Decatur has given us so much this year.   Growlers, sharrows, street trees, new and rebuilt restaurants, Sunday sales, the second-coming of Eddie Owen.

Now it’s time to give back.  What would you like to give Decatur this holiday season?

Personally, I’m thinking a giant box (sorta like this one) filled with bricks, mortar, a few stone masons and a jack-hammer that will be placed outside David Junger’s home.  One chilly morning he will be awoken to the muffled sounds of the stone masons, yelling to be released from their cardboard confines.

When he runs outside to open it, he’ll be thrilled to see that he can now immediately replace all the city’s crumbling faux-brick crosswalks with the real deal.

Photo courtesy of voxtheory via Flickr

Photo Courtesy of the Paddywax website

The Paddywax Candle Factory Outlet Store is still one of the best kept secrets in the Decatur area. Located at 235 Dekalb Industrial Way (next to Wag-A-Lot), just east of the Decatur city limits, this once small start up’s candles can now be found in candle and specialty stores throughout the country.

Luckily for Decatur residents, their factory also has an outlet store, where customers can purchase slightly “imperfect” candles for less than half the price as one’s found in the store.

So, if you’re looking for a holiday gift that’s truly local or just want a candle that doesn’t come in a massive 22oz jar, check out Paddwax (Open Mon-Fri 10a-5p and Sat 10a-4p). Or for even larger discounts check out their annual Holiday Open House on Sat. December 1st from 9a-5p.