Bring some holiday cheer to an unusual year
2020 has been, well, a year, but COVID-19 has not canceled holiday cheer. In fact, it’s all the more reason to shop small and local, whether online or in person. As the holiday season approaches, let’s support Knoxville’s movers and shakers and doers and makers! Here’s BLANK’s holiday gift picks, including where to shop and what to buy.
Gifts for her
Honeymouth @shophoneymouth
Founded by maker Georgia Vogel, Honeymouth’s artist-made leather goods, clothing and accessories are on a mission to empower humans by spreading kindness and encouraging self-love. Developed because of their passion for giving back to the community, Honeymouth donates 10 percent of sales each month to a nonprofit.
For the month of December, they’re donating that 10 percent to the Knoxville Dream Connection, a nonprofit that grants wishes to East Tennessee children who suffer from a terminal illness. So shopping at Honeymouth is a win-win-win. While all their goods are fabulous, here’s what we love:
All about function, the “Daymaker” mid-sized beltbag can be worn crossbody or as a belt bag. Coined “the fanny of our generation” and made from premium 100 percent vegetable-tanned Italian leather, it’s practical wearable art.
Honeymouth’s “Mega Babe” tote is favorite for lovers of a little larger over-the-shoulder bag, but it also doubles as a crossbody beauty great for work and everyday use.
Shop Honeymouth Wednesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 125B S. Central St., or online at www.shophoneymouth.com.
That Clay Girl Co. @thatclaygirlco
Paige Neuhauser, the owner and designer behind That Clay Girl Co. creates handmade clay accessories (and holiday ornaments) that enhance the everyday girl’s confidence and style. You can shop her pre- made designs at www.thatclaygirlco.com or at The Old City Mini-Market on Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Jackson Terminal in the Old City.
Her minimalist ornaments are a hot ticket this holiday season. But if you want to grab something that will make her shine all year long (and really pop on Zoom calls), Paige works with clients to create incredible custom polymer earrings, or you can purchase a pair of her pre-made, one-of-a-kind creations. Check it out here.
Gifts for him
Anchors Aweigh
@anchorshairco
Anchors Aweigh is a veteran-owned, small-batch men’s grooming company founded by U.S. Army paratrooper-turned-hairstylist Benjamin Miller. Featured in Men’s Health and GQ magazines, their handmade natural hair, skin and shave products are loved by Knoxvillians and men around the world.
Their most popular product is Courage Clay, as seen in Men’s Health. It gives hair a natural matte finish with a lot of hold. The vegan matte hair clay gives that effortless look and is water-based so that it washes out easily.
While all their products are fantastic, you can’t go wrong with a gift set during the holidays. We love the Calm Seas bundle. It covers all the grooming needs for his face – clean, moisturize, shave – and smells amazing.
Another gift-set favorite is Anchors’ hair styling sample set. You get 1 oz. samples sizes of their greatest hair products along with a hair comb, all for $10! The set covers a range of styling needs and lets him discover his favorite.
You can shop Anchors Aweigh online and at salons and barber shops around Knoxville. Use code BLANKNEWS for 25 percent off your purchase!
Nothing Too Fancy
@nothingtoofancyknoxville
Nothing Too Fancy continues to be one of our top spots to shop in Knoxville. The locally owned and operated boutique has a variety of unique apparel to make any guy on your list happy. Our top pics are their Tennessee army bomber jacket. The pocket embroidery and the gold zipper bling are nice touches, and the army green will flatter any wardrobe.
Another longstanding favorite is their various neighborhood shirts. From Farragut to Strawberry Plains and Halls to Seymour, you can rep your neighborhood proudly in one of their super soft, tri-blend tees.
Nothing Too Fancy is open at their downtown location on Union Avenue, with curbside pickup available. You can also shop online at www.nothingtoofancy.com. Use the code FREESHIP for free shipping on all web orders!
Gifts for home
Oglewood Avenue
@oglewoodave
One of Knoxville’s newest treasures is Oglewood Avenue, a cozy corner shop that sells indoor plants in the heart of North Knoxville and that came to be just when the city needed indoor greenery the most. We truly have no favorite pick here; all of founder Jade Adams’ plant babies are spectacular, offering the comfort only cultivating your own indoor jungle can bring. Oglewood also offers plant styling and consultations. So if you’re like me and all your cacti are dead and you’ve killed 12 succulents and a fig tree, they can help!
