(Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash)

64 Marvelous Holiday Gifts Made in the Bay Area

25 November 2020

Raise your hand if you're ready to chill out with your quarantine pod, friends, and family and send out 2020 with a safe holiday season filled with only pleasant surprises. (We are!)

Bay Area artists, makers, and businesses need our support more than ever—and, we promise, their halls are stacked with unexpected and delightful gifts at every budget and for all your loved ones near and far. Whether you're looking for affordable stocking stuffers, artisanal host gifts, or splurge-worthy items like private concerts and wellness escapes, we have something for absolutely everyone on your list. Shop local, and tag your perfect presents #7x7shopslocal on Instagram. Happy holidays, friends.

The Xocolate Bar's 24-piece bonbon box is packed with 12 seasonal flavors (two of each) of bite-sized organic, fair trade, Berkeley-made chocolates. Opt for the variety box with flavors ranging from matcha sesame to coconut toffee macadamia—or please chocolate-loving vegans with the all dark box. // $49, thexocolatebar.com
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With stylish ready-to-ship boxes, there's no need to wrap bottles from Napa Valley winery Ashes & Diamond. Opt for one or three bottle boxes like The Cabernet Collection or Mr. EAM (Merlot. Rules. Everything. Around. Me.)—or go for the A&D Starter Kit which includes a bottle of 2016 Cabernet Franc, 2017 Blanc, an A&D T-shirt, and wine key. // Prices vary, ashesdiamonds.com
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In her first cookbook, Baking at the 20th Century Cafe, bakerMichelle Polzine shares the recipes of beloved Hayes Valley institution. Now strudel, rugelach, and pierogi lovers can get a taste of Vienna or Prague without leaving the comfort of their own home. You'll find recipes for more than 75 European desserts—think 10-layer honey cake (the cover star) and date-pistachio torte—that even baking beginners will be able to master. // $35, greenapplebooks.com
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With bottles of gin, bourbon, rye whiskey, campari, and two types of vermouth, PlumpJack Wine's Negroni Variations Kit makes cocktailing easy with everything you need to make two twists on the Italian drink—the Boulevardier and Old Pal. Alternatively, PlumpJack offers cocktail kits for margaritas, Aperol spritz, and Manhattans. // $145, plumpjackwines.com
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Curated by chef Marc Zimmerman of fine dining Japanese wagyu establishment Gozu, A5 Meat's wagyu sampler includes four chilled meats with endless flavor sourced from Australia, Japan, and small American farms. // $200, a5meats.com
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From its family-run honey and hemp farm in Merced, Happy Organics' Orange Blossom Honeycomb + Raw Honey Set will satisfy any sweet tooth and provide protein and antioxidants. Sourced in partnership with a nearby Madera farm, the pollen and nectar is collected from orange blossoms—and is delicious spread on bread or eaten plain. // $47, happyorganics.co
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Literally a boozy adult advent calendar, Almanac's 12 Beers of Christmas box includes a different beer for each day of Christmas, while the Hanukkah package includes a selection of eight beers for each night of Hanukkah. Additionally, the Alameda Island brewery's bestselling Love Hazy IPA, a tropical ale dry-hopped with Sabro, Citra, and Mosaic, can currently be purchased in ugly sweater–inspired limited edition holiday cans. // almanacbeer.com
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For those who do things differently, gift Glyph molecular spirits, made sustainably with natural plant and fruit extracts in a single day. No barrels, no aging, just three special variations ready for drinking now. // $30 per bottle or $75 per three-bottle bundle, glyphspirits.com
Thank you to our partners at Glyph.
