Check out this guide to perfect presents, all from local stores, to spread some cheer this season.
By Newport Beach Magazine Staff
Holiday shopping can be hectic this time of year, scrambling to find the ideal gifts for everyone on your list in between decorating the house, attending festive parties and meeting end-of-year work deadlines. But this season, there’s no need to stress. We’ve compiled a gift guide with recommendations that will put a smile on everyone’s face, from kids or sports fans to wine connoisseurs. And these items are all from Newport Beach stores, so you can feel good about getting great gifts and helping the local economy by supporting shops and brands that are based in town. Read on for holiday shopping tips that are sure to spread some joy this season.
Jewelry Lover
For a sustainable option that’s just as stunning as natural diamonds—but without the environmental impact of traditional mining—gorjana’s jewelry collection featuring lab-grown diamonds is the perfect choice. Launched this fall with 10 pieces, they’re eye catching by themselves or layered with the brand’s other pieces. For a classic hoop earring with 14-karat gold and plenty of shimmer, consider the LAB GROWN DIAMOND CIRCLE HUGGIES, $500, at gorjana, Fashion Island. (949-662-6101; gorjana.com)
Foodie
From imported Italian pastas, sauces and sweets to premium extra-virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar, sea salt, spices and more, a RUSTIC GIFT BASKET is the perfect gift for your favorite foodie. Baskets come in two sizes, small for $100, and large for $200, and can be customized, available with advance order for shipping or pickup at Olive Oil & Beyond, Balboa Island. (949-566-9380; oliveoilandbeyond.com)
Sports Fan
After the popular baseball team’s exciting win, Dodgers fans will no doubt want to display their pride with this 2024 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION LOS ANGELES DODGERS LOCKER ROOM 9SEVENTY ADJUSTABLE HAT by New Era. This adult-sized snap-adjustable cap features an embroidered team logo and World Series Champions graphics—the same on-field design worn by the team—plus mesh back panels and a moisture-absorbing sweatband, $37.99, at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Fashion Island. (949-640-1107; dickssportinggoods.com)
Proud Newporter
Any local will enjoy perusing this NEWPORT BEACH PUZZLE’s scene and picking out the notable landmarks of their hometown, from the Fun Zone Ferris wheel to the Balboa Pavilion, Newport Pier and lifeguard headquarters building with its iconic clock tower. The detailed design by artist Eric Dowdle, also features marine life, sailboats, beachgoers frolicking on the sand and mountains in the distance, with two size options: 210 pieces for $13.95 and 500 pieces for $21.95, at Seaside Gallery and Goods. (949-438-7277; seasidegalleryandgoods.com)
Thrill-Seeker
Imagine soaring through the air above the water: Those who crave an adrenaline rush would likely enjoy a PARASAILING experience with panoramic views of Newport. Gift cards can be purchased for 800-foot flights, from $95 per person, online from California Parasail. (949-485-4665; californiaparasail.com)
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Art Lover
In her book, “WHY ART MATTERS: THE BEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING,” Heidi Zuckerman, CEO and director of the Orange County Museum of Art, explores the human condition through art—what it means to connect to the world around us, including artwork. The book, published earlier this year, is divided into chapters on meaningful topics like perseverance, imperfection and ritual, while also offering entries on artists and artwork, highlighting ways to approach each piece and become the best versions of ourselves, $60, at OCMA. (714-780-2130; ocma.art)
Child
Kids will think it’s a hoot getting a fluffy, life-sized owl puppet by Folkmanis. The GREAT HORNED OWL puppet, $77.99, features movable wings, a handle to rotate the head and levers that make the eyes blink, while the BARN OWL, with a movable head and wings, is $45.99, at the Environmental Nature Center’s gift shop. (949-645-8489; encenter.org)
Home Chef
