Featured Story
Unique and Artful Gift Giving, When predictable and practical just won't do
Friday, December 05, 2008The gift-giving season is here, and many of us are scratching our heads and running all over town trying to find just the right gift for our friends and loved ones.
The Soap Opera
While there is a dizzying array of products to be had at various malls and chain stores, Madison also boasts a wide range of local, independent shops where great gifts of all kinds can be had. They’re often physically closer to home, offer free gift wrapping, and you can also feel good about supporting the local economy by patronizing them. What’s not to like?
While not by any means comprehensive, we’ve compiled a list of a handful of great local stores and products that we think would make valuable additions to your holiday shopping list. Most of them are located in or near downtown, and serve both the human and animal populations well.
Bad Dog Frida
Next door to the Barrymore Theatre on the city’s near east side, Bad Dog Frida (2094 Atwood Ave.) offers up a variety of whimsical and practical gifts for “good dogs and their people.” Whether you’re buying stocking stuffers for your own pets or looking to get something for a friend with an animal companion, there’s much to choose from. Wander into the store with its brightly painted walls, dogs sleeping behind the counter, and friendly owners and you’ll find things like an organic hoodie shirt ($49.95) with the shop’s mantra, “Wag more, bark less,” printed on the front. And in terms of products to help animals and their owners live up to that goal, there are Business Bags ($5.99), fully compostable and biodegradable receptacles for the business your dog gets up to on walks. For serious pet care, there’s a line of natural medicinal ointments and creams by Herbsmith ($33.00), for the treatment of everything from arthritis, allergies, and anxiety in your pet. The store also stocks a wide variety of toys, clothing, greetings cards, and treats for both cats and dogs.
The State Street shopping district offers perhaps the most concentrated area for finding local and unique gift stores. From the headwear bonanza of Sacred Feather (417 State St.) to its next door neighbor the Yellow Jersey Bike Shop (419 State St.), there’s almost no excuse to skip a stroll down this pedestrian mall when it comes time for gift hunting.
The most fragrant of these is The Soap Opera (319 State St.), which houses a wide variety of natural hygiene products and their accessories. The store also provides pre-made gift boxes arranged according to scent themes like “Rain Sampler” ($23.00) and “Rose Trio” ($14.00). Most of these can be gift-wrapped for no extra charge, presenting a ready-made gift opportunity. Also available are various bar soaps made by the owners of the store, advertised to be “100% vegetarian and hand cut.” They come in three sizes—large (1 for $8.50 or 3 for $16.95), medium (1 for $5.95), and small (1 for $3.50 or 3 for $9.95)—and are inlaid with various shapes like animals, hearts, and even the pirate skull-and-crossbones. For the discerning man in your life, head over to a section dedicated to more old-fashioned methods of grooming. Several different kinds of lathering brushes are on offer, from the rougher boar bristle to the smoother badger ($35.00), as are a wide variety of soaps and containers.
Across the street you’ll find the kitschy, whimsical, and very cool Pop Deluxe (310 State St.). For the more artistically inclined friend or relative, consider checking out their selection of lomography cameras. These are plastic cameras originally designed to be a budget-friendly alternative for those wishing to shoot with 35mm film, and have recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity for their oddly artistic light leaks, colored flashes, and retro look. You can pick up a Holga ($81.99), pretty much the gold standard in lomography, along with guidebooks for using them. There are also fisheye cameras ($49.99) and several lower priced “pop art” cameras.
Looking for a set of fun dishware? Pop Deluxe has that, too. Plates and cups with the word “night” above a picture of an owl, “busy” followed by bees, and various other combinations would make a fun addition to anyone’s kitchen. In the toy department, be sure to take a look at the box sets of clever action figures. There are zombies, “B-Movie Victims,” an angry mob, and even a group of paparazzi ($18.99).
Anthology
Up closer to the top of the street, newly opened Anthology (218 State St.) would warm the heart of the even mildly craft-inclined. About half of the items in the store are made by the two sisters who own it (and their dad), with the other half coming in from local artists selling on consignment. Take a gander at the sister’s beautiful necklaces made with tiny photographs of Madison or delicate sketches of acorns and bird’s nests ($25.00). A wide array of paper arts supplies are also available, as well as pre-made greeting cards and gift bows. If you’re more inclined to make your own, though, Anthology offers a craft table at the back of the store that’s open all day to anyone who wants to take a crack at creating bows, gift tags, or cards.
Some of the more popular items in the shop include bracelets made of small buttons ($12), bottle cap necklaces ($10-15), and the make-your-own button option for just a dollar. The store can provide different paper backgrounds for the buttons or you can bring in your own. Also available are artist pockets ($25), colorful fabric belts for storing paintbrushes and other tools. Ultimately, though, there are simply too many creative gifts on offer to name, so be sure to give yourself plenty of browsing time when you visit the store.
Over on the city’s near west side, stop in at Century House Scandinavian Gifts & Furniture (3029 University Ave.), which has been a fixture in Madison since 1948. Whether you’re looking for well-designed furniture—both classic and modern—or gifts with a European twist, you’re sure to find something pleasing. Check out the Josh Jankus wine tote, a slick and convenient way to transport your bottles of red or white. If you’re looking for a less ordinary set of dishware, the handcrafted pieces by Heath Ceramics might be right up your alley. For the connoisseur of fine dining tables, the Niels Bach solid teak variety are sure to go over well.
Don’t forget, too, that many of Madison’s performing arts companies offer gift cards and subscriptions, as do many of these stores. The city’s shopping diversity makes it far less stressful to find just the right gift for the people in your life.
