Unwrap excitement this season with on-trend stocking stuffers and unique local finds for everyone on your list.
FOR KIDS
Red & Olive Co. Stuffed Dolls
Each doll created by stepmother-and-daughter team Lita Barreda and Destiny Conner has its own personality, from Sassy Cassy the cat to Stinky Reed the adventurous skunk. Designed in Newport Beach and hand-knitted by artisans in Peru, the 7-inch baby collection animals fit perfectly in the crook of tiny arms, while 22-inch dolls make the perfect friends for kids with big imaginations. $35-$98; redandoliveco.com
Odin Parker Wooden Toys
If you’re looking for a gender-neutral, aesthetically pleasing toy that entertains and looks great on a shelf, this Rancho Mission Viejo shop might be the last stop on your list. Owners Atila and Blakeslee Lotfi were inspired by their son, Jackson, to source handmade educational toys from European makers that encourage imaginative play. Shop online or visit the showroom on Monday, Wednesday or Friday to check out the selection of wooden vehicles, animals, building blocks and play sets that can turn any toddler into a doctor, chef, zookeeper or train conductor for the day. Wooden toys range from $12-$400; odinparker.com
“Grand Jeté and Me”
Illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser, known for her work on the “Fancy Nancy” series, debuted a brand-new holiday book this year with author and legendary ballerina Allegra Kent. The magical tale follows a former prima ballerina and her granddaughter as they take an unforgettable trip to see “The Nutcracker.” Glasser suggests that OC families look carefully before turning the page — you might just see a familiar face! A resident of San Juan Capistrano, she participated in fundraisers earlier this year for local dance, music and theater programs where donors could have their children drawn into background scenes of “Grand Jeté and Me.” $17.99; robinpreissglasser.com
Stoney Clover Lane Customizable Bags
Encourage your little one’s self-expression with the colorful patches sold at this Lido Marina Village shop. Travel bags, pouches, totes, backpacks and more can be customized with patches that reflect every child’s unique sense of style and interests. Build your child’s bag online or in-store; there’s something for every personality, from glittery flamingos to far-out spaceships. The brand also collaborates with major pop culture brands, offering limited-edition patches featuring American Girl characters, Disney princesses, Hello Kitty and more. Customizer styles start at $38; stoneycloverlane.com
Storymakery Build Your Own Books
Nurture your child’s inner muse at this Laguna Hills self-publishing studio, where imaginations can be brought to life on paper. Packages range from guided one-on-one workshops with plot and character development to build-your-own book sessions for kids 9 and up. Aspiring authors also can see their creations off the page with their characters featured on custom posters and T-shirts. If you need a quick stocking stuffer, Storymakery offers books that can be personalized with your child’s name and ordered online. Packages range from $25-$97.50 for an in-store experience, online book personalization starts at $25; storymakery.com
Xplor Boards Inflatable Junior SUP Board
For aquatic adventurers, this inflatable junior stand-up paddleboard is one of the top options for kids between 5 and 10 years old. The shorter, thinner size was designed with younger SUP-ers in mind, allowing them to easily navigate the water while practicing proper form. At 7 feet, 6 inches, the board remains lightweight and has a solid inflatable construction to help break any unexpected slips and falls. $319.99; xplorboards.com
MESH Kids Co. Soft Play Modules and Ball Pits
Make every energetic toddler’s dream come true with a custom-designed sensory soft play set or ball pit. Parents Henry and Eunice Ong created the Anaheim Hills-based company with crawlers and tots up to the age of 5 in mind, offering foam-padded equipment that provides hours of interactive entertainment. Work with your kiddo to deck out an epic playroom with an in-home rock wall or module built just for the space (minimum lead time is four to six weeks; lead times vary based on type of build). MESH Kids also offers indoor and outdoor rentals with white-glove service for your holiday parties and other celebrations. Custom rock walls and soft play sets start at $1,000, ball pits start at $1,000 and event rentals start at $1,000; meshkids.co
FOR MOMS
Laguna Candles
Treat mom to a luxurious candle hand-poured and crafted in Laguna Beach. Each candle is sustainable and eco-friendly with a proprietary coconut oil wax blend and fragrance designed in collaboration with a perfumer. Owner Sharie Hendricks offers a variety of specialty vessels to match any decor style, as well as gift sets of the popular home and wellness candles. Nature-loving moms will love the limited-edition bird series or heirloom seashell collection, made from blown glass and named for local beaches like Crystal Cove. Full-size candles and gift sets range from $18-$350; lagunacandles.com
M.Lovewell Workshops
