8 Unusual Places to Shop for Holiday Gifts
Do you remember that episode of Friends where the group was stuck in a remote area and the guys ended up buying Christmas gifts at a gas station? Joey and Chandler presented the others with gifts like windshield wiper blades and cans of soda.
Funny, yes, but also a good reminder that most gas stations aside, you can often be richly rewarded for shopping at places other than the local mall or big box store. Not only can you find some unique items at the places in this list, but when you buy an independent artist's work directly or at a local venue, you're supporting multiple small business owners. Instead of giving a your dollars to a corporation for shareholder dividends and private jets, you're giving money to a small group of individuals to use for groceries, health insurance, car payments, rent, and art supplies. It makes a real difference!
Holiday craft shows can be a fun way to find unusual handmade items, but they're not the only game in town. Here are a few other places to consider:
1. Museums
Museums often have terrific gift shops that you can shop any time, even if you don't visit an exhibit. The people who run art, history, and science museums such as the California Museum or the Foothills Art Center know how to curate collections, that is, find and highlight unusual things that fit with their aesthetic and tie in with current exhibits. Think home decor, jewelry, accessories, games, cards, and books. Don't forget the many smaller museums with highly specialized collections such as the PEZ Museum or National Mustard Museum. Gift shops provide a significant amount of funding for many museums. Your gift buying helps ensure that museums can keep doing the things they do best.
2. Libraries
Some libraries, especially those in larger cities, have gift shops at their main branches. The New York Public Library has a huge one, while Seattle Public Library runs pop-up shops at various branches in addition to its main location. These shops are often run by volunteer Friends of the Library groups. Some only sell used books discarded from the library's collection, but others offer unique ideas for the readers in your life. Think jewelry, notebooks, mugs, bookmarks, and T-shirts with literary quotes or book motifs. Purchases made at these gift shops often fund important programs such as reading programs for children or home delivery services for seniors, so you can feel extra good about your purchase. The Library Store in Columbus, Ohio uses some of the proceeds to fund areas such as Homework Help Centers. These shops sometimes offer discounts to members of Friends of the Library, so it might be worth your while to join.
3. Craft Supply Shops
Small craft shops that cater to jewelry makers, knitters, potters, woodworkers, and other crafts often sell handmade items along with high quality materials you can use in your own crafts. These handmade items are often (but not always) related to the main craft. Finished jewelry, for example, is often sold in bead shops. Staff are generally very knowledgeable about their craft and may also teach classes. The Garen Huis Yarn Studio is an example of charming yarn shop located in Holland, Michigan. Some shops are very specialized even within a single niche. For example, The Twisted Spindle specializes in materials for those who spin their own yarn, while Suzi Yarns focuses on organic, natural yarns. Sometimes shops will make a special effort to showcase handmade items for sale during the holiday season. For example, Lambspun in Colorado hosts an annual artist sale.
4. Subscription Boxes
Everyone loves to get mail that isn't a bill or an advertising flyer. You can find a subscription box services on almost any interest you like. Popular themes include pet items, snacks, beauty products, books, and clothing. Call Number specializes in boxes related to contemporary Black literature and authors. It's curated by a librarian, so you know you'll be getting books and products that have been carefully selected.
5. Artist Studios
Some artists work in a co-op building with other artists. You can chat with the artists, watch them at work, and buy finished items. One great example is the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia. Sometimes individual artists hang out a temporary shingle to sell their work during the busy holiday season. Some only sell their own work, while others might sell a small selection of handmade goods by others. The artist of Studio 768 sells her own garden sculptures, along with items by Etsy sellers, on a seasonal basis in Wisconsin.
6. Theatre and Event Gift Shops
Increasingly, experiences such as travel have become popular gifts. It can be fun to combine an experience with a related gift. For example, at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, you can stop by the gift shop before or after a show such as A Christmas Carol to pick out a handmade gift. (In a previous blog post, I shared the ornaments I made this year.) Sometimes these shops are permanent and other times they just appear during the holiday season.
7. Grocery Stores
This might seem a little too close to the Friends episode, but grocery stores with a specialty focus such as healthy living often sell giftable items. I've purchased items such as organic chocolates, handmade mittens, and handmade soaps at such places. Gene's Health Food Store in Owensboro, Kentucky sells my handmade jewelry with inspirational messages along with organic produce and body care products.
8. Handmade Shops
Each shop will have a completely unique feel as the owners pick out items that will work well together. Some shops may offer classes, throw themed parties, or offer special services such as gift wrapping. Think of these as a live version of the online Etsy marketplace. Examples include Homade. in Minnesota, Market on Main in New York, Three Hearts Home in New Jersey, and The Artisan Center in Colorado.
Happy shopping (and thank you)!