Gift List #4: Where to shop for the holidaysTo help with the holiday hullaballoo, the SFBG staff is revealing -- at last! -- its secret shopping secrets, to perhaps give you some gift inspiration. In this installment: Staff Writer Amanda Witherell's little giving pleasures. Previously, Kimberly Chun, Dulcinea Gonzalez and Marke B. shared their faves.
Check out more suggestions in our ginormous 2008 Holiday Guide -- and enter our contest to win $500 in gift certificates if you spend $100 locally. Wowza.
Treats from Little Otsu
Little Otsu
It’s a new year. Everyone needs a new calendar. Little Otsu carries original calendars, datebooks, and cards designed by artists who deserve your money more than Hallmark. Blessedly free of puppies, kittens, and pastoral scenes.
849 Valencia, SF. (415) 255-7900, www.littleotsu.com
Arch
My little art nerd sister always needs something for her endless art school career. Arch, which services the nearby California College of Art, has the typical pen and paper supplies, notebooks and art books, and lots of other trinkets like bags, jewelry -- plus toyish things that can lessen the blow of giving the kid something she needs for school.
99 Missouri, (415) 433-2724, www.archsupplies.com
Stumasa
For people who are geeking out on domesticity and having babies and all that, Stumasa mostly carries a lot of unfinished furniture and cool paints, but also some random home accessories that seem to suggest of the owners’ tastes: we saw this, we liked it, we’re gonna sell it in our store. Pinhole camera kits, old-school children’s toys, and cool natural fiber rugs, baskets, and linens.
515 Frederick, SF. (415) 759-1234, www.stumasa.com
Artist X-Change
Buy art. Your wallet says that’s easier said than done, but Artist X-Change manages to ride the fine line between high end and highly affordable. They always have interesting jewelry and handmade clothing and bags, as well as a good selection of small prints, paintings, pottery, and photos priced to sell.
3169 16th St., SF. (415) 864-1490, www.artist-xchange.com
Moe’s Books
Shamelessly operating from the philosophical position that the world already has enough crap and we should just keep cycling it around rather than demanding more of it, I like to look for nice editions of used books at Moe’s. The place is a warehouse, the selection is great, and I always find something for my book-a-holic best friend.
2476 Telegraph Ave., Berk. (510) 849-2087, www.moesbooks.com
Cookin’
For chefs, bakers, or people with truly kitschy kitchens, Cookin’ has all sorts of weird old-fashioned cookware and dishes, out-of-print cookbooks, and collectors items. My favorite: the antique saltboxes.
339 Divisadero, SF. (415) 861-1854
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