Enjoy, An Urban General Store
(4723 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-334-8626,
): This go-to gift shop is stocked to the gills with fun finds guaranteed to garner some laughs on Christmas morning. Who wouldn’t love an emergency clown nose ($5) or cupcake-flavored dental floss ($4)? Enjoy also carries a great selection of vintage candy, from Astro Pops to Razzles.
Uncle Fun
(1338 W. Belmont Ave., 773-477-8223,
): Santa definitely multitasks at this Lakeview store, where walls of card-catalog drawers are filled with tiny tchotchkes — plastic figures, magic tricks, pranks and more — most under $5. What better excuse do you need to give everyone on your list Whoopee cushions ($1) and Superman figurines ($1)?
Rudy’s Roundup
(1410 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-486-6400,
): This kitschy boutique showcases both new and vintage products (think retro 1970s flashcards and Garbage Pail Kids posters), as well as a nice selection of locally made items like a cute plush ice cream cone ($11) and other stuffed creations from Chicago’s Nerfect.
Ten Thousand Villages
(719 Main St., Evanston, 847-733-8258 and other city and suburban locations,
evanston.tenthousandvillages.com
): Looking to fill those stockings with socially conscious gifts? This fair-trade shop is full of unusual handcrafted treasures from artisans in developing countries. Among the finds: pretty paper star ornaments from Bangladesh (from $2) and pencils topped with colorful wooden toys from Indonesia ($5).
