Jing-jing-aling. Jing-jing-aling. That's the sound of the approaching holiday season. It's also a sound that brings to mind the impending shopping trips that can sometimes tax your very patience. All the hustle and bustle, pushing, shoving and grabbing, competing with all the other shoppers to find a gift that you end up settling on can sometimes take the fun out of holiday shopping. You really can't find anything unique or one-of-a-kind so, without fail, you find yourself reasoning in your mind that it doesn't matter, it's the thought that counts. But what fun is it if you are just going about with the masses and not enjoying the process? What if you could put some fun into your holiday shopping and not have to settle for, but know that when your gift is opened, the smile you see on their face is one of pure delight and glee, for you did find the perfect gift, the unexpected, the best thing ever? Well, follow me and I will take you on a holiday shopping adventure you will want to make a family tradition.

   Jing-jing-aling. Jing-jing-aling. That's the sound of the approaching holiday season, but not in the way you might be thinking. That's the sound of Tombstone and cowboys' spurs on the boardwalk. That's the sound that will put fun into your holiday shopping and make it a time to remember. But wait, you might be thinking, Tombstone is a tourist town and souvenirs are not what I want to buy for Christmas presents. Oh, but Tombstone has much more to offer than mementos, yes Tombstone offers some incredible unique and desirable gifts... and fun to go along with the shopping process. For though you may be able to shop for your gifts in the mall, the truth is, "Tombstone is funner than the mall" as someone told me when I set about to shop Tombstone for Christmas!

   I did shop Tombstone for the holiday season and found myself enchanted with each and every store. Little known treasures could be found, treasures that would bring a smile when opened and an even bigger smile when you tell them that you found it in Tombstone!! There are gifts to be found in Tombstone that should have a place in someone's heart or home and I am going to take you shopping with me as we Shop Tombstone for the Holidays!!

   The Silver Nugget, now there's a place with a whole bunch of atmosphere. Whether you step inside for a delectable ice cream sundae or cone at the old-fashioned soda fountain or step back in the "Opera House" for entertainment and a bite to eat, you must peruse their gift shop. They have oodles of fun things to find there, and it was so much fun to find these adorable little pieces of sterling silver-finished western theme pendants and earrings. Many a young lady would love to wear these adornments, but what's best is the box that they come in. That box is actually a felt cowboy hat replica, right down to the beaded looking hatband. The gift in the box is great, but I could just see a young lady opening that gift and seeing that cute hat, and inside is the treasure with that western flair. Anyone you know who might love this gift?

   If you wander into the Tombstone Pharmacy you can find a nice collection of Leaning Tree holiday gift cards with a great western touch. And if you have someone on your list that you just cannot figure out what to get them, then think no more, for here you can take them back to their first day with the "Look Back In Time" booklets with information about events back in the year they were born. This is a fabulous gift and less than $10 too! Why not pick up a few for those on your list?!

    Alrighty then, following the jing-jing-aling I found myself in the Apothecary Shoppe. How cute is this little place in Tombstone? Adorable, and in this little space that she has, there is a display of some wonderful oils, lotions, creams, soaps and candles and what's great about these items are they are locally crafted! A gift from here would not only be thoughtful, but also be a part of Tombstone that is surely unexpected. With prices starting at around $5, you can fill a sister's stocking or get that perfect gift for your child's teacher, who knows? The possibilities are endless in this quaint piece of property in Tombstone!

   Our General Store in town is truly more than a place to pick up that needed item, it is also a destination for local specialties like their fine collection of local wines, and other beverages packaged for our Tombstone area. And not to be missed is their collection of sauces, hot and otherwise, jams and jellies and other southwest flavors. Go in and taste them all and then decide how many you will take home for those extra little gifts you know you will need to have on hand!

   Annie's Place and The Gift Corral, where do I start on these places? There is so much to browse here and what caught my eye the most, was their hummingbirds. My goodness, if you have anyone on your list that has a fondness for or collects hummingbird items, this is the place! From porcelain sculptures to wind chimes, coasters, coffee mugs and Indian art, there is a beautiful hummingbird just waiting to be packaged up and ready to bring a smile to someone's face!

   Before we got to the end of this first block that we are working our way down, there is the Silver Hills Trading Company that takes up the last three buildings, including the Oriental Saloon on the corner. I wandered all through these 3 stores that have been part of Tombstone for quite some time and just could not decide what to focus on. But, if I knew someone who was fascinated with Navajo artifacts, I would be in my glory trying to pick one of these great finds here. There is a wonderful collection of reproductions of ancient tools and weapons that a fine Navajo artist has crafted using old drawing and photographs to reproduce these symbols of a now vanishing culture. Truly a piece of western history and culture that would delight someone, perhaps back east, who is on your list! And don't miss their other store on the other side of the street, J.L. Silver Co., there's a lot to find in there too!

