This time of year, we're looking for ways to make holiday shopping easier.

Staying in Avon does that.

In addition to national stores like Target and Old Navy in Avon Commons,  the city also boasts small locally owned shops that have gifts for all ages.

Check out the photo gallery for a collection of gift ideas found in Avon stores.

Local shops offer several advantages, said Rose Weigand, owner of OK Let's Play in Avon Commons.

"The staff is going to be knowledgeable about the products and can help you find the right thing," she said.

Elizabeth Sheehe, owner of Birds of a Feather,  a shop devoted to knitting and sewing, said a gift certificate to a local store that caters to the recipient's interests can be as personal as an actual gift.

"A lot of our customers would prefer gift certificates because they could use them for classes or supplies, whichever they need," Sheehe said.

Sheehe added that her store can personalize the gift of a gift certificate, putting it with small items related to the recipient's hobby, such as holiday-themed knitting needles or colorful small scissors.

Scott Beyers, co-owner of Jax, a fashion store for men and women in Olde Avon Village, said the selection in local shops makes for more personal gift-giving. Smaller clothing lines that don't mass-produce enough to be in big national stores can be found at local boutiques like his.

When shopping for kids, avoiding the big-box stores can not only be a relief for gift-shoppers but a chance to find something just right for the child, Weigand said.

"You're not going to be overwhelmed, and you can find things that suit their interests," she said.