The Decatur Minute

Looking for home-spun, gobs-of-fun holiday finds? Check out HomeGrown Decatur for all things locally made! This artist market features Decatur and Atlanta-area crafters, makers, tinkerers, calligraphers, painters, illustrators, jewelers, and more. Their vast (and always-changing) selection offers something for everyone, from leather cuffs to candles, wholesome homemade dog treats to customized beer koozies, and Bread Cat. Who doesn’t love Bread Cat? The shop is curated with quality – and quirkiness – in mind.

Tip: Get local with your list. Shop HomeGrown’s selection of oh-so-Decatur wares (think 30030 pillows and local landmark coasters) for Decatur natives or newbies, and celebrate your hometown for the holidays.

Extra tip: Shop here on Terrific Thursdays for a new BOGOHO deal (that’s “buy one get one half off”) every week! Enjoy local libations from Urban Tree Cidery while you’re there.

Need some stress relief? Yes – yes, you do. Treat yourself to some peaceful pampering at Fabu Face Spa, one of Decatur’s favorite me-time destinations. Don’t let the small storefront fool you – this is a full-service, never-stuffy spa. Their expert estheticians and therapists offer customized treatments from head to toe. Enjoy a wide range of facial treatments, waxing and tinting services, and truly therapeutic full-body massage (Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, and more). Keep it all to yourself, or share the serenity – and become someone’s new best friend – with spa packages and passes.

How about a little DIY self-care? Shop their storefront for indulgent body and bath products, the latest trends in natural cosmetics, and skin care treatments with proven results. They even stock locally handmade jewelry, candles, and other great gift items. What’s not to love?

Tip: Fabu does Terrific Thursdays right. Free chair massages, mini facials, peels and other services, special deals, AND refreshments.

Extra tip: Book a spa date with a friend – or a spa PARTY with five!

Got avid listeners on your list? Decatur CD offers the ultimate throw-back to the laid-back music store. Well, really, they’ve been doing their thing all along – selling music you can hold in your hand. What’s old is new again – especially with the great used vinyl you can score here!

Browse their wall-to-wall (and floor-to-ceiling) selection of fresh releases, new and used CDs, vinyl LPs, and DVDs – even a few cassingles. Get recommendations for your next favorite album from a real human being! Sample new tunes at one of their listening stations for rotating staff picks from their inventory. Beyond the music, find box sets, live concert recordings, books, posters, and more.

Tip: Stop in on Terrific Thursdays for rotating deals and snacks – and of course, good music.

Treehouse Kid & Craft is a must-shop spot for the little ones on your list! This whimsical, oh-my-goodness adorable store offers curated finds for kiddos of all ages. It is well worth the short trip from Decatur’s downtown square to West Howard Avenue. Shop books, games, toys, craft kits, costumes, party supplies, baby items, and more – all with a BIG dose of play and imagination.

Give the gift of making! Beyond shopping for stuff, you can purchase passes for craft-tastic classes. Treehouse Kid & Craft hosts artful afternoons of crafting, coloring, learning, and making. They also offer awesome summer camps. And you can even rent them out for extra-special birthday parties!

Tip: Drop in on Terrific Thursdays for deals and giveaways. And as the holidays approach, look for free crafting events for kids.

Extra tip: Free on-site parking! Pop on over.

Pop into Squash Blossom boutique for a world of color, texture, and unexpected flourish in women’s fashion. Browse their bountiful racks of tops, bottoms, dresses, and jackets for seasonally selected stand-out pieces. Mix and match cozy fabrics and fresh patterns for that layered look. Accessorize with handcrafted jewelry, scarves, hats, and handbags. Then finish it off with a statement shoe – or an irresistible fall boot. You know you want to.

Round out your wardrobe with upgraded basics like Michael Stars tees, Toms slip-ons, and Hanky Panky delicates – hand-picked for the little lux they add to every day. Speaking of lux… Be sure to shop their indulgent collection of Library of Flowers lotions and perfumes along with soaps and scented candles from fine local purveyors. If you’re willing to share, they make great gifts!

Tip: Look for rotating 25-percent-off deals on Terrific Thursdays as well as wine and snacks in store.

