HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE FOR PEOPLE WHO DISLIKE SHOPPING AT ANYTIME, ESPECIALLY THE HOLIDAY SEASON, AND LIVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, PT 1
There isn’t anything worse than that feeling you get around the end of the first week of December when you realize that, as much as you would like to avoid dealing with people, and hate crowded department stores, you simply have to get some gifts for the important people in your life because you know darn well they are going to present to you, at some point over the next couple of weeks, some impeccably wrapped, thoughtfully selected item, and that you’re probably going to feel like crap for filling out another last minute card with a promise for lunch date or a painting or business card design.
I’ve discovered recently that there are other options and, in particular, with the introduction of a whole slough of interesting, small, sometimes quirky, independent businesses that are owned by pleasant people in my own neighborhood – gift giving doesn’t have to be a painful process and, in fact, can be exciting and fun.
Go green – buy second-hand, aka vintage.
If you have a number of “hard to buy for” people on your list – and really, does anyone need anything anymore? There are a number of second-hand clothing stores in my neighborhood. I’m not talking about getting Uncle Buster a used pair of shoes – but if you go to I MISS YOU (63 Ossington), the super friendly women there will help you select a classic vintage silk scarf for Auntie Ethel or a pretty purse for your sister Sally. Everything there has been impeccably mended and cared for – these are not cast-offs but treasures. Very reasonably priced too!
I’ve always enjoyed going to CINDYLOOHOO (134 Ossington) and though I know it’s impractical to suggest you get your brother a gigantic wooden hutch for Christmas – there are a number of smaller interesting pieces there – vases or jars that you could fill with candy or small toys or boughs to bring to your Grandmother’s house for dinner. Their other store, JAIDEN’S PETALS (130 Ossington) can give you the boughs.
Ossington Avenue also has a good second-hand book/music store owned by nice people with good taste, BABEL BOOKS AND MUSIC (123 Ossington), with a huge selection of interesting like-new books, including lots of books about music, and a good selection of cool music on DVD and vinyl. There are T-shirts and DVDs and other stuff. This is good place to shop for the rockers in your life.
THE MONKEY’S PAW (1229 Dundas West – just west of Ossington) has got to be one of the best places to find a gift for the quirky people on your list. “Old & Unusual” it says – and it’s true, but again, the owner of the store is extremely selective in what he chooses to sell. I find it a great place to find odd and interesting cookbooks. The booklist was recently used for a game of “detournement” the store had, where participants were invited to make a poem from the titles in the collection. Worth a visit – even if just to escape the craziness of modern commercial life.
Next week, Part 2 – food, drink and other crazy stuff.