Seven Places With Cheap Gifts

When Santa can’t quite come through with all your shopping needs, it’s time to come up with your own plan of attack. The best advice I can offer you is stay out of the malls. They are too crowded, too commercial, and too damned expensive. There are plenty of independent shops in Western New York where you can find all sorts of gifts just under 20 dollars.

Everything Elmwood

If the love of your life is looking for a little ink, the best tattoo artists in town are at Blue Moon, located just off Colvin on Hertel. Gift certificates are available to get your permanent work of art started. Nothing shows you care like an “I love mom” stenciled with a needle into your tender flesh.

If you’re looking for a great place for posters, Poster Art (1055 Elmwood Avenue) carries a unique line of prints ranging from artwork, movie clips, classic cartoons like Betty Boop, starlight figures like Marilyn Monroe, and all sorts of posters that celebrate Buffalo (e.g. “Doors of Buffalo”).

Talking Leaves Books (3158 Main Street and 951 Elmwood) is another great place to check out. There is a great poetry section. There’s a sale on classics from greats like Leo Tolstoy, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain. Likely gift books include The Rock Bible, another called Unicorns: How to Take Care of Mythical Pets, and my personal favorite, a book of photographs of wet cats, properly titled Wet Cats.

For the animals in your life there is Elmwood Pet Supplies (706 Elmwood Avenue). Most of the dog toys have a toughness rating, so if you have a puppy with razor-sharp teeth you’ll know where you stand with your purchase. The best-selling gift they have is a catnip toy in the shape of a cigar; they’re in a humidor towards the back of the store.

Everything Elmwood has two locations: 740 Elmwood Avenue and 4446 Main Street in Amherst. This is a great experience. Soft music plays while you peruse the moderately priced gifts. For the woman in your life who likes an occasional beer, there are all sorts of decorative cozies. For the martini or wine drinker, there are beautiful and unique drinking glasses. A sushi set might make a good gift. Everything Elmwood also offers a wide range of handmade ornaments to decorate the tree.

For the music lover in the family, hit up Record Theater (1800 Main Street). I myself went and purchased some vinyl records the other day. I think vinyl is the way to go; just make sure whomever you’re buying for still has a record player.

Last on the list of great places to visit is Alexandra’s, located in the Walker Plaza on Main Street and Williamsville. It has great new-age type jewelry and is very moderately priced. In addition to jewelry, Alexandra’s sells puzzle boxes: those wooden boxes that require a trick to open them. Great for storing the necklace or earrings you just bought.

—brett miller