It’s been awhile since I’ve shopped in Manitou Springs so I decided to grab my camera and notebook and see what unique hostess (or any occasion) gifts I could find…for $10 or less….hoping to find at least a few ideas. Well, I had forgotten how cool the stores are and ended up finding a lot more $10 or less gifts than I imagined. So I’ve decided to feature just a couple of shops each week for the month of August so I can really give you a better idea of the stores and merchandise there…it’s a great way to spend an afternoon without spending a ton of money….browsing in the non-chain stores, grabbing a bite of lunch or having a drink and finding great deals on unique gifts or items for your own home.
Black Cat Books & Safron
Like to read? Like cutting edge style? Like wine? (yes to all of those for me!)…Two of Manitou’s most well-known retailers have come together in one space, offering visitors a unique shopping experience. Black Cat Books, an independent bookstore/wine bar and Safron of Manitou Springs, an eclectic boutique of wearable textile art, now co-occupy at 720 Manitou Ave. (719-685-1589)
I could have spent hours in this store but I was on a schedule and just didn’t have time to browse the books (I will go back just for the books and perhaps a glass of wine :))
You know, a hostess gift can be anything you think your host/hostess would like/enjoy and it doesn’t always have to revolve around the kitchen. It’s just a nice way of saying “thank-you”…for the time and effort your hostess put into planning an event. Now you have to know that I’m not an expert photographer and going in and out of the stores and finding different lighting, well, let’s just say my pictures don’t show some of these items in the best of “light”….The merchandise in real life looks a thousand times better than my amateur pictures!
When I saw these pocket mirrors I could immediately think of lots of girlfriends who would appreciate one. They have cute sayings/pictures on one side and a mirror on the other. These are the perfect size for a small evening bag because they’re so slim. Wrapped in a simple piece of white tissue paper with a ribbon, it’s perfect for a hostess gift or for any occasion. Over the years I’ve received lots of little mirrors like these and I have them all in various purses…and when I pull one out, someone always comments on it. And at $5.00 each, they are not only functional and different, they are affordable. You can find one to fit any personality.
Another great find was this candle holder for $8.00….I think it’s a candle holder? Actually you could use this for multiple puposes…it would look great with a few flowers in it or even as a container for carrot and celery sticks! It would dress up a bathroom as a toothbrush holder or a desk, holding your pens and pencils. I just really liked it because of how the colors play off one another and it looks way more expensive than it is…and it’s unique. Each piece was a little different, with varying shades of color and design. I think with a votive inside, it would look elegant and really show off the colors. If I didn’t have cats who constantly knock things over, I’d fill up a few of these with flowers and put them in my windowsill so the sun could shine through them….you could put some flowers, a votive candle, or even (if you’re taking appetizers to a dinner or party) your veggie sticks when presenting it to your hostess. A herb plant would also look great in this!
There were lots of items on sale, I saw tons of jewelry at great prices and there were lots of really unique pieces that were just slightly over my $10.00 search. I think you could spend a couple of hours in this store and still not see all it has to offer! And, I didn’t even get a chance to look at the books! They also have a very cute, friendly cat that will keep you company as you shop.
Make sure the next time you visit Manitou, you check it out. You can also go to their Facebook page and see upcoming events and sales…Black Cat Books or safron of Manitou Springs.
The Whickerbill
The Whickerbill was my first stop and this is one of the reasons I got behind in my time schedule! I couldn’t stop looking at all the beautiful, unique and whimsical merchandise! The next time my husband asks me what I’d like for a birthday or Christmas present, I’ll just say, “anything at the Whickerbill”.
Located at 742 Manitou Ave., (719-685-1540), this store is chock-full of beautiful and fun pieces. Japanese bowls, wine glasses, serving pieces, Romero Britto teapots….I LOVED everything! And great prices….
Just like the “candle holder” I saw at Black Cat Books & safron of Manitou Springs, I loved the colors of these small bowls. They look way more expensive than they are, $5.95 each, and again, could serve multiple purposes. They would dress up an elegant dinner as small serving pieces, look wonderful without anything in them, could serve as a “catch-all” for jewelry or “stuff”…
For the hostess who has everything or for your “green” friend….bamboo drinking straws! Who knew? These straws are earth-friendly and can be reused….saving money and the landfills. These are $7.50 for a set of 12…makes sipping out of any drink more fun!
Taking a salad to a dinner or get-together? Bring along one of these “hand savers” to serve the salad with and let your hostess keep them…or just tie a ribbon on them. I have a set of these in wood but don’t use them much because they can’t be tossed in the dishwasher but these can. And you have a wide variety of colors to choose from. A set will only set you back $7.95.
Love this handmade Acacia wood bread tray for $10.00. When I take food to a party, I like to put it in or on something the hostess can keep, which saves her from having to wash and return a dish. This would of course be perfect for any type of breads, pastries, or really, any kind of food to be served. I also think it would be cute with some wire picture hanger on the back and hung up in a kitchen. Or you could even use it as a serving tray for transportng glasses or dishes….love things that can be used in multiple ways.
Another fabulously colored piece….this candle holder is $9.50 and again, looks a lot more expensive than it is.
Ok, when I saw these, I actually burst out laughing…they are so different! I love wine charms but had never seen anything like these…maybe I need to get out more often? I could actually envision having a party and using these….they’d certainly be a conversation starter! You just wet them and they stick to the glass. For a set of six, $5.95.
And for my very favorite find….
I want at least 2 or 3 or 6 of these beaded spoons! They are $5.00 each and I can’t think of any hostess who wouldn’t love one. Perfect for serving up dips, sugar, sauces, salt or pepper….they are beautiful, functional and would make any table look prettier. And they’re just different.
I visited more stores on this particular day (I’ll save those for next week) and plan on visiting the ones I didn’t get to….will take a girlfriend along the next time and spend the entire day there shopping, taking pics, eating some lunch, and going back to browse the books at Black Cat Books (and sip some wine)…just walking the streets of Manitou Springs is a fun experience in itself and the next time I go, I will do it on a day where I’m not on a schedule!
And of course you don’t have to buy these as “hostess” gifts, they’d all make cute gifts for any occasion….or buy one for yourself!