Gift shopping in North America
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A
Given
Have no fear of birthdays: it’s a Given that you’ll find worthy gifts for all ages in this emporium of offbeat design, from Kimochi the cuddly cloud to a wallet disguised as a memo-pad. If this storefront seems familiar, you’re right: this was once Harvey Milk’s camera shop, and the shop closed for six weeks so that the Academy Award–winning Milk could be filmed here.
reviewed
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Shops of Historic Charleston Foundation
This place showcases jewelry, home furnishings and furniture inspired by the city's historic homes, like earrings based on the cast-iron railings at the Aiken-Rhett House. Pick up a 'Charleston' candle, scented with hyacinth, white jasmine and tuberose.
reviewed
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Celestial Treasures
Your one-stop shop for spiritual and metaphysical needs, this shop has accoutrement, books, cards and components for those interested in Zen, Kabbalah, Wicca, Yoga, Buddhism and Hinduism. Also has staff psychics on hand.
reviewed
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Metta Boutique
A cute store that exemplifies the evolution of the Grove from hippie hangout to massive market, in that it sells consumer goodies – clothes, journals, accessories, gifts and tchotchkes – that are decidedly green/organic/sustainable/fair trade.
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B
Zambezi Bazaar
Pick up quality gifts and artifacts at Leimert Park's Zambezi Bazaar.
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C
Bésame Mucho
This place is well stocked with high-end beauty products, eclectic jewelry, clothing and housewares.
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D
Paper & Concept
Slick pens, fancy greeting cards and, of course, really flash paper products await in this friendly little boutique.
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E
Instituto Oaxaqueño de las Artesanías
Government-run IOA offers a good variety of beautiful craft items, including ceramics, alebrijes and some gorgeous textiles.
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Mon Pére et Moi
Mon Pére et Moi sells exquisite ribbon-tied boxed handmade chocolates; there’s also a café and pétanque games on Fridays from 5pm to 8pm.
reviewed
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F
National Air & Space Museum Shop
A three-floor emporium offering books, toys, kites, posters, model aircraft and such iconic DC souvenirs as freeze-dried astronaut ice cream.
reviewed
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Pineda’s
There are several silver shops in the Patio de las Artesanías building. Pineda’s is justly famous.
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Delta Junction Visitor Center
More of a gift shop than a visitor center, this place is usually jammed with RVers clamoring to purchase 'End-of-the-Alaska-Highway' certificates.
reviewed
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H
Lucie Favreau Antiques
This colorful, museum-like store is brimming with giggle-inducing housewares, advertising plaques, toys and sports memorabilia like signed baseballs, among other collectibles.
reviewed
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I
Jewish Museum of Florida Gift Shop
The gift shop in the front lobby of this museum is tiny, but it has a lovely little selection of Judaica, including menorahs, Sabbath candle holders, mezuzahs and prayer books.
reviewed
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El Hijo del Santo
Owned by wrestler El Hijo del Santo, this specialty store sells (you guessed it) all things Santo. Among the offerings are kitschy portraits, hipster handbags and the ever-popular Santo mask.
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K
Boutique du Vampyre
Dark candles and Gothic gargoyles look down on you, promising a curse of blood and terror and the undead on those who only browse but do not buy its vampire and voodoo themed gifts! Mwahaha! Or…not.
reviewed
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L
Bata Shoe Museum Gift Shop
Gift up for every shoe-lover you know at this cute sideline to one of Toronto's most fascinating museums, with shoe occasion cards, calendars and books about shoes, shoe posters and even shoe-motif scarves.
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Climate
‘Eclectic’ doesn’t do justice to the array of items packed into this small store, including cocktail party kits, sassy dating guides and other tongue-in-cheek essentials for urban living.
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N
Blue Skies Boulder
A cute gift shop stocked with handbags and scarves, elegant perfume, fantastic jewelry and aromatherapy products, much of it sourced from local artists and artisans. The Pearl Street Mall doesn't get much groovier.
reviewed
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O
8 Ball
It’s Vegas-kitsch with Swingers style at cozy 8 Ball, where leopard-print bowling shirts lounge beside tiki torches, Twinkie cookbooks and Betty Page heels. Frank and Elvis books flirt from shelves up front.
reviewed
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Java House Imports
There are, indeed, cool imports and statues from Java here, as well as Balinese and West African masks, Indian-style Buddhas, lacquer-work from Lombok and all the other items that prove what a savvy traveler you are.
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Q
Outer Layer
Hipster gift shops aren't hard to find in the big city, but Outer Layer stands out from the sea with an extensive selection of imported soaps and bath products in addition to the usual unusual cards, stationary and gift wrap.
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Senzatempo
Amid all the deco, you’d think there’d be more design shops lying around. Well, come to this retro gallery, with its decorative pieces and 20th-century designer furniture, plus plenty of clocks and watches, to feed that fix.
reviewed
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S
The Tin Taj
Every square inch of wall and ceiling in this colorful shop seems to be home to some whimsical tin delight. Wares come from all over the world but this is definitely a place for unique Canadian memorabilia, reasonable prices and lots of fun.
reviewed
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T
Lalique
The French makers of fine gifts present their awe-inspiring collection of crystal vases, fine stemware, leather bags, silk scarves, porcelain dishes and high-end watches and jewelry. It’s the perfect place to shop for a high-class bride.
reviewed