Photo by Danny Fulgencio/Advocate Magazine
By Karen Elizabeth Watts
We scouted our gift-glutted neighborhood for holiday ideas ideal for the time-squeezed power shopper
TOY JOY
Toys Unique, one of Dallas’ oldest independently owned toy stores, has everything on your child’s list. Children play and clerks can recommend toys for all ages. This is a family affair. Owner, Pam May, works the sales desk and her son rings up toys on the weekends. It’s the kind of place where children who enter knowing exactly what they want, change their minds. 5460 W Lovers Lane.
MY HOME, MY GIFT
Home renderings by local artist Sandy Watson are the ultimate gift for those who love their home. Pen and Ink home drawings with watercolor wash will immortalize your family home, second home, school or college. artbugsbw@sbcglobal.net.
GIFT GOODIES FROM A LOCAL MOM
This mom of Jesuit and Ursuline grads started Butterfield Gourmet, which sells home-made sweets, savory pies and more. Ruth Butterfield, whose son graduated from Jesuit in 2015 and daughter graduated from Ursuline in 2008, creates gift boxes to order. Items sell out, so order in advance. Pick up at her kitchen or order delivery. 9800 Preston Road, butterfieldgourmet.com.
ABSTRACT MY HOLIDAYS, PLEASE!
Local artist Susan Singh creates abstract art for your home in her Preston Hollow studio. Choose from finished selections or commission your own piece from the Conception Arts 2018 Award for Excellence Winner. Paintings are available in small and large formats. Suzysinghstudio.com.
PERSONALIZE EVERYTHING!
Leave it to Kerri Davis and Margretta Wikert, owners of Ellis Hill, to personalize all of your personables. If you want an item monogrammed, this is the place. From bedding, pajamas and invitations to cups and trays, the gift selection is fun, including the pictured bag: “naughty” on one side and “nice” on the other. The service is personal, with many experienced specialists to assist. 5001 West Lovers Lane.
FOR THE PAMPERED PET
Lucky Dog Barkery, founded by Marsha Lindsey, a former corporate lobbyist, has been called the “Whole Foods for Dogs.” The store is packed with health- conscious dog foods and treats for the most discriminating palates. Interesting note: there was no barking when I shopped. All the dogs were loving life and the store. 8320 Preston Center Plaza.
FLORAL FANTASIA
This location of Nicholson-Hardie Garden Center is known as the indoor store. Family-owned since 1974, the store traces its roots to David Hardie, a Scotsman in 1899. The shop is packed with tabletop items, gifts, candles, live plants, florals, paper goods and more. Pots are a specialty. 5725 West Lovers
GOOD SCENTS
Trapped in traffic, Dallas’ Niven Morgan came up with the idea of launching a scents company and traded his sales career for the dream soon after. The Niven Morgan line of personal-care products and hand-poured candles will capture the spirit of the holidays. Offered locally at Neiman Marcus and Stanley Korshak.
DONATE, SHOP AND GIVE
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store turns your donation into quality shopping for the community. The proceeds fund projects at St. Vincent de Paul and help those in need in the community. The store is full of treasures, including the pictured silk square, found in the linens area of the store. The price: just under a dollar. Find your own treasures for a bargain, often still in the original boxes. 3052 W Northwest Hwy
BOOK SCOOTIN’ BOOGIE
Interabang Books, cofounded by neighbor Nancy Perot, has curated a selection of the most interesting and local books. The employees are helpful guides. Plus: the store is home to touring authors and children’s events. Most appealing for the book lover in your life: Join the Signed First Editions Club to receive a signed first edition monthly in the mail. 10720 Preston Road.
