LIFE

Holiday Gift Guide Indy 2015: Hoosier-centric gifts for everyone on your list

Leslie Bailey

IndyStar

If there's one thing 2015 taught us, it's that we Hoosiers are opinionated people. We're pretty proud of where we're from — and if something threatens our beliefs, we'll fight for it, no matter which side of the fence we stand. But the thing we have in common is pride in our state and the people that, in our eyes, make it great.

That's why our holiday gift guide is more than a list of "things" you should buy this season — it's a nod to the artisans, creators, inventors, and dreamers that make us all proud to be Hoosiers. Here are gifts for the budding photographers and hop heads to the gadget gurus and history buffs on your list.

For the young professional

Cotton bow tie, lapel flower and shoe laces by Rock My Bow Tie ($35 for all three).

Help him bring his "young professional" look together with Rock My Bow Tie's Style Box ($35), complete with a bow tie, a lapel flower pin and shoelaces. The local line also offers pocket squares, neckties, suspenders and wedding bow ties. Not sure how to tie one on? Contact the company for a one-on-one showing of products and they'll show you how. Selected bow ties are available at Pattern, Homespun, James Dant, and Papalia Family Tailoring, www.rockmybowtie.com.

For your favorite photographer

Handmade leather camera strap by Click Gear Clothing LTD.

Every great photographer needs a reliable camera strap to protect their equipment — and look good while they shoot. This 100 percent leather handmade camera strap by ClickGearClothingLTD ($99) should do the trick. Place your order as soon as possible, it can take up to 4-6 weeks for delivery, www.clickgearclothing.com.

For the world traveler

Deputy Super Bowl dopp kits ($48) by People for Urban Progress.

They can take a little bit of home with them wherever their travels may lead with a dopp kit ($48) made by People for Urban Progress. Constructed using vinyl banner material that was used during the Indianapolis Super Bowl XLVI and lined with roof fabric of the former RCA Dome, each kit is cut and handmade by local artists, designers, and fabricators. Even better - the material is water-resistant and can be easily washed following liquid leaking incidents. Available at Outpost pop-up shop at Circle Centre Mall across from H&M (49 W. Maryland) or online at www.peopleup.org.

For the hostess with the most-ess

Same favorite go-to-gift with an updated holiday look. You'll be sure to get invited back with a tin or a local love gift box of gourmet popcorn from Just Pop In! ($25-$70) See website for locations or to order, www.justpopinonline.com.

For teenagers and tweens

The Zodiac Girls coloring book by Indianapolis surrealist artist Mab Graves.

She claims to be too cool for coloring books at her age, but you know better. Local surrealist artist Mab Graves' new Zodiac Girls coloring book ($18.99) is perfect for the creatively inclined teen or tween in your life. Pair with artists coloring pencils or markers and watch the angst fade away. Available at Homespun (860 Massachusetts Ave.) and online at www.etsy.com/shop/mabgraves.

For the gadget guru

The Bed Butler offers bedside organization solutions and is made in Richmond, Ind.

The Bed Butler is the gift the tech lover in your life never knew they needed. Made in Richmond by two Indiana University and Butler graduates, the storage solution offers bedside organization for TV remotes, mobile tablets, cellphones and more. Bed Butler 2.0 ($39.99), Bed Butler Mini ($19.99), www.shopbedbutler.com

For the amateur artist

Crayon apron by bobaloo! an Indianapolis-based children's line of accessories and toys.

Keep their Crayons off the floor with this apron ($20) by Indianapolis-based line for "modern tots," BobalooKids. The brand also make bibs, burp cloths and toys. Available at Nurture (433 Massachusetts Ave.), see website for online store and additional locations, bobalookids.com

For the history buff

This image is both haunting and beautiful. The beauty of the ornate structure and the ghostly moving images of passengers seem to foretell the demise of train travel. The focal point of Indianapolis' Union Station is the head house, illuminated during the day by stained-glass wheel windows at each end. The building, designed by Thomas Rodd of Pittsburgh, was built in 1887-88. As many as 200 passenger trains passed through Union Station each day at the beginning of the century, but train travel decreased throughout the 1900s. In this photograph from Oct. 18, 1950, porters assist train passengers in the center of the grand hall.

Sometimes, the past makes the best present. IndyStar’s Retro Indy has picked the best images from 100+ years of photo archives and made them into prints ($20) that come with great mini-stories and surprising facts. Wrapping paper, five styles of postcards and cellphone cases are also available. Find items through Dec. 24 at Hayes & Taylor and Indy CD and Vinyl in Broad Ripple; Homespun on Mass Ave.; James Dant in Irvington; New Day Meadery in Fountain Square; the Outpost at Circle Centre in Downtown Indianapolis; Retro 101 at the Fashion Mall at Keystone (as part of a special “LOCAL LOVE” gift package); and Silver in the City in Carmel. Visit indystar.com/retro_indy or email retroindy@indystar.com.

For the new neighbor

Indiana ornaments ($15.95) from Silver in the City

Welcome them to the block with a little something to remember their first year by with an Indiana state heart ornament from Silver in the City -- you never know when you'll need to borrow a cup of sugar. Info: 434 Massachusetts Ave. and 111 W. Main St., Carmel, www.silverinthecity.com.

For the hop head

2015 Calendar "Beers of Indiana" made by Indianapolis-based publishing company, TF Publishing.

They have enough beer and bar wares to last a lifetime. Help them keep track of their brewery tours/seasonal release dates/brewing schedule with the 2015 "Beers of Indiana" calendar ($14.99), made by Indianapolis-based TF Publishing. Available at Silver in the City and online at www.tfpublishing.com.

Call Star reporter Leslie Bailey at (317) 444-6094 and follow her on Twitter @Lesalina, Facebook.com/Lesalina, and Instagram @Lesalina.