Last minute gift guide
Time is ticking
Vintage Religion
3821 32nd St., North Park
619-280-8408
www.vintagereligion.com
No other store in San Diego is quite like this North Park boutique. Owner Philip Shirk seamlessly blends serious (and seriously beautiful) religious paraphernalia (statues, fine art, ceremonial objects from various world religions) with totally irreverent items—and therefore totally perfect for stocking stuffers—for recovering Catholics. There’s “Looking Good for Jesus” lip balm and hand cream, the Nun Chuck toy gun that sends little plastic nuns flying. And who doesn’t need a Jesus action figure for his cubicle? There are Buddhas, Hindu deities and Hannukah accoutrements aplenty, plus a lovely collection of Dia de Los Muertos art and artifacts.
Looking Good for Jesus lip balm
The Grove
3010 Juniper St., South Park
619-284-7684
www.thegrovesandiego.com
The Grove is probably best known for its yarn selection, but it’s also a great place to search out interesting architecture and home design books, all well-displayed on tall bookshelves for easy perusal. Some titles that got our attention: …Isms: Understanding Architectural Styles and Shop America: Mid-Century Storefront Design.
If you’re thinking about making CDs to give as gifts, pick up a CD-packaging kit. For a stocking stuffer, there’s Baggu, the reusable nylon “bag that folds into a pouch.” And, if you know someone who’s been wanting to learn to knit, buy that person a gift certificate to put toward one of The Grove’s knitting classes.
Champagne Taste
2248 30th St., South Park
619-234-3585
www.champagnetaste.com
Just west of The Grove, Champagne Taste is a small boutique that mostly caters to classy kids and their moms—but yet isn’t afraid to sell those “Ugly Dolls” that the kids seem to be so fond of (see www.uglydolls.com) or the Pee & Poo stuffed-toy set.
Crass, yes, but the pair’s creator has won design awards and the toys are said to be helpful in the potty-training process. Also for tykes, Champagne Taste stocks a range of kid-friendly Zutano tops and dresses, and for working moms who need their morning coffee (or tea), grab a Pylones hand-painted thermos that promises to keep hot liquids hot beautifully.
Solo
309 South Cedros Ave., Solana Beach
858-794-9016
www.solocedros.com
Solo is one of the San Diego area’s truly great (if a little pricey) one-stop shopping spots. The large store is divided into easy-to-browse sections. Over in the stationary section, you can find notebooks from Chicago’s Snow & Graham. For the hostess, there are tea towels from French design studio Atelier LZC—a little pricey at $24 per towel but quite stunning. If you have a bit more to spend, London’s Miss Budd leather purses are screen-printed by hand and each is one-of-a-kind ($84 to $89). For kids, pick up a copy of the book Walter the Farting Dog and throw in the stuffed-animal version of Walter.
Miss Budd leather handbags
Published: 12/11/2007
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