10 great places to shop for stuff for stockings

— -- Giving is its own reward, and when you find the right store, so is the shopping. Yolanda Edwards, travel and lifestyle editor at Cookie Magazine (cookiemag.com), shares her list of favorite places to shop for stocking stuffers with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.

Sons + DaughtersNew York "The owner of this East Village children's boutique has an amazing eye," Edwards says. "She finds things all over the world, from knee-high socks made in Germany to Dutch-sequined crowns. Check out the art-supply table for affordable and cheery gifts such as blank books so kids can feel like they're authors." Targeted for children up to age 8, the shop offers gifts for as little as $10 and under. 212-253-7797; sonsanddaughtersinc.com

Genius JonesMiami "Before Miami was thought of as a design destination, Genius Jones, with its clean, minimalist interiors, was already there," Edwards says. "Everything they carry, from the super-small Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B. sneaker to the Netto rocker, is carefully chosen." The staff will help find hair accessories, stamp sets and other stocking stuffers or demonstrate the Bugaboo strollers. This store is in Miami's design district, and there's also a South Beach location. 866-436-4875; geniusjones.com

Grasshopper StorePortland, Ore. "In Portland, there's a huge demand for all things organic and locally made," Edwards says. "People flock to this shop for the boutique's thoughtful edit of handmade knit animals, pull-along wooden toys and, yes, organic onesies." Stuff your stockings with Maya spinning tops, eco-friendly HaPe racers and Automoblox Minis. Wild Carrots, the in-house clothing line designed by the owner, is timeless, not trendy. 503-335-3131; grasshopperstore.com

TomodachiRoseville, Minn. "Somehow, the Japanese toys and packaging here are as much fun to buy and give as they are to get," Edwards says. "This store (just outside the Twin Cities) has a vast selection of imported toys from Hello Kitty to Tokidoki vinyl dolls to Panda bento boxes." Robots, stationery, gadgets and designer toys are among the other unusual items offered. Japanese snacks, including Pocky, a thin biscuit stick dipped in chocolate, and Ramune, a popular Japanese carbonated soft drink, also are sold here. 651-631-1777; tomodachi.us

Hands of the WorldSeattle "In the Pike Place Market, one of the most exciting places to find yourself in Seattle, is this global store," Edwards says. "You'll find handcrafted finger cymbals from India, Sri Lankan stuffed animals and Zulugrass necklaces from Africa." The store, in business for 26 years, does extensive work with women's co-ops. A wide range of fair-trade accessories, from handbags to scarves, as well as authentic African folk art, also are sold here. 206-622-1696; handsoftheworld.com

Black InkBoston "This overstocked store, just bursting at the seams, is especially appealing during the holidays," Edwards says. "You can check everything off your list at once and have a great time doing it. This quirky gem carries retro wind-up toys, rubber stamps and even astronaut ice cream." In addition to toys and baby gifts, the Beacon Hill store carries housewares and greeting cards. A second location is in Cambridge. 617-723-3883; blackinkboston.com

Richard's Variety StoreAtlanta "This family-owned store (in the Buckhead section), which began as a five-and-dime, has been in business for 50 years," Edwards says. "They have everything from Lincoln Logs to jacks to harmonicas. There's even a mechanical horse ride in the middle of the store that kids can enjoy for 10 cents." There's a wide selection of non-computer toys, novelties and cheery cards. A second store recently opened in midtown. 404-237-1412; richardsvarietystore.com

Chinatown Kite ShopSan Francisco "Just walking down Grant Street in Chinatown will turn up a gazillion stocking options, but one of the most colorful shops to put on your list is this one," Edwards says. "There are plenty of kites that fold up small. They come in bright colors and crazy shapes." The shop also has Chinese dolls in traditional dress, model dragons, mini-kites and for toddlers, pocket kites that fly without sticks. 415-989-5182; chinatownkite.com

Monkeyhouse ToysLos Angeles "How rare is it that handmade by locals turns out right and not ready for the church bazaar?" Edwards asks. "The owner has connections with local artists and commissions them to do, among other things, fantastic stuffed animals, paintings and piggy banks." The collection of small toys, some from France and Mexico, include duck-feet slippers, a volcano-making kit and an airplane launcher. 323-662-3437; monkeyhousetoys.com

Tugooh ToysWashington, D.C. "All the toys are crafted from materials like untreated wood and food-grade (non-toxic) paint. Plus, they carry organic products for pregnant and new moms," Edwards says. Concerned about the safety of merchandise, owner Grace Marupa makes a point of knowing what the products are made of and where they come from. Haba compasses, Keith Haring dominos and brain-teaser puzzles are among the treasures. 202-338-9476