With Thanksgiving falling late this year, you may be pressed for time to get something for everyone on your holiday shopping list. The Elmwood Village is a great place to take care of everything in one day. Many of the storefronts are close to one another, so you can park your car or bike and explore all the village has to offer by foot. If you’re shopping for young people, the Tree House Toy Store (793 Elmwood) offers a wide variety of classic toys as well as some of the newest trends. Locally owned and operated since 1996, all toys at the Tree House are personally selected by the owners to inspire imagination and creativity.

Elmwood has a variety of gifts shops with some truly unique items perfect for stocking stuffers or small gifts for friends and co-workers. Everything Elmwood (740 Elmwood) is full of beautiful picture frames, jewelry, and wonderful-smelling soaps. It’s also home to many gag gifts such as the Great Nudes Mug, a mug covered with classical paintings whose clothes disappear when you add boiling water or Frozen Smiles, ice cube trays that make ice molds of teeth to float in your glass.

Another great stop for that person who seems to have everything is Spoiled Rotten (831 Elmwood). If you’re stumped trying to find that perfect gift, a walk around this shop should inspire some ideas. The shop is scattered with wacky items that are uniquely Buffalo. Who wouldn’t want to adorn their tree with a beef on weck ornament? Or walk around town in a pair of Buffalo Bills colored Zubaz leggings? When you’re checking out you many want to look for their handmade Buffalo-themed buttons of local treasures such as butter lambs, sponge candy, Franks Hot Sauce, to name a few.

If you’re looking for housewares, Ro (732 Elmwood), formerly Reimagine, has a beautiful assortment of stylish furniture, Scandinavian dishware by designers such as Marimekko, and wares from up and coming designers. The store has an assortment of stunning reclaimed furniture and home accessories to create a tranquil feel to any home. Another trendy stop is Second Chic (810 Elmwood), a contemporary consignment shop for women and men that sells gently used vintage clothes, purses, and jewelry.

If you venture farther down south on Elmwood, stop into El Buen Amigo (114 Elmwood). The fair-trade storefront offers art, crafts, clothing, and coffee direct from artisans and farmers in Latin America. The store is filled with beautiful scarves from Peru, handmade finger puppets, hats, sweaters, and much more. After a day of shopping you may want to stop into Cafe Taza (100 Elmwood) for a coffee or one of their signature drinks. Other great options for a post-shopping retreat and food are Globe Market (762 Elmwood) or Spot Coffee (765 Elmwood).

Shopping on Elmwood is a great way to support local, and independently owned businesses. Many of the shops offer complimentary gift-wrapping, so you can look forward to your gifts looking as great when you leave as they did in the store. Skip the delivery fees of online shopping this holiday season to experience the colorful window displays, lights, and wreaths on this vibrant city street.

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
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