An Unpaid Endorsement of My Holiday Haunts

by Ilina

With the holidays creeping upon us and beckoning us to the big box retailers, there are more than a few ideas brewing my head to keep it local this year. I'm making my list and checking it twice. Who am I kidding? I'm not checking it at all. It's all I can do to write the list down on a scrap of torn envelope from my daily ration of junk mail. There are some places I will hit this holiday season for sure. Keep in mind this is not host of paid endorsements; these are independently owned business that I happen love. I would love to know some of your faves, especially since mine are clearly Raleigh-centric! Here are a few of my favorite Triangle things.

Tookies Toys: Independently owned toy store in Cameron Village that carries an awesome selection of Playmobil and other European brands. The wall of games is great, and the beefed up science section leaves my six year old drooling. The best part is no crazy testosterone laden shoot 'em up flaming, bursting, wheeling toys that some "experts" think boys must play with. And hands down the best looking wrapped gifts to boot! Did I mention free gift wrapping?

The Lollipop Shop: Did someone mention candy? This is a newcomer to North Hills that carries a mouthwatering buffet, I mean array, of old school candy and new fangled treats. My sons love the wind up toys and teddy bear accessories. Deal recently chose a fire chief hat for his little sidekick "Beary." Bird indulged in colorful rock candy and German-made gummi bears. The rainbow of M & Ms and wall of Jelly Bellys make me feel like, well, a kid in a candy store!

Marbles Kids Museum and Museum of Life + Science: Wonderful places to wile away the hours, rain or shine. A museum membership makes a dandy holiday gift (and a fantastic present to a kid who's going to be a big brother or sister!). There are times we go to Marbles twice in a week just because the boys want to embrace their inner Scurvy Dog and Black Beard on the pirate ship or bang the drums in "Brazil." The Life + Science Museum never disappoints. The bears are always a kick, and the remote control sailboat racing makes us all captain for a day.

Moxie Kids: This is where the cool kids shop. Or in our case, this is where the cool kids' grandfather shops. If you happen to see my sons looking particularly snazzy, it's because they're sporting some Tea Collection or Charlie Rockets garb from Moxie Kids. The store is chic and cute without being pretentious. The girls clothes are simply breathtaking. It's almost worth having a baby girl just to shop there. Almost.

Cameron Village Library: Forget Cheers, this is the place where everybody knows our names. When Bird turned one we donated copies of his favorite books to the library to commemorate his birthday. If you, like me, see the magic of books, donating to your local library is a fine fine gift. Talk about the perfect gift for the person who has everything and the gift that keeps on giving all wrapped up in one handsome cliche package! Look for The Cat in the Hat at Cameron Village Library with Bird's nameplate pasted in the cover.

One last thing...

Over the holidays and randomly throughout the year, we take a batch of cupcakes or brownies to the fine fire fighters at Station 6. They've come not once, but twice to save my little Deal (once when he was choking and a second time when he did this). They literally saved my son's life. Twice. A few doses of sugar fail miserably as a thank you, but think about it, nothing is grand enough to show our gratitude for the best gift we have ever gotten.

Ilina blogs about her musings and sons' escapades at Dirt & Noise and supports local businesses in her off time. If you want to follow her non sequitors, follow her on Twitter @ilinap. She also somehow manages to run iFactor, her own marketing consulting business, and cooks home cooked meals every night. Almost.

Comments

[Kelly]

One of my favorites in Durham continues to be Morgan Imports - a downtown Durham staple for 40 years! Not only is the store FULL of cool stuff for both adults & children, but hands down they have the best Christmas goodies & stocking stuffers! With their location in Brightleaf, there are plenty of other local stores & eateries to check out after shopping there.

[Andrea]

Those are all my mainstays as well! I also love this time of year for shopping handmade! The Handmade Market is a Favorite and the upcoming Rock'n'Shop!

[Sue Robinson]

I love Moxie! They thought I was crazy when I told them they should sell cloth diapering products.

I will have to stop by the candy store it looks adorable too!