The Best Places In Wichita Falls To Find Unusual Christmas Gifts

Everyone has them. Those special people on our Christmas shopping list that need something unique and unexpected. You love them, they tell you that you don't need to do anything special, but YOU know you do.

Sure, you could go to the mall. Or you could order something sight unseen from a website halfway around the world and hope it's what they said it was.

Or ...

If you're willing to go just a little bit off the beaten path, there are some quirky little stores right here in Wichita Falls that just might have the perfect gift for that special someone on your list!

I took a couple hours on Small Business Saturday and headed downtown to see what I could find. My first stop was the Mansion II at 914 Indiana. There were several other folks doing the same thing, and as his wife (or girlfriend) was trying to coax him out the door I heard a young man say, "I keep seeing more things to look at!" And he was right. The Mansion II has all sorts of interesting and unusual items. You'll find vintage furniture, old cameras, plenty of artwork, jewelry, you name it. Give yourself some time and see what you can find.

From there I made my way just a couple doors South to Three Dog Books / Alley Cat Collective. They just moved into the old Montgomery Mattress building at 922 Indiana, directly across the street from the Wichita Theatre. Of course they have an exceptional selection of vintage books (I couldn't resist their copy of Ansel Adams' Making A Photograph!), but they also have plenty of vintage vinyl, clothing, and even small Dan & Betty's toys like wind up frogs that really jump! Wow! Christmas gifts that do things and don't require batteries!

From there I trekked over to the Corner Emporium Antique Mall at 8th and Ohio. The Corner Emporium has been in this location for several years now and gets merchandise from several sources. You never know what you'll find: vintage artwork, vintage signs, vintage pianos. I even saw an old player piano and motorcycle inside! Another cool aspect of the Corner Emporium is the fact that it's inside an old bank building, basement vault and all! In fact, there are even some items INSIDE the vault. They've got an extensive collection of vintage vinyl albums and 8-track tapes, luggage items and who knows what else.

Speaking of interesting buildings, my final stop was the Artifact Emporium inside the Littlest Skyscraper building at 511 7th street. If there's a someone on your list that you just can't find the perfect gift for, check this place out. You'll find vintage furniture, phones, radios, race cars and more cool, collectible items. You can even climb to the top of the Littlest Skyscraper!

Here are some of the items that caught my eye.

I hope this gives you a few ideas on how to think outside the normal Christmas present box this year! Break away from the crowds at the mall or the big chain stores and visit some of these shops downtown. You'll make new friends with the shop owners, probably check a few names off your shopping list, and you just might find a treasure or two for yourself. I did!

Happy Shopping, and Merry Christmas!

Dave D.