Small Gifts and Stocking Stuffers at ABQ Local Shops
Albuquerque has a wealth of fun and interesting shops to explore. Sure, they are spread out, but if you find a nearby restaurant to treat your self to a nice snack, the shopping and driving around is really fun!
How many of these places have you explored recently?
Duran Central Pharmacy
Duran Central Pharmacy has a really diverse and fun shopping section — right in the same space as one of the best restaurants in town! There are gifts for everyone at Duran’s: kitchen toys, kid toys, touristy gifts, gear for travelers…it’s amazing. A fun gift for new parents: a growth chart!
From Dec. 13 – Dec. 24, Duran’s is having a pop-up toy shop in the parking lot. This is super exciting!
Page One Books
Page One Books has big children’s books section and a very friendly staff. There is also a good section of gift ideas to explore. Nearby restaurants are numerous, and include Cinnamon Café (around the corner at 5809 Juan Tabo).
Page One Books | 5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite B-41, 87111 | 505-294-2026
Bricks and Minifigs
Bricks and Minifigs is a locally owned LEGO® wonderland! They have sets for sale, big bins of loose LEGOs to treasure hunt in, and Minifigs!
What is a Minifig? It’s a LEGO® person/character. Bricks and Minifigs has cases of collectible characters (Disney characters, Harry Potter, Star Wars…it’s all there…), and they have bins of loose pieces to make your own minifigs. Check out this self portrait I made:
Bricks and Minifigs | 6001 San Mateo Blvd. NE, E3| 505-369-1574
Color Wheel Toys
Color Wheel Toys is a pop-up shop in Nob Hill. This year’s fun and cheerful location is right next to Ooh! Aah! Jewelry, which is THE BEST jewelry store in Albuquerque.
During the year Color Wheel Toys carefully curates the toys it will carry at Christmas, and the toys are AWESOME! The owner is happy to help with suggestions, and is inviting folks to wrap their presents at the store this month. Color Wheel has a fun Instagram feed:
Color Wheel Toys | 108 Amherst SE in Nob Hill, 87106
Model Pharmacy
Model Pharmacy has a really wonderful collection of mobiles that are great for kid’s rooms. They also have a good selection of holiday cards, and the best selection of high-end soaps, toiletries, and hair accessories. Bonus: they have a café!
Model Pharmacy | 636 Monte Vista Blvd NE, 87106 | 505-255-8686
New Mexico United
What a great year it was for New Mexico United! 2020 promises to be even better, so give some gear for Christmas! The shop/headquarters in Nob Hill has clothes, soccer balls, stickers, and more. Go nuts now, go nuts when they win!
New Mexico United | 3500 Central Ave SE, Suite 2 | 505-209-7529
Keller’s Farm Stores
Keller’s! They have lots of yummy stocking stuffer ideas, from tiny jars of jam to fancy cookies, exotic spices to kitchen tools. But for the kids? Look at these chocolate bars and single serving hot chocolate mixes…they’re cute!!!
Keller’s has two locations:
2912 Eubank Blvd. NE, 87112 | 505-294-1427
6100H Coors Blvd., NW, 87120 | 505-898-6121
Museum Gift Shops
Remember that hot day at the zoo, when you were beat and broke, and the kids wanted to go into the gift shop, and you said “maybe another time?” Well! The gift shops at our favorite Albuquerque places are filled with fun and educational gifts! And the money spent in the gift shop helps the museum! A membership to the museum is always awesome. Here’s are some of the treasures you could go back for:
- The Balloon Museum: lots of balloon ornaments, and a good selection of kids’ books about weather;
- Explora: SO many science toys, tools and experiments;
- Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs! T-shirts! Books…and more.
- Maxwell Museum at UNM: one of the best collections of fetish carvings in Albuquerque.
