HOW TO ESCAPE THE CHRISTMAS STAMPEDE AT THE MALLS
Are you stumped as to what to buy that is unique and special for your best friend, parent or a child this Christmas? Would you rather avoid the malls that can be like zoos at this time of year? You don’t have to go to Pacific Centre, Royal Centre, Oakridge or Metrotown to do your Christmas shopping in Vancouver. In each of the many neighbourhoods around town you’ll find a variety of boutiques and speciality shops where you can purchase unusual gifts for reasonable prices.
In downtown Vancouver, all along Robson or Denman Streets are stylish shops selling everything from shoes to Cuban cigars. Kitsilano’s Fourth Ave. or W. Broadway are less crowded and offer oodles of choices -- there’s even supermarkets and delis specializing in Greek delicacies. On Commercial Drive one of my favourite stores is Ten Thousand Villages where a portion of the money you spend goes back to the contributing Third World countries. Today I picked up some special spices for an Indian dinner and bath items such as a shower scrub from India and soap made in Burkina Faso. I’ll probably go back to check out the unusual musical instruments from Latin America and S.E. Asia for my son and a dazzling selection of hand-made jewellery or hand-woven scarves for my daughter. They have toys there too from Mexico and Central America. On the Drive there are also a couple of others stores specializing in crafts and hand-woven items from Mexico and South America.
http://rugs.tenthousandvillages.com/vancouver
Minervas Mediterranean Deli : 3207 W. Broadway 604-733-3954
There's a number of great book stores around town. Besides Chapters, located at Robson and Howe downtown and Granville & Broadway, there are several Book Warehouses. My favorite book store for interesting New-Age books and other unusual articles is Banyen Books at 4th Ave and Alma.
A friend was looking for a candle snuffer today. I directed her to 48th and Main, Little India and the Punjabi Market where you can find everything from silk saris to brass works and bangles. You can also find interesting furniture and accessories at the Pier 1 Imports stores in various locations. I love shopping there for beautiful candles, tableware and ornaments. But they also have toys and pet gifts.
Out in Richmond, check out the Aberdeen Mall for a fine selection of wares from the Orient. My favourite shop is Daiso, the best $2 store I’ve ever seen, excellent quality goods from Japan for really only $2.00 Closer to downtown is Chinatown and there’s plenty to choose from in the way of odd nick-knacks, clothing, and furnishings.
Any of the public markets have displays of hand-made crafts by local artisans that are sure to please your friends and relatives. On Granville Island there are oodles of interesting shops selling art and other fabulous wares. Or take the sea-bus to the North Shore and visit the Lonsdale Quay.
Depending on what you want and how much you want to spend, Vancouver has endless shop-til-you-drop opportunities. From books, to specialty wines. Or if it’s just a fancy box of chocolates you want, go to any of the Purdy’s Chocolate Shops located all around town and in the malls.
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