Shop Local for the Holidays

Local businesses are what make a city unique. Who doesn't love their neighborhood bar, corner coffee shop or local bookstore? 2020 has been a tough year for our local business community, as they are struggling from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. So let's show them some love by helping them end the year with a bang. We have more than enough funky, fun and diverse small businesses in Dallas to shop for everyone on your list. Here is a sampling of just a few.

Bullzerk

Grab your Lone Star State-loving family members a T-shirt that boasts their Texas pride. This specialty shop on Lower Greenville sells apparel with quotes that read "American Until Texas Succeeds" and "Is this Heaven? No. It's Texas." For the Dallas Cowboys fans on your list, the store sells "Sundays are for Dem Boys" sweatshirts, or buy the blue-and-white "Faith" shirt that supports Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's cancer-fighting Faith Fight Finish Foundation. And if you are looking for a stocking stuffer, you can't go wrong with a face mask that reads "Insert Tacos Here."

All Good Things

Everything in this Bishop Art District gift store sparks joy. Hanging near the Good Vibes Only white neon sign is a rack of curated letterpress greeting cards. Colorful candles (who doesn't love a great-smelling candle?), delicate gold necklaces, bracelets and rings, hanging plants, bright green cacti and teak wood bowls fill up the stark-white space. From neighbors, to mother-in-law's, to your favorite barista, you can find something for everyone in this cute one-of-a-kind store.

Favor the Kind

Bohemians, cowboys, and fashionistas unite at this budget-friendly gift and clothing store. Think kimonos, flowy maxi dresses, silver cuffs, embroidered pillows and vintage cowboy boots. If no one on your gift list is trying to get in touch with their inner country-chic cowboy, fear not. The store is also full of funky clutches, handmade jewelry, Southern home accessories, hand-poured candles and lace-fringed everything. The Knox-Henderson store continuously wins D Magazine's Readers Choice Award for Best Gift Shop.

Indigo 1745

Who on your gift list needs socks with heart-shaped waffles on them? Possibly everyone. This trendy clothing boutique for men and women has been a staple in the Bishops Arts District for more than a decade. They specialize in premium denim, luxury sportswear and funky gifts. The boutique takes pride in its customer service and knowledge of the fashion industry. If you are not sure of the perfect gift for, let's say, a new significant other, walk through the doors and the staff will have you supplied with the perfect gift in no time.

Abundantly Aromatic

Let's revisit candles, shall we? Almost every human being on the planet loves a good, freshly scented candle. And honestly, who doesn't love bath bombs, homemade soap, body scrubs and beard oil? So stop by Abundantly Aromatic at the Dallas Farmers Market and load up on all the yummy smelling bathing products. As a bonus you can tell the receiver that their gift is handmade locally with all-natural ingredients.

The owner, Renee Mornay, started Abundantly Aromatic in 2009 as a side project to teach her sons about entrepreneurship. She left her job in real estate a few years later to devote her life to making affordable, all-natural products and the Dallas-area olfactory receptors have been thanking her ever since.

Wild Detectives Bookstore

Get off Amazon and head to this charming historic-house-turned-bookstore in Oak Cliff to search out the title of your dad's favorite book. This part-bookstore, part-coffeeshop, part-bar, part-live-performance-venue has been a favorite of Dallas' literary scene since its opening in 2014. The pandemic hit the store hard so they adjusted by opening an online shop to keep serving long-time fans and lovers of shopping local. In-person or online, check out the Wild Detectives' uniquely curated collection.

CocoAndre Chocolatier

No gift list is complete without chocolate. Andrea Pedraza heads up this family-owned chocolate shop in Oak Cliff. She is a master at hand-crafted chocolates and truffle creations. Along with fan favorites like Texas-shaped chocolates, sea salt caramel truffles, and chocolate pecan turtles, Andrea also concocts original creations like vegan peppermint bark, mole truffle, chocolate piñata and their famous sea salt pistachio bark.

Jade and Clover

Succulents. They are almost as popular as candles. They are a great gift for plant-people, non-plant people and almost anyone who can water something once a month. Jade and Clover in the heart of Deep Ellum is a one-of-a-kind gift store with a huge variety of houseplants, cacti and succulents. They even have a plant bar where you can pick out your own planter, plant and decorative rocks, and the staff will put it all together to build you a custom planter or terrarium. But you can leave the staff part out and tell your loved one you built them a custom terrarium all by yourself.