Holiday Shopping?

Here’s Your Hip Local Hit List

November 27, 2018

Jill VanTrease,

Well I’m just going to say it: I detest holiday shopping. This confession from a girl who loves clothes shopping, shoe shopping, serum shopping – heck, I even love grocery shopping! But holiday shopping is just too high stakes – it takes all the fun out of it for me. All the pressure to buy the perfect gift for that special someone – multiplied by 246 of your closest friends and relatives. And this heavy cloud on top of everyday mom life! Top that pressure cooker off with December — the kiddie parties, the concerts, the party mom duty, and THEN the Santa duty. If I were a real grinch, I’d tell you to stay home and buy everything online from the ‘Zon, have it shipped and wrapped, and pour yourself a tall glass of Prosecco.

I won’t judge you if you do, of course. There are seasons of life (for me, having kid #6 20 months after kid #5 comes to mind) where you just gotta survive. But it’s important to keep some of that holiday money — and those tax dollars — here in good old Tulsa. And guess what? Suddenly there’s a lot of shopping to do here that has nothing to do with boring chains and big boxes. So I’m going to try to make it easy for you to shop at home — a gift guide for for all those lovely(ish) people in your life!

For your spoiled rotten kiddies: Kiddlestix, of course, is the granddaddy of Tulsa toy stores. They’ve got some great toys right now: a globe that lights up with constellations, Playmobil galore – all unique, well-made toys. Also, Tulsa Toy Depot out south and Learning Express in Bixby are great spots to fulfill that holiday shock and awe we’re hoping to trot out for these darn kids. Plus, they all gift wrap!

For your friend who has actual abs: Lululemon is the gold standard of high quality workout gear. Athleta in Utica Square has superlative coordinating activewear and athleisure. Or get these freaks of nature a gift card to any of these cool workout spots: Press Cafe X Yoga, Balance Yoga Barre, Revved, YogaQuest, Orangetheory, Studio Pop Tulsa, Cyclebar – so many fit Tulsans!

For your artsy fartsy retro friend: Made, the Indie Emporium in the Archer Building, has tons of handmade gifts — plus they offer stitching and knitting classes. The Retro Den has delightfully whimsical antiques and furniture for truly original home decor. The Nest on Cherry Street has homemade candles and fun kitschy kitchenwares.

For your athletic outdoorsy son or that guy in your life: Ascent Tulsa has athletic gear for hardcore outdoor stuff like skiing and camping (I don’t think they approve of glamping!): Patagonia, North Face, Polar Outdoor Stuff – all the hale and hearty brands for outdoor living. Or you can get him a gift certificate to Climb Tulsa, the much heralded rock climbing destination!

For your husband who likes his leather recliner: Unless you can buy him the car of his choice, or a yacht, grab his favorite beverage from Parkhill’s or Grapes and Grains, rub his back and let him take a nap.

For the brooding teenage girl: Macy’s Backstage is new to Tulsa – it’s like the Nordstrom Rack, but it’s physically inside the regular Macy’s at Woodland Hills Mall. There’s tons of trendy clothes, shoes, handbags and cosmetics at super-affordable prices. Also The Vintage Pearl, J. Spencer and On a Whim – you can never go wrong with their clothes, baubles and handbags!

For your friend who knows what contouring actually is: Blue Mercury – it’s makeup mecca here, girls. I have found a great CC cream, fabulous double-edged-sword mascara, a concealer that makes me look like I didn’t have two glasses of wine last night – all of this, and their staff is warm and approachable. Or get a gift card here for a La Mer facial from Judith!

For your smarty pants bookish friends: Magic City Books in the Archer Building has a curated book selection with all the latest greatest reads – and the staff can give you great recommendations for all of your favorite bookworms. Or, get a gift card.

For the saintly, overworked teachers in your life: At my kids’ school, the teachers seem to like cold, hard cash. But if you’d like to do more, PaperDoll Designs has beautiful, personalized stationery and gifts that make sitting at a desk entirely more pleasurable. Pink Salt Riot has exquisite Christian-themed jewelry, prints, and homewares. It’s a website, but pickup here is local in Tulsa at 41st and Harvard.

Pink Salt Riot

For your bicoastal friends who look down their noses at Tulsa: Head to Okie Dokie at the Boxyard or Ida Red (downtown and Brookside) and get them something cheeky. I got my NYC-dwelling sister a mug with the state of Oklahoma and “Evil Empire” stamped on the state. Ha!

For your quirky aristocratic friend who has everything: Anthropologie (OK, it’s a chain, but they pay Utica Square rent!) – join Anthroperks and get all kinds of discounts on their adorably hippie housewares, clothing and knick-knacks. If you have a penchant for driving out to Ramona, Oklahoma (yes it’s a place!), hit Bluestem Mercantile: “Calling all old souls, lovers of turquoise, leather, authentic apparel” – my friend Kelly buys tons of gifts here!

Anthropologie

For your favorite teenage babysitter: Get her a gift card, a top or an adornment from one of these hip clothing places: Beau and Arrow or Modern Mess in the Boxyard; Jules Boutique, Twisted Soul Sisters or Abelina’s Boutique out south, or Madewell and Evereve in Utica Square. She’ll be so happy you get her young thang.

For your friend who actually enjoys cooking dinner: The Cook’s Nook at 91st and Yale has every cooking and kitchen contraption known to man, plus a lot of gourmet sauces, salsas, and baking mixes.

For your slightly geeky INTJ friend who loves Harry Potter, Stranger Things, and all things fanciful and fantasy: Decopolis has an abundance of delightful oddities – books, comics, games, and…Martian poop! (Just go see!)

For your deliciously naughty friend – the one who you go out with the occasional Saturday night and have a fabulous time and it’s worth it even though the next day is shot: Stash Gifts always has slightly irreverent gifts for fun girlfriends, and The Snow Goose is downright bawdy. Everyone needs an oven mitt that says “I Love My A****** Children.” Yes?