This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
At the holidays, we all fall into shoppping categories, and I'm a self-proclaimed enthusiastic shopper.
I love shopping for other people, but I'm really specific about how and where I shop. Put me in a crowded mall and I'm likely to want to scream after five minutes.
Also, I prefer shopping alone. My favorite way of accumulating gifts is to go to local boutiques and browse around at my own pace, hopefully without a crush of other shoppers. So with a (mythical!) budget of $150 and a list of five people in my family to shop for, I headed out to Trolley Square and Library Square to see what gifts might pique my interest.
Since I moved to Salt Lake City nine years ago, I have picked out a handful of areas that I consider shopping heaven. These include Broadway between State and 300 East, 9th and 9th, Trolley Square and the Library Square shops. I have to admit Christmas shopping is always supplemented by the great deals I can find on Forever21.com, but that's my little secret.
Most of the stores I visited said they would be open for extended hours the day after Thanksgiving. A survey by ConsumerSearch.com found that 61 percent of respondents plan to shop in stores the day after the holiday. So it's definitely worth thinking beyond the giants like Walmart and Toys "R" Us and buying local this Black Friday.
My first destination was Trolley Square, where I made a beeline for one of my favorite Salt Lake City stores, Cabin Fever. I enjoy the fact that every time you go into this store, there is new fun stuff to look at. This visit, I discovered they've opened Holiday Fever Cabin Fever, an additional store kitty-corner to the original one. I found some super-cool glittery dinosaur Christmas ornaments ($9.95-$14.95) that I'd be happy to buy for any guy in my life — probably my husband, brother or my 8-year-old nephew as pre-Christmas gifts.
The second store I visited in Trolley Square was Tabula Rasa Social Stationers. I absolutely love the toiletries, such as the TokyoMilk Dark Eau De Parfum collection. They come in black bottles with fantastic names like Bulletproof, with smoked tea, coconut milk, cedar and ebony wood, and Crushed, with earth and moss, herbs, wild grass and jasmine. Although these are a little pricey at $36, I know my derby sisters would adore them, and I probably could afford a couple for my best derby pals, Ruby Rocket and Bruiser Ego.
My eye also was caught by a 15-piece vintage European pattern porcelain tea set in delft blue or rose ($38) that I knew my mum would love.
At this point, my imaginary budget was looking a little bulbous at $124.95, if I picked the biggest, glitteriest dinosaur rather than one of the smaller, less glittery ones, which I knew I would.
So I decided to high-tail it over to Library Square, looking for locally made bargains. My dad collects elephants and has hundreds of them, but I knew he'd like the little patchwork one I found ($16.25), and also it would be quite light to send, an important factor when you're shipping packages to England.
Then it was on to The Library Store. At this point I got a bit overexcited, completely "forgot" that my budget was mythical and bought two real Christmas presents because they were so irresistible. The store has a range of Lucy Lu charm necklaces, and the one that really caught my eye was one with the "Keep Calm and Carry On" logo and a little whistle ($18); since my sister is English and runs a derby league, this is perfect for her.
The other item I thought would be just right for my brother's girlfriend, Jenn, was a soy wax candle in a travel tin ($8), with scents that evoke different authors. The Leo Tolstoy one — scented with black plum, persimmon and oakmoss — scared me, but the Jane Austen candle smelled delicious, of gardenia, tuberose and jasmine.
So though I did go over my budget a little, I figured that since I love shopping so much, that was OK. At least I resisted buying anything for myself, despite the temptations.
The joy of local shopping
Cabin Fever and Cabin Fever Holiday Fever
Unique, humorous and idiosyncratic gifts. This store has expanded to include an additional holiday-themed boutique, with calendars, cards and decorations, that will be open through Valentine's Day.
Location • Trolley Square, Main Building, Main Level, 600 S. 700 East, Salt Lake City
Hours • Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Contact • 801-363-0828; cabinfevercards.com
Tabula Rasa Social Stationers
A delightful combination of elegant and welcoming, this store offers a treasure trove of stationery, jewelry, toiletries, books and other gift items, including beautiful seasonal cards and ornaments. Staffers are highly knowledgeable but not pushy.
Location • Trolley Square, Main Building, Main Level, 600 S. 700 East, Salt Lake City
Hours • Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Contact • 801-575-5043; tabularasastationers.com
The English Garden
A full-service florist offering fresh flower arrangements, European garden planters, blooming plants and gifts for all occasions. The store also stocks unusual and reasonably priced stocking stuffers for $5 and under.
Location • Library Square, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City
Hours • Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact • 801-364-6202; theenglishgarden.biz
The Library Store
The Library Store, owned and operated by the Friends of the City Library, provides unexpected literary-inspired gifts. Look for practical, whimsical, and educational products that celebrate reading, writing and literature. It's a favorite browsing spot because the staff is so friendly.
Location • Library Square, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City
When • Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Contact • 801-524-8238; slcpl.lib.ut.us —
What kind of a holiday shopper are you?
As the holiday buying season launches in earnest, we explored a staff's worth of shopping personalities. Four reporters each completed a local shopping assignment, which translated into four very different accounts of their adventures. Like a retail Rorschach test, we offer reports from one reluctant and one enthusiastic shopper, and from one do-gooder and one surplus shopper. Happy Black Friday, indeed!