Thanksgiving has come and gone, which can only mean one thing – the holiday season is officially upon us. In a perfect world, this means cozy nights cuddled under blankets with a cup of hot chocolate.
However, for many of us, the reality is frantic last-minute trips to the mall where we struggle to not only find parking but unique and personalized gifts for the people on our holiday shopping list. Luckily, we’ve taken the grunt work out of the task of holiday shopping and curated a Downtown Sacramento Partnership approved Holiday Gift Guide.
The best part? Each of the shops featured below will be at our Holiday Shoppe at the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink, December 9th from 12-4pm!
Read on to map out your holiday shopping plan of attack.
For the friend who’s always sharing cooking videos on Facebook:
This Mediterranean olive oil and balsamic set makes the perfect gift for anyone who loves to cook and try new cuisines. Whether it’s for your foodie friend, your parents, spouse, or sibling, anyone that cooks appreciates quality olive oil! From spaghetti aglio e olio (that’s garlic and oil, folks) to tabbouleh (a Middle Eastern favorite), this set will have you whipping up Mediterranean classics like a true pro.
The Mediterranean Mix Gift Set (Vendor: Chef’s Olive Mix – $49.95)
Another great gift for the foodie is a sampler spice set from Allspicery! These sets feature 5-6 jars of spices based on a culinary theme. From “Baking Essentials” (think specialty sugars and vanilla) to “Pitmaster Kit”, which features various meat rubs and seasonings, they’re sure to have a kit to suit every type of taste bud.
Sampler Set (Vendor: Allspicery – prices range from $25-$30)
For the man in your life who not-so-secretly steals your skincare products every morning:
High quality skincare is a luxury that for many seems like an unnecessary expense. Unfortunately, much of the skincare targeted towards men is loaded with awful chemicals and does little to protect them from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Our friends at Fit Face know that skincare with high-quality, organic ingredients is not only luxury but a necessity. They have developed and curated the perfect starter kit for your all of your skincare needs. (Bonus – this gift set comes with a hand carved wood caddy to keep your skincare organized in style.)
The Total Package (Vendor: Fit Face – $75)
For the friend who moved away:
Sometimes it takes leaving your city to realize how great it was. For the friend that moved away, be it for college, a job, or just for something new, get them something from The People of Sacramento, a brand that truly highlights the uniqueness of our city. They have tees, hats, and sweatshirts, but our favorite is the “Home is Sacramento phone case”, which serves as a sweet reminder no matter where you are.
Home is Sacramento iPhone Case (Vendor: People of Sacramento – $15)
For the friend who just got a new spot (or maybe never got around to decorating):
So many of us seriously underestimate the impact art can have when making a house (or even your office) a home, even more so when it’s handmade and tailored to our personality. Thistle + Bud has an assortment of catchy wood signs that help to make any space just a little cozier (or sassier, if that’s what you’re going for). Love the idea but don’t see a sign that speaks to you? Whether it’s creating a sign with your vows, favorite quote, something that motivates you, or any other crazy idea you have – they can design a custom piece with a quick turnaround. The best part is that they are based right here in Sacramento.
Hand Crafted Wood Signs (Vendor: Thistle + Bud – Prices vary)
For the indecisive bookworm:
Picking out the perfect book for someone who loves to read can be a daunting task. Oblivion Coffee and Comics somehow manages to take out the guesswork by making it all guesswork. Their collection of “Blind Dates with a Graphic Novel” feature graphic novels from independent authors carefully wrapped up with a short description of the novel on the cover. These books are great for anyone looking to get into comics, because they all start with the 1st volume, or even someone whose already into graphic novels but has read seemingly everything.
Blind Date with a Graphic Novel (Vendor: Oblivion Comics and Coffee – $10-12)
The Holiday Shoppe is your one stop shop for holiday gifts this year. From soap makers to tea sets, there’s something for everyone on your list. Need more convincing? See below for a full list of vendors.