Guide to Dallas and Fort Worth Shops for Unique Holiday Gifts

It's that time of year again if you can believe it so here's the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas' exclusive guide to local shops bearing Christmas/holiday gifts.

The best place for junk bargains is Sarah's Thrift Store at 626 E. Highway 67 in Duncanville (972-296-9709). If you love garage sales you'll love this place.

To buy gifts for vintage freaks and gadget geeks check out Restoration Hardware at 3133 Knox Street and 5217 Alpha Road, Galleria. Phone numbers are 214-520-7255 and 972-404-8707. At Restoration thumb-sized candle snuffers and penguin-shaped cocktail shakers are necessities, not luxuries.

The best place for the pack rate in your life is Cool Junk, a thrift store carrying bright aluminum tumblers, shiny cocktail shakers, Tiki masks, martini glasses with colored stems, skewers with plastic olives on the tips, worn playing cards, jazz club-style art, and mirrors. They're located at 2824 Main Street, #103 and the number is 214-741-2002.

For the jewelry lover in your life check out Aarti Jewelers at 109 S. Central Expressway in Richardson (972-918-9933). If you're looking for a bit of the exotic, this is the place.

The best place to buy stuff you don't need for the holidays is Mark & Larry's Stuff at 2614 Elm Street and 1520 Elm Street (214-74-STUFF, 214-760-8633). The eclectic Deep Ellum shop has nothing you need but just about anything you might want. It was also voted Best Gift Store by the local paper.

The best gift store is Bishop Street Market at 419 N. Bishop Avenue (214-941-0907). Part of the Bishop Arts District Renaissance, this pleasant shop carries a wide range of gift items and objects from local artists.

For those celebrating with piñatas this Christmas try Sarita's Imports at 211 S. Bishop Street. The number is 214-943-9208. This little blue house turned Mexican import store also consists of a neighboring garden shed full of hidden, hanging piñatas of many a color, shape, and size.