Huntsville Has A Lot to Offer in Off-the-Wall Christmas Gift Ideas
Deck the halls and walls and fill the stockings while you’re at it. Make the lists, check them twice, and shop local. No disputing it, Huntsville is rife with retail and the local treasures listed below barely scratch a dent into what the Rocket City has to offer.
For those of you who are stumped for gift-giving ideas, here’s a good starting point. From traditional “family and friend” presents to “Dirty Santa” and “White Elephant” gifts, there’s something for everyone.
Lewter’s Hardware
222 Washington St NE, Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 539-5777
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat: 7:30 a.m.-noon
Lewter’s time-honored motto, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it” still holds true. The shelves at Lewter’s are filled with an infinite selection of tools, home improvement, and pretty much anything known to mankind to embellish one’s nest. Spoiler alert: Lewter’s also carries toys; a very quirky selection, at that.
Looking for a scatologically inspired stocking stuffer? Lewter’s has a can of Big Foot Scat for only $5.99. It’s a great way to keep the young’uns giggling and entertained for a spell.
What better way to pass the time – or gas for that matter? Windbreaking, as it’s referred to in polite circles, has taken on a life of its own in Toyland. As part of the “Fartist Club,” Ripping Randy and his pals, Farty Flip, Munchy Max, and Windy Wendy are here to show you how it’s done. All that’s required is $10.99 and 2 AAA batteries to get that office Dirty Santa party started.
“This is the first time we’ve had these,” said Dianne Douglas, merchandise buyer for Lewter’s. “Sometimes, the guys tease me when things like this come in.”
Railroad Station Antiques
https://www.railroadstationantiques.com
315 Jefferson St N, Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 533-6550
Hours: Mon-Fri: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun: 1-5 p.m.
Railroad Station has a dynamic assortment of merchandise. There are Gurgle Pots and Chirpy Tops for home entertaining. Unique items such as decorative concrete crosses, dragonfly tiffany lamps, and many other one-of-a kind items fill up the three stories of vendor space.
Turkish Treasures & Inspired at Cyn Shea’s
https://turkishtreasures.com/
https://cynsheas.com › inspired-gifts
415 Church St NW Suite E-5
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 527-2488
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-3pm
Inspired
Located in Cyn Shea’s, Inspired is filled with an enticing collection of unique gifts from local, regional, and global artisans.
Turkish Treasures is a store within a store. A retail version of a nesting doll, if you will. Turkish Treasures features handmade gifts from Turkey and Central Asia.
Both Inspired and Turkish Treasures feature sustainable products made by artisans and companies that “give back” to their local communities.
Little Green Store
https://thelittlegreenstore.net
820 Monte Sano Blvd SE, Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 539-9699
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Open Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas
The Little Green Store and Gallery features a dazzling assortment of locally created art, pottery, and handmade jewelry. They also carry products by the socially conscious company Blue Q, makers of quirky socks, potholders, and more.
A solid collection of Houston Ilew’s “Spirtiles” are also available. The glass on copper enameled collectibles are beautifully designed; each “tile” has a theme with an accompanying phrase.
Art & Soul Inspired Home
2313 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 270-7363
Hours: Mon-Thur: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri-Sat: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Looking for gifts for that special guy? Art & Soul carries Duke Cannon Supply Company men’s products. With eye-catching names like “Mr. Perfect” Grooming Kit, “Bloody Knuckles” hand repair balm, and “Offensively Large” lip balm, the goods are guaranteed to deliver quality, along with a chuckle.
Along with men’s grooming goods, rock the holidays in style! Art & Soul also has a collection of quippy door tags that will ring in the season with a big laugh.
Green Pea Press/The Pea Pod at Lowe Mill
http://greenpeapress.com/
2211 Seminole Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, Studios 111-122
(256) 679-7288
Hours: Wed-Thur: Noon-6 p.m.; Fri: Noon-8 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Green Pea Press embraces the quirky, whimsical side of Huntsville . The group’s collective imagination makes for interestingly designed wearing apparel and products that celebrate our city, our state, and the denizens who inhabit it. Be an ambassador! The apparel makes a great gift for out-of-town family and friends.
Vertical House Records
theverticalhouse.com
2211 Seminole Drive, SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
(256) 658-2976
Hours: Weds-Fri: Noon-8 p.m.; Sat: Noon-5 p.m.
News Flash! Vinyl has never really disappeared and it’s back with a vengeance. Vertical House offers a wide selection of 33 1/3 playable discs; from Bobby Sherman to Alice Cooper and all points in between. Don’t have anything to play them on? There’s an assortment of turntables in stock, as well.
Located in the Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment Center, Green Pea Press/The Pea Pod and Vertical House Records are two of the many local artisan-retailers in the collective. Be sure to check out the other Lowe Mill artists while checking off your holiday gift list.
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
www.lowemill.net
2211 Seminole Drive, SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
(256) 533-0399
Hours: Weds: Noon-6 p.m.; Thurs: Noon-6 p.m.; Fri: Noon-8 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Trash Pandas Emporium
https://www.milb.com/rocket-city
365 The Bridge Street, Huntsville, AL 35806
(256) 325-1413
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun: Noon-6 p.m.
Baseball bling is in, especially when the mascot is a raccoon with an attitude! Haters can hate, but quirky team names are here to stay. Just a thought: it sure beats a name like “Wind Surge.”
All team name grousing aside, the Emporium has an assortment of goodies from the big-ticket jerseys and hats to stocking stuffers like nail files, clippers, and decals. There’s even a stuffed unicorn!
Gifts from the Trash Panda Emporium will delight those rabid baseball fans, who are eagerly counting the days until the season opener.