The holidays are upon us, and if America has taught us anything, that means it’s time to panic-buy items for your friends and family, thereby proving your love. But wait! There’s no need to have a nervous breakdown listening to Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” while waiting in line at a big box store to further stuff the pockets of a rich CEO. No, you can do capitalism in a local, homegrown way — by patronizing the small neighborhood businesses and independent makers that really need your support.
In that spirit, here are a few personalized recommendations from our staff. And for more chances to simultaneously support local artisans and check all those cousins off your list, please see COYOTE’s guide to holiday art markets around the Bay. Because in December, nothing says “I love you” like a gift that required you to leave the house and wear real pants.
I was on a walk in the nice fall air the other day when I came across Dear John, a shop that a fellow COYOTE co-founder had recommended. Inside, I found my dream object, something so perfect I could not have even imagined that it existed in real life: a pickle-scented candle. Reader, I have never been happier in my life. And if you’re not into that, the shop has plenty of other (worse) scents for you to choose from. (I also purchased a ripe tomato vine candle that is shockingly true to life.) — Reo
Slingshot organizers in various sizes: a cool kid classic. (Courtesy of the Slingshot Collective)
Back in the day (uhh the 2000s), sporting a Slingshot organizer made me feel like the coolest kid at my high school. The anti-corporate holidays and anniversaries were such an education for me, and I loved flipping to the index of revolutionary bookstores and hangouts in the back and imagining myself in those places. And did you know these are still put together by hand in Berkeley by the Slingshot Collective? Reject app calendars; embrace Slingshot! — Soleil
This beautifully wrapped olive oil soap is a must-have in my bathroom. It’s sudsy, very lightly scented, moisturizing, and lasts forever — basically, everything you want in a soap. The Cooperative carries a number of bars from different family-owned soap companies in Nablus, many of which are hundreds of years old. Buy them in bulk, share them with friends, or keep them all for yourself. Their website is great, but a little secret: they also have a shop at 1080 Monterey Ave. in Berkeley. Just call ahead to make sure they’re open. — Nuala
What’s better than popcorn with real butter and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure on the silver screen on a Saturday morning? Why, popcorn, incredible cinematic programming, plus live music and special events all year at three of San Francisco’s only remaining independent movie houses, of course. With this pass, moviegoers get admission year-round to the Vogue (now with restored neon!), 4 Star, and Balboa theaters, which have become true community arts hubs under the auspices of nonprofit CinemaSF. Make like Nicole Kidman in those AMC promos, and you too can rediscover the magic of sitting in a darkened room with other human beings. — Emma
Spice up your loved ones’ lives with the Surf and Turf Tibs Kit from Brundo Spice Company. (Courtesy of Brundo Spice Company)
Oakland’s Cafe Colucci is well-known for being a local favorite for Ethiopian food; but it’s also the home base of Brundo Spice Company, which packages single-origin teff, herbs, and spices sourced directly from farmers in Ethiopia. The mixes are a great buy for home cooks, and I highly recommend the Surf and Turf Tibs Kit for curious newbies to the cuisine. It’s got the basics (a foundational berbere blend, a hot mitmita spice mix, black cardamom, spiced clarified butter) and a cool zine with vegetarian and non-veg recipes. — Soleil
For your most die-hard sports fan who really wants to support local grassroots sports, there’s no better way to say “I see your obscure sport obsession and I love you for it.” But in all seriousness, ultimate games are really fun! And if you don’t know the rules, there’s often an announcer explaining them as the game goes on. Extra bonus points if you also get tickets to the women’s team, the Falcons, when they go on sale. — Reo
No, really, this stuff is magic. (Courtesy of Kalme Co.)
I’ve gifted these small-batch, cruelty-free body oils and bath salts to a dozen friends and family members now, and it usually leads to a text along the lines of “Where can I get more of this?!” Concocted by San Francisco maker Megan Luby, these products are an especially great choice for new parents who want to feel and smell nice (the lavender body oil is my go-to for anyone in the “my life is ruled by diapers” stage of things). She ships, but if you’re local, you can pick up directly near Alamo Square. — Emma
Our favorite Bay Area billboard personality has MERCH! Anh Phoong, she of 866-GOT-PAIN, dropped a thick cozy light-pink hoodie with a rad graphic on her site in November. It sold immediately, but as of this week, is back in stock. Grab one fast! — Nuala
A non-guitar player could keep this on their mantle as a conversation piece. Your musician friend can just use it normally, I guess. I don’t even play guitar anymore and I want this. Made in the East Bay! — Soleil
The December issue of 'Street Spirit' includes several sheets of patterned wrapping paper. (Courtesy of Street Spirit)
Support your local unhoused neighbors by grabbing the limited-edition December issue of Street Spirit, which is all holiday wrapping paper! Shiny mass-made paper featuring deer in Santa hats are out, gifts wrapped in indie media newspapers are in. Dozens of folks are selling the papers on street corners across the East Bay (Trader Joe’s, Berkeley Bowl, Arizmendi on Lakeshore are good spots to find them), so keep your eyes out. Each paper is $2, but if you have an extra few bucks hand it over. With this purchase, 100% of the proceeds go to the vendors themselves. — Nuala
Every weekend, dozens of Hmong and Cambodian vendors cluster at a corner of Angel Cruz Park in Stockton, hawking wares like spicy sun-dried clams, bubble tea, and mouth-blistering papaya salad. The environs are thick with the lemongrass-tinged aroma of sizzling Lao sausages, and you might find yourself buying one from each of the friendly aunties presiding over their tidy stalls. But one snack reigns supreme: crisp, potato chip-like beef jerky that shatters into hundreds of tiny savory slivers as you bite into it. Sold by the bag, this Cambodian jerky is a treasure worth going out of your way for. If I found this in my stocking, I would immediately seek out and marry Santa Claus. — Soleil
Point Reyes Books, a shop where you can purchase books and then the money benefits the authors, the store, and the people who work there, but not Jeff Bezos. (Courtesy of Point Reyes Books)
Books from literally anywhere but Amazon
Who doesn’t want to receive a new book, especially when it’s cold (for here, shut up) and getting dark at 4pm (hahaha kill me)? This holiday season, try visiting literally any independent bookstore instead of sending your loved ones something that benefits this schmuck. Said stores even have websites, so miss me with the “I’m only shopping online” excuse. My local favorites include Point Reyes Books, East Bay Booksellers, Marcus Books, Moe’s, City Lights, Green Apple, and Kepler’s. — Emma
From the luxurious “Earl Stevens Select” liquor cabinet comes the latest E-40 banger in liquid form: a green sluricane. With Grinch-inspired visuals, it’s a holiday twist on 40 Water’s classic 1995 party anthem track “Hurricane,” as well as a remix of the Vallejo kingpin’s famous Santa Claus line from In A Major Way’s “Sideways”: “Santa do you know E-fortaaay?” Bay Area rap nerdisms aside, this purchase supports a local Black entrepreneur and independent musician, and should appease the deserving hip-hop fan in your life. — Alan
For the month of December, we’re offering 15% off our gift subscriptions! Grab your bestie a year of independent, biting journalism all about the Bay Area. It’s easy and eco-friendly, too: No muss, no fuss!
