Black Friday is around the corner. Do you know where your charge card is? I’m not a big fan of shopping in general. Over the last five holiday seasons, I would conservatively estimate that I went to the malls zero times. And I have two kids with various toy requirements! That’s right, Louisville, I shop local. You should too. We have plenty of wonderful homegrown stores for all of your kid-shopping needs. Here are a few that I plan to frequent this year.
Playthings Toy Shoppe
4209 Shelbyville Road
(502) 895-6152
and
1215 Herr Lane, Westport Village
(502) 690-7408
Looking for that perfect stocking stuffer? Something without a trademark Avengers or Barbie picture glued to the front? At Playthings, you will hit gold, baby. They have cubbies upon cubbies filled with tiny wind-up, sproingy, sticky, stretchy fun. You’ll also find a world of Playmobil that would make a five year old weep. We’ve even purchased individual Playmobil add-ons for less than $10. Drop that right into your child’s stocking! If you have a child who likes Sanrio and Hello Kitty, there are enough pink, glittery tchotchkes to make her (or his) little heart sing. Check out the rotating display of Sanrio desk accessories! Playthings also has dolls, board games, toy trains, puzzles, books, science kits, and a nice selection of Melissa & Doug educational toys and art supplies.
Carmichael’s Bookstore
1295 Bardstown Road
(502) 456-6950
and
2720 Frankfort Avenue
(502) 896-6950
I admit it: I’m a book nerd. The only things I requested for my birthday were books and bookstore gift cards. My bookstore of choice: Carmichael’s, of course. Carmichael’s is what a bookstore should be – quiet, cozy, stacked to the ceiling with books, and staffed with knowledgeable booksellers. Kelly Estep, Carmichael’s children’s book buyer, is one of those knowledgeable folk. She recommended a few titles for this holiday season. For the babies on your holiday list, Estep recommends “A Christmas Carol” in the BabyLit series. (And, might I add, all of the BabyLit books are awesome. “Jane Eyre” as a board book? C’mon!) For the picture book crowd, Estep suggested several books on friendship, including “Penguin and Pinecone: A Friendship Story” by Salina Yoon (about a friendship between, you guessed it, a penguin and a pinecone), “Boot & Shoe” by Marla Frazee (about two identical terriers, a meddling squirrel, separation, and peeing on the same tree), and “A Perfect Day” by Carin Berger (collage illustrations of children coming outside after a snowstorm).
Just Creations
2722 Frankfort Avenue
(502) 897-7319
Looking for a gift that is multicultural, unique, and fair trade? Look no further than Just Creations. A Louisville institution since 1990, Just Creations features handmade merchandise from artisans from 45 countries around the globe. You must come see their collection of nativities, ranging in style and materials from recycled soda cans and magazine paper to a ceramic Peruvian nativity complete with an igloo, polar bears, and puffins! Joan Frisz, executive director of Just Creations, recommends baby gifts such as blankets woven from Indian saris, bibs and clothing from Ghana, stuffed animals and finger puppets from Peru and Malawi, and the galimoto bicycler from Kenya (which, I admit, my daughter loved so hard it warped!). Just Creations also has a nice selection of internationally themed children’s books, including “Global Babies” (available in English/Spanish edition) and “Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions From Around the World.”
Book & Music Exchange
5400 Preston Highway
(502) 969-4403
and
1616 Bardstown Road
(502) 454-3328
If your kids are like my kids, they don’t really care if a DVD or a Nintendo DS cartridge is in the original plastic wrap. In fact, it’s easier to open this way! My husband and I love stopping by Book & Music Exchange for our holiday electronics needs. Last year, our daughter was obsessed with Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” books. We not only scored the previously-owned DVD for $10, but also the DS cartridge (which, by the way, we would never have found at Best Buy or Target!). So many affordable games!
The Louisville Game Shop
925 Baxter Avenue
(502) 456-2734
Nerd alert: I’m not just a book nerd, I also love board games. My entire family does. We just started Catan Junior and – despite my reservations – my husband has reeled the kids into playing Dungeons and Dragons, securing their lonely, dateless nights in high school way in advance. We love all board games, not just role-playing games, mind you: strategy games, puzzle games, party games, educational games, and Boggle. (OK, my kids don’t know Boggle yet, but once they learn to spell, they will be all over that.) I know the game walls at Target and Walmart are tempting because you’re already there for toilet paper, but do yourself a favor and head over to The Louisville Game Shop. The store has a vast selection for your board gaming needs. And did I mention they have an entire room of role-playing games and paraphernalia? Why not stop by one of their board game nights? Bring your favorite board game and share the fun with other gaming enthusiasts! Visit thelouisvillegameshop.com for dates and details.
-Amy Miller
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