Ask An Expert: Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas
Lauren Stenvick
Purple Fox Gifts & Crafts
3214 Riverside Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 538-6584
www.purplefoxgifts.com
Stenvick's background in merchandising has helped turn Purple Fox into an enticing boutique, with something fabulous to be found everywhere you look. She describes her own style as that of an elegant hippie, but says she has "an artistic soul with no crafting skills." Christmastime is incredibly hectic in malls and mass retailers, but Stenvick has some great ideas for last minute gifts that come without that extra helping of stress.
Purple Fox has crafts, jewelry, toys and wall décor for kids from toddlers to teens. Stenvick raised three children, now young adults, and she knows that all kids love art supplies. Pick up tissue paper and a colorful gift bag at a grocery or drug store. Then visit Purple Fox for small, low-cost items such as colored chalk, markers and scented pens that smell like PB&J, dill pickles, bubblegum or a root beer float. Add a pencil sharpener shaped like a mini light bulb, a chalkboard bracelet and erasers that look like smart phones. Wrap each in tissue paper and fill the gift bag.
Related: Ask An Expert: DIY Gift Ideas
For Men
Stenvick, whose favorite series of all time was "Mad Men," knows that shopping for men can be challenging. Purple Fox has fun wall plaques with sayings like "A DAD is someone who carries a PHOTO where his MONEY used to be," and for those who love boating, watersports and fishing, they carry an all-weather notebook with waterproof pages. Consider getting a selection of craft beers from the grocery store, or even better, a gift certificate to brew his own beer at Yolo Brewing Company. Another sure winner are tickets to see the Sacramento Kings, like the game on January 7 against the L.A. Lakers.
For Women
Purple Fox features one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry, cool décor and beautiful scarves and wraps for women. And unlike the concoctions at chain stores, the lotions and soaps sold at Purple Fox are truly exceptional. Natural Inspirations makes hand lotions that offer deep moisturizing and come in scents such as Stenvick's favorite, grapefruit bergamot. "It smells like lychee, a bit sweet and spicy," she says. A portion of sales also go to the Susan G. Komen foundation. Ruby's Handmade Goat-milk soaps and lotions honestly soothe and smooth your skin, with scents containing rose geranium, lemon grass, Argentina lime, honey and more. If your gift recipient loves vino, get a nice bottle from the grocery store and pair it with fun wine glasses from Purple Fox that say things like "Wine, Cheaper than Therapy". Also check out the lovely resin figurines by Kelly Rae Roberts, decorated with heartfelt words for your mom, daughter, soul sister, mom-to-be and friends.
For Friends
Give your favorite gardener a gift certificate from Green Acres and gorgeous paper lanterns and unique garden art from Purple Fox. Foodies will appreciate a restaurant gift certificate and Fox's kitchen towels, t-shirts and totes labeled with their neighborhoods of Curtis Park, Oak Park or Land Park. Many would like cinema gift certificates or tickets to local concerts, plays, art shows and dance performances. Animal lovers will adore a gift certificate for pet adoption at a local shelter or spay/neuter and health services from a veterinarian. Give the gift of tickets to special events like the Crab Banquet benefiting the Pioneer Volunteer Firefighters' Association. Stenvick, who loves chardonnay and "a good, full-bodied Cabernet," recommends giving tickets to Behind the Cellar Door, an exciting weekend for wine lovers in Amador County.
And finally, no one will suspect you waited until the last minute when your wrap their gift in gorgeous paper from Purple Fox, or in cool comics pages from the Sacramento Bee.
Related: Best Places For Unique Christmas Ornaments In Sacramento
