San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Envelopesized items, subscriptions to send by mail
Gift shopping is certainly different in 2020, but it still can be fun, creative and interactive.
Friends and loved ones you haven’t seen in so long will appreciate these extrathoughtful presents, clearly chosen with their personal tastes in mind.
In 2020 style, however, you don’t have to leave your house to get them, and in this era of the internet, your recipients can find their gifts directly on their doorstep or even in their email inbox. No matter how far away they are.
FOOD
1. Rancho Gordo Bean Club ($ 39.95 per shipment):
This idea from Napabased Rancho Gordo is so popular that you have to join a waitlist of up to a year, among some 12,000 other current waitees. But it’s so worth it for the four annual shipments, each containing six bags of rare, tinycrop heirloom Mexican beans, a bag of heirloom grain and recipes. Your recipient will love your email announcement, and the anticipation of the mouthwatering freshdried beans like the nuttyflavored Veronico and creamy white Alubia Bolud that are hand selected by Gordo owner and bean master Steve Sando. If you can’t wait that long, though, bide the time with the readytoship Deluxe Gift Box ($ 57.95) containing a copy of Sando’s “The Rancho Gordo Heirloom Bean Guide,” a logo cloth tote bag and five onepound sacks of Rancho Gordo favorites ( currently including Alubia Blanca, Cranberry, Domingo Rojo, Garbanzo and Midnight Black). Buy at www. ranchogordo. com.
2. Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. sampler ($ 80):
This Giacomini familyowned, west Marin boutique creamery will ship the “Taste of Point Reyes” for you, as a reusable logo cooler stocked with handcrafted Original Blue, Bay Blue, Toma and Aged Gouda cheeses, Marin’s Bonnie Bee &
Company Honey, Marin’s Rustic Bakery Olive Oil and Sel Gris Flatbread Bites and a metal cheese knife. It’s a gift that speaks of happy, pastureraised cows. Buy at www. pointreyescheese. com.
3. Equator Coffees Chef Blends subscription ( starts at $ 16.20 for 12 oz.):
San Rafael’s coffee purveyor partnered with awardwinning local chefs Thomas Keller, Dominique Crenn and Tyler Florence to craft signature coffees. Keller’s TK Blend, for example, brims with sweet citrus, milk chocolate and cherry notes. Plus, a portion of the proceeds support restaurant workers unemployed through the pandemic. Select how your recipient would like it ground ( whole bean to fine), how much they’d like and how often to ship it ( weekly to monthly). Buy at www. equatorcoffees. com.
GIVE BACK
4. Pennyweight’s St. Helena Stronger Together stationery package ($ 98):
Gift the writer in your life with this contemporary theme, Ann Pagedesigned set including a notepad, greeting cards, paper placemats and a gift tag. Besides being thoughtful for the recipient, $ 35 of every set sold benefits the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund. Buy at www. pennyweightnapa valley. com.
5. Western Farm Center gift certificate ( any amount):
Pets and livestock gotta eat, and animal guardians will love the credit dollars toward dog chow, hay and chicken scratch. The Santa Rosa store has stocked everything a pet could dream of since opening in 1967, and also supports the community by making its own donations to animal rescues like Santa Rosa’s Pony Express ( owner Linda Aldrich lost her home and horse sanctuary in the Glass Fire), and Sebastopol’s Dogwood Animal Rescue Project. Buy at ( 707) 5450721, at the store, 21 West 7th St. in Santa Rosa or online at www. westernfarmcenter. com.
6. Family House donation ($ 150):
When families travel to San Francisco for their child’s cancer or other medical treatment, they need a place to stay. More than a safe, comfortable, nocost landing spot, Family House offers free support groups, meals and activities. A $ 150 donation hosts a family for a night. Buy at www. familyhouseinc. org.
7. GiveBelly/ Goldbelly San Francisco subscription ($ 79 per month):
Goldbelly compiles San Francisco’s signature foods from iconic restaurants, such as sourdough bread, seafood, pizza and cioppino. Boxes change monthly and serve four. Your recipient receives a gift announcement along with your personal message, and voila, soon they will be celebrating over a feast from San Francisco food makers. Plus, for the holidays, 100% of all net proceeds go toward delivering more Goldbelly boxes to healthcare workers and first responders. Buy at www. goldbelly. com.
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS
8. “Views of San Francisco: A Calming Coloring Book” ( Free):
Those creative folks at Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy came up with a great idea to help us unplug. Designed and developed in San Francisco, this coloring book showcases the city’s neighborhoods, natural spaces and colorful history with intricate illustrations by designer Charles House. Just email the PDF to your recipients, so they can print it and break out the colored pencils, crayons and markers. Get it at www. parksconservancy. org/ stories/ downloadfreecoloringpagesviewssanfranciscobook. You can also purchase a physical coloring book ($ 12.95) at the
Conservancy’s online store at https:// store. parksconservancy. org.
9. Long Distance Relationship Love Kit from the Dating Divas ($ 9):
Being away from your sweetie is hard, and even harder over the holidays. So email a digital PDF kit of printable crafts including 10 blank love notes, a “pillow,” “kissing jar,” and “Star Gazin Bottle.” Your partner prints the packages at any office store and assembles the paper goodies at home. Buy at https:// etsy. me/ 3mp94NY.
