
Pick up one of these premium Kala ukuleles at Froggie's 5 & 10 Store in Dallas. Starting at $80. Photo by Andrea Ridout.
Dec. 20, 2024
It’s beginning to look a lot like the last few days before holiday shopping is over. Don’t panic! Here are some goodies that you can pick up ASAP — many from local companies and all with an eye towards saving time and our amazing planet.
RPET PROJECT
Coldplay's new vinyl album is made from rPET post-consumer waste.
Yearning for those thrilling days of yesteryear? Dust off the old record player and get ready for Coldplay’s new translucent vinyl album, Moon Music. Choose from red, blue, yellow and pink versions.
This is the world's first record made with rPET post-consumer waste, containing 9 recycled plastic bottles, preventing the use of more than 25 metric tons of virgin plastic over the life of the album.
In tandem with Coldplay’s sustainability measures on their current tour, which has so far produced almost 60 percent less CO2e emissions than their previous stadium tour, the band has gone to great lengths to make the release of Moon Music as sustainable as possible.
Watch 99-year-old Dick Van Dyke chime in on All My Love, a single on the album, as Coldplay’s Chris Martin, plays piano nearby.
Album cost is about $25. Also available on CD. Find Moon Music at Best Buy, Target, Guitar Center and music stores around town.
GARDEN DEALS
Marshall Grain is a Colleyville tradition and they’re running a sale on holiday poinsettias, regularly $14.99 and now just $12.99 for red and $9.99 for white, while supplies last.
The security shop cat is on patrol at Marshall Grain. Courtesy of Facebook.
They’ve also got Christmas trees, natural wreaths and other beautiful last-minute decor.
This year, Marshall Grain has partnered with Catholic Charities to make the holidays extra-special by donating trees to needy families.
The company’s store manager, Eden, and her mom have handcrafted their own line of scented beeswax candles, potpourri and essential-oil sprays in scents of the holiday season. Their Small Town Scents natural beeswax candles come in amazingly beautiful shapes of pine cones, Christmas trees, and owls, as well as traditional tapered candles. Prices vary.
While you’re there, give a little love to their shop cat. He’s a sweetie!
Marshall Grain, 5311 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville 76034. Call ahead to make sure they still have items in stock. 817-416-6600.
DONUT DREAMS
Dreamboat Donuts in Fort Worth is a haven for sweet vegan treats. Courtesy of Dreamboat Donuts.
Have folks coming in for the holidays? Pick up some sweet treats at Dreamboat Donuts in Fort Worth.
Their vegan creations are the bomb — loaded with magical delights.
In addition to all kinds of donuts and muffins, your guests will love their mock "Bacon and Cheese" Quiche Cups. Add some Cherry Turnovers to round out an amazing holiday breakfast.
If you have to buy ahead, throw them in the freezer and then let them thaw for about an hour before serving.
The company also offers gift cards that are ideal stocking stuffers. You can even order them online and print out minutes before a needed holiday event.
Dreamboat is the brainchild of the team from Spiral Diner, a DFW legend in the plant-based community. Try their upscale Maiden Restaurant too, the ultimate in vegan dining.
SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUTCheck out this cool reusable travel mugs with a Texas twist at Rooster Home and Hardware. Photo by Andrea Ridout.
Rooster Home and Hardware in East Dallas is loaded with grab-n-go holiday goodies. One of our top picks is this collection of reusable Texas plates, travel mugs and even matching puzzles that are as fun to give as they are to receive. Great for out-of-town visitors so they can take back a little bit of Texas. From about $6-$20.
Wooden rolling pins feature festive designs. Photo by Andrea Ridout.
Another cool item at Rooster are these gorgeous wooden rolling pins with festive designs.
Laser-cut on sustainable mango wood, they can be used for pasta, cookie dough, pastry, bakery, pizza, fondant and even pie edging. Will delight and impress your guests and they also make a thoughtful gift for your baking friends and family. $25 each in the gourmet kitchenware department.
Rooster Hardware offers funny gifts for cat lovers. Photo by Andrea Ridout.
Rooster also loves pets, of course, and their shelves are stocked with treats for chickens, dogs and cats, of course. Mittens told us she's tired of toy mice. And Boots doesn't feel like chasing that thing on a string anymore. That's so yesterday. They want catnip pouches from Blue Q. We laughed out loud at these cat toys with irreverent titles such as “I Love my A**hole Cat,” “My Human Smokes Weed” and “Duuuuuude” stuffed with organic catnip. Your kooky feline will adore ‘em. About 9 bucks each in the pet department.
Rooster Home & Hardware, 10233 Northwest Hwy Suite 409, Dallas, TX 75238.
LOCAL BREWWhite Rock's Lady of the Lake coffee is named for the local ghost story. Photo by Andrea Ridout.
