The second annual Strock Holiday Gift Guide is HERE! This year we asked our team of local connoisseurs and dedicated community members where they are Christmas shopping this year – and boy, do they have some great suggestions! Pssst – this is a good list to bookmark for birthdays too!
Monterey County
Located on Lighthouse Avenue, Lilify is a collection of artisanal products ranging from New Moon Meditation Oil to Fairytale Fig Preserves, to Constellation Necklaces. If it’s a craft, small batch, or handmade, you can bet it’ll be thoughtfully curated in this shop.
Lush Cosmetics in Carmel-By-The-Sea has something for every beauty guru on your list! Their products are set apart by their ultra-fresh ingredients that are always handmade, ethically sourced, and as plastic-free as possible.
Just down the street, Social Hour is for the host aficionado on your list. Shop here for all things entertaining, with a soft emphasis on cocktail accouterments. Want to give the gift of experience? Snag a gift card and sign up for their cocktail classes!
For the person on your list whose house looks like a page in Sunset Magazine, stop into Tancredi & Morgan for utilitarian + seasonal wares or Bee Keeper & Moss for thoughtful decor selections and beautiful apparel.
Santa Cruz County
For the Home Decor extraordinaire, you can’t go wrong with any of these choices: Magnolia Fine Gifts for unique goods; the Warmth Company for everything cozy and inviting; Outside In for decor and more (like gifts, jewelry, and luxe clothing); Annabel Bleu, an online store based in Scotts Valley (we particularly love their divine pillow cover selection!).
For the wellness junkie, Botanic and Luxe offer “earthy + luxurious goods” like toxin-free beauty products, stunning jewelry (that’s often handmade and local), and a sweet baby line – they also have gift boxes that’ll really simplify your shopping!
Katalina’s Boutique in Capitola is sure to have something for the fashion diva on your list. From loungewear to dresses, to shoes, to shackets, you can be sure that any choice has style.
Go to Annieglass or Cameron Marks if you’re buying a wiz in the kitchen. Annieglass is headquartered in Watsonville, and their handblown glass dishes/serving trays/stemware/decor will steal the show at any Christmas morning gift exchange. At Cameron Marks, you’ll find unique products of every kind. We particularly love their kitchen selections, from beautiful French presses to organic cutting boards!
If outdoors is the name of the game, Dig Gardens in Aptos and Santa Cruz is a gardening Meca specializing in all things plants, pots, terrariums, and more (a lot more!). If gardening isn’t quite the right speed, snag a Blix bike for someone who has been really good this year. From the commuter to the cargo to the cruiser, there’s a ride for everyone!
San Benito + Santa Clara
In Santa Clara County, plenty of small, locally owned shops have that personally curated touch! The Preserve, with locations in Campbell and San Jose, is a plant-centric shop that has all of your trendy greens in one space (they even have a special pet-friendly section!). Also in Campbell, Redemption celebrates all things California represented in art, apparel, decor, and more – all from CA artisans. They also create gift boxes – sometimes, it’s best to leave the gift to the professionals! Lastly, the Besties Boutique (also in Downtown Campbell!) is a clothing shop that’s on trend and organized by color. We dare you to walk in here without getting something for you and your bestie!
In San Benito County, there are several shops in quaint San Juan Bautista that are excellent for gifts. One of our favorites is the Alpaca Headquarters, a Peruvian lifestyle store. From toy alpacas made with real alpaca fur to an organic cotton line (THE best Coastal Grandmother lounge pants), to stunning pashminas perfect for chilly weather, you’re bound to find something for everyone on your list!
Did we include any of your favorites? We hope you are armed with even more options to shop locally this season!
