Holiday Gift Buying Guide
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It’s that time of year when we start thinking of creative gifts to give to those we love. On this Small Business Saturday, I decided to put together my own gifting list for the foodie in your life. And if not a foodie, perhaps your friend or family members enjoy an adventure. In these times of downsizing and trying to live minimally, they say experiences are now the best gifts. Based on the small, local businesses that I support, I have gift ideas for locations in the Hollywood area and also the Westside of Los Angeles.
HOLLYWOOD
For the wine enthusiast, visit Greenblatt’s Deli and Wine Boutique for a wide variety of wine and spirits, with incredibly reasonable pricing and fun advertising. While you’re there, enjoy a pastrami sandwich and cup of matzo ball soup.
For the chocoholics in your life, located just off Sunset Blvd. is John Kelly Chocolates who make a specialty item called truffle fudge bars. If you’ve been on tour with me, you know these are not your average chocolates and your recipient will love you forever or hate you for getting them addicted to these delectable chocolates.
If you don’t have time to bake a plate of cookies for Santa, visit our friends at Grub Restaurant who make a very unique Chocolate-chip Potato-chip cookie. And maybe throw in a side of crack bacon!
WEST LOS ANGELES
On the westside of Los Angeles, for a petite Asian-inspired box of beautifully packaged chocolates, visit Jin Patisserie in Culver City. The bakers also make delightful French macarons in beautiful boxes just right for gifting. Ask about their special holiday centerpiece for gifting or keeping.
For the foodie in your life who is eating gluten-free, head on over to Lincoln Blvd in Venice to visit the fun team at Sinners & Saints. They have all kinds of cakes, pies, tarts and cookies in their case daily plus little holiday gift ideas. Half of the goodies are gluten-free and the other half are not. One for you, one for your friend. And while you’re there, order one of their famous Nutella Lattes which will fuel you for more shopping!
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Gift certificates make perfect gifts for the person who has everything. I know many quality tour operators who would be happy to offer a certificate for future travel. Here at TOURific Escapes, a gift certificate comes with a 6 month expiration. If your gift recipients might prefer other unique tours, please consider our friends at Dearly Departed and LA Woman Tours. Also, most of our partner restaurants could put together a gift certificate.
ANIMAL SUPPORT
If you have an animal lover on your gift list, check out the 10 delightful scents at LEMA Candles. The founders of this company are my neighbors and they make handmade, small batch soy candles. LEMA stands for Lucy, Ethel, Mia and Annie, their 4 rescue pets. Along with gifting a beautifully scented candle, you’ll feel good knowing 10% of each sale goes to local animal rescues.
So whoever you’re shopping for, I hope some of these gift ideas get you going. Signing off on Small Business Saturday, wishing you all a fun season of gifting!
Blog by Trish Procetto
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