Indulge your sweet tooth with a scoop at Butter & Cream while the weather is still warm. Once it cools off, cozy up with a quality cookie! Or have the best of both worlds with their perfectly paired ice cream sandwiches. All of Butter & Cream’s offerings are “home-town made” – all in-house and with the finest ingredients.

Choose from fanciful flavors – think Campfire Chocolate, infused with bourbon and coffee – or classic, even nostalgic, tastes like Butter Pecan or Summer Strawberry. Their bakery goods are crafted with care…and butter. Delicious, delicious butter. Go for the Salted Honey Shortbread cookies or a generous slab of carrot cake.

Need a sweet stocking stuffer? Bring home handfuls of their housemade sea salt caramels. One cake short for your Thanksgiving feast? Butter & Cream to the rescue! Order ahead from their bakery menu and pass it off as your own. They won’t mind.

Tip: Stop by on Terrific Thursdays for special savings and check out their seasonal flavors.

Extra tip: Sprinkles are always FREE!

All that glitters is not gold… Sometimes it’s rose gold, platinum, titanium, palladium, sterling silver, tungsten carbide, or semi-precious stones. Why limit yourself? Worthmore Jewelers offers it all. Pop into this anything-but-stuffy jewelry store and gallery for eclectic embellishments, bright baubles, and state-of-the-art art. The expert staff knows their stuff, and they hand-pick pieces for men and women with a flourish. This is not your typical jewelry store. Find unique and artful pieces alongside understated classics, whether you’re looking for a watch or an engagement ring.

Tip: The folks at Worthmore also know how to throw a good party! Stop by their ArtWalk event tonight, Friday, Nov. 4, for music, refreshments, and time with featured artist Walter Arnold, 7–9 p.m.

Extra tip: Shop here on Terrific Thursdays for special deals, snacks, and the artful #octopidecatur scavenger hunt!

Little Shop of Stories just got bigger! Come check out the latest expansion to Decatur’s downtown bookstore, offering even more reading nooks, train tables, and shelves for the goods – “good reads,” that is! This colorful, cozy store has something for every reader, from baby’s-first board books to the latest young adult fiction picks, non-fiction must-reads, and much more. Stumped by the selection? Their friendly staff makes expert recommendations for your next book – or your tricky gift-lister’s.

Tip: Join in the fun tonight, Thursday, Nov. 3, during their expansion opening party! Enjoy snacks, crafts, and live music at 7 p.m.

Extra tip: Shop here on Terrific Thursdays and reap the rewards: in November, earn a $5 gift certificate for every $50 spent; in December, earn a $10 gift certificate for every $100 spent.

Extra extra tip: Join in Storytime – three times a week!

30 Days of Shopping in Decatur this November: Jump-start your holiday spirit – and your holiday shopping – with local daily tips on The Decatur Minute.

Get Fido in on the festivities! Furry Tails Pet Shop offers hand-picked products for dogs and cats with quality, durability, and a good dose of fun in mind. You’ll find whimsical toys, delectable treats, and stylish collars, leashes, beds, and accessories that see your pet through puppy (or kitty) years and beyond. The shop also stocks a range of high-quality pet foods for healthy, happy furry companions.

Look for locally crafted artwork and decor items for the pet lovers on your list. Yes, you can shop for humans here, too!

Tip: Shop Furry Tails on Terrific Thursdays for buy one, get one half off deals on treats. Bring home a free can of cat or dog food with the purchase of a toy.

Extra tip: Get through the last of the election with a grin. Take 25 percent off of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump printed poop bags!

Grab a growler or mixed six-pack and be the hit of the party – or the Wednesday night. Ale Yeah! Craft Beer Market offers hand-picked brews in bottles and on tap. Their vast seasonal selection and their staff’s expertise will get you through holiday celebrations and cozy nights alike. Check out autumnal specialties while they last, then look for witty, winter-inspired flavors later on in the season. Ale Yeah! specializes in finding the best local brews and sourcing international winners as well, so you can’t go wrong.

Need a hostess gift? Sub a festive 750ml for a bottle of wine, then add elevated bar snacks – locally crafted, of course!

Tip: Take 10 percent off of all food items (think nuts, crackers, cracklin’s, and beer-inspired jams and preserves) on Terrific Thursdays.