I love Christmas. I love to buy things and receive things. But I'm not much of a Wal-Mart shopper. I don't have any children to shop for and the people on my list have whatever it is they need to live. So the challenge is to find something new, something they didn't think they needed. We thought we'd put together a guide to shops where you can find something completely new and unique in Houston. Be it locally made, hard-to-find, or just unexpected items, here are some of our favorite stores where you'll find them:

Contemporary Art Museum gift shop (5216 Montrose Blvd.) -- I hate to divulge my gifting secrets, but the CAMH gift shop is where I end up every holiday, birthday, Valentine's day, anniversary, or whatever season. It's minuscule, but these few square feet of shopping heaven encompass educational and whimsical toys for kids; unique fashion accessories for your fashionable friends; high-design books and desk toys for your austere friends; and that all-purpose gift: candles. The store carries items by Umbra, Uglydolls, Glitterlimes, Taschen, Poketo, among many others. The store is open daily except Monday. -- Sara Cress

Sew Crafty (321-B 19th St.) -- Thanks to the new expansion of Sew Crafty's offerings, you can stop by the new location on 19th Street and pick up Sublime Stitching patterns, Amy Butler sewing patterns, felting kits, and other lightweight crafting accessories. You could also make your mom a shirt with ribbons and paint, but consider that something to laugh at, then go to a jewelry store and get her something for real. The store is open daily except Monday. -- S.C.

Sig's Lagoon (3710 Main St.) -- It's tough that one of the coolest indie shops in Houston is in the midst of Midtown, where there's not much else to buy, but it is next door to Tacos a Go-Go, which makes it a worthy stop on your shopping trip. Sig's carries records, art and clothes by local artists and designers, and novelty products. Closed Sundays. -- S.C.

Central Market (3815 Westheimer) -- Hidden away above the milk case at this gourmand's paradise in Highland Village are piles of buckets and baskets. Ask someone to get one down for you, then fill it with flavored coffees, chocolates, candies, cookies, a bottle of wine, a foodie magazine, and you've got yourself a handsome Christmas gift for someone impossible to shop for. Open daily. -- S.C.

Cactus Music (2110 Portsmouth) -- The music lover in your life would appreciate it if you supported a local music purveyor rather than Best Buy. Cactus also carries a nice selection of novelty products and new and classic vinyl. Open daily. -- S.C.

Paula Fridkin Designs (2534 Amherst and 2022 West Gray) -- I don't know who Paula Fridkin is, but she has a knack for stocking her store with shiny, colorful baubles that moms and sisters and best girlfriends adore. There's also candles! -- S.C.

La Taste (2417 Rice Blvd.) -- French bath and home items! This adorable, stuffed-to-the-gills Rice Village store lifts my spirits, not only because of its very fine smells and affordable indulgences, but because it's not Bath and Body Works. The perfumes are more complex here. Some items come in glass bottles, which also feels more substantial. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Open daily. -- S.C.

Kuhl-Linscomb (2424 W Alabama St.) -- I don't know why it took me so long to explore this gigantic concern. I guess I was intimidated, being the middle-class nobody that I am. But this huge, multi-house retail space is an amazing place to buy just about anything for the discerning gift receiver -- home decor, Alessi ware, high-end toys, fancy perfume and skincare products, mounds of candles, jewelry and more. In the satellite buildings you'll find mostly expensive and imported furniture and home goods, which is great if you have a whole lot of cash. The rest of us treat those rooms like a the rooms of a museum. Open daily. -- S.C.

Natural Pawz (multiple locations) -- Petsmart and Petco are ubiquitous. Indie pet stores are far less so. This little pet store with six locations around Houston is a friendly purveyor of organic pet foods, products and accessories for cats and dogs. It's weird, most pets don't care about Christmas, but I always buy my cats something for Christmas and my mom's cats always manage to give me something for Christmas. That's weird, right? -- S.C.

Fly High Little Bunny (3120 S Shepherd Dr.) -- Most jewelry that I own is from this tiny S. Shepherd store because my boyfriend is a smart man. It doesn't carry the hardcore diamonds and gold like you'd find at Jared, or whatever mall jewelry store people frequent. Nor is it as cheesy as the costume pap at the Macy's jewelry counter. There are beautiful, mid-range (it's not cheap, let's say) silver pieces here for different personalities. -- S.C.

Domy (1709 Westheimer) -- I own toys. Lots of them. Approx. 65% of those toys came from this bookstore/vinyl toy store/art gallery on Westheimer. Indie comics and books, DVDs about unusual people, art from local painters and illustrators or vinyl toys from artists like Kathie Olivas, Frank Kozik, Shawnimals and MAD. They even carry Japanese kaiiju and Rement, which previously I had to buy online only. For the pop culture fan in your life, or just those into unique works of art, this place is a goldmine of gift ideas. Open daily. -- Tracy Scott

Nan's (2011 Southwest Fwy.) -- Don't go here expecting Superman comics. Oh, for sure they have them. But the store carries everything from offbeat titles (I once bought a copy of the complete The Chronicles of Wormwood here) to TV toys and board games, collectors items, hardbound works of fiction and a wealth of D&D items that'll win the heart of any geek in your life. -- T.S.

