Looking for a unique gift that a you can't find at Target or Toys R Us? Try some of the many local Tucson shops.
You'll find gifts for everyone on your list and local small businesses appreciate your patronage.
Here's a sampling:
Downtown Tucson gift card: You don't even need to go to a store to get this one. This is a great gift for the person that's hard to buy for (and for anyone who loves downtown). They can use the card at restaurants, retail shops and experiences. Click here to get yours.
Available at Mostly Books.
Name a movie theater seat: You can pay to name a seat for someone at the Loft Cinema to help the theater upgrade to comfy seats in one of its auditoriums. To name a seat, it'll cost you $300, but it's a tax deductible donation. Plus, a seat will be named after someone on your list. How many brownie points would that get you with your movie loving hubby? Click here for deets.
Arizona Zipline Adventures: Get the adventurer in your life a gift certificate for a zipline tour in Oracle. You can choose from the Moonlight Zipline Ecotour and the Zipline Ecotour. Both consist of a ride on all five of the company's ziplines. Click here to order. Price: $79.
Family memberships: There's something about giving experiences as gifts. Memberships are great gifts an entire family can enjoy. Click here for details on memberships to the Reid Park Zoo, Children's Museum Tucson, Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures and more.
Nandi stays close to her mom, Semba, at Reid Park Zoo. Elephants suckle until they are about 2.
Mostly Books, 6208 E. Speedway
This small book store near Bookmans has tons of books by local authors, coloring books and top seller books that would make great gifts for the bookworm on your list.
Downfall by J.A. Jance: A mystery set in Southern Arizona. Bonus: It's autographed by the author! Price: $26.99
Harry Potter: Great for both children and adults. Price: $29.99 for Cursed Child and $24.99 for Fantastic Beasts
Great for the Potter fan in your life. Available at Mostly Books.
Sleep shirts: Who doesn't love jammies? They're cotton and look super comfy. For teens and adults. Price: $24.99 and $25.99
Sleep shirts available at Mostly Books.
Riveted, 40 W. Broadway
It's a home goods and design shop. You'll find super classy and chic gifts for your friends, parents or partner and their homes.
Saguaro print stuff: Along with vintage decor and barware, you'll find handprinted canvas and leather totes and dish towels. Perfect for the mom on the go or anyone with dishes to dry. Price: $125, tote and $22 for a pair of towels.
All the cactus stuff. Available at Riveted.
Electroformed jewelry: Made by Jenni Pagano, the store's owner, these rings are great for natural form lovers. Price: Starting at $30.
Made and available at Riveted.
Pet magnets: They're handmade and inexpensive. Great stocking stuffer or small gift for the pet lover on your list. Price: $5 for a pair.
Available at Riveted.
Creosote salve: Locally made salve makes a great stocking stuffer for anyone on your list. Price: $11.
Available at Riveted.
A Perfect Pantry, 41 S. Sixth Ave.
This store has a variety of gifts, from kitchen stuff to jewelry, totes and random things like a Dammit Doll. Details below.
Dammit Doll: Who doesn't just need to hit something once in a while. It comes in lots of fun patterns. Perfect for anybody who ever feels frustrated. Cost: $15.95
Perfect gift for anybody who experiences road rage. Get for the car!
Tea Towels: They're soft and super cute with fun patterns. Our favorite said "Spooning Leads to Forking." Perfect gift for your kitchen goddess friend or your mom. Prices range from $13.95 to $18.95.
For anyone who likes cute kitchen stuff.
Fancy soaps and lotions: You can't go wrong with pretty smelling bath and body products. They're inexpensive, yet thoughtful. Put a basket together for your girlfriend, mom, grandma or aunt. These range in prices from $2.50 to $9.
For anyone who likes to smell nice.
Slippers: Warning! Only get these if you'd be willing to be seen in public with whoever you get these for. They're so soft and comfy, she'll never take them off. Perfect for anybody who likes to be warm and comfy. Price: $22.95.
Warm and fuzzies!
Egg separator: Sounds weird, yes. But, look how cute. They're made by a local artist. Great gift for the baker in your life. Price: $32.95.
Available at A Perfect Pantry
Sugar skull stuff: Who doesn't need a tote bag or small zipper bag for pencils, money or makeup? Perfect for anybody who likes skulls. Price: $21.95 for the tote and $7.95 for small bag. Tip: Get the small zipper bag and put a gift card in it.
Available at A Perfect Pantry.
Available at A Perfect Pantry.
Mildred & Dildred, 2905 E. Skyline
This classic toy shop located in the La Encantada shopping center has lots of whimsical and imaginative toys to choose from.
Flow n Fill Spout: It recirculates the bath water so the fun continues after you turn the faucet off. For kids ages three and under who like to play with water. Price: $24.
Available at Mildred & Dildred
Two Bros Bows bow and arrow set: It was invented by kids and made in the USA. Plus it's easy to use and safe to shoot. Price: $25.
Girls Can Crate: It's a variety of kits based on notable women in history, from Florence Nightingale to Malala. Your kids will learn about the woman's achievement, then do crafts and experiments that relate to her field. Price: $30.
Available at Mildred & Dildred
Razorz Edge, 427 N. Fourth Ave.
Cat Wars. Oh yeah.