Just down the road from Rooster is the original location of White Rock Coffee. Their brews have become so popular that stores all around the Metroplex are carrying them.
Their Lady of the Lake blend is based on a popular local ghost story. It’s spooky good. Breakfast Blend is also delish. They’ve even got a Limited Edition Christmas Roast with notes of plum, fig jam and caramel. About $16 for 12 oz. Yummy!
Pick up some as gifts or for your own holiday mornings at all seven White Rock Coffee locations, Rooster Home and Hardware, Central Market, Whole Foods and more.
PEPPERMINT PERFECTIONWhite Rock Granola offers its special peppermint edition for the holidays. Courtesy of WRG.
My own company, White Rock Granola, is celebrating the season with Peppermint Bark Granola — a delightful, festive snack that combines sweet USA-made peppermint bark candy (layers of light and dark chocolate with peppermint bits) with the hearty crunch of chocolate granola infused with Valrhona cocoa.
Perfect for snacking, adding to yogurt or sharing! Made with gluten-free oats for folks who are cutting down on their gluten and packed in compostable tubs to help keep our planet greener and cleaner.
Order online at WhiteRockGranola.com and get a free gift with every order, or pick up at Rooster Home and Hardware, Cox Farms Markets, Kelley Produce at the Dallas Farmers Market or select Central Market stores.
TREASURE TROVEThese puzzles made from recycled materials come in a cloth storage bag at Froggie's 5 & 10 Toy Store in Dallas. Photo by Andrea Ridout.
Froggie’s 5 & 10 Toy Store and their next-door partner, Betty Lou, both have lots of holiday treats for young and old.
Start with a puzzle from MudPuppy, made from recycled materials, and packed in an earth-friendly cloth storage bag. Tons of designs including Ocean Life, the Wild Bunch, Outer Space and more. Perfect for holiday traveling or stocking stuffers. From $9.99.
Choose from a variety of Kala ukuleles at Froggie's 5 & 10 Toy Store. Photo by Andrea Ridout.
For the budding musician, choose a ukulele from Kala, also at Froggie’s. These are real instruments, not toys, and will last for years. “Kala” is a Hawaiian word meaning “good fortune” and your giftee will feel lucky, indeed, to receive one of these creations. Choose from colorful, painted models to natural wood styles such as “Courage” designed by Maori cultural artist Sam Mangakahia, with its swirled motif laser-etched on mahogany.
Prices start around $80.
On the Betty Lou side, we found this distinctive serving board by Totally Bamboo.
This cutting board in the shape of a tree stump is made from bamboo. Photo by Andrea Ridout.
Crafted in the shape of a tree stump and lined with more than 800 laser-etched exotic and endangered animals to form the "rings” highlighting the importance of trees for all life on earth. Made from Moso bamboo, a renewable resource that provides a lightweight, durable and knife-friendly cutting board. Perfect for chefs, gardeners, naturalists or anyone who loves the outdoors and cooking! $34
Earrings made from natural materials are handcrafted by female artisians globally. Photo by Andrea Ridout.
Also at Betty Lou, choose a pair of lovely earrings, handmade by Sunshine Tienda from water buffalo horn in Vietnam, providing an income for needy women. (No water buffalo were harmed in anyway, according to the site.)
Sunshine Tienda was founded in 2014 by twin sisters, Laura and Amanda Ernst, inspired by their passion for warm-weather getaways. Based in Texas, the duo designs each collection, which is then skillfully handcrafted by talented female artisans from around the globe. Each piece is unique and ensures that your jewelry gift is truly one of a kind. Starting around $50.
Both located in Hillside Village Shopping Center, 6465 E Mockingbird Ln Suite 312, Dallas 75214
A NIGHT TO REMEMBERFor Fort Worth movie lovers, grab some tickets from the Coyote Drive-In. This incredible venue offers laser film projection, which promises a high definition bright lit experience to see all the action on the screen.
Features live music before the show and an enclosed playground for kids where they can burn off energy before the movie starts.
Holiday films include Red One, Wicked and Moanna 2. Prices start under $7 for kids and $10 for adults. Shop online, print tickets at home and then add to stockings! Note that no outside food is allowed but refreshments are available on site.
Over in Big D, plan a nostalgic movie night at the Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff or the Majestic on Elm Street. These historic locations are offering quirky and fun programs throughout the holidays, including Polyphonic Spree (Majestic on Dec. 21) and Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Texas Theatre on Dec. 28). The Angelica Film Center is also playing The Apartment on Monday, Dec. 23. We’ll see you there!
2024 Green Gift Guide Series
2024 Green Gift Guide
2024 Green Gift Guide for Kids and Pets
2024 Last Minute Green Gift Guide
Stay up to date on everything green in North Texas, including the latest news and events! Sign up for the weekly Green Source DFW Newsletter! Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. Also check out our new podcast The Texas Green Report, available on your favorite podcast app.