Unique Montclair gifts that give back to the community

By JAIMIE JULIA WINTERS
[email protected]

Local nonprofits offer unique gift options for everyone on your gift list. A thoughtful gift from a nonprofit means that your gift serves a dual purpose. All gifts can also be purchased online.

Here are our top picks.

FOR THE AVID LEARNER

The Montclair Public Library School for Adults offers in-person and online classes ranging from art and singing to history lectures and language and fitness classes. Donors can go to the adult school website, asm.augusoft.net, to purchase an e-gift card of any amount.

The recipient will receive an email notifying them of the gift, and can then choose from hundreds of courses.

FOR GARDEN LOVERS

The Van Vleck House & Gardens was originally a private 12 acre estate and gardens over 140 years ago and was owned by Joseph Van Vleck Sr. Today it offers a tranquil retreat and nature programs and gardening for adults and children. A Van Vleck membership includes discounted prices for nature programs, including birding and gardening, as well as online yoga and meditation series, among others.

For more information call 973-744-4752 or visit vanvleck.org. Memberships start at $ 75.

FOR THE LOVER OF HISTORY

The Montclair History Center offers personalized cartographic posters from the 1906 Atlas, 1926 fiscal cards or 1934 Sanborn insurance cards. You send your address and specify the card you want, and they will select the card from the book that includes your address. For the chef on your wishlist, the “Fanny Crane Cookbook” is full of home-cooked recipes. Married to Cranetown’s most prominent citizen, Israel Crane, Fanny was mistress of a grand household from 1796 to 1826 and was well known as an accomplished cook and hostess. The recipes were prepared 18th century style in the kitchen of Crane House and have been adapted for use in modern kitchens. Call 973-744-1796 or email [email protected] for details.

FOR HEALTH ASSOCIATES

Give health as a gift with a YMCA membership. The YMCA offers aquatic and exercise programs. Call the Park Street branch, 973-744-3400, or the Geyer Family branch, 973-783-7640, or visit montclairymca.org.

FOR MOUNTAIN FAN

Show your team spirit by donating clothes to the mounted police. Montclair High School Project Graduation Spirits Shop has some cute fan items for sale, including t-shirts, pajama bottoms, sweatshirts and sherpas.

Visit the Project Graduation online store, mhs-project-graduation.square.site. Prices range from $ 15 for a t-shirt to $ 52 for a sherpa.

FOR THE MOVIE LOVER

The gift of a Montclair Film membership includes early access and discounts on tickets to all screenings and hard-to-obtain festival tickets and invitations to members-only parties. And now Montclair Film is adding Clairridge to its offering.

Memberships start at $ 60 for seniors, $ 70 for individuals. They include $ 4 off Clairidge tickets, $ 5 morning tickets (first weekday screening), $ 5 for Tuesday morning members, and concession discounts.

Gift cards can be purchased for Montclair Film at montclairfilm.org or by calling 973-783-6433.

FOR THE ART LOVER

Membership in the Montclair Art Museum includes unlimited entry for one year. Members get unlimited access to virtual programming, including MAM tours and MAM conversations, priority registration for all courses, 10% off at the museum shop, 20% off on all courses adult art and discounts at local restaurants. Memberships start at $ 35 for students and artists and $ 55 for individuals. Go to montclairartmuseum.org for more information.

FOR THE ORGANIC FOOD CHEF

Support local farmers by providing community-supported agriculture through Boxed Organics. Every two weeks, the beneficiary will receive a box of fresh, seasonal vegetables, fruits and eggs as close to their home as possible, keeping local dollars in the hands of local farmers.

Each pickup also includes recipes. Pickups are made on Elm Street in Montclair. There is a $ 35 membership fee and boxes start at $ 35. Go to boxedorganicsnj.com or call Melina Macall at 973-910-0708 for more information.

FRESH CHOCOLATE, YOUR WAY

Dolce Federica creates artisanal products in small quantities with high quality chocolate and premium fresh ingredients. They can personalize your order by creating custom flavors, design and packaging with your family or business name. Or get the Art Montclair Collection, a partnership with a local artist who has created original works of art representing the Montclair community. The works appear on the packaging of the assortment. Boxes start at $ 25. Free delivery is offered to Montclair with a minimum order of $ 25. Go to dolcefederica.com for more information.

SWEET FROZEN TRADITION

Applegate Farm has been serving up delicious little frozen holiday treats since the 1930s. Starting this week, the farm will be taking orders for frozen turkeys, Santa Claus, bells, trees and wreaths with flavors such as vanilla and chocolate, peppermint, pistachio or mint chocolate chips.

The 4-inch candies are made with the same pewter molds used since the farm started making holiday treats 90 years ago. Each piece of ice cream costs $ 5.95 and the farm has a 48 hour turnaround time. Call 973-744-5900 to order.

MONTCLAIR AUTHORS

For the book lover on your list, Watchung Booksellers offers hundreds of novels and books by Montclair authors, from the novel “Queen Bee” by Dorothea Benton Frank to the wine books of Lettie Teague to “The Mansions seigneuriales de Montclair “by Andrew Wander. For young readers, there is “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, illustrated by Daniel Kirk, and “My Africa Vacation” by Ozi Okaro. For a full list go to watchungbooksellers.com.

FOR THE BEER LOVER

For the beer connoisseurs on your list, Brasserie Montclair will be offering Beer Flights, an assortment of 12-ounce cans in four different styles. They also have hard seltzer, hard tea, and cider wrappers. Co-owners Leo and Denise Sawadogo opened the microbrewery in 2014. For about 14 years Leo has been brewing batches of beer in his home and giving bottles to friends and family. Orders can be placed at montclairbrewery.com.