#ShopLOCAL this holiday season in Ocean and Southern Monmouth County
Macaroni KID Toms River is making it a priority to #shoplocal this holiday season. Here are a few of our favorite locally-owned stores, attractions, and restaurants where we're planning on purchasing gifts!
Experience Gifts
We know our kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews all have living rooms full of toys so an experience gift makes a great gift for the whole family to enjoy. Here are some of our local favorites. Scroll down for a full list of experience gift ideas |
2055 Route 88, Brick 848-207-8402
We specialize in drawing and acrylic painting classes for ages 6 through adult. Our students work on the subject matter of their choice while our knowledgeable and talented teachers guide them to achieve their desired outcomes. We also offer birthday parties and paint parties!
Art classes make a great holiday gift...even better - they are offering an art camp over the winter break! Already enrolled in classes, wrap up some fun march this holiday season - shirts, hoodies, crewnecks, hats and tumblers.
Follow Garden State Art Studio on Facebook + Instagram for updates on class schedules and special events.
Raising Sunshine, LLC
Details: Raising Sunshine’s mission is to support families in raising happy, healthy, and kind kids. Through inclusive parent/child classes, informational parent workshops, local community service events, and products created with early development in mind, there is something for every young child and their family. Raising Sunshine is an inclusive early childhood community where all young children and families are welcome. Join us for a sensory play class to see what we’re all about!
Follow Raising Sunshine on Facebook + Instagram
Give the gift of play this holiday season with a gift certificate to Raising Sunshine.
3128 Bridge Ave Point Pleasant 732-451-2601
We pride ourselves on our relaxed, fun, and clean environment. There is a large selection of both child and adult pieces, from functional to decorative. We also offer canvas painting and clay hand-building with reservations. All of our inventory is also available for at-home painting, stop in or check out our online store to order a take-home kit! Let our staff guide you through a project, or do your own thing! Our goal is for you to enjoy yourself!
Holiday Gifts include Handprint Keepsake Pottery, Gift Certificates and more!
Follow Wish Upon a Jar on Facebook + Instagram
1 South Main Street, Unit A4, South Toms River 732.608.7108
Details: Bounce About is fun for the entire family. Play Laser Tag in the Laser Tag Zone, bounce around, or play basketball, dodge ball, volleyball and more in the sports arena in Lou’s Fun Zone. You can also have your party or event at Bounce About. Everything from a simple birthday party to a full-scale event, the Bounce About Party Zone can accommodate you and your guest’s every need.
Bounce + Laser Tag Passes make the perfect stocking stuffer.
Follow Bounce About on Facebook + Instagram
Casino Pier + Breakwater Beach
| 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights 732-793-6488 |
East Coast Escape Room
1747 Hooper Avenue, Toms River 732-864-1200
Details: It's a fun, problem solving experience perfect for exercising your brain and facilitating teamwork using clues, keys, codes, and hands-on tasks! You and your team have 60 minutes to complete the objective and will need to work together in order to succeed. They have 3 unique rooms to play: Frostline Railway, Dreamcatcher and of course, Down at the Boardwalk.
Gift cards to East Coast Escape Room make for a fun and exciting gift this holiday season for the adventurer in your life.
Reservations can be made on their website or by calling 732-864-1200. All Games are automatically upgraded to private at this time.
Follow East Coast Escape Room on Facebook + Instagram
College Drive, Toms River 732-255-0500
Details: The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, located on the campus of Ocean County College, is a performing arts center dedicated to providing art and entertainment to Ocean County and the Jersey Shore.
Featuring premiere acts from across the globe, the Grunin Center’s intimate venue allows patrons to experience once-in-a-lifetime performances from venerated artists, hometown musicians, and unique entertainers. Music performances of all genres, theatre, film, and dance make their way to the Grunin Center stage each season.
Gift certificates are available for purchase and visit here for their upcoming performance schedule.
Follow Grunin Center for the Arts on Facebook + Instagram
Gifts for Kids
College Drive, Toms River 732-255-0500
Details: The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, located on the campus of Ocean County College, is a performing arts center dedicated to providing art and entertainment to Ocean County and the Jersey Shore.
Featuring premiere acts from across the globe, the Grunin Center’s intimate venue allows patrons to experience once-in-a-lifetime performances from venerated artists, hometown musicians, and unique entertainers. Music performances of all genres, theatre, film, and dance make their way to the Grunin Center stage each season.
Gift certificates are available for purchase and visit here for their upcoming performance schedule, including A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker - two classic holiday performances this December. Tickets can also be purchased now for these shows in their RWJ Barnabas Health Family Series: Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company: Red Firecrackers, Buckets N Boards, 123 Andrés and Twinkle Time!. Tickets to a show make a great experience gift the whole family can enjoy.
Follow Grunin Center for the Arts on Facebook + Instagram
485 Brick Blvd., Brick NJ 08723 732-997-7625
Looking for that perfect gift for kids and teens this holiday season? School of Rock is a fun, social way to learn music and gain confidence in all areas of life.
Follow School of Rock on Facebook + Instagram
All Star Designs by Cap makes handmade cheer bows and accessories. All items are customizable. These make the perfect gift or stocking stuffer ... or holiday accessory. Nicole can create a bow to go with anything - school colors, dance team, gymnastics team and more! From key chains to ornaments, she makes more than just BOWS! Looking for a coach or teacher gift ... these are the perfect add on to make a gift card a little more personal! Her latest design, Pin Me Ribbons make the BEST gift for any cheerleader attending competitions!
Follow All Star Designs by Cap on Facebook + Instagram
Gifts for Him + Her
805 Fischer Blvd Toms River 732-506-0110
From consultation to creation, Razberri’s Salon & Spa delivers a world-class experience different from the rest. Our philosophy of exceptional style is simple: Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful! Providing our guests with an in-depth consultation to discuss the elements of your signature style is a priority for every visit and one that we enjoy doing.
Gift cards make a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for someone special in your life. There are so many services to choose from.
Follow Razberris on Facebook + Instagram
2204 Central Avenue South Seaside Park 732-250-4220
The hottest new steakhouse restaurant in Seaside Park, NJ is Berkeley Cut Steakhouse. With amazing food, a beautiful dining space and attentive service, you're sure to love our local restaurant. Our goal is to be your premier destination for luxury dining.
We are family owned and operated, locally owned and operated, fully licensed and insured and we have over 50 years of experience in the restaurant industry. All of this makes us well-equipped to serve you.
Stop in for their Holiday Gift Card Sale and pick up the perfect gift for the person who has everything!
Follow Berkeley Cut Steakhouse on Facebook + Instagram
Our 2023 List of Experience Gift Ideas for Kids
- Indoor rock climbing or trampoline park passes
- Subscription Box
- Bowling pass
- Ice skating or roller skating passes
- Zoo, museum or park passes (Annual Membership)
- Batting Cage Time
- Singing Lessons
- A cooking, cake decorating, baking class
- Gymnastics or dance classes
- Horseback riding lessons
- Movie, Concert, Broadway, Off Broadway, Local Theater, Planetarium Tickets
- Sporting Event Tickets
- Streaming services for a year (like Disney+ or Apple Music)
- A gift card for their favorite restaurant, ice cream or treat place
- Driving Range Time or Lessons
- Lessons for a new activity
- Children’s magazine subscription
- Mani-pedis
