Spend your money in Denton and Denton will be a better place. Heck, spend your money in Denton at local businesses and things will be even better. We already know a lot of you will be doing your Christmas shopping (or selfish shopping) over the next few days. Why not keep your hard-earned dollars local?
Anyway, y'all are lucky that there's so many crafty people with initiative living all around you. They make lots of cool stuff that you can purchase as gifts for your friends/family/kiddos/dogs/what-have-you. Below are three separate gift guides that will help you spend money in town. If you have any local gifts you'd like to receive, let us know in the comments and maybe your sister-in-law will buy it for you if she reads the blog.
FOR THE DENTON LOVER:
Head over to your favorite booze emporium and get someone a 22oz of Brunch Money or WunderMelon from Armadillo Ale Works.
A bag of coffee from one of our many different local coffee roasters (which we'll highlight later):Bookish, Macaroni Island, Seven Mile, Coffeewright, or Cultivar (not roasted locally, but we love these dudes).
Holiday Lighting Collectible Denton Christmas Ornaments.
A gift certificate to Recycled.
Pre-order your pal a ticket for 35 Denton's return in March of 2015.
FOR THE DUDES:
A wallet or key lanyard from Bell and Oak makes a great gift for men or women. Clint Wilkinson, owner of Bell and Oak, is crafting some of the most beautiful handmade leather goods around (yes, even outside of Denton). His Instagram feed alone will make you swoon. We're pretty much feeling like we need all leather everything now. Don't even get us started on the amazing 'new leather' smell that happens when you pick up a new piece for your growing wallet collection - it's addicting.
Lessons from the Ghost Note, because he’s always wanted to be a drummer at heart. He just doesn't talk openly about it.
Is your fella obsessed with early 90's pop culture? Does he ever wonder if a predator would be able to take a wompa in a fight? Get him a Matthew Sallack print. He's down at the community market most Saturdays and has some work available at The DIME Store.
Y’all play board games, right? We sure do. We like to stroll by More Fun Comics, Books and Games on the square and get a new one every now and then. Small World is great, but if you’re looking for something a bit more casual, then go for Fluxx or Cards Against Humanity (if it’s in stock).
Some Mustache Wax from Rose Costumes.
Or, if you know a guy who is way too into his facial hair (it is Denton, after all), get ‘em the leather dopp kit from Of Mud and Coal and a little of that awesome beard tonic from Austin Street Apothecary that you can buy at The DIME Store.
A CHL course at Quail Creek Gun Range.
A couple giant aluminum letters (maybe a couple of you can get the letters for “BUTT,” "BEER," or “DUMB” if you hurry) from Serendipity.
FOR THE LADIES:
This “Dreaming of Denton” dress from Modcloth, designed to make you think about strolling around on the square.
Bell and Oak just ain't for dudes. Check out this blanket below:
Go peruse the Crafts subreddit, make some notes, and then head over to SCRAP Denton and get crafty.
A Rachel Elise clutch - the bag to be seen with in Denton. She makes some awesomely handsome bags for pretty ladies. They even have a date purse - the perfect way to hint that you'd like a date for someone maybe?
Handmade jewelry from Archerplusshare from her Etsy shop or available at the DIME store. It's the perfect way to buy jewelry without over-thinking diamonds or hearts.
Lavender bath salts and body butter from Austin Street Apothecary - also available at The DIME Store.
$30 for 30 days deal at Authentic Yoga Life. Put those Lululemon pants to use!
An Anna Tovar print (or original) makes a great gift for a ladyfriend or even your Mom. The originals might be gone pretty quick, though (because we're gonna buy 'em all).
A cool, old film camera from Denton Camera Exchange. Maybe some Impossible Film to go with it (depending on what you’re getting).
A future class from Cardo's Farm Project, because natural dyes and canning are totally skills a Dentonite should have. And, yes, they can teach you how to pickle that.