   Now make sure you don't just wander on Allen Street, you have to turn on 5th and head on down to the Casa Paloma. This shop in Tombstone is like walking across the border and being delighted with all the vibrant colors of the Mexican culture. They have taken the need to cross the border away, as you can shop to your heart's delight in this little place loaded with the art and collectibles of our neighbors to the south. Besides having some really incredible pieces of Mata Ortiz pottery, some with such intricate art on miniature pieces you have to see to believe, they have something that I thought was a winner for anyone who gets this as a gift. In the Mexican culture there is a way of making their sugar and pouring it into molds for forming the tasty treat. Well these molds are just perfect to use for windowsill planters or perhaps holiday candleholders. Why the possibilities are endless - just leave it up to the one who receives it and tell them you found it in Tombstone!!

   Now if it's moccasins that are on your list, then you have to shop at Russell's Roadrunner! They can fit anyone from a tiny baby's first shoes to the man or woman who knows quality and desires the Minnetonka moccasins they know will last a long time. All you need to do is know their shoe size. But if your feller wants a new hat, this is also the place to find that. Russell's Roadrunner has so much, you just have to go in and shop for yourself!!

   There's a great place with a western feel to it in the buildings known as Red Buffalo and Buffalo Gals. My goodness, there is so much stuff in these two stores to outfit your home, western style, from the dinnerware to the wall adornments. Ropes, leather, rustic signs, clothing, oh I could go on and on, but I fell in love with this true piece of Americana in the Buckaroo Stoneware with plates, bowls and mugs. You gotta see it and I am sure that there might be someone on your list who wants to outfit their kitchen western, and if not, maybe it's you!!

   Bronco Mercantile is next on the walk down the boardwalk and there you can shop for whoever is on your list that knows how to dress western and wear it well. Here, with prices actually lower than Tucson on most of their items, you can find anything from the snap button shirts to the western overcoat or duster. And who on your list would not love a new pair of Wrangler Jeans? Why every cowboy I know loves their Wranglers!!

   There is a cute little shop called the Whistle Stop. I know that my grandkids love to come in here when they visit Tombstone, not only for the fun train that circles the building delighting their watchful eyes, but here is the place that they can find something just right to spend their own money on. You can find jewelry, toys, reproduction badges and other children's western theme gifts and for people of all ages and with all tastes. Not just a souvenir shop, this place is a treasure trove of goodies!!

   Now I know that there is a woman on your list who would never be disappointed with a gift from the Shady Lady's Closet. Between the two rooms of gorgeous clothing and accessories, you can find something to outfit her from top to bottom and in-between! You have to go in and see what you can find, and maybe walk out with something for yourself to wear to the holiday gathering you want to look nice for.

   Arlene's has 3 locations in Tombstone and shopping in either one of them will certainly bring to mind the perfect gift for someone on your list. There are selections of fine southwest and Native American jewelry and collectibles in each of these locations and should you have someone on your list that loves the Native Story Teller Dolls, wow, you have to see what's behind the display case in Arlene's Southwest. I am sure that there is a Story Teller doll that has the perfect legend to share and needs to go home with you!

   Okay, don't miss turning up on 4th Street now as you wander down to Trails End. This places is chocked full of what you don't know you need and whimsical gifts that can accessorize many different decors. My favorites are the wall plaques that they carry with sayings that, as you read them, you know just who that one fits! So why not check them out, read a few and bring back that perfect one or maybe two!!

   Hats, vests, shirts, jackets in sizes all the way up to 4XL can be found in Outlaw Outfitters. The name kinda says it all. I would say you could outfit any outlaw from infant sizes on up. They have some of the taste of Tombstone that is not the typical souvenir and hopefully, a quality item from here will be unwrapped with a thank you and a pleased and content look!

   If you have someone on your list that finds delight in western art, you must visit the Western Way Gallery. Artists with a Western passion have their works on display in this fine art gallery. Yes, art is something personal, but if you know a western art collector, sure as shootin, they would love the fine art of local artist Bob Hoskin and famed Tombstone artist, D. Wyatt Taylor. You gotta see these to appreciate them and know that their passion of the west can delight those on your list with a similar love.

   Crossing the street now and heading up to the corner of 3rd and Allen there is a collection of shops there that you must visit. 3rd Street Antiques - what more can I say, if you have an antique lover on your list shop here, take your time, you never know what you may find. And behind the 4 Deuces Saloon you must visit the Blue Eyed Witch. This is perhaps the best little secret in Tombstone if the person on your list has a passion for the eclectic and the metaphysical. I love the spell kits that have been carefully put together for you, depending upon the spell desired, from health to love. Alongside you can shop in the House of Savoi for some beautiful handmade fashion accessories from necklaces to earrings, each a one of a kind piece. And then wander back a bit and if you have someone on your list who is a Harley or motorcycle enthusiasts, then Tombstone Motor Clothes should be your destination where you can find so many accessories to ride with, some custom made for your Tombstone memory.

