It is the North Pole, after all, so it's not a stretch to argue that Coeur d'Alene takes the prize for offering the most festive holiday shopping experience. Sherman Avenue, lined with Christmas lights and free parking, offers a magical small-town shopping experience. Explore Sherman, take in the holiday light show at the Coeur d'Alene Resort, or make your way to Riverstone Village and listen to holiday music as you walk the delightfully uncrowded pedestrian mall with a latte in your hand. Both Riverstone and downtown Coeur d'Alene offer a diverse smattering of small, local businesses clustered together, to help you cross everyone off your shopping list, from your infant nephew to your stodgy father-in-law. And we have some ideas for you, too.
TOM'S CLASSIC WOOL SLIP-ONS
Tom's fanatics know that a few coats of Scotchgard can make their canvas shoes slightly water resistant, but no amount of shellacking will keep their feet warm in the winter when it's 15 degrees. Fortunately, the geniuses at Tom's came up with a solution suitable for an Inland Northwest winter. These wool slip-ons are warm and cozy, thanks to a wool upper and a super-soft fleece liner. They come in colorful patterns or basic neutrals, and may be the one gift option here that appeals to tweens and their grandmas. $54 • Finan McDonald • 210 E. Sherman, CdA • 301 N. First, Sandpoint
HAMMERED COPPER MULE MUG
If it's good enough for Oprah, chances are your hipster brother-in-law would dig a pair of hammered copper mugs for serving classic Moscow Mule cocktails. Oprah singled out the copper gems as one of her "favorite things" to give and receive this year. Buy a single mug or a pair, or go all Oprah-style and splurge for a whole set and a fancy copper tray to go with them. Find the mugs at both Mix It Up and Into the Woods — but know that Into the Woods has the lavish sets Oprah covets. $26 for a 16 oz. mug • Mix It Up • 513 E. Sherman, CdA • $35 for a 20 oz. mug, $215 for the tray • Into the Woods • 509 E. Sherman
SEAHAWKS WINE TOTE & COASTERS
Help your favorite Hawks fan keep it classy with 12th Man stone coasters and a portable Seahawks wine tote. Each canvas wine tote holds an entire bottle of wine, and collapses into a tidy little package perfectly designed for tailgating. Smaller canvas flasks hold your to-go Fireball. $21 Wine Tote, $8.95 Coasters • Into the Woods • 509 E. Sherman, CdA
AIR POWERED SOCCER DISC
Not sure what your niece or nephew is into these days? Forget asking your brother. Trust the Board of Directors at Figpickels Toy Emporium. Every year, Figpickels assembles a board of kids ages 6 to 14 to test their toys and select their favorites. This year, about 80 families participated in the process. They flew toy birds, played games, performed science experiments and built Egyptian temples out of light-up Laser Pegs. This year, the Air Powered Soccer Disc made their top five. The light-up disc floats on a cushion of air, and thanks to soft bumpers, can bounce around the house without damaging furniture. It's a fun option for your niece and nephew, and it might just drive your brother a little crazy. But that's part of the fun, too, right? $19.95 • Figpickels Toy Emporium • 210 E. Sherman, CdA
WOODEN CROSSBOW
Call it the Katniss effect, but one of the hottest toys for girls this year isn't a Barbie or another doll. It's a wooden crossbow rifle that shoots suction cup arrows. Figpickel's toy testers, girls and boys alike, picked it as one of their top five toys of the year. Now pre-teens can volunteer as tribute and act out all of their Hunger Games fantasies at home. $34.95 • Figpickels Toy Emporium • 210 E. Sherman, CdA
ARTWORKS WORKSHOP GIFT CERTIFICATE
From Etsy to Pinterest, the Internet is full of before and after pictures of upcycled dressers, coffee tables and cabinets transformed with Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint. The allure is understandable. Find something at a garage sale, and with no priming or sanding, transform it into a piece of art. Artworks' two Inland Northwest shops are full of inspiration pieces they've revamped. But if that gorgeous $500 mirror on display isn't in your budget, give a gift certificate to one of their many workshops. Classes are small (limited to six people) and range from cabinet rehab (the most popular) to Florentine Finishes, Rustic Luxe to Washes/Glazes/Stains. $65 • Artworks • Riverstone Village, 2049 Main, CdA • (Also: 15310 E. Marietta, Spokane Valley )
MUST HAVE NECKLACE
These dainty Must Have brand necklaces have been flying off the shelves at Tiffany Blue II — and for good reason. With a broad selection of small charms, these simple necklaces are designed to feel very personal. Buying for a first time mom? Pick the charm with a child on a swing. For the avid cyclist or Ironman, choose the bicycle charm. The selection spans from antlers to birds, dragons and more. You can even choose the finish — silver, gold or rosegold. And with a price point under $20, don't feel bad about picking one up for yourself. $18 • Tiffany Blue II • Riverstone Village, 2027 Main, CdA
COEUR D'ALENE OLIVE OIL
You don't have to be a foodie to appreciate Coeur d'Alene Olive Oil's exotic infused oils like blood orange, lime, hot chili and porcini mushroom. Taste your way through all of their flavors, and then combine your favorites to create a custom gift basket perfect for your mother-in-law who has everything or that co-worker who doesn't drink. For a personal touch, you can even have the bottle etched with their last name, a company name or whatever you might want it to say. $25 Large bottle, $15.50 Deluxe mister • The Culinary Stone • Riverstone Village, 2129 N. Main, CdA
WOOL OVERSHIRT
It's heavier and thicker than a shirt, but not as confining as a sweater. We're not exactly sure what to call it. An overshirt? A sweater-shirt? Whatever it is, it's the new thing for stylish, outdoorsy guys. Layer it over a flannel button-down or a basic T-shirt. The organic wool is designed to keep you warm and a butter-soft lining feels great against your skin. $135 Horny Toad Overshirt, $65 Royal Robbins checked flannel shirt • Finan McDonald • 210 Sherman, CdA • (Also: 301 N. First, Sandpoint) ♦