Shop Oglewood Avenue Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at 3524 N. Broadway, or online at www.oglewoodavenue.com.
Vintage decor from Aubrey Jean Thrifts @aubreyjeanthrifts
& The House on North @thehouseonnorth
What was old is new again. Whether because of decadal cycles in fashion and decor or a sense of nostalgia in unsure times, the mid-mod, boho and rattan aesthetic of yesteryear is currently dominating the home-decor scene. Minimalist and maximalist interiors are all the rage, so if you’re looking for brass, glass, wooden, woven or any item in between, Aubrey Jean Thrifts and The House on North have got you covered.
Founded and curated by sisters Mary McCannon and Holly Chiappeta, you can shop easily through their Instagram pages at @aubreyjeanthrifts and @thehouseonnorth. Weekly drops and local pick-up locations make it easy to shop for home gifts this holiday season.
Gifts for kids
Zoo Knoxville @zooknoxville
One of the best ways to support the community and bring joy all year long to the kiddos in your life is the gift of a membership to Zoo Knoxville! With their current holiday membership offer when you purchase your zoo membership before Dec. 31, 2020, you get an additional three months added to your membership for free!
Nightly through Jan. 3, 2021, you can light up your family’s winter night with Zoo Lights! Make sure to check Zoo Knoxville’s website for hours and COVID-19 policies before you visit Knoxville’s newest light spectacular.
Mast General Store
@mastgeneralstore
Following the vintage trend, retro and wooden toys are all the rage again. And the best place in town to shop for a wide selection of throwback toys for every age is Mast General Store on Gay Street. Start their love of analog music at a young age with the Fisher-Price record player. An old favorite, the player comes with four “playable” records and a handle so they can take their tunes anywhere.
My pick for the slightly older kiddo is the classic Lite-Brite. This toy comes with over 150 colorful pegs, templates and blank pages that lets their creativity shine through the “magic” screen. You can shop at Mast General Store at their downtown location or online at www.mastgeneralstore.com.
Gifts for pets
River Dog Bakery
@riverdogbakers
Your best good boy or girl deserves the best, and River Dog Bakery has everything your furry friend needs this holiday season. While they offer a vast selection of toys, collars, bedding, bowls and even pooch grooming and dog cakes, there were a couple of items in particular that caught our eye.
Cooper’s Mix is a variety of nine different flavored baked treats that even the pickiest pooch will love! And if your doggo needs a little something extra to get through the day, their Soothies CBD treats are a natural solution to calm anxiety, stress, inflammation and arthritis. I’m picking up a pack, and I know my little-old-man dog will thank me.
You also can find some of our favorite fun Haute Diggity Dog toys at River Dog Bakery. We’re currently obsessed with the LickCroix Barkling Water toy, which is fun for LaCroix lovers and their four-legged friends alike. River Dog Bakery is located at 5291 Kingston Pike Suite 8, and are open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Shop their Bearden location or online at www.riverdogbakery.com.
Gifts for everyone
Paris Woodhull Illustrations
@pariswoodhull
This year wouldn’t be complete without an epic ornament adorning your tree that perfectly encapsulated what a wild dumpster fire 2020 has been. I’ve seen the standard toilet paper and masked-Santa ornaments, but Paris Woodhull’s “I Survived 2020” ornament – a tiger perched atop our glorious Sunsphere – emerges as the winner.
The short version of this story for anyone outside of our great city is that residents were told a tiger was on the loose in the streets. Perhaps it was due to the strange nature of the early days of quarantine, but the city went wild for a few days with sightings. Memes were flying left and right. It was a few days of weird fun in an otherwise dour year, and now it can be memorialized on your tree! You can purchase the, “I Survived 2020” ornament on her website or at Rala in the Old City. She also offers a t-shirt version.
And while you’re looking at ornaments, check our Woodhull’s prints and illustrations of different areas within Knoxville.
We know this holiday season looks different for everyone. Even though COVID-19 has turned 2020 upside down for many, we’re committed to supporting our local community and those who work to make it so unique and wonderful. Safe shopping, everyone!
brittany@blanknews.com
