We must be more mindful than ever in support of our local small businesses over the holidays and throughout this winter season. At the time of posting this guide Sonoma County is not fully locked down. In any event, retail is limiting the number of shoppers in store at any one time. Do try to shop during the week and not only on busier weekend times.
Most of these vendors offer online sales and deliveries and/or pickups. Be kind and patient when shopping — everything takes longer with all the hoops in place for keeping us all safe. A lot of the time it is the merchant him or herself who is the one dropping orders on your doorstep. Old fashioned service is why we love where we live.
There will be more gift giving ideas to post closer to Christmas for last minute local shoppers.
Flower Casita winter floral wreath, a gorgeous seasonal bouquet or perhaps an annual subscription floral delivery if you're feeling especially generous.
Check out Sonoma Spice Queen's terrific gift boxes online and in-store at 407 C Street across from the Mail Depot. Sonoma Spice Queen is open every day until Christmas. My kitchen is full of Sonoma Spice Queen products, I just love them!
How about booking an outdoor tasting on 2nd Street at Foundry Wharf to pick up a bottle each of Sonoma Portwork's Fig'n Awesome Fig Liqueur and a Port Barrel Aged Grappa to boost the spirits?
New this year, Petaluma artist Shannon Abbey is offering Giclee prints from her original paintings. Printed with care by locals Bill and Joe at Digital Grange on archival acid free rag paper.
The prints make great gifts at $100 each. Signed by the artist. Shipped around the country.
Woman-owned Sonoma Coast Spirits has you covered for the cocktail crew on your list.
Nothing says I love you during the holidays than a bumper package of California cheese! At least in my mind! Check out the California Cheese Trail site for where and what to order and/or make a bee-line for local cheeses when shopping for your holiday stores.
Nicky Ovitt bandanas, kitchen towels, cards, totes. Nicky designed the covers and inside art for my Fog Valley Books. Her work has a special place in my heart.
Treated myself to a bottle of NOMAD Botanicals foaming wash at this year's annual Petaluma Holiday Food Fair at Hotel Petaluma. It's terrific and made in Petaluma. NOMAD gift baskets and products are sure to please.
I think we'd all benefit from a herbal healing solve or a breathe deeply tea or Sonoma County chai from Marigold Apothecary this winter season.
McEvoy Ranch ODE skincare products — I'm using the Daily Moisturizer.
You can't go wrong with any of the McEvoy oils, wines and products for online ordering and delivery of thoughtful and distinctive gifts.
Buying shoes for someone isn't always a good idea unless you've been steered in the right size and direction but a gift certificate to my favorite local shoe store, Passeggiata is the way to go for the shoe lovers in your life.
These lovely, Labradorite Ocean Drop earrings are a great example of the treasure chest of designer jewelry by Robindira Unsworth and available in-store on Petaluma Boulevard in boutique row or online, along with a sparkling array of baubles and bangles, Italian leather purses, homewares and clothing gifts that are sure to go down a treat with discerning ladies on your list.
Open Wednesday and Friday afternoons 11-4 on East Washington St in downtown Petaluma and house products and gift boxes are available to order online.
Herbal and green teas, broth herbs, elderberry elixir kits, bath soaks and salts, natural bath fizzies, organic bulk herbs and medicine making supplies, plus tinctures, topical salves and oils, seaweeds, patches, herbal wreaths that are ideal tonics for pandemic-era gifts.
Tomasini's Rex Ace Hardware & Country Store is one of my all-time favorite stores in town. Staff are always so helpful and friendly and the store is packed with holiday lights, gardening tools, home goods and all sorts of practical items for gifting.
The Find is decked out for fun, local holiday shopping on Western Ave. Look for Patti Lou Designs store (see above at the artists' studio), within the store for Petaluma-centric art and home items.
Jess Brown rag dolls are total treasures and are lovingly made here in Petaluma for bespoke delivery around the world. If you'd like to gift one of these gorgeous rag dolls this Christmas, your order must be in by December 9th, 2020.
Visit tasting rooms and purchase wines from our Petaluma Gap Winegrowers' micro-regional wine growers and makers. Keller Estate is one of several terrific local wineries offering tasting opportunities by appointment this winter.
Look for Petaluma Gap and Sonoma County wines ion the shelves in your favorite store's wine department. For a boutique experience being guided in your selection and to further support small business, visit Jason at Vine & Barrel on Petaluma Boulevard.
Marta Shannon's wonderful scalloped scarves are a Sonoma County classic! This red one is a lovely choice for the holidays.
And for the chocolate lover on your list — Farm Chocolate simply cannot be topped for a gift of local deliciousness & decadence.
Maude Shop Rare Finds stocks the most beautiful cards and stationery, artists' pens and pencils and pads, exquisite candles, kids and women's clothing. Find Maude on Western Ave.
Pennyroyal Design wallets and bags are chic and super high quality and locally made. Find them at In The Making in American Alley along with super beautiful Siri Handsdotter ceremonial jewelery.
Books, books and more books! Copperfield's Petaluma has you covered for everyone on your list. Take a look through my list of lots of great books by SONOMA COUNTY AUTHORS by clicking on on my local shelf at Bookshop.
You may buy my novel Big Green Country through Copperfields or directly from me by clicking the home page of this blog and scrolling down to my PayPal on the right hand side. Also available in the Petaluma Museum online store along with quite a few additional local books.
Fog Valley Winter copies are available directly from me.
Fill the Petaluma market bag with beautifully curated home and personal goodies in store at Petaluma Home & Garden.
Help keep everyone's humor intact with a holiday shop at Heebe Jeebe General Store on Fourth Street. Always choc-full of fun stuff for folk of all ages.
The simple truth about buying toys online is that each purchase inches brick and mortar toy stores nearer to closing their doors. We're lucky to still have a toy store open in downtown Petaluma. Plenty others have tried and not been able to sustain business. So if you have little ones on your list, do stop in at Toybville on Petaluma Boulevard downtown this holiday season.
Restaurant & cafe gift certificates are a win-win for everyone when given as gifts. Support your favorite eateries with gift card purchases. Who wouldn't enjoy take-out or outdoor dining treats at The Tea Room, Water Street Bistro, Aqus Cafe, Risibisi, Cucina Paradiso, The Shuckery Lunchette Della Fattoria and other tasty local treasures?
What to gift those on your list who don't need anything? The best thing to do this year especially is a gift that gives back to our community. Please consider donating to any one of our invaluable local non-profits this holiday season, especially those serving the most vulnerable as well as the many important cultural organizations that are struggling to maintain the coffers through the pandemic period.
Here are some suggestions:
PETALUMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
PETALUMA PEOPLE SERVICES (core services include Senior Services, Counseling & Prevention, Housing, Employment, Petaluma Bounty Farms, and Youth Programs, which now includes Mentor Me. )
PETALUMA HISTORICAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
SONOMA COUNTY REGIONAL PARK PASS
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