One of the best parts of #parentlife is getting to watch the kids squee over the amazing loot they scored under the Christmas tree. And when you’re picking up a high-dollar item like a Nintendo Switch, I can’t fault anyone for camping outside the Best Buy to save a few bucks. But in the era of Amazon and megastores, those savings come with a very real cost to our local business ecosystem — which is why one of the best things we can do is support our community by shopping locally.
Still, holiday shopping with a few of my pals last year also made me realize something: A lot of folks want to shop locally, but they don’t really know what’s out there. And with limited time to shop, it can just be so much easier to go online, fill up the cart with mass-produced meh gifts, and call it a day. This is especially a shame since the Tulsa metro region is loaded with awesome little locally-owned shops and artisans — hidden gems brimming with one-of-a-kind treasures your giftees will delight in.
Falling on the weekend after Thanksgiving, Shop Local Saturday is the perfect opportunity to check them out while supporting local businesses and scoring some of the most utterly ‘grammable gifts for your teens, tweens, besties, and ride-or-dies. To help you level up your Santa game this year, here’s a list of some of the very coolest Tulsa-plus businesses to fill Santa’s cute little Bag of Holding with this Shop Local Saturday. Many offer online shopping and local pickup. And the best part? This list is loaded with certified teen-friendly goodies!
Urban Owasso
Owasso’s Redbud District
(918) 863-5557
If you love dreamy, red dirt boho digs and decor, you need to be shopping at Urban Owasso. A lovely little boutique situated in the heart of Owasso, Urban Owasso’s sizable collection of inspired threads is a surprising middle ground for those of us with spendier taste. And it’s owned by a local family, folks who pour their hearts and souls into curating the collection that reflects the uniquely Green Country aesthetic that beautifully marries urban, bohemian, and western sensibilities.
And like every good boutique, the shop staff are skilled stylists who don’t mind taking the time to help you pick out the right ensemble. Some of their hottest items this year include their adorable platform booties — a seriously budget-friendly UGG dupe at only $36.95 — and their festival-ready guitar strap belt bags that can be had for less than $30. Swoon!
Ida Red General Store
Near 33rd & Peoria, Tulsa; Tulsa Arts District, downtown Tulsa; 91st and Yale, Tulsa
(918) 949-6950
Founded in 2008 with the intention of showcasing local vendors, Ida Red has become a community staple in the years following and is the place to pick up stylish Oklahoma merch and cool, quirky gifts. They’ve got beautiful, higher-end gifts like Pendleton blankets. Or if you’re looking for stocking stuffers, they have a ton of goodies for under $10 that won’t leave the giftee feeling like the unwilling recipient of a disappointing last-minute Dollar Tree run like super fun magnets of greats like Dolly Parton for $5.95 and up. They even have a Travis Meyer altar candle that I definitely need, especially since my dreams of hosting NaderCon have yet to pan out. Are you listening, Santa?
Glacier Chocolate
Utica Square, Tulsa
(539) 424-5992
One thing that infallibly helps take the stress out of my holiday shopping is my husband’s love of chocolate. When things have been absolutely off the rails and I’m basically spinning out from retail hyperstimulation, the only thing good old Justin needs in his Christmas stocking is a little chocolate. If you’ve got someone like that in your life, Glacier Chocolate is a spot you’ll want to check out. Run by a pair of genius chocolatiers, Glacier is home to gorgeous, artful artisan gourmet chocolates — and you can build your own box.
The first time I tried a Glacier Chocolate, it was so gorgeous I almost felt guilty biting into it. Signature flavors include such decadent concoctions as Dark Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel, Limoncello, and Mexican Spice, just to name a few, as well as seasonal flavors and a vegan collection. They even have Peanut Butter and Jelly, Oatmeal Cookie, and Cereal Milk. And for just $8, you can pick up a Golden Driller Chocolate Bar to stash in someone’s stocking.
Reeder’s Auto & Tire Center
Near Utica Square, Tulsa
(918) 747-0965
For years when I was working at Utica Square, Reeder’s was my go-to spot for gas in sub-zero temperatures thanks to their old-fashioned fuel service. This retrolicious fueling station has been around since 1961, in which time it’s been passed down through four generations of Tulsa’s Reeder family. But they’re not just a great spot to fuel up or grab a carwash — they’re also a well-kept secret spot for nabbing awesome stocking stuffers and gifts including the weird and wonderful (see: steak socks) or just plain yummy (like candy foam).
Made: The Indie Emporium Shop
Downtown Tulsa Arts District (near Greenwood)
(918) 665-1478
A showcase for local or regional artisans and indie craftsters, Made is one of those places where I honestly want to buy everything. And the best part is that just about everything you purchase here is directly supporting local or small business makers. Even better, you can shop on their website so you get the convenience of online shopping without viscerally feeling your soul slowly drained by corporate greed. There’s tons of loveliness to spend your dough on, like this dreamy-as-heck leather tote from Texas-based maker Weather and Story for $150. And many items can be had for stocking stuffer prices — case in point, this adorable vintage rubber Thrifting Money coin purse I definitely need for only $8.
