Shop Local & Support Small Businesses with Our Holiday Gift Guide
by Aimee Della Bitta
Local businesses are the bedrock of communities throughout San Diego and they’ve weathered quite the storm recently. As we approach the gift-giving season, let’s remember our awesome local businesses and (look to them first) as we’re searching for the best Christmas gifts and Hanukkah gifts. We’ve rounded up a bunch of local shops to make your holiday shopping beneficial for both your recipients and small businesses in San Diego. Read on for our holiday gift guide.
A gift that helps build empathy and kindness? Yes, please! The San Diego-based, mom-founded business Little Renegades is a mindfulness company that offers tools for kids to learn more about themselves and empowers them to practice emotional regulation by tuning in to their feelings and surroundings. Since moms know what parents need, the products are simple and easy to use, and practical for busy schedules. Products include Activity Cards that are chunky and just right for little hands, as well as Mindful Journals that are 128 pages of prompts and space to record their feelings and the world around them.
These adorable digital downloads are also available for bedrooms or classrooms (a great add-on to a teacher's gift!).
Pangaea Outpost is a quintessential San Diego business, showcasing more than 70 local artists just blocks from Pacific Beach. Guests are immersed in a veritable shopping paradise filled with jewelry, apparel, kids' toys, crystals, decor, local art and local artisan creations, as well as plenty of imports from around the world. So whether you want to share a piece of San Diego with an out-of-town loved one, or you're looking for the cutest duds for your little beach lovers, stop by Pangaea Outpost and check those boxes off your list.
If you live in San Diego, you're familiar with Vuori Clothing and even know how to pronounce it ( "vee-OR-ee,"). They've mastered everyone's favorite jogger and have the softest performance apparel line that's perfect for a workout or a coffee run. It's true that now they're more of a nationwide success than a small-town shop, but they started in Encinitas and are focused on supporting the community they love. It's also a great spot to shop for all those hard-to-find men on your list.
We featured Maya's Cookies last year and we'd be remiss not to mention them again. After all, Santa isn't the only one who loves milk and cookies. Order a few gift sets from Maya's Cookies in San Diego and amaze all your sweet-loving friends and relatives. The award-winning, vegan shop ships nationwide so you can send a set to family you may not be able to see in person this year. Another reason we love supporting Maya's Cookies is their commitment to community engagement. They give back to San Diego youth and underserved communities, making shopping local extra sweet.
Husband and wife team Chad Anglin and Amy Paul own Pigment San Diego, located in the One Paseo shopping center in Del Mar. The store focused on supporting local artists from day one when the shop opened in 2007 as an art gallery to showcase local artists. With a heavy focus on the fundamentals of art and sound design, thoughtful merchandising followed. Slowly but surely, the store outgrew the first location and eventually moved two doors down to their current 3,000 square foot space. Entering the space today, you'll be struck by the beautiful aesthetic, and the color-coded merchandising is captivating. The wall of houseplants will make your green thumb come alive. So whether you grab a puzzle for your in-laws or a succulent (and the perfect planter) for your BFF, we guarantee that finding a gift for anyone and everyone on your list just got easier!
Whether you're looking for your own little sweet pea or other pint-sized recipients this newly-opened Alpine boutique serves the wee ones in your life. From onesies, cardigans, teething necklaces to sophisticated furniture you're sure to find a gift your recipient will love in Cradled Boutique.
The just-opened Tremont Collective is a 3,400 square foot outdoor venue in the heart of coastal Oceanside that is an ideal spot to grab a peppermint latte from Communal Coffee and get into the holiday spirit. From Brixton, which started in a garage in Oceanside and has since grown to a nationally beloved apparel shop, to AL FRESKO, a luxury outdoor experience company, the collective offers an opportunity to level up your gift-giving game and get something unique for loved ones.
One trip to Cedros Ave. in Solana Beach can solve all your holiday gift-buying dilemmas. The beach town's design district is brimming with artisan shops like Solo, which is meticulously curated and truly has something for everyone. From your three-month-old niece to your antique loving aunt, you can find a unique and often locally crafted gift at this neighborhood favorite.
We love supporting book stores (and budding book worms!) because nothing compares to the magic of cracking open the spine of a book so the story inside can spring to life in a young reader's imagination. If you want to gift books this season, check out our full roundup of the best independent bookstores for kids in San Diego. On our shop local list, we're highlighting The Library Shop because it not only has plenty of excellent books but a great assortment of other gifts, including apparel and jewelry.
Whether you're looking for a gift for a friend or want to share an experience with someone, Clay and Craft in Encinitas is worth exploring. The timeless and minimalist pottery is perfect for the "interior design" lover on your list. The "Best of San Diego" business also offers a dose of self-care by offering classes where you can spin and play with clay. Classes are available for both adults and children.
Do you have a 'lil or big skater on your list this year? The Bloom is an old-school pool board that's perfect for cruising around town and in bowls. It has a deep concave, wide platform, and a substantial nose + tail. It's ideal for all levels of riding and whoever is on it will feel like they're coasting on clouds with the softer and bigger wheels. Gift the board and then be sure to check out our list of best skateparks in San Diego—2022 will be full of new adventures.
