Birmingham is Alabama’s retail giant, and people from all over the region plan Christmas excursions to the city to enjoy holiday events and especially to shop. Though there are hundreds—more likely thousands—of places in the area to spend your Christmas cash, some are just more unusual than others. Hit the heart of the Birmingham suburbs of Mountain Brook and Homewood for non-stop boutique shopping in a wide range of upscale clothing and home stores. Find first edition autographed books at The Alabama Booksmith and every toy your heart desires at Homewood Hobby and Smith’s Variety. Downtown, there’s stuff you can’t live without at What’s on 2nd, Charm and Reed Books. El Barrio is the recommendation for lunch and dinner during downtown shopping. Here are just two more words for the shopping wise: The Summit. For more remarkable shopping, call 800-458-8085 for a Birmingham Tourist Guide or download the very cool IN guide at www.inbirmingham.com
