Shop What We Shop

Finally cross off your holiday shopping list with help from GiftingMap

A way better hostess gift than flowers.

Photo courtesy of RabLabs

Okay, folks, we're down to the wire now. It's time to click "add to cart" on those last few items you've been eyeing and make sure they arrive in time for Christmas.

Looking to round out your list with a few last-minute items? GiftingMap has suggestions for everything from hostess gifts to picks for the animal lover, many coming from Texas brands.

And if you're hoping that whoever's out there shopping for you is picking the right items, help make sure by taking a GiftingMap quiz and sending them your preferences. From now through December 25, exchange gift guide quizzes with three friends and you'll be entered to win a shopping spree worth up to $500 for yourself and $100 each for your trio.

Annie Digs dog beds
Why do regular dog beds have to be so unattractive? That's what founder Blair Erwyn wondered, and decided to create comfortable, lush beds for our furry friends that also complemented carefully chosen home decor. With eight color collections and four sizes from which to choose, now Fido can have a fancy place to rest.

Bird Dog Bay sweaters
'Tis the season for snuggling, which is made even easier with Royal Alpaca sweaters. "Royal" refers to the grade of the fiber, which comes from only the top 1-3 percent of all alpaca yarn and is sustainable, warm, breathable, and flexible. And to go underneath it, a brand-new selection of sports shirts that any man would love.

Holly Tamale kits
It's a fiesta in a box from the Texas Tamale Company, with everything you need to whip up two dozen chicken and beef tamales plus queso, beef chili, and jalapeño pepper sauce for topping. All kits ship frozen from Houston in a handy styrofoam cooler and will keep for three days in transit.

Juliska vase trio
Thoughtfully designed to evoke the romance of Europe's rich history in the decorative arts, this brand's alluring Bohemian glass is brought to life by master glassblowers in the Czech Republic. These dainty vases come pre-boxed for chic and easy gift-giving.

RabLabs coasters
Edged in pure silver and 24K gold, these slices of agate and gemstones are all-natural and mined from Brazil. Each one varies in color and pattern, and brings an elegant look to any side table.

shopping promoted luxury holidays

Shopping News

Where to shop in Dallas right now: 7 zany new stores to check out

Thrifted Threads

Thrifted Threads chill vibe

With the holidays on the horizon, shopping is on the rise. This November edition of Where to Shop, CultureMap's monthly roundup of new shops, sales, and alternative shopping, has five unique new openings, ranging from fashion to skin care to sports apparel.

The roundup also includes two non-traditional entries, including a new benefits program at an area mall, and a place to get your passport — in case you're planning on shopping abroad.

Here's where to shop in Dallas for November:

Baseballism
Baseball camp that transformed into an off-field baseball clothing brand is now open at Allen Premium Outlets. The store offers baseball-themed clothing, hats, and accessories. Their collection features collaborations with several big league names, including MLB, Babe Ruth, Vin Scully and Field of Dreams. Caps and hoodies are especially popular items, such as the Junior's Silhouette for $36 or the short Sleeve Yankees hoodie for $79.

Firewheel Town Center
Garland shopping center is in the giving spirit with its latest Shop, Dine & Save program. Visitors can shop or dine at select stores, including Buckle, DSW, and Razzoo's, Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen, and receive a $25 Simon giftcard when they spend $150 or more. To get the giftcard, receipts have to be shown at the mall management office and include at least one shop and one restaurant from the same day. The special lasts through November 27.

Hill House
Originally a bedding company that launched in 2016, Hill House has extended their collection to offer home, accessories, baby & kids, bridal, and apparel. They opened a location in NorthPark Center at the end of October — their first in Texas and only their fifth store. Hill House is best known for the "Nap Dress," a flowing dress made for day or night wear. There's also a short version of the dress, such as the Scarlett Long Sleeve Mini, a plaid dress for $188. Just in time for season, they've launched holiday pajamas, featuring pajama sets, robes, and children's sets.

Glossier
Skincare, beauty, and fragrance concept just opened a 1,000 square-foot store at NorthPark Center, featuring its trademark whimsical displays that one might mistake for an art supply or paint store. They sell fragrances, scented skin creams, balms, cleansers, moisturizers, makeup, eyelash curlers, and other beauty products, a little on the pricey side, but they make the shopping experience fun with an immersive shopping experience. That stuff doesn't come for free. This is their 12 location in the U.S., joining Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, DC, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, NYC, Philadelphia, and Seattle.

Rally House
Sports apparel chain opened a location at Rockwall Crossing Shopping Center in Rockwall, with merchandise — headwear, accessories, collectibles — dedicated to Dallas-area teams including Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, and college teams like the Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Texas A&M Aggies. They also offer locally-themed apparel and accessories that celebrate Dallas destinations and landmarks, such as an Uscape Pom Mens Knit Hat with a graphic of the Dallas skyline for $30 or a long sleeve Dallas sweatshirt for $42. This is the 22nd location in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Thrifted Threads
Houston-based vintage clothing reseller just made its debut in Deep Ellum at 2646 Main St. #620, next to Vidorra. Thrifted Threads was founded by Laith Awad, who began reselling clothes in 2017, initially as an online store until he opened a location in 2022 in Houston's Montrose District when he was only 18. He opened a second store in College Station in 2023. Deep Ellum is the third. They're known vintage apparel from jerseys to sweatshirts and hats, as well as collections of color-sorted clothes from the 70s to the 2000s. It's more than a store, with arcade games that don't require coins to play, a motorcycle display, and ice cream.

Collin County Passport Office
If you're "shopping" for a passport, a passport office just reopened in the Collin County Courthouse at 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney. The new passport acceptance office will initially be appointment only, with bookings available through the District Clerk's website. Plans are underway to introduce same-day and walkup services in the near future.

openings where to shop