You'll find gifts for the everyone on your list who's into alternative fashion. They have cool bags, t-shirts for guys and ladies, dresses, makeup, shoes, leggings and accessories.
Cat Wars t-shirt: It's as awesome as it sounds. Because, cats. And Star Wars. It's for men and ladies. Price: $23.99
Nightmare Before Christmas purse and wallet: Anyone who loves NBC will love this set. We swoon for Jack and Sally. Price: $72.99 for the purse and $38.99 for the wallet.
Available at Razorz Edge.
Star Wars flasks: We all have a party friend who needs a flask. Price: $20.99
Available at Razorz Edge.
Cross body purses: Because who doesn't love cute? Price: $29.99
Um. How cute is that octopus one?!
Silver Sea Jewelry, 330 N. Fourth Ave.
Handmade jewelry is the specialty at Silver Sea. Oh, and mermaids. The shop is owned by Lizzie Mead, one of the organizers of the Return of the Mermaids sidewalk parade that happens every summer.
Mermaid scale jewelry: For your friend who is actually a mermaid. Price: $9.95-$11.95
Anybody else want to be a mermaid?
Turquoise necklace: Made from Fox Mine USA turquoise and sterling silver handcrafted beads for your friend who loves the southwest: Price: $119.95
Made and available at Silver Sea Jewelry
Tanzanite cocktail ring and tanzanite and pearl necklace: For the classy lady in your life. Price: $119.95 for the necklace and $129.95 for the ring.
Perfect for dressing up.
Galaxy necklaces: These are hand-painted galaxies using handcrafted paint in optical glass. For your friend who is always looking to the stars. Price: $19.95
Available and created at Silver Seas Jewelry.
Kid's Center, 1725 N. Swan Road
If you haven't been here to shop for your kids yet, you're missing out. The store has a huge selection of toys, books, puzzles and educational stuff. The owners will even play games with you so you can see what the newest ones are like.
Slapszi and Baby Monkey Astronaut: These two games are super fun for families with young children. Slapszi, for ages 8-98, requires quick thinking and Baby Monkey Astronaut, for ages 5 and up, requires a good memory. Price: $19.99 for Slapzi and $9.99 for Baby Monkey Astronaut.
Two fun games for the family with young children.
Happy Salmon: Fun for families with kids over 6 years old. Great gift for the family that likes game nights. Requires you to be quick on your feet. Price: $14.99.
For the family that likes to hang out together.
Tin Kaleidoscope: Remember looking through a kaleidoscope as a kid? It was magical. The modern designs of these add to the magic. Great gift for curious kids and kids at heart. Price: $8.99
Great for kids and kids at heart.
Kwik Stix solid tempera paint: What caught my mom brain were the magic words "mess free." The creamy texture make these so much fun to create with. They dry within 90 seconds. Perfect gift for the artistic child in your life. Price: $24.99
Mess free? Yes, please.
Stacking robots: The classics never go out of style. They're bright, wooden and they're robots! Great for any of the small kids on your list. Price: $15.99
Available at Kids Center
Mermaid dolls: For any child who dreams of being a mermaid. Price: $15.99-$17.99
Available at Kids Center.
Sensory & Bath toy: These silicone toys are safe for the bath and dishwasher. Great for all kids, including those with sensory disorders. Price: $6.99
They're dishwasher safe!
Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit: Perfect for any of the Harry Potter fans on your list. Price: $19.99
For the Potterhead on your list.
Slime Ball Dodge Tag or Slinger: This one is sure to get the kids outside, at least for a few minutes. Perfect for kids who love tag. Price: $24.99
Get them out and running around with this one.
Lego Star Wars buildable figures: If you have a Star Wars fan on your list, these are perfect. They get to actually build their favorite character. Price: $29.99
Great for everybody
Yikes! Toys, 2930 E. Broadway
Yikes! Toys is more than a toy store. It has local art, books, quirky gifts and more.
Mug Shots: For that friend who's into true crime and shots. Price: $18
Take your shot game to another level
Metal Earth 3-D model kits: There are so many of these to choose from: Dr. Who, Star Wars, scorpions and more. They're pretty intricate so don't get it for anyone under the age of 14. Perfect for the guy or girl that likes to put stuff together. Price: $8-$18
Keep him or her busy for hours.
Watches: These are so cool. There's an eye one, Einstein, Dr. Who, camera and more. Perfect for your friend who's always running late. Price: $45
At Yikes! Toys
Jewelry by Valerie Galloway: Made by a local artist out of maps and dictionary pages, you'll find something totally original for anyone on your list. There are necklaces and key chains. Price: $28-$38
At Yikes! Toys
4-D Tarantula Spider: For the science and nature buff on your list. They can put this tarantula together and see what it looks like inside and out. Price: $36
At Yikes! Toys
Summit Hut, 5251 E. Speedway and 7745 N. Oracle Road
For the outdoorsy person on your list, check out Summit Hut. You'll find camping, hiking and other outdoor gear.
National Parks Travel Edition Trivial Pursuit: Celebrate 100 years of the National Park Service by testing your knowledge with this fun and packable game. Price: $19.95
Available at Summit Hut
prAna Llama’ste Vneck T-shirt: This kooky, ultra soft T will make everyone smile. Price: $28.95
Available at Summit Hut
