Siteline | 2023 Shop-Local Gift Guide, Part 1

If you want Santa Barbara to have wonderful independent shops, you need to support them. So this holiday season—and year-round, really—make an effort to spend accordingly. I’ve done some advance work, including visiting 28 shops, but get out there and have a look for yourself!

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Candles make early winter nights feel special.
—Advent candle ($10) and Trudon scented candle ($125-$135) / Diani
—Wooden tray candle ($120) / Treat
—Oaxacan candle ($80 for the cylindrical one) / Folly
—Alligator candle holder ($62) / Eider Studio

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And/or put some flame to work.
—Swissmar fondue set ($135) / Cheese Shop Santa Barbara

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Monopoly’s Santa Barbara edition just came out, for those who enjoy the thrill of capitalism (and can overlook the ads). But don’t forget language and culture, too. How do you expect your kids to play Wordle in their dotage without a strong background in Scrabble?
—Scrabble ($25) / Chicken Little
—Jewish Trivia ($12) / Field + Fort
—The Queer Agenda ($13) / The Crafter’s Library
—Or maybe just a Game Seeker gift card

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Here are three for us bird lovers. Years ago, I bought a stained-glass feather at a shop in Bushwick—it’s the hippiest thing I own, aside from Birkenstocks—and it gives me joy every time I see it.
—Small stained glass feather ($44) / Westward General
—Paper swans ($25) / Porch
—Felt birds ($12) / The Well

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Take their sunbathing game to the next level.
—Checkered beach towel ($110) / The Eddy
—Beige beach towel ($50) / Field + Fort

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I generally stay away from apparel as a gift—and in a gift guide—but the fact that Domecíl is now carrying menswear is notable. And I want the sweater on the right.
—Wool sweater ($210) / Domecíl

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T-shirts are another exception to the rule. The Ace’s Bar one is sure to provoke quizzicial reactions—just like on the Jeff Shelton shirt.
—T-shirts ($59) / Ace Rivington
—Jeff Shelton “What?” shirt ($32) / Jeff Shelton

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Accessories are a much safer bet.
—Amiacalva Gabarine backpack ($360) / Jake & Jones men’s store
—Women’s wallet ($97) / Parker Clay
—”Perfect California weight” cashmere scarves ($115) / William Laman

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As some of us know, you can never have enough hats, gloves, and shoes.
|—”Constellation” hat ($680) / Grand Central Fashion
—Gardening hat ($40) / Field + Fort
—Cashmere gloves ($69) / Treat
—Sheepskin slippers ($138) / Kismet

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I’m not sure what kids would even put in a wallet these days, but the cuteness!
—Bear wallets ($23) / Chaio Leather Goods/Merchant Studio

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Is it even Christmas without socks?
—Baby socks ($15) / Eider Studio
—Athletic socks ($30 for the green ones) / Jake & Jones men’s store

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Speaking of socks….
—Quilted stockings ($55) / Westward General

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And a bunch of practical things to stuff them with….
—Masking tape ($4) / The Eddy
—Fly swatter ($38) / Light + Home pop-up
—Pumice stones ($8) / Eider Studio
—Dryer balls ($2) / Mission Refill
—Thumb tacks ($9) / Westward General
—Measuring bar ($16) / Mācher
—Customer service pens ($15) / The Crafter’s Library

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