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With measurements and recipes for cocktails including a Manhattan, dry martini, and bloody mary conveniently printed on the side, Hudson Grace's Boston shaker set is an essential addition to any home bar. Plus, the dishwasher-safe glass also comes with a stainless steal 14-ounce shaker and strainer. // $49, hudsongracesf.com
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Working with the Tartine Bakery team, Coffee Manufactory is working to shake up the specialty coffee roasting industry through producer empowerment and transparency. Instead of choosing a roast, gift the sampler pack, which includes five colorful mini bags of each of Coffee Manufactory's offerings—and encourage your recipient to read up on the origins of each blend on Coffee Manufactory's website too. // $28, coffeemanufactory.com
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Calistoga's Tank Garage Winery is loved for its hip wines with unique, artist-made labels and retro tasting room located in an old service station. Gift the music lover in your life the Rock n Roll gift set, featuring Tanks' Say La LaLa La La blend with aromas of tobacco, vanilla, and warm baking spices, inspired by lyric-less songs; and Backstage Pass, a rock 'n' roll inspired red with cherry and licorice flavors—plus two glasses for easy sipping. It all comes in a turntable-esque gift box, no wrapping required. // $115, tankgaragewinery.com
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Epicurean Trader's Best of SF gift basket is filled to the brim with locally made sweet and savory gourmet goodies. Opt for the Artisan kit with caramel corn, olive oil, jam, whole bean coffee, and much more—or ball out with the Deluxe kit. Here's hoping your gift recipient wants to share. // $110 for Artisan or $170 for Deluxe, the-epicurean-trader.myshopify.com
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Doing a lot of baking lately? Who isn't! Kiss your cook and keep their pantry well-stocked with the finest quality Madagascar vanilla extract from The Spice Hunter. Unlike most commercial vanilla extracts that utilize a heat extraction process over just two to three days, The Spice Hunter's cold pressed and 30-day aging process makes for a sweeter flavor. Bonus: There's no corn syrup added. // $16, spicehunter.com
Thank you to our partners at The Spice Hunter.
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Keep the wine lover in your life on their toes with Rock Juice Direct. Every two or four months, the recipient will get six, 12, or 24 reasonably priced bottles sourced from natural wineries around the world. This means that instead of being filled with sneaky additives and chemicals like GMO yeast and animal-derived ingredients, all Rock Juice wines are additive free (other than a small amount of sulfur) and farmed organically or biodynamically. // Starting at $140 for six bottles, rockjuiceinc.com
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Help them brush up on their cooking skills—or simply add to their recipe repertoire—with an 18 Reasons cooking class, safely held on Zoom, of course. Classes include Cinnamon Buns, Three Ways and Strata and Frittata. The best part? If you're lucky, you just might get a home-cooked meal out of it. // Pricing varies, calendar on 18reasons.org
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Windy Chien's book, The Year of Knots, will have knot and macramé experts and novices alike creating everything from dog leashes to necklaces to room dividers for 365 days in a row. // $28, sfmoma.org
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Oakland based muralist and illustrator Alexandra Bowman teamed up with Blue Cut Aprons to create the stylish, protective, and breathable Planting Change face mask. The design depicts Black people growing crops to sustain the community. The best part? This gift gives back too—100 percent of profits will benefit Soul Fire Farm, a community farm dedicated to uprooting racism in the food system. // $18, bluecutaprons.com
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Perfect for the free-spirited crafter, local natural dyer and designer Kristin Artz' Bundle Dyeing Kit includes a silk habotai scarf, cotton bandana, plus all sorts of natural dying supplies—and a digital booklet with step-by-step instructions. // $54, kristinarzt.com
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A Clayroom membershipprovides wheel-throwing or hand-building proficient clay enthusiasts with all they need to take their passion to the next level—including unlimited access to Clayroom's SoMa and Potrero studios, "Power Hour" classes four times per month, and dedicated shelf space. Not sure your recipient is ready for a full-blown membership? Clayroom also offers classes like "Intro to Wheel" and "Intermediate Clay." // $525 quarterly, clayroomsf.com
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Help vinyl lovers stay organized with Koeppel Design's made-to-last stencil-cut Symbol Dividers. Handmade by a team of San Francisco craftswomen, Koeppel Design's dividers are available by genre or from A-Z. // $169, koeppeldesign.com
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Paxton Gate's selection of Insect Pinning Kits are sure to please any creative in search of a new hobby—and wall decor. Choose from a variety of dried specimens including moths, butterflies, beetles and grasshoppers, all paired with a spreading board, instructions, a step-by-step video guide led by Paxton Gate's very own entomologist, and more. // $49, paxtongate.com
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While it's not exactly the same as a jam-packed rockin' show at Great American Music Hall or The Fillmore, live music lovers and their squad can safely get their concert fix with an intimate KC Turner Presents In Your Driveway show. Keep your eyes on KC Turner Presents' Instagram for the chance to book 60-minute shows for 10 to 15 people (with face masks and social distancing required) featuring talent like Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket and Tim Bluhm of The Mother Hips. With a gift this good, you're almost guaranteed an invite too! // kcturnermusic.com
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SF painter and muralist Chelsea Ryoko Wong celebrates diversity and curiosity through watercolor, acrylic, and gouache techniques. Her colorful "Working Together" print promotes "Living fully, loving fully, being the best that we can be." // $100, parklifestore-webstore.com
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Handcrafted in San Francisco by Milkman Sound—pros like John Mayer and Joel Hamilton are Milkman fans—The Amp offers high quality sound and a transportable 2.5-pound design for guitarists on the go. Features include an integrated headphone amplifier, reverb and tremolo effects, and 50W of tube tone. // $699, milkmansound.com
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The stages at our most iconic venues remain dark during Covid-19, but music lovers can relive the glory of concerts past through gorgeous and iconic poster art. San Mateo shop Visible Vibrations houses one of the largest privately held collections of concert posters, rock photography, and music memorabilia in existence, including several artist-designed posters from legendary shows at San Francisco's Fillmore. This 2002 Siouxsie & the Banshees concert poster ($40), designed by the late SF artist Rex Ray, is a classic. Use the code 7X7GIFT to receive 20 percent off your first purchase; portion of the proceeds will benefit Music Unites // Fillmore concert posters range from $18 to $750; shop online at oddtoes.com.
