There is a shopping plaza on East Aurora’s western end, and in its vicinity there are some fine gift shops. And there’s Aurora Beer Works and the Bar Bill Tavern on that side of town, too—both worthy destinations.

And there is the Roycroft Campus, smack in the middle of town, with its gift shops and antique store. That’s a good place to visit and shop, too.

But if you really want an East Aurora holiday shopping experience, you’ll find a place to park on the east end of town, somewhere between Olean and Elm, and just walk around.

If you’re lucky, you’ll start with something fortifying to eat and drink at the Elm Street Bakery and then head up toward Main Street, stopping along the way at RedFish Gallery and MUSEjar Art Supplies—at the former you can peruse (and purchase) artwork by local talent, and at the latter you can lay in supplies to inspire the artist on your gift list.

You’ll turn right on Main Street, and for two long blocks you’ll meet shop after shop: The Walk In Closet, Wallflower Vintage, Ratcha Lynn (where you can get your nails done and pick up a pair of Birkenstocks), Aurora Action Sports. There’s a terrific wine store and a cupcakery; there’s Limelite Music; there’s the Dress Shop. There are more places offering more goods than you’ll ever need.

Which, finally, brings us to the dear old destination: Vidler’s. The first thing to do at Vidler’s is buy yourself a little bag of popcorn for a dime. Thus equipped, move through the throngs who fill the store in the holiday season looking for stocking stuffers, decorations, wreath forms, toys, yarn, candles, candleholders, candy, fabric, kitchenware—more than 75,000 items in stock at any given time, the Vidlers claim, and you’d better believe it. It’s not exactly a five-and-dime anymore, despite the cheap popcorn, but a $20 bill still goes a long way.

Gift Guide 2013 Intro This Will Work: 45 Gift Ideas Buy Nothing This Christmas • Shopping Challenge: Downtown Buffalo, Lunchtime • One-Stop Shopping • Everything's On Elmwood • Main Street, East Aurora • Go North for Christmas
Literature: For Everyone, A Book • Film: A World of Cinema • You Auto Know: Stocking Stuffers