Gift Guide	Buffalo's North Pole by Rose Mattrey

Marcia Liechter's "Hot Flash Fan," "Take a Pill" pill box & "Diva" notebook at Voluptuous Diva, $30 to $40

Every year the holidays sneak up on me, so this year I am determined to get a head start. I ventured over to Hertel Avenue to start getting some gift ideas. Hertel has a lot to offer when it comes to shopping as well as eating. This traditionally Italian neighborhood has no shortage of great restaurants, delis and pizza joints. So if you are coming here to shop, save your appetite for a stop at one of the many great restaurants.

My first stop was Voluptous Diva (1417 Hertel). This unique boutique offers clothing for women in sizes from 12 to 24, plus a wide variety of accessories for all sizes. They carry a great selection of jeans, including Juicy Couture. Jeans range in price from $20 up to $169. If you’re looking for something more formal or fancy for your holiday parties, they have quite a few shimmering choices to help you look your best for your festive occasions. Formal or cocktail dresses can also be special-ordered if you don’t find your size in stock. Prices range from $100 to $250. Among their hottest-selling items are wide metal belts with large decorated buckles. Owner Ruby Ocasio calls them “lobster belts” because of the way the metal pieces overlap like a lobster’s tail. These belts could fit smaller-sized waists as well. They are priced at $39 and come in a variety of styles.

Other fun gifts they had were Marcia Leichter’s decoupage designs. These boldly decorated metal cases range from $30 to $40 and come in pillboxes, business card holders, notebooks and one containing the “hot flash fan.” Voluptuous Diva also carries some fabulous jewelry in unique styles. I somehow managed to leave without buying myself that Sid & Nancy t-shirt, reminding myself I was shopping for others.

Hertel is well known for its antique stores. If you are looking for something special for the collector in your life, you should have no problem coming up with something here. From traditional antiques to CooCooU’s (1478 Hertel) 20th-century modern pieces, Hertel has it all.

"Lobster Belts" at Voluptuous Diva come in a variety of styles and will fit almost any size waist, $39

Just across from Voluptuous Diva, a new store called Oddball (1446 Hertel) offers some vintage tableware, lamps, toys and so much more. Vintage glasses might add some swank to your holiday party. A set of eight matching glasses is available for $32. For the toy collector, an Easy Bake Oven for $10 or a vintage Radio Flyer scooter for $45 might bring some smiles on Christmas morning. For the serious vintage kitchen collection, an enamel top table, just like Grandma had, is a very reasonable $75. Stock is always changing at Oddball, so stop in and see what treasures owner Lynne Perillo has on display.

My next stop was into one of my favorite stores on Hertel, Terrapin Station (1772 Hertel). For those who think this is just a smoke shop, you are missing out. Terrapin has a great selection of gift items including clothing, jewelry, exotic lanterns, candles, scarves and much more. For the musician on your list, they have a handmade set of decorated drums for $41. I also found a great stocking stuffer: a mini lava lamp that plugs in just like a nightlight. At $8, I couldn’t pass it up. If you’re looking for a fun project for the kids, they carry a do-it-yourself tie-dye kit for $15. And if you want an already made one, they have plenty. Prices range from $14.50 to $27 depending on the shirt style. To light up someone’s home with a warm holiday glow, Terrapin has a large selection of beautiful Moroccan style lanterns to hang or use on a tabletop. Prices range from $6 to $20. I did not escape Terrapin without buying myself a scarf. At only $11, it was just too pretty to leave behind.

While some people are just impossible to buy for, there are certain gifts that almost anyone can appreciate. Food and wine always make great gifts. Stop in at some of Hertel’s fine restaurants such as Lombardo Ristorante, GarAngelo Café, La Marina, North End Trattoria or Nick Kotrides’ newest restaurant, Empire Grill, for a gift certificate. Chateau Buffalo (1209 Hertel) has wine tasting so you can pick out a delicious bottle for that someone special.

When you just can’t face the malls or the typical stores with the same-old same-old, Hertel Avenue is sure to surprise you with great gifts for the holidays.