For the mom who needs a quick retreat, Santa Ana stationery studio M.Lovewell offers a space to relax, recharge and get the creative energy flowing. Purchase a gift card online to one of the store’s maker workshops, which rotate monthly and include modern calligraphy, brush lettering, floral arranging, iPad lettering and more. All workshops include materials and instruction from a talented artisan. Workshops start at $65; mlovewell.com
HidrateSpark Pro Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Take the guesswork out of a busy mom’s day by helping fulfill a basic need: hydration. When it’s hard to keep track of what was for breakfast — let alone how many glasses of water she’s consumed — the smart bottle’s LED sensor glows to let her know it’s time to take a drink. Water intake is synced via Bluetooth to an app, where users can customize their own glow colors. The bottle is available in two sizes (17 or 21 ounces) with a stainless steel insulated material that keeps liquid cold for up to 24 hours. $64.99-$69.99; hidratespark.com
Cleobella and Molly Sims Dresses and Loungewear
Inspired by the energy, people and culture of Bali and India, founders Ange and Jim O’Brien now partner with makers and artists around the world to bring their designs to life. The Sunset Beach clothing brand, which also has a robust digital presence, is known for its ethically handmade apparel and accessories. This fall, Cleobella launched a mommy-and-me collaboration with actress and model Molly Sims. Available in women’s and children’s sizes, the line features two breezy dresses perfect for holiday parties, as well as a pair of cozy button-up pajamas. Dresses, $228, pajamas, $198, children’s dresses and pajamas, $78; cleobella.com
FOR DAD
The Mixing Glass Manhattan Kit
Make it easy for dad to craft the perfect Manhattan — always stirred, never shaken. This all-in-one kit from The Mixing Glass in SOCO and The OC Mix has all the tools and ingredients for a spirit-forward cocktail. Curated by owner Gabrielle Dion, a veteran of the bar industry, this set features Rittenhouse rye, Cocchi vermouth di Torino, Cocktail Punk aromatic bitters, Luxardo cherries, quality barware and a recipe card. Custom kits can be created upon request for dads who have a tried-and-true favorite. $125.99; themixingglassshop.com
Mago Hot Sauce
Heat up the holidays with a stocking stuffer that will set dad’s tastebuds on fire. Crafted in Laguna Beach by Clark Olson, Mago Hot Sauce is a mainstay at restaurants around town. The small-batch sauces can be purchased by the bottle or in variety packs with popular flavors like the tropical pineapple habanero and ghost pepper. Grab dad a seasonal flavor like the limited-edition pumpkin and rum, featuring oven-roasted habaneros and garlic with hints of locally sourced char-grilled onions. Single bottles $7-$10, three-packs $30-$38; magohotsauce.com
Stance Sock Subscription
Keep dad’s feet cozy and stylish all year long with a gift subscription to the San Clemente-based apparel company. These aren’t your average socks: Bright colors, patterns and pop culture collabs help the wearer make a bold fashion statement with every pair. Purchase a gift card and dad can customize his delivery with a preferred size, style and thickness, as well as his interests. Whether the dad in your life is a sports fan or streetwear guru, Stance is ready to deliver a new surprise every month. Subscriptions start at $19 per month for two pairs of socks; stance.com
Garmin Approach S42
For a dad who can’t get enough gadgets, the latest golf tech from Garmin is one of the top-rated GPS watches on the market. It’s pre-loaded with 42,000 courses worldwide and features that analyze shot distance and track activity including sleep, calories and movement. Best of all? The sleek metal casing, neutral black, silver or rose-gold color options, and epic battery life (15 hours in GPS mode or 10 days as a smartwatch) mean dads can wear this both on and off the green. $299.99; garmin.com
FOR PETS
Majestic Pet Embroidered Bagel Bed
Give your canine companion a comfy spot to rest its paws after a long day of play. These plush bagel beds from Irvine-based Majestic Pet come in four sizes for dogs 10 to 110 pounds. Your pup will be extra cozy with 360-degree cushioned walls and a water-resistant base topped with sherpa, suede, cotton or velvet. Choose from neutral tones that will blend beautifully with your home decor and personalize it with your pet’s name embroidered in one of 12 font options. Personalized bagel beds start at $69.95; majesticpet.com
Naked Dog Bistro Treats
Treat Fido to some holiday indulgence with a box of healthy goodies that are grain- and gluten-free. The Laguna Beach dog bistro, run by mother-and-daughter Charlotte Bloom and Lindsay Poe, offers cupcakes, biscuits, doughnuts and other baked goods in a variety of flavors that will have your pup’s mouth watering. Fill your gift box with all-natural, organic options like sweet potato cheddar “fries” and peanut butter party hats, or place a custom order in advance for pickup or delivery. Treats start at $2 each; nakeddogbistro.com
By Allison Hata
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