Waxman Candles, 609 Massachusetts St.

Popular item this season, Melting Snowmen, at Waxman Candles, 609 Massachusetts St.

Kansas University candles at Waxman Candles, 609 Massachusetts St. Jayhawk Egg, 0; Jayhawk (large), 2; Campanile, 6.

The “Santa Farts” collection are a 15-year-old tradition of Waxman Candles, a town favorite and completely serendipitous creation. 5 each.

Candle light bulbs at Waxman Candles, 609 Massachusetts St., 5-strand set, 8.

Plush Santa, 4.95, at M. Street Interiors, 825 Massachusetts St.

Carolers set, 25.95, at M. Street Interiors, 825 Massachusetts St.

If large, determined hoards of people ready to take down their friendly neighbors for a 70-inch flat-screen TV is not where you see yourself after (or on) a day of giving thanks, there are locally owned stores to get fun family-friendly holiday shopping done early without the hoards of shoppers.

Waxman Candles, 609 Massachusetts St., offers a winter wonderland experience built entirely from melted and molded wax. A 43-year-old business owned by candle-making extraordinaire Bob Werts, the store is chock full of holiday gifts to light up the holidays.

For family members who live for seasonal decor, assortments of candles shaped like Christmas trees, Mr. and Mrs. Claus faces, Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer and gingerbread houses line the shelves in the front of the store in various sizes. The melting snowman (2×6, $17) is one of the most popular items this season.

“Either the Santa Farts or those are an instant giggle when people walk in,” says sales clerk Paige Opliger.

Your eyes are not deceiving you. The “Santa Farts” collection are a 15-year-old Waxman tradition, a town favorite and completely serendipitous creation.

“Someone special ordered a fragrance mix of ‘sexy’ and ‘cinnamon’ and didn’t come to pick them up,” Opliger says. “We had to sell those candles, so we slapped the label ‘Santa Farts’ on them and put them out. People still come in and ask for them.”

Not only does avoiding shopping crowds amp the appeal but Waxman shoppers can also special order any shape or any of the 110 fragrances, and then watch them carved and molded in the in-store shop. Werts gives tours of the shop to groups of 10 to 15 people at a time.

“They are currently working on a silhouette of the characters in the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ along with the yellow-brick road,” Opliger says of the most recent request.

A proud, Kansas section, complete with its own ‘Lawrence’ fragrance is arranged by an array of Kansas University candles for those without enough Jayhawk paraphernalia.

Look carefully for the wick, as the items that aren’t candle accessories, are, in fact, candles. Enjoy the whimsical charm, festive peppermint fragrance, and bring positive, soothing energy into someone’s home this year for the holidays.

M.Street Interiors, 825 Massachusetts St.

For those who have held out, the day following Thanksgiving is the day it’s time to douse the house in holiday cheer. Business formally known as BIAO, or beautiful inside and out, M.Street Interiors has the goods to adorn any home for the season.

Furniture sets and ornate Christmas trees and wreaths are some of its more grand offerings near the front entrance, but wander throughout the Mass. Street shop and stumble upon more traditional Christmas items, like a five-piece nativity scene ($283.95) or a set of two holiday carolers ($125.95). A tall, detailed nutcracker ($54.95) and Santa figurine ($76.95) make for festive decor to deck any hall (or living space).

If small children are accustomed to running around your house, you might take a look at the plush items sprinkled throughout the store in the forms of Santa, reindeer and elves.

Whatever your holiday style may be, M.Street Interiors is loaded with high-quality treasures to search through with the family for gorgeous home accessories.

Retail Deals

Not ready to venture out to Best Buy, Target, or Walmart? Here’s the deal on downtown retail promotions worth looking into on Black Friday:

Gap:

Open at 6 a.m. (normal hours at 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Special items ordered in to be sold that day.

Look out for deals via email blast or signs in-store the day of.

The Buckle:

Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (normal hours 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Starting Nov. 24, full week of Black Friday specials.

In-store only.

Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.:

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Normal business hours)

Pre-Black Friday promotions (Nov. 23-24) and Black Friday weekend deals.

In-store only.

Weaver’s Department Store:

Open 9 a.m. (normal hours 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

One-day-only storewide specials on both men’s and women’s apparel/footwear.

Houseware sales up to 75 percent off.

In-store only.

Urban Outfitters:

5 a.m. (normal hours 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Additional discount off sale items (40-50 percent) for limited hours.

Check out signs on doors of building.