Thank you to our partners at Visible Vibrations.
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In flavors such as sparkling wine, pomegranate, and Grand Marnier, Molly Jones' Cocktail CBD Gumdrops are the perfect New Years–friendly gift. Featuring American-grown hemp and CBD, the festive candies are available in 25mg and 50mg doses. // $45 for standard dose and $65 for high dose, mollyjones.com
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Wellness junkies will be excited to open Skin Remedy's Jenna Box, packed with Botnia products—including oatmeal and chamomile Flower Powder Mask, anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Powerhouse Oil, redness-reducing Rose Water Toner, and soothing Balancing Oil Cleanser—plus a Marin-made ceramic dish and soft face brush. Founded just a few years ago by esthetician Justine Kahn, Botnia products are hand-crafted in Sausalito with natural botanicals and extracts. // $147, skin-remedy.square.site
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Amid 2020's chaos, a private guided practice with neuroscientist and meditation guide Nkechi Deanna Njaka just might be the ultimate gift. During each hour-long session, Njaka will help your recipient work mindfulness into their daily life, regulate emotions, and balance the mind and body. // $350 per session, nkechinjaka.com
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Mala necklaces, traditionally used during yoga and meditation, are said to help balance the chakras, provide protection, and absorb negative energy. Often Wander's Kiwi Jasper version is hand-strung and one-of-a-kind with 108 beads in honor of the 108 Indian goddesses; 108 feelings relating to the past, present, and future; and the heart chakra's 108 energy lines. // $88, oftenwander.com
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Silk fabric and adjustable velvet straps help elizabethW's Pink Sleep Mask ensure a restful slumber. // $34, elizabethw.com
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Oakland's Re-Up Refill Shop's Cleaning Essentials Bundle will help your eco-conscious giftee work towards a zero-waste lifestyle. Each bundle contains reusable amber glass or aluminum bottles of liquid laundry detergent, all purpose cleaner, lemon rosemary hand soap, and liquid dish soap, all courtesy of the East Bay's woman-owned, non-toxic (but effective) cleaning brand Puretergent. Once a month, Re-Up will replenish products and collect old bottles via doorstep bike delivery. // $35-$43, reuprefills.org
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Help make San Francisco greener for years to come with a tax-deductible contribution to Friends of the Urban Forest, in exchange for a new tree, planted on the streets of SF as a living tribute to your giftee. Alert them by writing a message on a downloadable card. // $50 and up, donationpay.org
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Juniper Ridge's Holiday Christmas Fir Gift Set includes essential oil, incense, and body wash, all handcrafted in Oakland with a blend of sustainably wild-harvested fir and pine essential oils. We promise your nature-loving gift recipient will appreciate the aroma of crushed conifer needles and the forest floor, even after the holidays. // $34, juniperridge.com
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If you're looking to splurge, fitness junkies will be beyond excited to receive Tonal's streamlined home gym and personal trainer system—and safely workout at home, sans mask. Tonal includes a futuristic digital magnet and electricity dependent weight system that can deliver up to 200 pounds of resistance instead of IRL weights, plus a 24-inch interactive touchscreen display to follow along with coaches. It's even compatible with Apple Music. // $2,995, tonal.com
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Worth more than their weight in gold, Deli Nickels limited-edition citrus spice gummies blend a burst of blood orange with a touch of spice and all things nice. These sativa-leaning hybrid sweets—with 5mg THC per nickel and 20 nickels per pouch—are sure to keep you feeling jolly all season long. // $15, caliva.com
Thank you to our partners at Caliva.
