The everything-I-like shop

By Tali Woodward

SEASHELLS COATED IN glitter, pens that reveal the undies of a pinup when you tilt them just so, plastic back-scratchers bearing the name of some depressing little resort town ... these are the kinds of items found in your prototypical gift shop: pointless things that serve mainly to fill space.

But a number of San Francisco proprietors have turned the gift shop idea on its head, creating a kind of hipster variety store where what's on sale is united more by style or aesthetic inclination than by functionality (or lack thereof). Sometimes the only requirement for inventory seems to be that the shop owner/buyer liked it (and thinks you might too).

This approach is particularly useful around the holidays, when you need gifts for a favorite aunt, a friend from your hometown, your picky significant other, etc., but have no real clue what you're looking for. Any of the charming shops mentioned below could very well solve your problem.

Everything from one-of-a-kind jewelry to men's T-shirts to affordable housewares with serious style to vintage sewing patterns to, yes, candy is available at Candystore (3153 16th St., SF. 415-863-8143, www.candystore-sf.com). If the store has a focus, it's probably women's fashion – there are tops by upscale designers like Saja, a few gorgeous dresses, a good selection of Wranglers. But there's so much else on offer that to describe it as a clothing store (or "clothingstore") would be misleading. Prices vary wildly, and whoever selects the wares has impeccable taste. Perhaps that's why the store's stock seems to turn over every few weeks.

Perhaps the most unusual thing about National Product (1845 Market, SF. 415-255-1920, www.nationalproduct.us) befits a store that is two thirds art gallery: It sells truly affordable (though small) works of art, including framed photos for $20 and handmade stickers for $2 and up. The rest of the stock, which leans toward underground artsy-ness, is heavy on T-shirts, but books, odd toys, and, recently, necklaces made with old Boy Scout-type patches are also thrown into the mix.

The appropriately named Polk Street boutique Molte Cose (2044 Polk, SF. 415-921-5374) was in the neighborhood long before most of the area's higher-priced stores moved in. Stop by to sift through candles, stationery, delicate earrings, vintage clothing, and dishes. Almost everything has an antiquey and vaguely European feel.

And lastly, Prize (1415 Green, SF. 415-771-7215) goes by the name of "furniture store," but it's hard to pay the furniture too much mind when it has all those adorable little treasures displayed on it. The aesthetic is proper and traditional but with a bit more punch than you'd find in Martha Stewart Living – think of an old chest with perfectly peeling paint, or a set of well-preserved but slightly rusty candlesticks. On a recent visit we were charmed by vintage flash cards, candles that smelled bewitching even among the many scented candles for sale citywide, and a set of antique china it would take a lifetime to find at an estate sale.