Rochester Patch.com Feature

In Checking Things Off My Christmas List, it's Catching Fireflies vs. Giant Stack of Catalogs

By Laura Cassar

I get catalogs at this time of year. Stacks and stacks — a whole forest's worth. I look through them all; some might even tempt me. But before I place an order, I first go downtown to Catching Fireflies. 

After I do that, my catalog stack goes straight into the recycling bin. 

You've heard the saying that good things come in little packages? Catching Fireflies fits that description to a "T."

Located in a historic train depot building on University Drive, its footprint may not be large, but its gift selection is enormous. This comes in handy if your Christmas list has gotten out of hand and you need some one-stop shopping.

I went in with a list that was large (an even dozen) and diverse (gift recipients aged 5 to 40, both genders). I walked out an hour later with every person checked off and each gift wrapped (oh yeah, they offer free gift wrapping.)

Here's what I got (and if you're on my Christmas list, please cover your eyes):

• The silly gifts. "Bomb Away" shot glasses and an Affirmation Smiley Face Ball (think Magic 8 Ball with uplifting messages).
• The practical gifts. A monogrammed latte wrap and Little Whistle Charms (see Monday's column for more on that great find.)
• The beautiful gifts. A glass wine bottle stopper that looks like a goldfish in its bowl and Christmas martini glasses.
• The cute gifts. Metal snowman photo holders and a Penny Pal Ladybug Coin Purse.
• The kid gifts. A tin baseball bank, "Crazerasers," a 3-D Mirascope and, my favorite, The Twelve Days of Christmas in Michigan picture book.

Whew! All that for $155.71, wrapped for free and with no shipping or handling charges.

And that, my friend, is just the tip of the Catching Fireflies iceberg. I didn't even touch on the jewelry, baby section, customized frames, holiday decorations and so much more. You'll just have to go and check it out yourself.