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Located in Sonoma County, biodynamic NewTree Ranch offers guests a safe, wellness-focused escape from reality. In addition to rustic chic accommodations, plant-based cuisine featuring ingredients grown onsite, and a breathtaking setting, NewTree Ranch offers plenty of ways for guests to stay busy including a Tesla wine tour, flower arranging workshop, pool, outdoor yoga, friendly ranch animals, and plant-based cooking course with chef Matteo Silverman. The best part? You'll have all 120 acres to yourself. Editor's note: This one is for big spenders! // Book a stay on newtreeranch.com
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Boot-stomping Frēda girls will love the Sausalito-based brand's new Italian leather Lou bag, handcrafted in Spain. With space for a phone, keys, lip gloss, hand sanitizer, and more, the black embossed croc bag can be worn in three ways—as a belt bag, shoulder bag, or crossbody. // $395, fredasalvador.com
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Guys and girls alike will live in Harvest & Mill's Jogger Pants + Unisex Style Tee Set—after all, who doesn't need more comfy loungewear these days? Each men's or women's set includes an ultra soft crew neck tee and drawstring waist joggers, both designed and sewn in the Bay Area in 100 percent organic cotton fabric. // $105, harvestandmill.com
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Ideal for adventurers and hipsters alike, Sunski's San Francisco–designed frames are sustainable, stylish, and affordable. Available in a multitude of color combos, the Yuba glasses are made from recycled scrap plastic, arrive in plastic-free recycled packaging, and even have a lifetime warranty. On top of that, Sunski donates one percent of sales to environmental nonprofits. // $58, sunski.com
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Beauty junkies will be elated to find Lilah B.'s Holiday Look Set under the tree. From the brand inspired by the healthy NorCal lifestyle, the trio features the three-in-one nutrient rich serum Mini Aglow Priming Oil; a Palette Perfection Eye Quad in B. Stunning; and statement red Divine Duo Lip & Cheek. // $90, lilahbeauty.com
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With button-up design and patch and interior pockets, Taylor Stitch's beloved Long Haul Jacket is sturdy, comfy, and sure to protect from even the foggiest of SF days. Select from a variety of fabrics including Beach Cloth, a wool and cotton custom blend; Olive Herringbone, featuring responsibly grown and cultivated 10-ounce BCI cotton; and Organic '68 24 Month Wash, a responsibly manufactured denim. // $188, taylorstitch.com
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Wine-loving style mavens can match with their bottles thanks to Lisa Says Gah's Denim Wine Totes, available in a selection of quirky original designs—think LSG's signature cow print or floral and warp check collab prints with KJP—and printed with biodegradable inks. Add your favorite bottle for the perfect hostess gift. // $25, lisasaysgah.com
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Hand carved, cast, and assembled in Oakland, Marisa Mason Jewelry's Solstice earrings will add some movement and shimmer to any holiday look. Opt for brass or sterling silver and, if you're feeling generous, you can even give the matching Malta necklace too. // $255 for sterling silver or $220 for brass, marisamason.com
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Available in a variety of hues, Curator's cozy quilted Jules cardigan was made for throwing on with sweats while working from home or pairing with jeans while running errands—bonus points for roomy pockets. Founded on the second floor of a San Francisco Victorian in 2005, Curator now works with two family-owned factories in the Bayshore and SoMa. // $168, curatorsf.com
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Sustainable Black-owned bow tie brand Sonson's Tremayne bow tie lumbar pillow will instantly jazz up an armchair—and it reduces back pressure to boot. The pillow is made in Oakland with African Mali-inspired cotton fabric and naturally harvested organic kapok fiber filling. // $40, sonson.com
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By NorCal-based metal artist Sarah Perez of Electric Sun Creative, the Mobile No. 16—with manipulated brass shapes, antique bronzed rolo chain, and a wooden dowel—will cast some cool shadows in every room. // $185, electricsuncreatives.com
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Easily disguised as a compact hardcover book, the Lito Mini (formerly called Lumio) doubles as a multi-functional lamp and a mobile phone battery pack, certain to please avid readers and techies too. Pick from multiple color finishes and monogram options. // $150, hellolumio.com
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With an unconventional, textured design, Ōmbia Studio's Tall Fin Vase-Ochre makes for a striking centerpiece. Each vase is made to order and hand-sculpted by Cristina Moreno in her San Francisco design studio—and even features a glazed interior for water functionality. // $325, ombiastudio.com
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Design-savvy watch wearers who still appreciate a real dial will be ecstatic to open Treehut's NorCal coast-inspired North Zebrawood Gunmetal chronograph, featuring an interlinking wood band. In addition to the main dial, the face includes a 30-minute timer, 60-second timer, 24-hour clock, and date indicator. // $275, treehut.co
