Favorite Treasures
I love this time of year — it lets me explore the nooks and crannies of our small shops and discover great, inexpensive "treasures" that I've overlooked throughout the year. Our shops' theme this holiday, "Unique & creative gifts from near and afar," is evident as soon as you stroll down Carroll and browse through one store after another. The shops are chock full of treasures from both local and international artisans.
Somehow, fine art, distinctive clothing, and hand-made crafts from every corner of the world have made their way to our doorstep. How convenient for us. And how lucky for family and friends on our gift lists!
My family agreed many years ago to keep our holiday gifts "frugal & fabulous," and your family might have the same goal. I find that our Old Takoma shops make it easy to give frugal & fabulous gifts.
My three nieces love the earrings I give them each year. (My favorite frugal & fabulous jewelry stores: Amano, Magic Carpet, Now and Then, American Craft, Polly Sue's Vintage, Moonshadow, and...whew! Too many to list here!) My brother-in-law will receive one of his favorite gifts: an alternative poli-sci or history book. (Did you know that The Culture Shop next to the Metro station has a great socially-conscious bookstore-in-a-store nestled between the hand-crafted jewelry and pottery?)
A young friend can't get through culinary college without his Crocs shoes and all-cotton socks (they're on the wall by the check-out at TPSS Food Co-op). A neighbor's new porch "needs" a unique Turkish hanging lamp to light up our late-night summer dinners (dozens in a rainbow of colors hang from the Covered Market's ceiling). And my little Shetland Sheepdogs will definitely get stocking stuffers from the Big Bad Woof.
I could go on and on — and I will — but not here. OTBA / MainStreet is compiling a shopping guide that lists all the hidden treasures of the Old Takoma shops, even the "finds" in the back-of-the store display cases.
Look for the guide later this week at our shops and here online at www.MainStreetTakoma.org.
— Bevi Chagnon
Chair, Organization Committee
Principal, PubCom.com