Give the Gift of Local

Local holiday shopping – we all win

The 2021 holiday season is now well underway. What a perfect time to show both that special someone and our community some love by shopping locally for your holiday gifts. You are guaranteed to find some wonderful and unique items while helping our local economy in the process.

So, to get you going, we’ve got some suggestions for making it a local holiday season.

Here are 32 great local gift-giving ideas

1. Support local music. Why not purchase a CD from one of our many talented local musicians. Places like Salzer’s are a great way to start. Another great music-lovers gift: how about tickets to see a concert at the Ventura Theater or Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center.
2. Support local music AND support Fire Survivors at the same time.  Purchase The Local Love Project Holiday CD. Local Ventura County musicians, in partnership with Totally Local VC’s Local Love Project, have produced a holiday CD to help California wildfire survivors. The album features top Ventura County musicians coming together to re-imagine classic carols such as Angels We Have Heard On High and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and more. Check it out here.
3. For folks with a little country in their soul. Check out The Wharf on Front St in Ventura for great boots, cowboy hats, suede jackets, bandannas, belt buckles and more.
4. Drink local. For all you wine lovers, how about a gift basket filled with hard-to-find cheeses and wines from Paradise Pantry or Grapes and Hops with a Twist. You can also find some great deals at The Cave on Telephone Rd in Ventura. Want to really experience some local wines? Visit Cantara Cellars in Camarillo, Four Brix in Ventura, Old Creek Ranch or Ojai Vineyards.
5. For the budding musician. How about a music lesson from one of the many local teachers in town.
6. For the collector or the eccentric. Times Remembered always has a surprise around every corner.
7. Eat local when going out. How about one of our many wonderful local restaurants! Need a suggestion? Try Winchester’s Grill. It’s the perfect place to try out our very own local beers. Or, perhaps a specialty drink is calling you at Rumfish y Vino in downtown Ventura, Water’s Edge at the Ventura Harbor , Twenty 88 in Camarillo or maybe at Osteria Monte Grappa in Ojai. Ask to try the local spirits by Ventura Spirits. Or, how about a great meal with a local bottle wine at La Dolce Vita in Oxnard. We have so many great local restaurants in Ventura County!
8. Support local art. For the art lover, Ventura is blessed with so many talented artists. How about a wonderful original piece from one of the galleries in town like Harbor Village Gallery or an amazing photograph from Denise Dewire or Wendell Ward. These are purchases that last a lifetime. Or, why not buy a yearly membership to the Museum of Ventura County.
9. For the beer lover.  Head on over to one of the many local breweries throughout the county and pick up a growler or some of their newly bottled beers or maybe a gift card. You can also get equipment to make your own suds.
10. Fill ‘er up. Get sustainable gifts that keep on giving. Why not stop into the Refill Shop in downtown Ventura.
11. Play local. We are blessed with some of the best surf around. Why not check out our fantastic surf shops like Ventura Surf Shop or Homegrown Surf Shop, both on Thompson in Ventura. Did you know Ventura Surf Shop is the oldest surf shop in town?
12. Cool apparel. Want to find just the right outfit or pair of shoes? Check out Hey Beautiful or Le Monde Emporium, both on Main St in Ventura. Always a great selection and always the best quality. Or, how about something for that very special someone, stop in to Trystology. They can even help you pick it out!
13. For someone who has everything. Stop into B’s on Main in Ventura. Make sure to take the time to really look around and you will be pleasantly surprised.
14. Go sustainable. There is no better way to do it than by planting, potting and just getting your hands dirty. How about a gift from Green Thumb Nursery in Ventura or on Brokaw Nursery in Camarillo. They have amazing selections of native and drought-resistant plants, vegetables and herbs.
15. Something shiny.  Stop into Fox Fine Jewelry on Main St in downtown Ventura. They not only have a great selection but you will be so impressed by their knowledge.
16. Holistic and local. How about some wonderful herbs blended just for you from Emma’s Herbs on Main in Ventura.
17. Holiday party planning. Want to have the whole family over and not worry about cooking? Get a hold of Cowboy Johns Smoken BBQ  and arrange for a great meal from a company with over 30 years of making some of the best BBQ in Ventura County. Or, contact Seasons Catering. Just imagine the party you could throw using one of these great caterers! They will not only create meals to be remembered that are sure to please, they all specialize in using local, in-season items in their recipes.
18. For the foodie. For a unique treat, why not purchase tickets to the 2022 Totally Local VC Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series? Local chefs prepare amazing meals using local, in-season ingredients paired with local wines, all set at historic locations and served family style as you dine with local farmers and wine makers. These will be evenings you will never forget.
19. Live local. Give the gift of adventure. Tickets to the Channel Islands or whale watching from Island Packers.
20. For the runner. Check out Mile 21 in Ventura. They not only have a fantastic selection but their knowledgeable staff will make sure you pick out the right pair to fit your runner’s needs.
21. For the cook in your life.  Why not sign up for one of the cooking classes offered at La Dolca Vita in Oxnard or stop in to Spicetopia and let them create an amazing basket for your special someone.
22. Build local.  For the builder in the family, why not get them a gift certificate for BMC Hardware.
23. Give the gift of laughter. Check in for some laughs at The Ventura Harbor Comedy Club at Ventura harbor.
24. Local original art. Check out Bell Arts Factory, a building full of amazing original works. Or the WAV (Working Artists Ventura). You are sure to find a one-of-a-kind gift.
25. Local pizza. Yeah, that’s right. This one’s easy: grab a few pies from the best in Ventura, Jimmy’s Slice on Main, throw in a salad and you will have an easy meal.
26. Learn something new. Another great local gift idea: purchase a set of classes in something that you may find fun. Even better, purchase two sets and attend the class along with your special someone. All kinds of classes can be found including cooking, knitting, dance, wine, yoga and pottery and many more. Check out classes offered at Bell Arts Factory or Red Brick Gallery.
27. For that outdoors lover. How about a membership to the Museum of Ventura County or a Park Pass for that hiker or surfer in your life. These are the gifts that give all year long.
28. Is there a reader on your list? Oh, then you must check out the wonderful selection of unusual books at Bank of Books on Main St in Ventura. This store is amazing and the staff is not only helpful but also so very knowledgeable.
29. Eat local. Well that’s really easy with so much bounty in our county! Just hit one of the many Farmers’ Markets in Ventura County. You can fill a basket with locally grown produce and don’t forget a few steaks from our very own local beef company Watkins Ranch or Ventura Meat Company.
30. Need to get away? You can do that local too! Just use a local travel agent like Let Tropical Travels on Main St in Ventura to help you plan an amazing get away that is sure to fit any budget.
31. Throw a party. Large or small, Ventura Rentals Party Center can help you create an event that will be remembered.
32. Give some great tea.  Check out Rosie Lee Imports on Main St in Ventura. Not only does she have a fantastic selection of teas and other British items, she can tell you how to make the perfect pot.

Image credits: Robert LeMaire, Denise Dewire and James Scolari; with Alex Akopyan and masroor saleem via Compfight cc.