The Decatur Minute

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

Did you know that foxes are the new owls? You know what I mean. For the past few years, owls have been on everything – tea towels, shirts, buttons, bags, etc. Well, now it’s the fox’s time to shine. If you don’t believe me, just take a look around when you’re shopping this holiday season. Foxes. Everywhere. Including this (see photo) gorgeous, vintage-y, sparkly fox ornament at The 17 Steps. And I think that might be another fox ornament off to the left of it, wearing a red scarf. See?! Foxes everywhere! The 17 Steps also has plenty of non-fox items like Downtown Abbey teas, Crabtree & Evelyn products, cards galore, holiday wreaths, Vera Bradley wallets, and jewelry. So the shop is pretty much your go to gift shop whether or not you’ve bought into the whole fox trend.

Tip: The shop stays open until 8 p.m. on Terrific Thursdays.

The 17 Steps
235-M Ponce de Leon Pl., Decatur, GA 30030 (in the CVS shopping center)
404-377-7564
www.the17steps.com

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

Dear World, meet Bread Cat. He and his compatriots live at HomeGrown in Decatur where they are available for purchase. What is Bread Cat? Well it’s a stuffed plush slice of bread with cat features on it. Duh. It comes in a variety of “flavors” like French Bread (see photo), Cinnamon Bread, and White Bread. Bread Cats are just one of the many amazing items at HomeGrown made by passionate artists. If you don’t have anyone on your holiday shopping list that is in need of a Bread Cat, then I feel sorry for you. But not to worry! There are plenty of other things to choose from at the shop: locally made body products, hipster-worthy succulents, handmade jewelry, duct tape wallets, and cute tea towels. But seriously, you should just by yourself a Bread Cat. Because, Bread Cat.

Tip: Nibble on some Little Debbie Cakes while you shop every Terrific Thursday.

Extra tip: Check out the Mr. T shrine in the back room.

HomeGrown
412 Church St., Decatur, GA 30030
404-373-1147
www.homegrowndecatur.com

photo h/t: Bread Cat’s website

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

Decatur doesn’t have one of those old time-y general stores that a lot of small towns have – with old school rock candy and nostalgic games. And that’s okay because Decatur has Greene’s Fine Foods, which is like a cooler, cleaner, more colorful version of ye olde general store. Most folks might know Greene’s for its huge candy counter and homemade fudge, but it’s also one of the best local shops for stocking stuffers. I mean, what kid (or adult) doesn’t want a bag of pop rocks this holiday season? Answer: no one. Or how about a $2.00 container of silly putty? Or an original nose flute (I have no idea what that is, but it looked like an awesome stocking stuffer)? See, this is why I love Decatur. Where else can you buy 1/2 pound of chocolate covered almonds and a nose flute?!

Tip: Now is the time to order your holiday tins. Greene’s has a huge selection.

Greene’s Fine Foods
141 Trinity Pl., Decatur, GA 30030
404-378-2001
www.greenesfinefoods.com

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

This is going to sound totally counter-intuitive, but Cook’s Warehouse and Sherlock’s Wine Merchants has the best presents for non-cooks. The Corkcicle Canteen, for example, is perfect for anyone who enjoys a beverage at the correct temperature (a.k.a. everyone). It keeps cold drinks cold for up to 25 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours. It comes in a multitude of the colors and finishes. You can find a whole shelf of Corkcicles near the shop’s registers facing the wine side of the store. Other non-cook items include Tervis Tumblers, Santa origami paper napkins, fancy coffee makers, beautiful Le Creuset coffee mugs, bar ware, and a lot of other non-cook-y things. Obviously, there are plenty of cook-related items for sale too, but if I listed all of them, this would be the longest blog post known to (wo)man.

Tip: Cook’s Warehouse is Decatur’s Big Green Egg headquarters. If you have a big holiday shopping budget, you can buy a whole smoker. If your budget is a little smaller, you can by one of the many Big Green Egg accessories.

Extra tip: Even though the shop is part wine merchant, it also has a great selection of craft beers.

Cook’s Warehouse and Sherlock’s Wine Merchant
180 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030
404-377-4005
www.cooksandsherlocks.com

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

Do you know what’s better than supporting local businesses? Supporting local business and fair trade practices. Collage Boutiques carries a bunch of accessories by World Finds, a company that sells handmade and fair trade products world wide. A lot of fair trade items are gorgeous but have a certain new age-y, bohemian vibe. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but woven purses and beaded bracelets aren’t for everyone. That’s why I love the bracelet in the photo above. It’s very modern and chic while also being fair trade. It’s made by low-income women in India who are improving their lives by making jewelry at a cooperative. The bracelet is available at Collage in gold and silver. This is guilt-free holiday shopping at its best!

