Stress-less Shopping Spree

Holiday shopping season does not have to mean holiday high-stress season. You can exchange the too-traditional nerves and fatigue for a new and fun shopping experience. First, forget the malls. Too frenzied, too crowded, too impersonal. Instead, take a trip to a specialty shop, where you can find the gift that no one else would duplicate. 

You can begin your hunt at Oriental Treasure Box in Ocean Beach. Interestingly woven Ikebana baskets are works of art in their own right. Japanese ceramics and scores of other one-of-a-kind items make browsing an adventure. Here, on OB’s main street and antique row, you are within steps of at least four other antique businesses.

Lots of little cafes along the way entice you to grab some take out and head for the beach a couple of blocks away. Watch the surfers as you enjoy a picnic and congratulate yourself on your novel purchases. Santa shops here when he’s in town and you can, too.
 
Hilo Hattie’s at 5th & K in the Gaslamp lets you buy Hawaiian without leaving our town. What’s more, you can buy for the whole family at once. No jealousy among loved ones if you choose a family-matching ensemble such as the red hibiscus aloha shirt that Santa (and probably many of his elves) wears. Nibble on some macadamia nut chocolates. (Do NOT think about the calories! It’s a fun, no stress day, remember.) Pick out unique ornaments for the tree or table.

Then, take a stroll in the Gaslamp. Have lunch or cocktails. Listen to some jazz. It’s all cool.

Your feet may take you to the Broadway Pier, where you can hop the ferry to Coronado and the quaint and tide-y stores at Coronado Ferry Landing. Shop, but way before you drop, take a break to dine at Peohe’s or Bay Beach Café. Rent a bike and cruise around this charming town, admiring the galleries, the architecture and the San Diego skyline view, before you board your transit vessel for the return trip.

Hit land on the Old Town Trolley. Board at the Embarcardero and step off at Old Town. An easy half-mile stroll takes you to Maidhof Bros. Ltd. Shipware Merchants, a museum emporium of nautical things. Ships’ bells and wheels make great living or family room wall decorations, and children will love the net floats and interesting hooks shaped like lobsters. Pirate flags, signal flags, sea charts and blueprints of ships and their interiors will please even the crustiest of mariners. 

For a special deckhand, customize a piece of furniture with an engraved brass plaque.

The actual museums of Old Town beckon families to spend the afternoon learning about San Diego’s cultural history and even a ghost or two.

True, Distinctions in Grossmont Center is in a mall, but it’s San Diego’s original mall, constructed before Mission or Fashion Valley, so a visit is an historical experience, also.

It’s also an artistic adventure, with beautiful art wear silk jackets that depict famous artworks from the likes of Van Gogh and Picasso. So “California”  are these lovely things that you can wear them with jeans or a velvet dress. Danskin cozy knits and fab  gowns to wear to holiday balls are other reasons to shop at this plus-size women’s boutique. A holiday open house on December 8 features  live music, refreshments, drawings and live models.

South Sun Products near Montgomery Field is worth a trip by itself. This jewelry superstore dazzles with beads, stones, findings, rings, pendants and all sorts of sparkling and tantalizing silver and semi-precious things. Even more bedazzling are the discounted prices and ongoing “buy—get free” specials.

Selecting a special gift is just the beginning.  Free jewelry-making classes until the end of the year give you the chance to create a personal one-of-a-kind present.