If you find yourself feeling like a reindeer caught in the headlights this holiday shopping season, there’s a way to save yourself from multiple panic-driven trips to the mall. The mom-and-pop shops in our neighborhood have something for everyone, even picky cousin Patty (whom you always manage to draw for the family gift exchange). So take a deep breath, forgo the parking garage madness, and check off your list with one-of-a-kind presents.
The Pampered Princess: She deserves the royal treatment and should expect nothing less. It’s all about luxury for this spa goddess who won’t dare leave the house without a fresh “mani-pedi” to match her latest favorite accessory.
• Do Not Disturb: Want to let her know that you’ve noticed she has worked hard all year long? Treat her to Do Not Disturb in-home spa relaxation products. The kits include a choice of microwaveable chenille micro fiber booties, wraps or mittens with a lavender soy candle, a removable “Do Not Disturb” door hanger, and a blank thank you note for her to write messages to her thoughtful friend (you!). $42.50 for each kit. Paper & Chocolate, 5460 W. Lovers, 214.357.2737 or paperandchocolate.com.
• Impress Your Empress: Indulge her royal feet with Goody handcrafted silk paisley cushioned slippers with suede soles, $50. Lili Pad, 8318 Preston Center Plaza, 214.361.2374
• Illuminate Them Both: Two hearts, two souls, two minds. This His and Hers duo candle by Ilume is designed to interact and complement the room with their meshed fragrances, $22 each. Lamlee Home in Inwood Village, 5370 W. Lovers, 214.357.2300.
• Bootie Call: Up and coming designers who haven’t yet hit it big are featured at Merge, such as Loeffler Randall’s black ankle booties, $420. You’ll likely spot them this season paired with tights and a short dress or a chunky turtleneck and cropped jeans. Preston Royal Shopping Center, 5959 Royal, 214.987.1606, shopmerge.com.
• Haute Handbag: You’ll be the belle of the ball with this Betsy Johnson hobo bag, natural with gold details for $350. The Biz, 8408 Preston Center Plaza, 214.692.5437.
The Person Who Has Everything: When money’s no object for the recipient, shopping can become quite the chore. But a little bit of creativity can go a long way in finding that truly remarkable gift.
• Say It with Soap: The Solebury Soap Company, collection offers monogrammed initials of fresh-scented soap. $24.50 for a box of three plus initial-embossed hand towelettes. Or make the woman in your life feel special with Say It with Suds scented bath and shower gels that read like a greeting card: “I Love You, Mom,” “Bella Mom,” “Uber Mom” or “You’re a Gorgeous Mom-to-Be!” $12 each. Paper & Chocolate.
• Drink It In: Stop by the Cultured Cup, 8312 Preston Center Plaza, and explore the world’s tea traditions in places like France, Mexico, England, Ireland and Japan. This coffee, tea and chocolate shop offers events such as tea-tasting classes, book signings, charity fundraisers, and chocolate drinking taste tests. While you’re there, don’t forget to pick up a few gift items like the Pure Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, $59.95 per pound. Also explore the Mariage Tea collection and choose from Tibet, Japan, Ceylan or France teas ($32.95 each). 972.960.1521 or theculturedcup.com.
• Business Class: Make the executive decision and buy him some time at Inwood Village’s The Boardroom Salon, 5550 W. Lovers. This wood-paneled salon for men furnished with leather barber seats exudes an “old world” feeling. He won’t just get a haircut here; he’ll hang with the big boys, talk shop, and play pool while he waits for his Hot Lather Shave, featuring an old-fashioned straight razor or three blade razor shave followed with a steamed towel and facial massage, $40. Better yet, buy him a year-round membership package that includes even more treatments, like hand grooming with paraffin dip, and starts at $525. While you’re there, don’t forget to pick up a kit from the Art of Shaving collection ($50 and up) or a Bumble and bumble(??????) hair thickening kit with this new year’s blessing: May your year be full of joy and your hair joyfully full ($55). 214.358.7565 or theboardroomsalon.com.
The Wine Snob: If he can detect hints of apples or honey and has perfected the swirl-and-sniff, buying him a bottle might be a nerve-wracking task. But he’ll appreciate more than the effort with these gifts.
• Put a Cork In It: Chances are the wine connoisseur in your life has a drawer full of wine stoppers. But we’re willing to bet he doesn’t have one engraved with his initials. For less than $15, get a crystal clear Lucite cork etched with the initial of your choice. To make it a complete set, throw in an embroidered wine bottle bag for just $14.95. Add your wine lover’s favorite bottle of vino, and you’re sure to make his holiday. Swoozie’s, 8417 Preston Center Plaza, 214.890.0433.
• Accessorize: Find everything from Cork Pops wine openers ($20) to glass charms ($9.99 for a set of six) at Pogo’s Wine & Spirits in Inwood Village. Need a bit of bubbly? You can’t go wrong with the Vueve Clicquot champagne traveler gift pack, which comes with the champagne and a stylish yellow cooling case in neoprene and leather with handles to tote from one party to another ($69.99). 5360 W. Lovers, 214.350.8989.
The Art Aficionado: Otherwise known as “the one with impeccable taste,” this person collects unique art and décor from all over the world. You’ll find his treasures proudly displayed in his home, where he entertains and educates his guests with the latest and greatest in contemporary art.
• Picture This: At Swoozie’s you can create art from a photo of a loved one. Simply take a profile photo of your child, pet, or anyone else you’d like to commemorate. That image is projected onto an 11” by 11” canvas, where you can pick custom colors and borders plus three lines of text. The finished product looks like a modern version of a Victorian silhouette and makes a cool artistic addition to any office or mantel ($65, plus a onetime $25 silhouette fee; image is kept on file for any future projects).
• The Natural Element: Smink in Inwood Village is a haven for design enthusiasts who adore the work of Italian ceramic artist Rina Menardi. She uses natural elements such as stones, shells and bark to create contemporary-looking silhouette vases, bowls and plates. Glassware designer Arcade’s collection also complements the Art Aficionado’s taste in home décor ($430-$500 for each piece). 5370 W. Lovers, 214.350.0542.
• Get Crafty: To most, they probably look like nothing more than rolls of ornate wrapping paper. But someone with true artistic creativity can see a greeting card, a party favor or a lampshade waiting to be created. Paper & Chocolate has an entire wall with more than 70 patterns of domestic and imported papers. The inventory includes some exotic patterns from Japan, India and Thailand, as well as classic floral prints and world maps. What makes this paper truly stand out is its hard-to-find large format, which means the sheets are big enough to frame as art ($3-$20 per sheet).
• Designer Duds: This Nevada Hill whale screen-printed T-shirt by Particle ($28.95), and CC Vintage limited edition pocket-front tee ($34.95) are two of Counter Culture’s many unique clothing designs that prove art is for wearing, too. Mockingbird Station, 214.414.1095, counterculturestore.com.