10. Kwanzaa Clipart, 39piece set from Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa ($ 4.95):
Gifting doesn’t get any easier than this. Buy the digital download, and forward it to your recipient to print, trim and make into DIY fun such as cards, pictures, party favors and holiday décor. Colorful images include kinaras, an umoja cup, chalices, Kwanzaa stripes, Fruits of Harvest, a mkeka mat, an African flag and more. Buy at www. sevensymbols ofkwanzaa. com.
11. Souley Vegan digital gift card ($ 25 and up):
Since 2006, this Oakland cafe has been crafting 100% plantbased Louisiana Creole cuisine, and now, sharing the soul is as easy as a few computer clicks. The gift arrives as an email, complete with a personal note from you, and then recipients can shop for specialties like southern fried tofu, seitan chick’n and waffles, okra gumbo and deep dish sweet potato pie. Recipients choose curbside pickup or delivery, and boom, dinner is done. Buy at www. souleyvegan. com.
FIT IN ENVELOPE ( OR SHIP ONLINE)
12. Moe’s Books gift card ($ 10 and up):
The late Moe Moskowitz opened the doors of Moe’s Books in 1959, establishing the fourstory shrine as a literary landmark on Berkeley’s famed Telegraph Avenue. It’s still an indie sensation today, owned by his daughter Doris Moskowitz. For extra gift impact, choose a tome from the list of 200,000 new, used and rare selections, and mail it as a “starter selection” along with the gift card. Perhaps one of the 680 children’s books, such as a vintage 1965 Alec Wilder/ Maurice Sendak “Lullabies and Night Songs”? Buy at www. moesbooks. com.
13. Hanukkah 3pack cards from LovePop ($ 33):
Store founders Wombi Rose and John Wise creations feature elaborate, handcrafted paper popup products like intricate decorations, flower bouquets, cards and stationery. The Hanukkah pack includes a popup Star of David, Menorah and delightful Happy Llamakah llama dressed in traditional garb. Buy at www. lovepopcards. com.
14. ShmoggersDen Grateful Dead Puzzle ($ 55):
Between 1967 and 1989, the Grateful Dead performed 29 times at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. This handmade, 300piece toy showcases an original tape cover design ( or if you really want a challenge, there is the 1,000piece version for $ 90). OK, it would require a large, padded envelope for you to send, but ShmoggersDen will also ship to your recipient for free. Buy at www. shmoggersden. com.
15. Leopard Skin Face Mask from Susan Hayes Handwovens ($ 15):
The Point Reyes Station studio specializes in producing handloomed wovens and knits, but this year, they’re offering face masks, as well. The whimsical prints are crafted from environmentally friendly and reusable 100% cotton, sold with two disposable, fivelayer surgical quality inserts anchored by a middle layer of activated carbon filter. Buy at www. susanhayeshand wovens. com.
16. A winter collection bandana from the Foggy Doggy ($ 26):
Pups need holidays, too, so tuck an envelope with a San Franciscomade, handcrafted neck accessory like the Mossy Plaid Flannel Dog Bandana. It’s so stylish and cozy, luxuriously thick and done in rich shades of moss and olive green. Plus, each time you purchase from the Foggy Dog, founder Rose Shattuck donates half a pound of food to rescue shelters across America. Buy at www. thefoggy dog. com.
17. Lemon Tea Towel from Roost General Store ($ 14):
Owner Therese Gabaldon is a Sonoma County native who curates Sonoma Countymade finds for her
Windsor shop. What better way to put a local, Wine Country twist on 2020, with this 100% organic cotton floursack towel imprinted in oldfashioned type —“When Life Hands You Lemons, Drink Wine.” Buy at www. roostgeneral store. com.
18. Happy Hounds Massage & Fitness gift certificate ( Prices are custom):
Personal puppy ( and all creatures “smaller than a pony”) therapist Shelah Barr is an animal lover boasting some dozen professional certifications in canine and feline massage, bodywork, fitness, conditioning, principles of physiotherapy and behavior. Gift your best friend ( or a friend’s best friend) a soothing treatment in the comfort of your ( or their) San Francisco area home. Buy at https:// happyhoundsmassageandfitness. godaddysites. com.
POSTPANDEMIC PLEASURE
19. An IOU for a spa treatment or salon makeover ( costs vary): If
COVID19 is ever contained — and yes, it will be — the thing most of us are craving is deeply relaxing, ultra pampering spa time. It’s even better if we can share it with a loved one or friend. Choose your own favorite place, but we really like the Pearl Spa & Sauna in San Francisco. The Koreanstyle, womenonly spa in the middle of Japantown is elegant with marble tiles, gold accents and art and the treatments are posh, including Himalayan salt, clay ball and pink salt options and deep pressure massages. Buy at www. pearlspasf. com.
20. An IOU for a meal at your favorite restaurant ( costs vary):
See above, for how satisfying this will be. Fine dining, indoors in a luxury setting. Remember that? Keep your gift clever by writing the IOU on a paper napkin, wrapped around plastic cutlery and packed in a takeout box.