Magic City Books
Downtown Tulsa Arts District (near Greenwood)
(918) 602-4452
While you’re visiting Made, walk over to Magic City Books. Like Whitty Books, they’re a cool little indie bookstore. But Magic City is run by the Tulsa Literary Coalition, a local nonprofit aimed at using books to generate important cultural dialogues. Here, you can pick up books, Magic City merch, and even signed Joy Harjo materials. And you can also have the best of both worlds by shopping Magic City online.
Pinkitzel Cupcake & Candy
Cherry Street, Tulsa
(918) 582-7465
The fact that she lost her head hasn’t stopped me from imagining myself as Marie Antoinette, surrounded by a sea of towering pastel powder wigs, embroidered French corsets, and candy-colored macarons. While I can’t have the whole fantasy, Pinkitzel is happy to be of service on the macaron end of things — and they’ve also got cakes, truffles, and cupcakes to make French courtesans swoon. They have loads of individual treats including large macarons in a host of flavors — including my favorite, salted caramel — for only $3.95.
Decopolis
Near 11th & Peoria, Tulsa
(918) 382-7388
Part art deco-themed museum, part magical emporium of artsy local delights, Decopolis is one of my favorite places to shop. Created by a third-generation Tulsan and self-taught artist named William the Artist, this awesome shop offers up Tulsa-themed books, clothing, and other merch as well as all kinds of wonderful little curios like steampunk-inspired gifts and geekery.
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66
Near 11th & Peoria, Tulsa
(918) 895-9769
Recognizable by its Roadside Attraction Space Cowboy Muffler Man, Buck Atom’s is a fun place to stop on any given day that offers plenty of quirky and fantastically giftable goodies. Here, you can pick up pop culture art pieces by local artists including some great Tulsa stuff. They also sell vintage toys and robots, all kinds of sasquatch goodies, and super cool apparel and souvenirs. But one of the hottest gifts to pick up there this year is the Creative Field Guide to Northeastern Oklahoma ($30), which is full of creativity prompts and inspiration to kick off your — ahem, your giftee’s — next round of Oklahoma adventures.
Mother Road Market
11th and Lewis, south of Whittier Square, Tulsa
A market for showcasing local artists, vendors, culinary experiences, and other Tulsa-area talent, Mother Road is a food hall where you can pick up some pretty cool retail goodies while supporting local business. There are a few retail vendors here including a rotating pop-up space, and while you’re there, you can treat yourself to some yummy artisan ice cream.
Whitty Books
In Whittier Square, Tulsa
(918) 921-4030
An indie book shop with a ton of heart, Whitty Books is the place to find out what you need to be adding to your reading list. With its carefully curated collection of diverse titles including many local authors like my dear friend Nuova Wright, Whitty places a special focus on smaller publishing houses and off-the-beaten-path materials (you can also pick up that Creative Field Guide here — I’m talking to you, Santa!).
Black Moth
Near 12th & Harvard, Tulsa
(918) 779-7040
If you, like me, are surrounded by Dark Academia kitchen witch types with their Stevie Nicks energy and brooding poetry books, you need to stop by Black Moth yesterday. Think crystals, taxidermy, and the sort of dreamy Southern gothic goodness you’d find at the Oddities Expo. Besides being a resource for beautiful mounts, specimens, and minerals to fill up your living space, Black Moth offers a host of gorgeous, affordable gifts like handcrafted artisanal incense ($9.99 for a bundle of 15) and wire-wrapped agate necklaces ($14.99).
Salt & Soul
On Broadway in Coweta
(918) 887-8216
File this one under worth the drive. A curated local marketplace born during the pandemic, Salt & Soul’s mission is to be “a platform to encourage social consciousness by connecting small businesses and loyal patrons” as well as “one stop to shop local in Oklahoma.” Visitors to the culinary boutique can connect with more than 70 vendors, and the merchandise selection is constantly changing so there’s always something new to see.
This is the place to find a literal wall of flavored peanut butters: birthday cake peanut butter, chocolate mint peanut butter, German chocolate cake peanut butter, and cookies and cream peanut butter — just to name a few. Do you love dips more than Oliver Putnam of “Only Murders in the Building”? They’ve got tons to choose from. Freeze dried candy and locally-harvested teas, honeys, and preserves are just a few of the wonders you’ll find here — not to mention plenty of cool merch to stash in your Santa bag.
Fandom HD
The Plaza at 81st & Lewis, South Tulsa
(918) 701-2439
One of the saddest things about going to comic cons is that my anime-loving little geeklings can’t buy all the super cool nerd merch we find there — and there’s a ton of it. Fortunately, Fandom HD specializes in providing this type of geek gear, which means I’m not forced to shame spiral in the dark and skeezy corners of sites like Wish.com to get the goods.
Fandom HD sells a certifiable plethora of fan merch including a covetous collection of Loungefly bags and some crazy affordable deals like this Entertainment Earth Alice in Wonderland bag for only $29.99.