Tip: Get 10 percent off full price merchandise on Terrific Thursdays.

Collage Boutique
114 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030
404-377-1280
www.thecollageboutique.com

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

Treehouse Kid & Craft is Decatur’s newest shop and it is flippin’ fantastic. It’s located in the same shopping center as Core Body next to Thinking Man Tavern. So you can go workout, do some holiday shopping, and then grab a pint. #justsayin’. Treehouse carries toys, books, and crafts for babies, kids, and families. The shop sells items like fox printed bibs, Pinterest-worthy party decor, science kits, all things unicorn, and the coolest temporary tattoos in Decatur (see photo above). #Idon’thavekidsbutIboughtthetemporarytattoosformyself

Tip: Starting early next year, Treehouse will start hosting crafting classes.

Extra tip: You can shop Treehouse online.

Treehouse Kid & Craft
533 W. Howard Ave., Decatur, GA 30030
470-355-8305
www.treehousekidandcraft.com

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

Turns out riding a bike is not just like riding a bike. After 15 years of non-cycling, I tried to get back on a bike and it was. . . pathetic. I immediately ran into a brick wall. I’m not completely discouraged though because I know some day I’ll be cycling like a pro on a cute bike with one of these awesome bike baskets from Decatur Bikes. The shop caters to people who know how to handle themselves on two wheels (note: not me), but the staff is super friendly, knowledgeable and won’t look down on you if you walk in just to ogle the cute bike baskets.

Tip: Decatur Bikes is more than a shop – it provides repair services too. Bring your bike in for a free estimate.

Decatur Bikes
252 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030
404-941-8717
www.decaturbikes.com

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

Nope. You’re not seeing things wrong. The sweater in the photo above is both a scarf and a cardigan cape thingy. It’s ingenious and stylish. It’s also perfect for this non-so-wintry weather we’ve been having in the south. In the fall you can wear it as a cardigan over a long sleeve shirt. Once it actually starts to get cold, you can wear it as a scarf with your winter coat. Boutique Karma sells these “scardigans” (new word alert!) in a bunch of different colors so you can buy them for your friends and not worry about having a twinsies moment.

Tip: All non-sale items are 15 percent off on Terrific Thursdays.

Extra tip: Jay, the owner, is usually at the shop and amazing at pulling outfits together. Just tell him your style and he’ll start grabbing pieces from around the store and set up a dressing room for you in under 10 minutes.

Boutique Karma
145-B Sycamore St., Decatur, GA 30030
404-373-7533
www.boutique-karma.com 

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

I know you know that Natural Body Spa is a great place to get a manicure, foot massage, eyebrow waxing, etc. But did you also know it has the best selection of all natural skin care and makeup in Decatur?! That means you can purchase stuff at Natural Body, slather it all over your skin, and not have to worry about the scary, non-FDA approved chemicals seeping into your body. Seriously! The Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist is a natural skin care fan favorite and a great pampering gift for the holidays. Plus, rosewater mists are totally in this year. Google “Rosewater spray” if you don’t believe me.

Tip: Tonight is Natural Body’s annual Spa-liday affair. Between 5 and 8 p.m., stop by for free services, discounts on everything (like all natural makeup – woot!) and festive food and drink.

Natural Body
225 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030
404-370-1330
www.naturalbody.com

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

With The Force Awakens opening December 18, there’s no time like the present to start indoctrinating the younger generations in all things Star Wars. Stock up on Star Wars toys this holiday season at Salon Red Kids. Yes. Really. It’s not just a kids salon, it’s also a toy shop filled with awesome gifts like Yoda dolls and R2-D2 figurines. There are also non-Star Wars toys, but who can think about such things when there’s a new film coming out right smack dab in the middle of the holidays?! Shop local this holiday season, you will.

Tip: Salon Red Kids has a different special every week for Terrific Thursdays. This week the shop is offering 20 percent off baby merchandise.

Extra tip: Bring in a used stuffed animal to donate and get 25 percent off your purchase.

Salon Red Kids
123 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030
404-377-6230
www.salonred.com

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