A lot has been said about shopping local. One more benefit? Retailers who wrap. My sister, a mom of two young children, actually strategized her entire holiday shopping plan last year based on stores that wrap. Local shop owners understand that it’s time-saving services like these their customers appreciate.
“I take call-aheads, help pick out the gifts, and even customize the wrapping to the child’s favorite color with ribbon to personalize it, at no charge,” said Crystal Newman, owner of Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe in Lancaster.
“We want to make it as convenient as possible,” added Tom Akers, owner of Renew Bath and Body in Buffalo. “Taking the time to wrap each gift gives the customer a personal touch. Like that old- timey shopping feel you used to get while dealing one-on-one with department store employees—we want to bring that back.”
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Here’s a sampling of local stores—with a rundown on their approach to wrapping.
Beulah’s General Store
726 Main Street, East Aurora
For $1 per gift, this East Aurora shop will package your purchase in a ribbon-handle bag and choice of tissue paper. For smaller items like jewelry, the store offers small gift boxes topped with gold and silver bows.
Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe
1 W. Main Street, Lancaster
Holiday hack: Local retailers who gift wrap | Buffalo Magazine
The toy store offers free wrapping with tissue paper and colored ribbon to personalize it. You can call ahead with requests–for example, a gift for a 7-year-old in the $30 range–and they’ll have it wrapped and ready by the time you get there.
Head Over Heels
662 Main Street, East Aurora
Head Over Heels will package your gifts for free in their brown paper gift bags with geometric tissue paper, curling ribbon and accented burlap knots.
Molly + Kate
35 Main Street, Hamburg
Holiday hack: Local retailers who gift wrap | Buffalo Magazine
Gift and apparel store Molly + Kate will wrap your items free of charge with pretty white-and-navy striped paper, or in gift bags with tissue paper featuring metallic-gold stags. You can also order gifts online and pick up your wrapped gifts later.
Neo Gift Studio
905 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo
Neo will wrap your purchase, free of charge, with the store’s signature look: a white box with a red or gold ribbon, topped with a decorative silk poinsettia or holly.
Renew Bath and Body
927 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo
Renew’s wrapping—included with purchase—includes white boxes with the store’s signature logo paper, shrink wrapped and finished with handmade blue or green bows. If you order online, just check off the gift wrap option and it will be ready when you get there.
Tony Walker & Co
5110 Main Street, Williamsville
Tony Walker takes its gift program a step further by shipping your wrapped gift free anywhere in the U.S. Their houndstooth paper is a signature part of the store’s brand.
Village Artisans
5560 Main Street, Williamsville
Holiday hack: Local retailers who gift wrap | Buffalo Magazine
Village Artisans, which features locally mad gift items, offers free wrapping with its red and white polka dot paper, green or red tulle and various colored ribbons.
Wild Things
224 Lexington Avenue, Buffalo
Wild Things puts a lot of love into its free wrapping, varying their approach with vintage paper and bows, Chinese wish papers and/or flowers or sparkly toppers. Jewelry is also packaged in hand-stamped muslin bags.