Koory Organics
Near 41st and Yale, Midtown Tulsa
(918) 850-0110
If you’re looking for decadent bath and body products to gift, Koory Organics offers a much higher quality alternative to Bath & Body Works — and you won’t have to elbow your way through throngs of holiday shoppers to fight over your gifts. The owner first began producing these all natural and organic products after her own battle with breast cancer left her searching for a gentler, healthier skincare solution. Lotions, body oils, and other gentle skin care products make affordable gifts (lotion is only $12) and come in a wide selection of fragrances like Peace Pony Lavender and Grace Slightly Almond.
The Fan Fortress
Near 61st and Sheridan, South Tulsa
(918) 494-8888
If you’ve got someone on your shopping list who can never have too many He-Man or Marvel figurines, Fan Fortress has you covered. Self-styled as “Tulsa’s ultimate collective shop,” The Fan Fortress is an expansive store that’s absolutely brimming with every vintage collectible you loved in your childhood and many you forgot existed.
Impulse Creations Comics & Collectibles
South of Eton Square, Tulsa
A modestly-sized comic book store with a surprisingly extensive selection, Impulse Creations is one of our family’s favorite stops every year on Free Comic Day because we always find something cool we didn’t know we needed to buy there. Impulse has a reputation for boasting one of the best back issue inventories in the region and staffing the joint with knowledgeable folks who seriously know their stuff. If you’ve got an anime, manga, or graphic novel fan on your shopping list, you can’t go wrong with a gift card to Impulse.
HobbyTown
Village at Tulsa Hills, South Tulsa
(918) 307-2000
For years, HobbyTown has been our family’s ace-in-the-hole for filling out the holiday shopping list because I will always find something for everyone on my list here. Despite its unassuming outward appearance, HobbyTown is a fairly massive hobby shop that’s loaded with gift-worthy stuff. Yes, it’s a national chain, but it’s a franchise, which means supporting our local store directly supports Tulsans — and it’s run with the love and care you only get from a locally-owned store.
The shop features a mind-blowingly extensive remote control toy collection and what I can only presume is the largest inventory of models in the city, not to mention all the best high-end LEGO products. Last year was a rough shopping season for me workload-wise, so getting away to pick up cool gifts that would round out my shopping list was a challenge. I popped into HobbyTown and picked out a bunch of goodies for my family including a One Piece model pirate ship for Arthur, a Pokémon model, and a Schwinn bicycle model hubby had been eyeing. All of it was fairly affordable, and my people were putting together their projects by the end of the holiday.
ThrillHouse Games
Near 71st and Memorial, South Tulsa
(918) 286-6090
ThrillHouse Games instantly became one of my new favorite stores when last year, during my quest for cool, affordable stocking stuffers, I stumbled upon them and their vending machines loaded with Pokémon Gashapon capsules — little Japanese vending machine capsule toys. My teens love everything Japanese pop culture, so of course I loaded up on these — and they were a huge hit! They’re also a great place to pick up second hand games and vintage consoles for your crew.
Twisted Soul Sisters
Near 131st and Memorial, Bixby
(918) 943-3246
I first discovered this hidden gem boutique a few years back when I was writing for Value News. A laid-back little spot with big Junk Gypsy energy, Twisted Soul Sisters is the place to pick up sparkly, lovely, feminine, and vintage-inspired pretties that you can’t get anywhere else. A super fun atmosphere full of beautiful things that started out in trunk shows, this cute little shop is run by some of the friendliest folks in the metro area.
The Gaming Hoard
Near 18th and Aspen, Broken Arrow
I’m super excited to introduce The Gaming Hoard, a fantastic new gaming shop created by one of my sisters from Tulsa Geek Chicks. A fairly expansive spot meant to be a haven for both digital and analog gamers, The Gaming Hoard features one of the most extensive Pokémon card collections to be found in the metro, loads of video game and tabletop goodies, and seating for gamers to play. They also take trades on vintage video games, which means you can bring your kids’ disused 3DS games and swap them out for credit on that new Switch system (ahem).
Oinkers Island
Near 7th and Aspen, Broken Arrow
(918) 957-5613
Another great gaming shop just down the way from The Gaming Hoard, Oinkers Island comes highly recommended from my gaming community pals and has its own Discord channel. Not only is it a great place to pick up a sparkly new D20 set for your wife (are you listening, Santa?), but it is also said to be one of the most welcoming local atmospheres for tabletop gamers to hang out in — an atmosphere facilitated by the fact that every chair is a gaming chair. If you need Pokémon cards or tabletop goodies, be sure to stop by.
Valeria’s México Art
East Tulsa near 31st and Mingo
(918) 829-8336
If you haven’t spent much time in East Tulsa lately, you’re missing out. There are tons of thriving local businesses in this multicultural community I’m proud to be part of. And one of the coolest spots in the area is Valeria’s, a place where you can pick up cool authentic Mexican art and decor while practicing ethical consumption. This colorful little shop features loads of Talavera pottery and Mexican folk art. But I think my favorite thing is the embroidered wide brim hats — perfect to go with that belt bag from Urban Owasso for the next outdoor concert season!
If you have a favorite shop you want my readers to check out, drop a comment below and let me know why they’re list-worthy. Thanks for reading, and have an absolutely beautiful holiday in your lovely little nebula!