   Our Tombstone Art Gallery has many different items to choose from, all from local artists. And as you wander on 4th toward Toughnut don't miss what the Rhinestone Cowboy offers with treasures from beneath the earth and beyond. What's a Rock Angel? Stop in here and find out - they are wonderful treasures!!

   Books, you can't go wrong there, and Tombstone Old West Books offers a selection sure to please the reader on your list, especially if that reader loves stories of the Wild West and the characters that bring those stories to life.

   You might have someone on your list whose passions are games and if you wander into the Tombstone Gambler, you can find lots of great stuff for this person on you list. Cards, dominos and dice with variable sizes are fun to shop for here and their collection doesn't end with just these items. Check out all they offer while you enjoy your Tombstone shopping adventure!!

   I understand that the newest trend in collectible jewelry is the "Forever In My Heart" lockets and charms. Come on down to Tombstone and pick out that treasured charm at the Desert Eagle Trading Post.

   If you have a cigar smoker on your list, you gotta get that prized stogie at the Smoke Shop here in Tombstone. Who wouldn't love to know that you found it in Tombstone!?

   Madame Mustache, imagine telling your recipient that you found that special gift in a store with that great name! There is so much to find here and you certainly can find a great variety of stocking stuffers here.

   I am winding down now and finding my way through town with almost all my shopping done! Phew, but I have to tell you if you are searching for a gift for that train lover, Tombstone has the place. Step inside Hay Bales and shop to your heart's content for that Lionel accessory and more.

   Turn the corner and walk half way down the block and don't miss out on finding Cochise Trading Post. This is a new addition to our town and well worth your time to visit down here, especially if you have a gun collector or enthusiast on your list. Guns and ammo are mentioned on the sign, and yes, this is the best place in town to fulfill that holiday wish!

   On the boardwalk are just a few more places to shop before I drop! Spur Western Wear is the place to outfit your cowboy or cowgirl, whether it be for putting on your finest duds or donning a casual outfit, you can find it here. Tombstone Photo can provide a great family gift for lots of people on your list with a portrait of you and your family western style! Dress the part, pose for the portrait and smile with the results and make sure that you order enough for everyone in your family, you know that they are gonna want one!!

   And before we finish on Allen Street we wander into the Tombstone Mercantile. I cannot begin to tell you all the odds and ends and whatnots from the past that you can find in this unique shop loaded with collectibles, antiques and fashions. If you have a coin enthusiast on your list, why not stop in here and pick up a Silver Dollar from 1881. Who knows, maybe even Wyatt Earp held that dollar in his hand way back then.

   And please don't forget about our fine shops off of Allen Street. If you are searching for some of the most adorable items from cowboy snowmen to fairies and angels stop by the Frontier Floral and Finery Shop on 4th and Safford Streets. Oh my goodness this is a treasure to be found and you will find something here that you would never find anywhere else. Adorable and fun!!

   William Brown Holster Company on 3rd and Fremont can outfit your guy or gal in great western apparel as well and should you need something in leather and handcrafted, this is the place.

   Happy Jack's Mercantile on 8th and Fremont is the place to go, for they have the largest building around and it is chocked full of western memorabilia, antiques, collectibles and western apparel. It's got so much stuff in it, I had a hard time deciding what to share with you, so you will just have to experience it yourself and then decide what must go home with you for that perfect gift.

   And last but certainly not least and should be on your "must see" places is the Wizard's Workshop on the corner of 8th and Fremont. If you visit our area and are captivated by the wonderful and exquisite gems and minerals that come from Mother Earth, than you have to step inside these doors and find that perfect adornment from earrings and necklaces to bolo ties, all handcrafted and designed right here in Tombstone from some of Arizona's finest gemstones. Specializing in native gem stones such as fire agate, you and your loved ones will be delighted with any gift that comes from here!!

   So, here, I have taken you on my shopping excursion. There is so much more to Tombstone than souvenir shops and we would like to kindly invite you to Shop Tombstone this holiday season. Shop and enjoy our history, our culture and our hospitality. Hear that seasonal sound of jing-jing-aling and think Tombstone, think Jingle Bells and Spurs and come on down. During this upcoming holiday season Tombstone invites you to share in our Cowboy Christmas campaign with weekend boardwalk sales, western holiday atmosphere and opportunities to fill your memory banks while enjoying this holiday season. Come on down!! Tombstone, "It's funner than the mall!!!" And for those of you reading this who would like to perhaps shop from afar, then visit www.tombstoneweb.com for information on finding each of these locations we visited and placing your order for that perfect holiday gift.