Be thankful. Spend less. Those seem to be the watchwords this Christmas in the Year of the Bleak Economy.
With that in mind, we went holiday shopping in the valley this week for gifts in a budget-friendly price range — those around $75, from $25 to $20, and less than $10.
Maybe you saw us with our trusty pens and notepads, shopping studiously at stores and boutiques all over Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton and Scotts Valley.
We found practical items, like shovels and shirts. And we discovered unique gift ideas, too, like the Henrietta Rubber Chicken dog toys at Felton Feed & Pet Supply.
So without further ado, here is our list of hints that won’t break the bank in the spirit of holiday gift-giving.
Gift ideas around $75
• For woodsy time-telling: Redwood burl wall clock made by Felton’s Chuck Turigliatto — $75 at The White Raven in Felton
• For over-the-shoulder art: Bareprint textile purses by Jody Bare — $65 at Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, Ben Lomond
• For soft practicality: “Shaggy Chic” hoodie and two pairs of New Zealand bed socks — $49 plus $24 at Outback Trading Company in Felton
• For ocean inspirations: “Sealife in Glass” lockets — $69 at Wm. Clayton Greene Fine Jewelry in Scotts Valley
• For Fair Trade labels: Hand-woven atta grass baskets from Bali — $75 at the just-opened CaliZEN in Felton
• For kids and grandkids: Children’s matching raincoats and boots in themes like ladybugs, firemen and dinosaurs — $35.99 plus $34.29 at Boulder Creek Drug Store
• For something charming: Choose your own charms (like dice, guitars, crowns, bears, horses, you name it) and bracelets — $75 for a well-loaded bracelet at Zinnia’s in Scotts Valley
• For healthy resolutions: Exercise CDs, yoga mat and Balance Ball — $13.49 to $17.99 for CDs plus $24.29 for the mat and $29.99 for the ball at Felton Nutrition
• For candlelight art: Colored-glass candle screens molded in a curve — $60 at Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, Ben Lomond
• For ultimate comfort: Brazilian Goddess corduroy pants for women — $79 at Outback Trading Company in Felton
Gifts from $25 to $20
• For ambiance: Aspen Bay Candle Co. 26-ounce candles that smell like fire, biscotti, magnolia, Red Delicious apple and more — $24.99 at Ben Lomond Market and Scotts Valley Market
• For bird loving: Antique, green-glass hummingbird feeder — $25 at Felton Feed & Pet Supply
• For local flavor: Storrs Winery 2005 Petite Sirah or Ahlgren Vineyard’s 2007 Pinot Noir — $20.99 and $25.99 at New Leaf in Boulder Creek and Felton
• For eccentric gulping: Painted and themed wine/martini glasses — $24 and $26 at Zinnia’s in Scotts Valley
• For deep thoughts: PaperBlanks journals — Up to $19.95 at Business With Pleasure in Scotts Valley
• For cleanliness: Organic soaps wrapped in fabric in a bamboo box — $25 at CaliZEN in Felton
• For stylish softness: “Cashmink” scarves from Germany for men and women — $24 and up, Zinnia’s in Scotts Valley
• For “honey-do” chores: Black & Decker auto-leveling laser and stud sensor — $24.99, True-Value Hardware in Boulder Creek
• For personalization: Silver key chains with assorted themes (like hearts, crosses, cars and peace signs) — $12 to $28 at Zinnia’s in Scotts Valley
• For small-space warmth: Compact ceramic heater — $19.99 at True Value Hardware in Boulder Creek
• For expanded fun: Jumbo checkers rug game — $22 at Zinnia’s in Scotts Valley
• For handmade goodness: Necklace scarves made by Bambi and Roxie Gribble — $20 at Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center in Ben Lomond
• For optimism: “Life is Good” T-shirts for men — $25 at Zinnia’s in Scotts Valley
Gifts less than $10
• For foodies: Salsa or guacamole bowls (that look like a red pepper or avocado) — $9.99, Boulder Creek Drug Store
• For natural ingredients: Head to Toe Burt’s Bees Starter Kit (body wash and creams) — $8.44 at Felton Nutrition
• For kitchen fun: Dish towels in various themes (like wine, chickens and cupcake motifs) — $9 at Zinnia’s in Scotts Valley
• For chocoholism: Godiva Chocolates — $2.95 to $4.95, Ben Lomond Market and Scotts Valley Market
• For coach potatoes: SmartFleece throw blankets in red, blue and gray — 3 for $9.99, Scarborough Lumber Yard in Boulder Creek
• For recyclers: Ornaments made out of newspaper and magazine pages — $4 and $7 at CaliZEN in Felton
• For gardening cooks: Herb Growing Kit — $9, Scarborough Lumber Yard in Boulder Creek
• For hungry kids: Insulated lunch bags in bright colors — $7.69, Boulder Creek Drug Store
• For ages 5 and up: Wooden toys and 3-D puzzles (like human skeleton or stegosaurus) — $8.99, Boulder Creek Drug Store
• For hand therapy: Crabtree & Evelyn lavender hand cream — $8, Zinnia’s in Scotts Valley
• For wrist resting: Art mouse pads by Addie Rementer — $10 at Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center in Ben Lomond
