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We all know how it feels to put off holiday shopping until the last second, and on cold days in December it’s tempting to avoid the crowds by stuffing some cash in a grocery store-bought greeting card, but it’s not too late to find thoughtful, hassle-free gifts you can snag in time for the big celebration. That special someone is sure to appreciate a gift card for a day at the spa, and gifts of wine and beer provide quick holiday cheer, but there are fun local spots to visit in-person this month to find awesome Burque-style swag that will make them think you planned your purchase for months.
Online Shopping
Buffett’s Candies
Since 1956, Buffett’s Candies (5410 Academy Rd. NE and 7001 Lomas Blvd. NE) has been feeding Albuquerque’s sweet tooth with “old-fashioned, friendly service with a piece of chocolate to savor while you shop.” Their website makes it easy to put together a custom chocolate and candy box or traditional sweet stocking stuffers such as ribbon candy, caramel corn and old-school gum drop-style candy trees and snowmen. The store is more than just “Albuquerque famous.” They ship their treats to all 50 states and have been featured on Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations with Andrew Zimmern.
Good Company NM
If your shopping list includes gifts for your beloved “Burger Vato” or “Namaste Gangsta,” hit up Good Company NM (2117 Central Ave. NW) for clothing, stickers, patches, phone cases and jewelry with Albuquerque-inspired designs and logos. Cruise their online catalog for dope threads such as “Albucrazy” hoodies or “Burque Baddie” crop tops. Items in their in-store inventory ship the same day, and you can get custom screen printed or embroidered gifts shipped in about 10 days. Good Company NM is family owned and operated in the 505.
Spas
For the high-strung sweetheart or stressed out significant other in your life, gifting them a day of decompression at a local spa might be the perfect reward for surviving the hectic holiday season. The Remedy Day Spa (113 Vassar Dr. SE) has the cure for what ails you. Their website has a description of services such as 90-minute hot stone and CBD massages or vegan and cruelty-free purifying facials. Grab a gift certificate or go big and get them a membership for a month or year.
A pathway to stillness and peace begins at the base of the Sandia Mountains at The Green Reed Spa at Sandia Resort and Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE). Cold and hot plunge pools, dry saunas, steam rooms and a co-ed lounge are available for adults 18 and older. In addition to purchasing spa days, gift cards are good for retail items such as handmade, animal-free, edible skincare products packed with fruit pulp, veggies and herbs.
Renew and rejuvenate your loved one with a gift card to Betty’s Bath and Day Spa (1835 Candelaria Rd. NW) in the Northeast Heights. Check their website and browse all-natural body products and services such as hot tub sessions, pregnancy massages or private getaways for individuals, couples or groups. Their winter special is a Barbados cherry and snow mushroom facial and cranberry foot treatment which sounds like food, but we’re pretty sure you shouldn’t try to eat it.
Shopping Un-Plugged
Jubilation Wine & Spirits
Jubilation (3512 Lomas Blvd. NE) has a selection so big it’s hard to catalogue everything online, so it looks like the perfect spot for an in-person trip. Their website has a list of daily specials and you can sign up to be a part of their Daily Wine Club. Two bottles of wine carefully chosen by the experts at Jubilation for 30 bucks ($40 for holiday wines) sounds like an intoxicatingly good gift idea.
Albuquerque Dukes Store
Whether you’re old enough to remember the minor league baseball team or not, the Albuquerque Dukes Store (3500 Central Ave. SE) is the only place to buy official clothing displaying the logo that has become a symbol of the town’s identity. Their website will give you some history of the baseball team and get your gear shipped in five days, but for the best selection of Dukes and Lobos fitted hats, jerseys, t-shirts, hoodies and jackets, walk into their one and only location in Nob Hill. Don’t get your loved one a bootleg — if you scored gear with a Dukes logo anywhere else, you didn’t get the real thing.
Breaking Bad Store
Roll through The Breaking Bad Store (2047 S. Plaza St. NW) and experience the charm of Albuquerque’s most addictive television series by scoring some candy meth or a fridge magnet displaying Walter White’s obituary. It’s a crime not to check out the store in person, but if you’d rather get the goods delivered to your pad, you can shop on the store’s website as well.
Coupon Book: One Free Night Out
As a kid with zero income, those cute little handmade books with coupons for “One Free Hug” or “Unload the Dishwasher” made adorable holiday gifts, but those of us who are officially grown-ups — whether we act like it or not — might need to fork out at a little bit of cash to plan an impressive night with that special someone. How about you impress them with a coupon for a night out at a concert or a movie with the most adorable gift-giver in town?
Movies
If watching nostalgic films such as Elf or Heavy Metal sounds like a cool winter date idea, do it at the historic Lobo Theater (3013 Central Ave. NE) Check their website for showtimes and events such as concerts, stand-up comedy or a pajama champagne brunch and a movie.
For fans of old cult classics and new independent masterpieces, your best bet to peep eclectic movies in an intimate theater is Guild Cinema (3405 Central Ave. NE).Their website has showtimes, special events and even streaming services for those who feel more comfortable watching their weird and wonderful selection from home. Some online films have a rental fee, some are available for a flexible donation and others are completely free.
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
When you see the big dinosaur sculptures outside of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (1801 Mountain Rd. SW) it may conjure up memories of tilting your neck to admire impressive dinosaur skeletons or avoiding the lava in the volcano attraction during school field trips, but there is much more to do at the museum these days. Check their Website for a schedule of special events and classic pastimes like tripping out on fractals, Friday nights at the planetarium.
Music
If you haven’t been to The Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) yet, now might be the time to watch a live show at one of Albuquerque’s most popular bars and small music venues. They book a variety of musical acts and specialize in bringing all genres of rock n’ roll to their intimate stage.
Sister (407 Central Ave. SW) will have great live music this winter — such as Black Flag in January — but they’ve also got 37 beers on tap, tacos, burgers and pinball, packed into a slick-looking building that draws a slightly upscale crowd compared to other venues. Their website will give you their music calendar and a rotating list of pinball machines.
Located next to Top Golf right in the middle of Albuquerque, Revel ABQ (4720 Alexander Blvd. NE) has four bars, three local restaurants and a 3,000-person concert venue under one big roof. Their website has an events calendar with all their upcoming shows, as well as food and drink menus.