The Observation Deck

So here's the story. I hate shopping. I only go into a store when I really need something. Most times it's food. Occasionally hardware. And my wife is really hard to gift-shop for, because unlike me she likes to shop. So when she wants or needs something, she just buys it. Leaving nothing “easyâ€Â￾ for me to buy her for Christmas....

This year, here's what I want to do, and I need your help. Especially you Lakewood merchants, and you ladies. I want to go out tomorrow and Monday, only in Lakewood, and do my gift shopping for my wife. She doesn't read these boards so give me some ideas please.

For example, she drinks a lot of coffee but usually buys the mass market stuff. But she is (somewhat) socially/environmentally conscious, so I thought I'd stop by Phoenix and buy a couple different things, their fair-traded stuff. Might end up changing our coffee-drinking habits.

How about some other ideas....

Clothes are mostly out unless it's whimsical or unusual in some way. She never wears anything I buy. I'm leery of "traditional" jewelry for the same reason. But other than that there really are no bounds. I don't have any particular budgetary restrictions but we don't usually spend a lot of money. Unusual is good, I can push the envelope a bit. In fact I have to because like I said, she has the everyday stuff covered. No gift certificates, that's too easy. Stuff for the home is good. For an added extra challenge I'm gonna try to do this by bicycle so smaller is better, though I can pack quite a bit in my panniers and make multiple trips.

So, help me out here. Surely Lakewood has a lot of really fun and useful stuff that I just don't know about, but you do. And I'd venture that others may benefit from your suggestions. Items available in Lakewood stores only please.

This could be really interesting. Today is kind of a blowoff day at work, the place is about half empty, so I'll check back often.

My recommendation (and yes, I've done this for my wife more than a few times)...

Revelations Salon and Spa (on Detroit right next to the Taco Bell) usually has a couple of different spa packages - depending on how much you want to spend.

I would recommend one that includes manicure/pedicure/and at least a 1/2 hour massage.

She just picks a day, and they'll set the whole thing up.

For beautiful and unusual jewelry - Local Girl Gallery on Detroit has many great, one of a kind pieces.

Also Lion in Blue, also on Detroit has some stunning items.

See you don't have to go very far, just like you thought.

How about a darrrrrling handbag made of vintage fabric by our own local artist, Sandy Millman? You can find them at Deja Vu on Detroit, just east of the hospital.

I love shopping for myself at Local Girl Gallery. Plenty of neat, unique choices for home, bath and body there. Have fun!

For the really important people in my life I dont usually buy "stuff". Most of them have all the stuff they need. From what you write your wife is in the same sitaution.

Couple of thoughts.

Dinner at Three Birds and tickets to something good at the Beck.

A photography session with a GOOD Lakewood photographer, not the Olan Mills shlock (kids are optional)

A class the TWO of you can take through Lakewood Rec (dancing? photography? French cuisine?)

If you DO want stuff, ArcAngel and the Irish Cottage both in the west end are two largely unknown treasures. If you can cross the borders, Pizzazz in River (spices and hot foods) and Flower Child on Clifton (retro kitsch) are great fun, too.

Buon Natale.

I echo Dee's and Brett's post. I like "experience" gifts. Nice to know that I'll be able to have dinner at Three Birds or Players or Pier W.

You could put together a gift basket including the Fair Trade coffees (and don't forget the Fair Trade Cocoa for full Fair Trade Mochas), some Sweet Designs chocolates, perhaps a gift certificate from places she already goes, like her hair salon, etc.

Even if you don't like to shop, visiting Lakewood shops is a lot of fun. You could also include a gift certificate for your time - a date to check out all the little shops with your wife.

Hey thanks, some really good ideas, keep 'em coming.

Amy – I'll check out Deja Vous and the handbags. My wife can't seem to have enough of 'em. I'll never understand that....

Dee – I hear you about stuff. We have season tickets to some of the Beck shows already and I had planned on a couple gift certificated to our local eateries to go with. We're together on that. Lakewood Rec, that will probably have to wait until the nest is empty. And sorry this is Christmas and I need stuff under the tree! Where is ArcAngel? Flower Child is a GREAT idea, we have a very retro kitchen, might be something there. I did Pizazz last year, agreed there is fun stuff there but I do most of the cooking (if you can call it that) in my family.

Christine, Sharon – Local Girl Gallery, yes that's a good idea too. Have been in there a couple times but not “seriously.â€Â￾ I'll definitely check it out in earnest this time.

Brett – Revelations, another good idea. That reminds me, you ladies, for a good idea for your hubby, try a certificate from Reagle Beagle. It's not too expensive and it's a pretty novel place. TV, beer, eye candy and a haircut. What's not to like?

Again, keep 'em coming. I'll shove off on the bike tomorrow morning, probably sit down for breakfast (Clifton Diner?) before the stores open, maybe head for Flower Child and work my way back thru town....

ArcAngel is at the corner of Detroit and Sloane. Its the white building in what is commonly used as the Around The Corner parking lot.
If your wife crafts, Stitch in Cleveland is on the OTHER side of the same building and I hear they are developing a nice business.
And heck, right across the street is the new scooter store.
Look at it this way. As long as your not wandering helplessly through the lingerie department of JCPenneys at 4 pm on Christmas Eve, your ahead of the game

An oldie but goodie is always Hixons. They always have interesting items. We have found a lot of beautiful things at Rose and Sons as well. Don surprised me with a beautiful table there one year for Valentine's Day. Maybe not so good for a bike.

If she is into baking - or she may like to learn the cake decorating store on Detroit has always intrigued me. I did get some interesting cookie cutters there.

I like the other ideas too.

Thanks to all of you, no I won't be wandering any lingerie departments. Plus like I said she never wears anything I buy....

Stitch – she's not into it.
Hixon's – probably a good idea, we'll see
Create-a-Cake – good idea, she does like to bake. Cookie cutters, gotta remember that
Rose & Sons – another good idea that I had in mind, good quality stuff, maybe I'll luck into something we really can use

So here's my east-to-west itinerary so far. Eight stops....

Flower Child (11508 Clifton Blvd.)
plus the other nearby stores

Hixon's (14125 Detroit)

Deja Vous (just east of hospital)

Lion and Blue (15106 Detroit)
Phoenix Coffee (15108 Detroit)

Revelations (15516 Detroit)

Sweet Designs (16100 Detroit)
Local Girl Gallery (16106 Detroit)

Create-a-Cake (17114 Detroit)
Rose and Sons (17128 Detroit)

ArcAngel (Detroit and Sloane)

Any more ideas out there?

Tim----You shuddna thrown away that TV. It could have been a great flower pot stand. OH WELL

Stan

How can you go wrong with a bottle of wine, or twelve, from Rozi's?!

Corey

Corey....

Agreed, except for one thing. Wine is like fruitcake, especially this time of year. We have several bottles, and when a gift is needed, well.....

Sorry to say....

Tim

Put tears in her eyes on Christmas morning... Nothing says love like a Plasma