As you are out doing your holiday shopping, you should consider stopping by two great stores in Villa Park that offer great gift ideas and great alternatives to gift cards and everyday gifts items you find in the mall shops.

Circa Antiques, 30 S. Villa Ave., sells fine antiques and unique gift items. The store, owned by Villa Park residents Nan and Karl Horn, opened in 2005. It relocated to Villa Park from its previous location in Elmhurst. The shop is stocked with such a wide variety of neat items that you’ll have no problem finding something for everyone on your list.

Nan said, “We specialize in Victorian antiques from the turn of the century with special interest in American sterling silver, both flatware and hollowware, estate jewelry and ladies’ accessories including compacts, purses and hatpins. Circa also features period furniture, fine china, vintage linens, quilts and textiles, quality glass including Loetz from Austria, American Brilliant Cut Glass, Tiffany bronze desk sets and other fine American art glass.

“Although we specialize in these areas, we also carry a full line of general antiques and collectibles. We also love quality antique lamps both bronzes and fine art.”

The Horns’ love for fine quality antiques has lead them to create wonderful new antique-inspired holiday and seasonal collections that help their customers create a special atmosphere or room settings. Their new products are not antique reproductions but retro and antique inspired designs from various companies and top designers.

Nan said the store has been well received from customers all over the western suburbs and that Villa Park residents have been very positive and receptive.

Circa has a “sister” store located right across the parking lot called Seasons of Circa, which opened in 2007. The store name conveys exactly what the store sells: antiques and collectibles particular to the different seasons, highlighting merchandise particular to that season available all year long.

“We decided after three years of rapid growth and a lack of store display space to expand Circa and use our new location to showcase our ever expanding lines of holiday decorations, seasonal items and unique gifts. Most of our seasonal and holiday items are vintage inspired and designed by today’s top artists,” Nan said.

The merchandise at both stores is largely purchased directly from individuals. The owners buy single items, collections and whole estates.

She added that her customers are happy with the new store and they shop back and forth between both locations.

“We are a family-owned business and have been around since 1985. We are very passionate about our love of antiques and excited that we have been able to expand into the new giftware and seasonal items offered at Seasons of Circa.”

Be sure to stop in these stores. You’ll enjoy spending time browsing. The stores are beautifully laid out and the mood in them is very peaceful. Both offer a great opportunity to take some time and relax while you look for wonderful gift items.