TDT Holiday Gift Guide: All That Is Dwelling Spaces

Since the little gift shop at 119 S. Detroit Ave. is first in the minds of Tulsa's most savvy local shoppers, it might as well be first in the inaugural Tasha Does Tulsa Holiday Gift Guide, too.

In case there's anyone out there who hasn't yet managed to stop by, Dwelling Spaces is a one-stop shop for anyone looking to stock up on T-Town gear, along with hundreds of gifts available no where else in town. Stocked there is everything from the famous Louis & Cluck and Okie Grown t-shirt and clothing lines to the latest releases by Tulsa's best bands to books by local (or locally grown) authors like Jeff Martin, artist Joe Andoe and Libby Bender.

Just like Green Country music fans and local art lovers, champions of the handmade movement aren't left out in the cold at Dwelling Spaces, either. Thanks to the shop's collection of wares by local crafters like Felix & Jayne and Cuddle Monsters, everyone has the opportunity to own something that's one-of-a-kind. It's nearly impossible to find something in the crafty sections that aren't cute as all get out.

While any of these goodies would make fantabulous gifts, these types of things are available at Dwelling Spaces all year round. This shop is just that cool. Just imagine what owner Mary Beth Babcock is able to come up with for the most wonderful time of the year.

Actually, you don't have to imagine. I got the goods for yas right here:

Check out these snazzy little gift boxes. Each one is chock full of Tulsa-centric gifty goodness, no gift wrap required. The only work you have to do is pick one up and carry it to the cash register a mere six feet away.

Here's an example of the Deck the Walls With Mugs and Coffee variety of gift package, each containing a 12-ounce bag of beans from Topeca Coffee and a pair of mugs emblazoned with the Okie Grown logo. The price? A mere $33.

These smiles-waiting-to-happen in box form are no-nonsense, grab-and-go deals, people. Simply purchase, place under the tree and, voila. You're done.

Containing an Okie Grown vanity plate, an Okie Grown key chain and a copy of the Michael Wallis book, Route 66: The Mother Road is the Sled Down Route 66 package. Each is filled to the brim with the best in road-worthy stuff for $36 each.

Or, grab a pre-wrapped copy of a book that is so beautiful that a certain someone couldn't help but keep it from the library even though it was two months overdue.

For $49.95, this 351-page photo book, Oklahoma: A Portrait of America, by Libby Bender, Carl Brune and Scott Raffe, will be in your family for generations to come. Plus, buying it is better than stealing it from the library. Because that's what you'll want to do when you try to check out this book "just to see if you'd want to go ahead and buy it." Hey, it's the holidays. Save yourself a few steps and snag it sooner rather than later.

Certainly my family isn't the only one in Tulsa with an ornament tradition. Each year we strike out in search of the perfect ornament to add to the Christmas tree that year. The year my hubs returned home from Afghanistan, we hung an ornament in the shape of the state seal, gifted to the soldiers by Gov. Henry practically as the boys deplaned. The year we were expecting our son, we found an ornament in the shape of a snowman family, complete with a baby Frosty. Aww.

This year, we have to have this:

You might recognize this little fella as the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Great idea for a Christmas ornament, no? I thought so, too. I may or may not have squealed when I first saw it.

What better for that person on your list who has everything but Route 66 Christmas tree ornaments? Check 'em out: There's one to make you thirsty for a beverage from Pops, the Arcadia, Okla., restaurant and soda stand and tourist attraction in its own right, plus an ornament made to look like a Route 66 road sign. What's not to love? These hand-blown glass ornaments are $26 each.

Then there's the uber-festive Cain's Ballroom ornament. It's $7. A steal, I tell you.

To get a load of these gifts and (a lot, lot) more, shop at Dwelling Spaces this holiday season. I dare you to try to come out of that place with less than an armload of goodies. Go ahead, try. I'd like to know if it's even possible.

Dwelling Spaces

119 S. Detroit

(918) 582-1033

info@dwellingspaces.net

Monday-Saturday, 10:30am-7:30pm

Sunday-Monday, 11am-4pm