I love to shop in Cody. I love to shop for clothes, jewelry, shoes, boots, coats, sports equipment, furniture, one-of-a-kind treasures, memorabilia, artwork, books, music and jewelry (which is so much fun to shop for, it deserves a second mention). Heck, I even love to go grocery shopping. But I detest the impersonal nature of shopping malls, strip malls, big box stores and online shopping.
Fortunately for me, everything I need to purchase for everyone on my holiday list is right here in Cody/Yellowstone Country. Here are some of my favorite places.
Museum stores – Both the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Heart Mountain have distinctive gifts including locally made jewelry and pottery, clothing, posters and artwork and many, many books and DVDs. I found a great DVD called “The Legacy of Heart Mountain” for the history buff on my list.
Unique one of a kind furniture is perfect for the hard-to-buy-for person.
Galleries and artist shops – I love Cody’s unique galleries, many located along our main street, Sheridan Avenue. The folks in these stores invite shoppers to browse and ask questions, and they never, ever use high-pressure sales tactics to sell their beautiful pieces. Many of the galleries carry furniture made by the dozen or so furniture artisans who live and work in Cody/Yellowstone Country. I found an exquisite accent table made of Rocky Mountain Juniper that will be perfect for a certain someone’s rustic living room.
Clothing boutiques – If it has fringe, denim, leather or silver accents, it calls to me. And sometimes my credit card answers. This year I have a certain friend who is new to the West, and her clothing is badly in need of being de-Easternized. So I found a leather vest with silver conchos in one of the local gift shops that will be perfect for her closet. She can wear it to next year’s Rendezvous Royale and fit right in with the rest of us.
Handmade jewelry or belts are always great stocking stuffers!
Sports stores – We have outfitter shops with everything the well-dressed angler might need or want, and sporting goods stores with skis, boots, climbing ropes, hats, gloves and base layers for the outdoor adventurer on your list. My friend who loves to climb that famous Cody ice is getting some brand new crampons and new wool socks.
Outdoor enthusiasts are easy to buy for in Cody/Yellowstone Country.
Jewelry stores – If it is big, silver and turquoise, it is perfect for a certain girlfriend – or strikingly handsome musician — on my list. And I don’t have to go far to find a one-of-a-kind ring or bracelet that I know they will wear again and again.
I know we only have a few more shopping days left until the big man comes to town, but I’m soon going to finish my shopping, wrapping and card-addressing, and I’ll be sipping some locally made hot cocoa long before he gets here. But I know that some of my friends are dreading this weekend of fighting for a parking place at the mall and trying to choose between this imported teapot or that factory-made sweater. Next time, they should just come to Cody/Yellowstone Country and let me lead the way.
Until next time I’m lovin’ life and wearing out my credit card….
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