright, colored patterns of everyday fabrics and tropical vegetation left a lasting impact. Today she lives in Albany, where she illustrates children's picture books, including The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and the upcoming One Plastic Bag.

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Holiday gifts: Sean Rowe

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up: Capital Region-based musician and naturalist Sean Rowe.

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Holiday gifts: Heather LaVine

At the intersection of wine, rescue pups and baseball, you'll find Heather LaVine

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up, Heather LaVine, the co-owner of Lucas Confectionery and The Grocery in Troy. LaVine and her husband, Vic Christopher, are restoring the 18th-century building that houses their current businesses, and are working on reopening The Tavern on Broadway.

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Holiday gifts: Lecco Morris

Lecco is the one on the right

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

First up: Lecco Morris.

Lecco grew up in the Capital Region and, after several years in New York City and a year traveling Europe, is now one of the administrators of The Chefs' Consortium, which gets chefs involved with helping people learn about local food. He is also a talented jazz pianist, poet, and actor.

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Holiday wish list: Albany Jane

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists, and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of people what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today, the final wish list. It's from AOA pizza judge, blogger, and lover of tasty things Albany Jane.

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Holiday wish list: Casey Normile

On Casey's list: pumpkin ale, crack granola, and extended hours.

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists, and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of people what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today's wish comes from hiker, beer aficionado and AOA contributor Casey Normile.

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Holiday wish list: Bill Pettit

Bill's list is a trip through Lark Street history.

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists, and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of people what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today's list comes from temporary Center Square resident Bill Pettit.

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Holiday wish list: Laura Glazer

Laura's wishing for music, stamps and a red radio.

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists, and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of people what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today's wish list comes from artist and Hello Pretty City host Laura Glazer.

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Holiday wish list: Duncan Crary

On Duncan's list: Wooden shoes, Volcano juice and pig snouts

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists, and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of people what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today's list comes from author, podcaster and self-described Troy supremacist Duncan Crary.

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Holiday wish list: Laura McCarthy

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists, and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of people what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today's list comes from Laura McCarthy.

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Holiday wish list: Jim Larson

What do you get for a Santa with a closet full of Speedos?

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists, and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of people what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today's list comes from the Capital Region's favorite Speedo-clad Santa, the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy's Jim Larson.

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Holiday wish list: Mamatoga Jenny

On Jenny's list: horsey stuff, portraits, family brunches, and fleece lined tights.

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists, and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of people what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today's list comes from Mamatoga's Jenny Witte...

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Holiday wish list: Deanna Fox

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists, and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of folks what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today's list comes from Deanna Fox, owner of Local Flavor and writer for Silly Goose Farm, the TU's Eat Local and From Scratch Club.

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Holiday wish list: Tim Dawkins

What's on Tim's list might be on your list, too.

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists, and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of people what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today's list comes from educator, photographer, storyteller and AOA contributor Tim Dawkins.

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Holiday wish list: Kate Welshofer

Reindeer are untrustworthy.

The holiday season is a time for making wish lists and shopping lists. In an effort to help you with both, we're asking a handful of people what's on their local holiday wish list this year.

Today's list comes from YNN anchor Kate Welshofer, with a little help from her favorite anchor cat, Brian Williams.

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Local Valentine's Day gifts

With Valentine's Day a week away, a secret valentine asks:

What's a good local Valentine's Day gift? I'd like to stay away from the typical chocolate and flowers, but if I could find an interesting twist on those, that would be great too.

So, we get to play cupid. Our favorite romantic gift is time -- so one of the first things we thought of is a skating trip to the Empire Plaza rink -- which is fun and free. As an alternative to candy and flowers, candy apples from Sticky Fingersmight be fun. Or anything from Crisan.

How about it AOA romantics? Can you help a valentine out?

Local holiday wish list: Unspeakable Visions Christine

Things that would make Christine happy this holiday season: tea, movies and apple vodka.

In holiday seasons past AOA has made lists of local gifts we thought people might like to get. This year, we're going right to the source. Instead of making our list, we've asked a few people directly: what's on your holiday wish list.

Our first wish list comes from Unspeakable Visions Christine...

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Sharing the love: local Etsy valentines

Not to alarm you, but Valentine's Day is less than three weeks away.

Sure, you could grab a card at the grocery store on February 13th. But with a bit of planning ahead, you can find your Exceptional Someone an Exceptional Card from a local artist.

Etsy, the online marketplace for vintage and handcrafted goods, is my favorite place to buy greeting cards: they're original, unusual, fresh. They can be little works of art.

Here are some fun valentines from local card makers on Etsy...

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