Where Can You Get Last-Minute Gifts in San Anselmo and Fairfax?

Hanukkah has come and gone, but gift-giving season is still in full swing — no matter if you’re shopping for Christmas presents or gifts for holiday party hosts. 

We asked our Facebook fans on Dec. 10 to tell us what Fairfax and San Anselmo shops they recommend for last-minute gifts. 

The response (more than 44 comments!) was overwhelming. Many reinstated the general importance of shopping local, which we at Patch couldn’t agree more with.

“All your local shopping can be done in San Anselmo and Fairfax,” wrote Jeannine Choppelas. “I avoid the mall at all cost.”

“If you can’t get it in Fairfax, you don’t need it,” wrote Steve Pierson.

One of our favorite suggestions was to make food baskets with locally made items. Stacy Weinberg Dieve said she made baskets with items that could all be found at Good Earth, including Nicasio Valley Cheese or Cowgirl Creamery Cheese, Marshall's Farm Honey, All Star Organics herbal salts, Rustic Bakery flatbreads, McEvoy Ranch olives, etc.

It's also worth noting that two stores, Culture Shock and Fig Garden, saw the most recommendations. Check out these ideas and add your own in the comments:

FAIRFAX

• Beach House Style had at least two fans among our Facebook commenters
• Culture Shock for clothing and jewelry (four separate recommendations) 
• Fairfax Variety for “great toys and greeting cards”
• For Paws has “everything you need for cats and dogs,” wrote Mairana Abbalo. And if you need something for any other animal “talk to Patty” and she will order it for you, she wrote.
• Good Earth, where Ronita Sundin Egger recommended purchasing Cazadero cabernet and chardonnay for holiday gifts and dinners.
• Hairfax offers gift certificates for hair cuts and other services
• The Herban Garden
• Lost Mountain Gifts & Jewlery, for jewelry and "some really nice cards" 
• Revolution 9 is the “GO-TO for stocking stuffers,” according to Matt Hughes
• Sherman’s General Store offers free gift wrapping of purchases
• Sunny Day Salvage for pre-loved décor
• The Potting Shed for mini succulents
• Trouvé for nature-inspired vintage pieces
• Various & Sundries has “great gifts,” said Liza Ryan Wozniak
• Yeah Baby for consignment jewelry and clothing  

SAN ANSELMO

• Comforts, where Julie Mozena said she recently bought some great hostess gifts and stocking stuffers.
• Fig Garden, which “has something for everyone, in every price,” wrote Jeannine Choppelas. One idea is a "wine glass writer," a pen that writes names on wine glasses and washes off after a party. Jeannine and others said it is available at Fig Garden and other local stores including Fairfax Variety (which is also on our list). More than five people recommended Fig Garden – the most recommendations we received for any local shop.  
• Georgi & Willow, two of the three people who recommended this consignment boutique referred to its tagline, “purchase with a purpose.” Sales from Georgi & Willow benefit the Bay Area’s Goodwill Industries. 
• The Great Acorn Co. for unique gifts
• House of Dog is where “you can treat your ‘best friend’ to a beauty bath and oatmeal soak,” wrote Lisa Frechette.
• Humane Society Thrift Shop for Donna Morrison's handmade recycled cards
• Junction Shoes is a new boutique with “great shoes, clothing and accessories,” wrote Sally Bertlesman.
• Kismet
• Lincoln Park Wine Bar certificates, because wine makes a great gift, wrote Holly Dines Bragmen.
• Local Flora, for a gift certificate for a flowers delivery or seeds. Silke Vom Bauer also recommended a dozen of seed packages from the any of the local nurseries. “They make great stocking stuffers or look great as stack with a nice red bow.”
• Lola’s Depot, where “you will find a wonderful collection of goodies,” said Xochitl Selena Martinez. 
• Marin Running Company
• Presh Designer Collective, which features “fabulous handmade jewelry,” according to Lisa Frechette.
• Reflections Fine Jewelry, where Erika Greene said they offer free gift wrapping
• San Anselmo Coffee Roastery or Marin Coffee Roasters for gift cards (one commenter recommended buying them for teens)
• Sax consignment shop, where the “most loved prezzies always come from that jewelry case,” wrote Rebecca Teague Jenkins  — one of three people who recommended the downtown shop.
• Stella’s Fine Consignments
• Susan’s Storeroom for vintage stocking stuffers
• Toss Designs

Two commenters recommended Lolo gift cards, which are part of a Shop Ross Valley program a local start-up recently created. “Then people can choose from dozens of great local merchants,” wrote Jennifer Moore Hansen.

Thank you to everyone who gave us suggestions on our Facebook page. We’re sure there are plenty of local merchants and gift ideas we left out, so please add them in the comments.

Remember, parking is free this month in San Anselmo and always free in Fairfax. 

Happy holidays and happy shopping!

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