It’s a bit mind-bending to realize that 2013 has nearly breezed by and that the holidays are right in front of us. Good cheer and (hopefully) great connections with family and friends await, but, for the moment, let’s focus on the task at hand: the art of giving.
The following pages will certainly assist you with that. In our annual gift guide, we highlight more gifts than in previous years so there’s plenty from which to choose—from the vibrant offerings found at Om Gallery in Downtown Santa Cruz to the downright imaginative gift items and stocking stuffers you can find at so many other local stores. It’s all here.
But take note: don’t limit your “giving” to simply a swipe of the credit card at a local merchant. (It’s nice and the economy thanks you for it.) It might be best to consider the intention and motivation behind the gifts you’re offering and even throw in some altruistic measures to boot—there’s nothing wrong with tossing in your own handmade gift certificate for you and your loved one at a local dining establishment; a place where, in the coming months, you both can venture into and catch up. Newsflash: the art of real connection and conversation is not dead, so it never hurts to add some of your own creativity into the mix.
Beyond that, there’s plenty more to soak up in this year’s guide—take note of features on the Santa Cruz Warriors and the Homeless Garden Project’s holiday store, among others.
Enjoy the guide. Happy perusing … and Happy Holidays.
—Greg Archer, Editor
Open 2013 Gift Gude PDF >
