Holiday Shopping Guide 2015
by Lynne Rostochil
It’s that time of year again where you spend countless hours — or mere seconds if your like my husband, which is how my clever man got out of all holiday shopping years ago — racking your brain trying to figure out what to get the MCM lover in your life. Last year, we compiled a couple of shopping guides devoted to great design and architecture books (here and here), but this year we’re going to expand to other things in addition to books. Best of all, you can find most of these items locally!
1. Crush Out On Charley Harper
You can never go wrong picking up a Charley Harper print, some socks, or a t-shirt for those who love mid-century modern, and there are all kinds of goodies to tempt you at Harper’s website: charleyharperartstudio.com
2. Pick Up a Piece of Unique MCM Furniture
If you’re in the market for a big furniture splurge — or even a little one — stop by one of OKC’s great MCM shops and I’m sure you’ll find just the right piece to make you feel all giddy inside.
Start on Western Avenue with Space. 20th Century Modern (4408 N. Western). Koby has amassed quite a collection of MCM designer items that will have you drooling the minute you walk through the door:
Next, pop over to the Paseo and check out Joe’s new shop, remodernok, which is located at 3016 Paseo. It’s packed full with all kinds of great goodies to tempt and delight:
Of course, a day of mid century furniture shopping wouldn’t be complete without a stop-in at RetrOKC in the Plaza District. Mike curates a treasure trove of everything MCM — large and small in every price range — so be sure to pop by, say hello, and browse awhile:
Finally, head over to Abracadabra, located at 2725 NW 50th Street, and lust over all of the MCM furniture, art, and other goodies that fill the shop. It’s quite a place:
3. Start a’Coloring
Okay, I know I said I was steering away from books this year, but these are fun coloring books and who doesn’t love them?! They’re so affordable, too! You can pick them up from Amazon.
4. Enjoy an Original Sculpture
Just in time for the holidays, OKC artist Joe Slack has created a handful — yeah, pun intended — of his fun and unique sculptural creations that will fit almost any budget. If you’d like one of these beauties, they are $65 each and you can call or text Joe at 405-812-7175 to get your very own Slack original.
5. Go Local!
The gift that keeps giving all year is the 2016 Keep It Local card — buy one or two or 10 as gifts and stocking stuffers.
6. Do a Little Tree Shopping
Squadder Matt Bliss has taken his grandfather’s beloved modern Christmas tree design and is sharing it with the world. Lucky, lucky us because these trees are really something magical! So splurge a little and get a tree that will surely get you into the holiday spirit for many years to come.
7. Get a Great Topper
There’s nothing like a hat to complete a stylish look and there’s no better place in OKC to find the perfect topper than Marla Cook Fine Millery in the Paseo District. Marla and her friendly assistants are on hand to assist you, make you feel right at home, and help you select the perfect hat for every occasion, and Betsy King, who shares space with Marla, can line you up with the perfect pair of matching shoes, too!
8. Go All-Out Oklahoma!
Just OK, which is located next door to Blue Seven at N. May and Wilshire, stocks everything Oklahoma and is definitely the place to go if you’re looking something related to our great state. I’m personally very smitten with the mid-century inspired frosted state glasses above.
9. Add a Little Mod to the Bookshelf
Darn it! I can’t stay away from the books! That’s because I think that books are the best gifts ever and always squeal with joy when I receive a long-wanted tome for the holidays. If that’s the loved one in your life, I highly recommend checking out the Arts/Architecture section at Full Circle Bookstore, which has the best selection in town. And you might want to grab a coffee and a few books and sit by the fireplace for a cozy and very blissful afternoon of reading and people watching. There’s no better way to spend a chilly Saturday afternoon, in my opinion.
10. Get the Perfect Item … and a Little Something For Yourself
It’s such a small space (in an aqua-colored shipping container in the parking lot of S&B Burgers at NW 9th and Broadway), but Perchd packs a huge punch by stocking nothing but modern-day mod — books, mugs, textiles, sculptures, toys, and almost anything else your heart desires — within its small confines. You will want to buy everything in the place and that’s no lie.
11. Choose the Perfect Goody For Your Pet
In addition to doing a great job of taking care of pets throughout the Metro, Midtown Vets at 231 NW 10th sells locally made collars from K9 Couture & Co., plush toys, leashes, etc., for your furry friend. The collar above is even made from vintage fabric!
And a Few Extras
Of course, this is just a small list of places and mod gift items you can find in OKC. However, if you don’t have any luck at the above places, we highly recommend going to one of the holiday pop-up shops in Midtown or the Winter Shoppes at the Myriad Gardens. And once you find the perfect gift, be sure to pick up some of Squadder Matt Goad’s uber cool and mod wrapping paper:
You can find the wrapping paper at several locations throughout the city and feel good knowing that proceeds go to fight homelessness in the Metro — great paper and a good cause!
Finally, this time of year, it seems that everyone is on the hunt for the perfect and very ugly vintage Christmas sweater and there’s only one place to go to find it — the Junk Fairy at Bad Granny’s in the Plaza District. Squadder Debbie’s booths are brimming with baubled, sequined, and truly tacky holiday delights, so you’re sure to find what you’re looking for:
