When your job is to dissect, explore, and report on one city, you get pretty good at uncovering all the sweet spots. We have a stellar lineup of shop-savvy editors who are especially in the know when it comes to embellishing homes, creating wardrobes, and delighting friends with the perfect gift. Put us to the test this holiday season. Shop this list of our favorite gift stores.
Society
Candles. They’re a common go-to gift. But they can also be uninspired (and sometimes stinky when the candles are cheap) presents. Not so at Society. Local interior designers Pamela Jackson and Jeremi Headrick recently opened their chic Bishop Arts shop and it’s full of great smelling candles, vintage holders, and the like. My favorite is Society’s three proprietary blends which are a steal for only $32 each.
-Todd Johnson, corporate creative director, D Magazine
Little Bean “for kiddos”
This children’s boutique, tucked away on a leafy Junius Heights street, feels like it’s been curated by your hippest mom friend. The shop is blissfully void of any blinking plastic gizmos, stocked instead with unique, artful (read: pretty to look at) goods that are as fun for kiddos as they are for adults. My go-to items for gifting include the clever Seedling craft kits, tissue surprise balls filled with little treasures (my girls go crazy over these), and any of the smart books on offer.
-Joslyn Taylor, executive editor, D Moms
Number One/Le Jus “for everyone else”
I love that everything in this highly edited new shop-cum-organic café feels special and soulful. Almost anything in the store would be a perfect, thoughtful gift for my mom, sisters, girlfriends (or myself), but I’m partial to the cache of hard to find lifestyle magazines, the amazingly yummy smelling Le Feu De L’Eau handcrafted candles, and the organic Bellocq teas housed in vibrant yellow canisters.
-Joslyn Taylor, executive editor, D Moms
Grange Hall
I love this store. You will find things here—jewelry, glassware, bouquets, and taxidermy!—that are fine and unique and fabulous. Granted, I can’t afford much here. But after I admire all of the treasures, I buy some great letterpress notecards or a whimsical coffee table book, and I feel happy.
-Laura Kostelny, executive editor, D Home and D Weddings
Bolsa Mercado
This is where I shop for all my local food goodies. Carnival Barker’s pickled okra comes in colorful jars, and right near the cash register is a section for Iris McCallister’s chocolately blissful Oh Brownie line. Her PB & Jealousy brownies would make fantastic stocking stuffers for anyone who likes desserts.
-Carol Shih, assistant dining editor, D Magazine
Nest
Manager Donald fowler personally helps his clients find the perfect gift for the occasion–at the right price and not the same old things found elsewhere. He travels all over the world to find the unusual and unexpected. I like to buy edgy tech gifts for my husband, an elegant coffee table art book for my sister, Bell’Invito notes for my girls (so they can write proper thank you notes), and jewelry for me.
-Peggy Levinson, editor at large, D Home
The Gypsy Wagon
This is my go-to store for when I need a fun treat for myself or for a friend. There’s always something new, and I never leave empty-handed. Also, you can tell that the staff really loves and believes in the stuff they’re selling, which can’t help but make you feel good. One favorite recent purchase and one possibly, hopefully future purchase include a Farrah B necklace that’s a baby pocket knife on a chain and an Alexandra Ferguson pillow that says “I Love This Place” in big felt letters. Told you it was fun.
-Rhonda Reinhart, managing editor, D Home and D Weddings
Paper & Chocolate
Owner Vicki Petersen has a plethora of gifts for everyone on my list. From wine and cocktail accessories for my in-laws and husband, to cute paper gifts like recipe cards and stationery for my mom and sisters (we are paper freaks!). I was in recently and noticed a really pretty diffuser without those annoying (and ugly) sticks poking out. The scent was in a Juliska-inspired jar with a pretty rose top. It would make a great hostess gift for all of the holidays parties on the horizon.
-Ryan Conner, associate editor, D Home and D Weddings
Five and Ten
It’s hard to settle on one gift shop I like best, but Five & Ten needs to make the list. It’s an emporium of perfect giftables for the fashion-loving set. There are delightful finds for everyone, like Proenza Schouler cosmetic bags, pretty knit cat and toy toys from Mungo & Maud, Lanvin stationery, camo print WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie dopp kits, a delicious lineup of D.S. & Durga’s unique fragrances, a couple handsomely packaged candle collections, and a plethora of style centric coffee table books.
-yours truly, shopping editor, D Magazine