Electronic Parts Outlet (3753-B Fondren Rd.) -- This electronic parts store well outside the loop attracts awkward electronics hobbyists. They shuffle around the store, pants ripped, mumbling, with a list in their hands of whatever it is they need to build a device that will wake them in the middle of the night if someone gets too close to their car in the driveway (that's just a for example, it's usually for a project far less useful.) It's also the most awesome place on the planet. You look at rows of drawers holding the smallest parts that mean nothing in that context, but could be the very thing makes a thousand other pieces work in concert. Anyway, you wouldn't think this would be a good place to stop in for a Christmas present, but there are lots of kits available here that will teach someone basic electronics skills -- things that move or do a simple task. These make cool, affordable presents for geeks or older kids, but keep in mind that the kits will require a soldering iron. Closed Sundays. -- S.C.

Spec's (multiple locations) -- PLEASE. You knew Spec's would be on the list. Grab a decent bottle of gin and a gift bag and you're done. Or a box of fancy wine glasses. Or ask one of the exceedingly helpful staff to help you pick out the makings of a nice cocktail and give the whole mess to someone. The cheese, candy and snacks offerings rival Central Market's. Closed Sunday. -- S.C.

Chocolate Bar/Candylicious (1837 W Alabama St and 2515 University Blvd.) -- Candy and chocolate. That's a no-brainer. -- S.C.

Bering's (6102 Westheimer and 3900 Bissonnet) -- This "hardware store" is full of doddering old people who probably shopped here 40 years ago, but don't let that stop you from picking it over Bed Bath and Beyond. The shelves here are packed with utilitarian home goods, but also a bunch of things you wouldn't expect. There's an entire stationery section, for instance, not far from the counter that cuts keys. I find the piles of kitchenwares particularly worth a look, but the garden section is another good gift place. The store likes to stock the occasional local item, which is why you can buy a hummingbird feeder here that was made 50 miles away, as opposed to the one from China you'll get at the big-box store. Another section of the store is devoted to high-end gifts -- crystal figurines and expensive china -- but you can find completely affordable lotions and perfumes. -- S.C.

British Isles (2366 Rice Blvd.) -- Like La Taste is for French goods, British Isles is for British. Instead of a store full of perfumes, you'll find a store full of ceramics and plaids. Some of the items can be overpriced, particularly the ceramics, but the back of the store is a treasure trove of weird British snacks and very serious teas. Open daily. -- S.C.

Hanson's Galleries (746 Memorial City Mall and 1101-10 Uptown Park Blvd.) - With shops in Uptown Park and Memorial City, this retailer pushes the limits of my budget. That's the bad news. The good news is that when I do have some extra cash to spends on my friends or family (or myself), I find pieces here that aren't stocked at Macy's. The galleries are heavy on original jewelry, art glass and ceramics. At first, there doesn't appear to much selection, but every drawer on the jewelry cases pulls out to reveal more pieces. Two things not to miss: Hanson's wonderful collection of menorahs and its handmade greeting cards. The staff generally is friendly, helpful and well-versed in the artists whose works are on sale. Open daily. - Syd Kearney

Sound Exchange (1846 Richmond Ave.) - Looking for the first pressing of that one Jesus Lizard LP? Having a hard time tracking down the second Black Flag 7" you need to complete your best friend's collection? Sound Exchange has got you covered. The Montrose shop carries everything from soul to indie to jazz, death metal and more. Bonus points for their extensive selection of vinyl and releases by local artists. Sound Exchange is also one of the few places in Houston who sells and repairs turntables. -- Jordan Graber

Guild Shop (2009 Dunlavy) - One part consignment space, one part thrift store, one part antique shop and all parts awesome. The Guild Shop packs in furniture, lamps, table and flatware and all the knick knacks you could ever want. Don't miss the jewelry case for good deals on vintage pieces. This is the place to shop for "the person who has everything." The best part, all proceeds go to charity. Pretty rad. Closed Sunday. -- J.G.

DeFalco's (8715 Stella Link) -- I love this place. Not only can you find complete kits to brew various wines and beers, you'll find books, videos, bottles, corks, kettles, kegs, spoons, funnels -- you name it. If you or your loved one is a bit more advanced, you can mix and match your own ingredients. They've got an incredible selection of hops in pellet, plug or loose form, and an equally interesting mix of wine yeasts. They even have everything you need to build my your dream: a home tap wall. Check with the staff about any upcoming brewing classes, as they make great future gifts for beginners interested in home brewing. Open daily. -- T.S.

The Tipping Point (1212 Main St.) -- My brother has more pairs of sneakers than I care to count. He can tell you their name, the day they were released, different colorways of the same pair, blah, blah, blah. This shoe store is the perfect place to find gifts for OCD sneaker pimps. Not only do they stock the place with the latest fashions for sneaker enthusiasts, the place is also a semi-art space. The downside to this fabulousness is that it is located downtown, so unless you are a heart of Houston dweller, you may have to pay to park. Closed Sunday. -- T.S.

Root of You Salon and Day Spa (5190 Buffalo Speedway) -- Natural hair is the specialty at this upscale salon on Buffalo Speedway. But while the services are excellent (haircare, spa treatments, professional makeovers) and you can get gift certificates for all of them, the real find is the little boutique up front. Natural soaps, shampoos, conditioners and body beautifiers line the shelves alongside a few cases with handmade jewelry. Carol's Daughter products are sold here. Try the Almond Cookie Shea Souffle. You'll want to lick your own arm. Which is gross. But you'll think about it. Closed Mondays. -- T.S.