For the Cozy Homebody
Zinnia’s Gift Boutique
219 C Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley
Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 6:30pm
& Sun: 9am – 5:30pm
$$$
When you first walk into Zinnia’s, there’s so much to take in that it feels almost museum-like. You’re greeted at the front of the store by a large, intricately decorated Christmas tree where some glass ornaments, figures and candles reside. Making your way back through the store, you’ll find jewelry to your right, unique and very stylized culinary items to your left, and finally comfy, warm clothing near the back of one section of the store – think, snuggling next to a log fire in a cabin. There’s a touch of Providenciales vibes as you make your way through the culinary section and to the other half of the store.
Through the entrance into the second part of the store, there are high-end candles, soaps and lotions to smell. All of the items in this section boast chic floral designs. A table featuring writing and crafty objects is placed in the center of the room before a wall featuring an array of books. All throughout the store are sprinklings of home accessories amid the multitude of various items. Also, the store hosts a variety of local artists; Annie Glass, Art Hearts, Houston Llew Tiles, Lori Mitchell, Michel Designs, Nora Fleming and Rock Art all make the cut.
Finally, making your way through the end of the second half of the store, there are high end gift items for children ranging from blankets, to stuffed animals to books to crafting accessories. “I think our baby blankets are exceptional and such heirloom pieces from Little Giraffe and Bearington,” said store owner, Dedra Bennett. “It’s hard for me to choose just one item as I love them all!”
For the Healthy Foodie
Staff of Life
1266 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
906 East Lake Ave, Watsonville
Hours: Mon – Sun: 8am – 9pm
$$
For over 50 years, Staff of Life has provided Santa Cruz, and now Watsonville, with healthy, organic eats. Not only are they the sole certified green grocery store in Santa Cruz, but they also offer gift items near Café del Sol at the entrance of the store, as well as in the back of store past the herbs and vitamins (Santa Cruz location). Additionally, you can find holistic gifts and independent publication items throughout the store. If you have a foodie on your list, consider Staff of Life because you can mix-and-match food and non-food items to gift.
“We try and stick with sustainable, fair-trade items where we can,” said Sierra Hagberg, the department manager of the gift section. “The wooly ornaments are fair-trade from Peru, and Matr Boomie are fair-trade gift bags. Another popular item we carry are our Goodlight candles. They’re eco soil wax.”
Known for their organic stock and support of local farms, Staff of Life is an eclectic option for gifting. Check out their succulents and plants near the entrance of the store, and then dive more into the healing items present in the back of their store.
For the Nature Lover
Nature Store
Henry Cowell State Park, Felton
Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 5pm
$$
Want to shop for a good cause? The Nature Store at Henry Cowell State Park is a non-profit gift shop that offers 100% of its proceeds back to the Mountain Parks Foundation and Big Basin. “It’s good to know that you’re supporting the redwoods when you shop here,” said Brenda Holmes, the executive director of the Mountain Parks Foundation.
Many of the items featured in this store are unique to the Santa Cruz area and has a rustic, outdoors feel to it. Of course, a plethora of banana slugs share tables with sapling redwoods, handmade soaps, toys and other educational children’s items. Jewelry, glass figurines and artwork occupy one half of the store, while books, mugs and other accessories occupy the other half. They offer t-shirts and outwear, too.
“We like to showcase a lot of local artists and give tourists the chance to purchase unique-to-Santa-Cruz items,” said Holmes. “They’re not all local in here, but we try and use local artists as much as possible.”
For the Santa Cruz Prideful
Made in Santa Cruz
57 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz
Hours (fall/winter): Sun – Thurs: 9am – 6:30pm & Fri – Sat: 9am – 8pm
$$
If you’re looking for something straight out of Santa Cruz, you’ll definitely find it in Made in Santa Cruz. The store hosts a lot of varied Santa Cruz clothing, stickers, patches, ornaments, paintings, you name it! Naturally, the NHS brand and Jimbo Phillips grace us with their artwork. These items are featured right alongside other indigenous Santa Cruz products like handmade soaps and lotions.
“Everything in here is made or designed in Santa Cruz,” said Julie McCulley, the store’s assistant manager. “Dohna Dunderdale, the store’s late owner, had a saying. She used to say that Made in Santa Cruz is where imaginations soar.” Dunderdale was not only an entrepreneur and the former store owner, according to McCulley, Dunderdale made Recovery Pillows for heating and cooling out of Bonnie Doon lavender and whole grain rice to give to veterans. “They’re a hot item here,” said McCulley. “We’ve sold seven online today so far.”
Fun fact about Dunderdale, the city’s mayor awarded Dunderdale and Made in Santa Cruz their very own day. December 15 is now officially Dohna Lee Dunderdale and Made in Santa Cruz day, so celebrate accordingly!
For the Chic, Soulful Minimalist
Botanic + Luxe
701 Front St, Santa Cruz
Hours: Sun – Thurs 11am – 7pm & Fri 11am – 8pm & Sat 11am – 8pm
$$$
With very strong branding, Botanic + Luxe is the store for “spoily gifts,” as co-owner Ariel Stirm put it. “We have one-of-a-kind gifts not found anywhere else,” said Stirm.
Botanic + Luxe features items hand-selected and curated specifically for the store with most items coming from “small makers,” fair-trade and California creators, according to Stirm. The store, that just moved into the Cooperhouse Shopping Center (between Abbott Square and O’Neill’s) from next to the El Palomar restaurant last month, carries many plants, succulents, dishware, incense, candles, journals, home décor, artwork and children’s toys, all in the spirit of nature and homeopathy. Scented in peaceful tones of vanilla and fresh air, the store offers a calm shopping experience amid chic and tidy display racks full of unique, high-end yet subtly spiritual gift items.
“We’re expanding our jewelry section, too,” said Stirm, who also mentioned that some of her best-selling items include essential oils and diffusers. “I’m definitely seeing an influx in homeopathic and apothecary trends helping to sustain beauty. I think people are starting to witness beauty from the inside out,” said Stirm.