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They already collect Heath Ceramics' iconic tableware pieces. Gift them Heath Sews' set of four SF-made Strike leather coasters in embossed vegetable tanned leather inspired by geometric tiles. // $32, heathceramics.com
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Handcrafted in San Francisco, Basik Candle Company's No.12 Chai Spice offers a sweet and spicy aroma perfect for the holiday season. The cinnamon leaf, clove bud, and orange essential oils infused coconut wax candle comes in a sleek, minimalist container. Feeling extra generous? Pair it with the No. 12 Chai Spice Reed Diffuser. // $35 for 6 ounces, $50 for 13 ounces, basikcandle.com
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Spruce up your giftee's table setting with Mi Cocina's raw and laser printed durable denim placemats, available in a large selection of stripe, chevron, and herringbone designs. //$20 each, micocinaus.com
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Perfect for a biker or hiker, creative studio Unsettle's Rover belt crossbody bag has plenty of pockets and a lanyard—and thanks to a water-resistant 100D nylon exterior and AquadGuard YKK zippers—will protect from the elements to boot. The compact bag can be worn as a sling or belt bag—and the buckle strap can even be removed and transformed into a belt. // $55, unsettleco.com
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Photographer and cofounder of lifestyle travel magazine Tiny Atlas Quarterly, Emily Nathan's new guided journal, My Tiny Atlas: A Guided Travel Journal with Photography Tips,is an essential item for road trips and camping endeavors. Inside you'll find stunning examples of different photo ops, and tips for capturing every moment of your journey. // $17, amazon.com
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InnoDesign's waste-reducing sleek Sablier 2.0 drip tumbler can be taken anywhere—or free up counter space at home—to make quality coffee sans filters within minutes. Purchase some individually wrapped coffee packets to go with. // $50, innodesignproducts.com
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Yogis looking for an extra thrill—with plenty of space for social distancing—will have a blast testing their balance on a floating paddle board in Sausalito's Richard Bay during one of OnBoardSUP's 75 minute classes. // $35 per class, onboardsup.com
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Smoothie and protein shake fans can blend on the go in just 20 seconds with the portable, lightweight BlendJet2—and even drink from the BPA-free jar. After 15 blends, all you need to do to recharge the blender is plug it into a USB charging port. // $50, blendjet.com
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With breathable polyester mesh lining, mesh eyelets, and a moisture-wicking sweatband, the Minimal Bridge Color Booney from CULK—aka Commemorating Urban Landmarks Kinda—is the perfect sun-protecting adventuring accessory. // $36, culk.co
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Surprise the explorer in your life with an escape to MendoLand, where the cooler months promise a mystical backdrop for mushroom foraging, crabbing, hiking, and wine tasting in the lush Anderson Valley. Plan a trip with participating partners between January 8th and March 14th, 2021 for the chance to win gift certificates for wine, dining, and future lodging on your next trip. // Find details at avwines.com.
Thank you to our partners at Anderson Valley Winegrowers.
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Fifty illustrations of SF's iconic neighborhoods and outdoor spaces by Bay Area-based artist Charles House provide fun and soothing coloring material for kids and adults on the go. Highlights from Views of San Francisco include the Palace of Fine Arts, the cable cars, and the Golden Gate Bridge, of course. // $13, parksconservancy.org
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Scientists, artists, and makers in training can get inspired by the stories of 50 creatives from around the world—including Mythbuster Adam Savage and Pulitzer-winning journalist Thomas Friedman—by cracking open the Exploratorium's The Art of Curiosity. // $35, exploratoriumstore.com
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Help cool kids and babies express themselves with Camp Collection's Feelin' Good tee, made and designed in the Mission. // $20, shopcamp.com
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Crafty kiddos—and adults too—will have endless fun carving 12 of their very own rubber stamps, and then using them emblazon T-shirts, stationary, posters, and whatever else will sit still. Yellow Owl Workshop's Carve-a-Stamp Kit includes all the needed materials: a stamp block, carving tool, ink, instructions, and 125 templates. // $24, yellowowlworkshop.com
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Dogpatch SF's Ropes for Rescues recycling program transforms used climbing ropes into hip dog leashes in all sorts of colors—and simultaneously gives back to animal rescues. Donors include R.E.I. in Berkeley, Mesa Rim in San Diego, and Cirque du Soleil, with donations going to organizations including Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, Dogwood Animal Rescue, and the San Francisco SPCA. // $25, dogpatchsf.co
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