Giving gifts is not only a way to show affection to others, but it can also help you lay the foundation to forge new relationships. With so many options – right here in Orange County – finding the perfect giving is not only easy but also an enjoyable venture. Whether it is for family, friends, or co-workers, our list can help you find the perfect holiday gift this season.
#1 Build a Storybook With Your Kids at StoryMakery
Let your child’s imagination run wild. At StoryMakery, kids get to create and publish their own children’s books. They’ll create a character, write a story, and turn it into a hardcover book. StoryMakery is a boutique store that provides kids and families with a self-publishing experience. Kids get the opportunity to work with writers to help develop their stories and improve their writing and reading skills. They’ll use a library of objects and backgrounds to bring their stories to life inside the publishing studio. StoryMakery is located in Laguna Hills, CA, and is open seven days a week.
#2 Give the Gift of Experience
Gifting an experience can go a long way to show your loved ones how much they mean to you. Unlike materialistic gifts (that might be thrown away or returned), a gift like this is best suited for those whose love language is quality time. For instance, you can give tickets to a tour that explores Orange County’s extraordinary marine life. Aquarium of the Pacific is a brilliant way to get up close to coastal marine life. Pacific Marine Mammal Center, The Ocean Institute, and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium are also great avenues to explore and learn more about Orange County’s marine life. On the other hand, if you and your loved one are keen on helping the community, gifting them a “volunteer day” is a great way to spend some quality time together.
[Aquarium of the Pacific]
[Pacific Marine Mammal Center]
[The Ocean Institute]
[Cabrillo Marine Aquarium]
#3 Get Handmade Bracelets from LINX by Lulu
Are you looking for something classy yet affordable? LINX by Lulu is a mother-daughter business in Orange County that sells handmade 14k gold-filled bracelets. You can shop between dozens of designs and materials such as black onyx, sterling silver, and white glass beads. These unique bracelets can be worn all the time because they are sweat-proof, shower-proof, and even dish-proof. Their lookbook will give you tons of ideas to shop for!
#4 Revamp Your Fashion Style
If you know someone who likes to look their best, clothes are the best gift you can give them. Fortunately, Orange County is home to many boutiques that like to keep up with the latest trends. For starters, Eternity Boutique sells all types of women’s boutique clothing items such as tops, bottoms, dresses, outwear, intimates, and accessories. They also donate 50% of the proceeds to Camp Agape California – a camp that helps kids whose parents have been incarcerated. If you are looking for something classy, Unaffected is the ideal place to shop for both men and women.
[Unaffected]
[Eternity Boutique]
#5 Get Your Gift Essentials at M.Lovewell
Everyone needs gift essentials such as wrapping paper, stamps, gift cards, tapes, stickers, etc. Don’t settle for mediocre. M.Lovewell is a shop in Santa Ana, CA, that sells stationery goods, and gifts, and offers workshops. They just launched their new holiday collection, which features all of the holiday essentials you’ll need. Each is designed with timeless Christmas art so that you can add the perfect touch to your gifts. Or, if you know someone who loves to express their creativity, M.Lovewell offers high-quality, luxurious gift pen sets.
#6 Find Unique Gifts at Your Local Markets
Located in Costa Mesa, CA, SEED People’s Market is the home to many curated eco-brands. They highlight products from various artisans. Their goal is to enhance the mission of sustainable living and promote a greener planet. At SEED People’s Market, you’ll be able to find winter layers and outdoor gear. If you know someone who loves vintage art, music, antiques, or handcrafted ornaments, The Coast Vintage Market is the best place to find them a gift. Being one of Orange County’s biggest flea markets, they attract quite a huge crowd so arrive early to secure your parking spot!
[SEED Peoples Market Artisan Goods and Accessories]
[The Coast Vintage Market]
#7 Decorate Your Home for the Holidays with Discover Inspirations
You can never go wrong with unique holiday ornaments or decor items. Discover Inspirations offers all kinds of beautiful boutique-style decor such as candles, ornaments, frames, diffusers, and more. This community-based gift shop located in Yorba Linda, CA, displays products from 74 active suppliers. Many of the pieces are awe-inspiring and add an elegant touch to your home. For the holidays, you can grab their 19oz Volcano Glimmer Signature jar, which adds a dash of winter white iconic fragrance. Or help your loved ones stay cozy with Taupe giving socks or taupe robes. Perhaps their Globe Table Top decor can give your home a gentle touch of Christmas vibes.
#8 Find the Perfect Gifts for Little Ones
Know someone with a newborn or baby on the way? Give the baby their most memorable holiday with the help of Tiddlywinks! Tiddlywinks is the perfect spot to grab everything baby-related. This includes clothing, arts and crafts, puzzles, bikes and scooters, games, outdoor, toy blocks, toy vehicles, plush animals, and more. If you are planning on gifting a stroller, Lil Baby Sprouts has a great collection of single, double, and all-terrain strollers from various name brands.
[Tiddlywinks Toys And Games]
[Lil Baby Sprouts]
#9 Grab a Fresh Cut Christmas Tree at Roger’s Gardens
Bring the smell and feel of Christmas with an authentic Christmas Tree from Roger’s Gardens. They sell fresh-cut Christmas trees from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Cascade Mountains of Northern California. If you know someone with a garden, why not give them new floral decor and plants to add to their collection. You can find all types of seasonal arrangements, such as indoor and outdoor arrangements. They offer plenty of beautiful selections such as orchids, succulents, azaleas, and more. Not to mention, they all come in cutely woven baskets or pots for you to hang or place as decor.
[Outdoor Plant Nursery & Home Décor Store]
#10 Wow Your Gift Recipient with Handmade Beauty Products
Tangerine Jalene Lotions & Potions is a local specialty gift shop that specializes in handmade beauty products. This includes organic soaps, lotions, lip balms, scrubbers, body butter, and more. Jalene Wellis, the owner, shares a unique love affair with tangerines and started this venture 16 years ago with one goal in mind – to make organic beauty products with homegrown ingredients. Their self-care package can make a great gift for anyone this season which includes a vanilla charcoal rose soap, vanilla sugar scrub, and a cherry vanilla body butter.
[Tangerine Jalene Lotions & Potions]
#11 A Love Letter To Your Loved Ones
Hand-lettered artworks can be a great way to pass on a hearty message to your loved ones. Love Letters & Ink is where you can get watercolor artworks that can only be described as pretty as a picture. All artworks draw inspiration from exotic scriptures, nature, family bonding, and other delightful subjects.
#12 Give the Gift of Health and Complexion at The Facial Works
Facial Bar provides facial treatments for products in Orange County. They have four locations, specifically in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Dana Point, and Irvine Spectrum. The facial bar specializes in sea-to-skin and nontoxic skincare for any skin type. Bring them along for a nice holiday facial to help them improve their appearance and get soft and supple skin. Facials are an excellent treatment for getting rid of acne, wrinkles, and dark circles. Or the store sells natural facial products like moisturizers, serums, exfoliants, masks, toners, cleansers, and eye creams.
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