Last Minute Gift Buys
By: Corrie Matchell
Posted: 1-18-18
I live in the constant tenstion of wanting to buy the perfect gift for my friends and family and being a procrastinator. Until recently, this meant that everyone just got iTunes gift cards. No one was disappointed, but no one commented on my thoughtfulness, either. Now, with the recent growth of our fair city, I've found a handful of shops I can swing by on my way to a party and find the perfect gift.
Blue Seven
7518 N. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 | 405-463-0604
If what you want isn't here, it might not exist. Blue Seven has the most incredibly large inventory of totally random gifts from novelty socks to color-change coffee mugs and finger puppets. They've also got super classy gifts, like perfume, candles, and prints. And if the person you're buying for is a die-hard local, there's a whole section of the store (Just OK) with locally made goods. So you can shop local goods in a local store. It's like local inception. The staff is always really helpful too. Even if you just say "What's a good gift for a cousin that you kinda know but don't want to spend too much money on because they didn't invite you to their wedding?" They'll know just how to help you.
Chirps & Cheers
1112 N. Walker, #101, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 | 405-509-6336
I've made many a panicked stop at this adorable little Midtown shop. They have the absolute best cards ever. From cutesy to inappropriate, I can always find the perfect card at Chirps & Cheers. They also sell monogrammed merchandise, so if you have the gift of planning ahead, you can pick a binder or clutch and have someone's initials monogrammed on there. They also offer all kinds of fun classes, like watercolor, calligraphy, and weaving. So if you're looking for a unique gift, you could always buy them a spot at the next class. website
Black Scintilla
1112 N. Walker Avenue, Suite 104, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 | 405-824-7599
Black Scintilla has really great accessories and quirky gift buys that will make your friends and family smile. One of my favorites is these candles that look like cats. As you burn them, the wax melts away and leaves a metal cat skeleton when the candle is burned out. It's a tad morbid, but I like it. The jewelry and hats and scarves are all great there, they have baby tuxedos, wine glasses, pet accessories, and lots more. Also, the customer service is on point, and I always leave with at least one thing for myself because they're so great at making you feel good about yourself. website
Tucker's Onion Burgers
324 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 | 405-609-2333
Bear with me on this one. Am I saying you should get someone a burger and fries as a gift? Well, it's not a bad idea. But here's my genius plan. Tucker's is a part of Good Egg Dining Group. Which includes Cheever's, The Drake, Barrios, Republic, Iron Star, Kitchen 324, and Red Prime Steakhouse. So stop by Tucker's, grab a milkshake, and pick up a gift card. It can be used at any Good Egg Restaurant. And everyone in OKC has a favorite Good Egg Restaurant, or at least one they've been wanting to try. Trust me, I got two of these cards for Christmas and they were my favorites.
Plenty Mercantile
807 N. Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 | 405-888-7470
I get the same feeling walking through Plenty that I do walking through places like Whole Foods or Williams Sonoma. If I just owned one of everything in here, my house would be perfect, my life would be perfect, I would smell good, there would be no dog hair covering my couch, and my soufflé would always rise perfectly. So this has obviously not happened, but you can give a little taste of that feeling with a gift from Plenty. Art prints, slate cheese boards, keychains, houseplants, reusable lunch bags, and chew toys are just the beginning of the never-ending array of classy merchandise. website
Shop Good
1007 N. Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 | 405-702-0517
I've been shopping here for ages, and the selection just keeps getting better and better. They have wall-mounted bottle openers, notebooks (a classic gift go-to), these super cool knives that Picasso used back in the day, and well-designed cards. But where Shop Good really shines is with their shirts. They custom print tees, tanks, and sweatshirts in-house with original designs. If you want a Thunder tee, a shirt to show some Okie pride, or a shirt that tells everyone how much you love tacos, Shop Good is your place. Plus, they have a screen printing shop set up right in the store, so you can watch them print the tees as you shop!
Broadway Wine Merchants
824 N. Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 | 405-231-0031
If you're in a bind for time, wine is a great gift. And I stand firmly by the assertion that Broadway Wine Merchants is the best liquor store in town. They are SO helpful and knowledgeable! I've come in with some crazy questions before, like "Help, I just realized not all wine is vegetarian, what can I drink?!" and "What can I buy if I'm going to a party where the guest of honor is a sommelier and I'm poor?" Every time, they've helped me knock it out of the ballpark. The store is small, clean, welcoming, and they have more than just wine, so if you're buying for a bourbon enthusiast or beer snob, they've got you covered. website