This large-capacity countertop oven is a versatile tool that can roast for large gatherings, dehydrate healthy foods and air-fry crispy snacks. At 1 cubic foot, the Breville SMART OVEN AIR FRYER PRO can accommodate a 12-cup muffin tray, roast a 14-pound turkey or toast nine slices of bread, $399.95, at Sur La Table, Corona del Mar. (949-640-0200; surlatable.com)
Photographer
For anyone who loves taking photos, particularly underwater, while doing action sports or in conditions that might damage a traditional camera, the GOPRO HERO13 BLACK SPECIALTY BUNDLE offers a way to capture images and video that’s waterproof up to 10 meters with shooting options like Burst Slo-Mo, night effects and time lapse. The bundle includes the camera, SanDisk microSD card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a mounting system, USB-C cable and carrying case, $399.99, at Jack’s Surfboards in Corona del Mar or on the Balboa Peninsula. (Corona del Mar: 949-718-0001; Balboa Peninsula: 949-673-2300; jackssurfboards.com)
Book Lover
Getting lost in a gook book is a great way to pass the time during the winter months. A page-turner that’s been proving popular at Lido Village Books is “THE GREY WOLF” by Louise Penny. It’s the 19th book in Penny’s New York Times bestselling series of Chief Inspector Gamach novels. This suspenseful edition features a “creature” that leads the detective’s team on a search across borders into various cities, where multiple deaths await, $30 for the hardcover book, at Lido Village Books. (949-220-7632; lidovillagebooks.com)
Wine Connoisseur
Vino lovers will adore this Coravin TIMELESS MODEL 3+ WINE PRESERVATION SYSTEM, a wine-by-the-glass system that allows favorite vintages to be served without removing the cork, preserving the wine in the bottle for weeks, months or years by filling the vacant space the pure argon gas to prevent oxidation, $249.95, at Williams Sonoma, South Coast Plaza. (714-540-1397; williams-sonoma.com)
Exercise Guru
Give the gift of fitness with a CorePower Yoga ALL ACCESS MEMBERSHIP, from $199 per month, or a FIVE-CLASS PACK for $159. The proprietary form of athletic, heated yoga is offered in modern, spalike studios with classes ranging in levels of heat (including none) and physical intensity. The membership includes unlimited classes at any studio as well as livestream and on-demand video classes, two buddy passes per billing cycle and discounts on in-studio retail purchases, at CorePower Yoga, Fashion Island. (949-763-3024; corepoweryoga.com)
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Philanthropist
Help support Crystal Cove Conservancy while adding some Newport Beach memorabilia—the COTTAGE 46 WOODEN ORNAMENT—to a friend or family member’s holiday collection. Locals will recognize the iconic blue-green cottage as the site of rotating exhibits throughout the year; located on the sand near The Beachcomber Cafe, the cottage served as a store and soda fountain in the 1950s. The historic replica ornament is the perfect addition to a Christmas tree or can be displayed on a shelf all year, $35.95, at the Park Store, Crystal Cove State Park. All proceeds from this gift shop are reinvested in the park and the nonprofit’s education and conservation efforts. (949-376-6200, ext. 203; crystalcove.org)
Dog
Make sure your furry friend gets something special this holiday, too. The STARBARKS PUPPERMINT MOCHA PLUSH DOG TOY by Haute Diggity Dog, featuring squeaker inside, is a cute addition to playtime and it’s machine washable to keep it clean for the next session of fetch, $16.95, with advance order at Nordstrom, Fashion Island. (949-610-0700; nordstrom.com)
Fashionista
Style-savvy friends and family members will enjoy the versatility of this statement bag, which can brighten up any outfit. The Clare V. PETIT MOYEN MESSENGER, made of handwoven leather in the poppy and bordeaux checker design, has a zip top and both shoulder and crossbody straps, $385, at Clare V., Lido Marina Village. (949-612-7186; clarev.com)
Beauty Junkie
Give a lip-enhancing treatment and tinted shine in one product with HydroPeptide’s PERFECTING GLOSS, which restores lip fullness and definition while also providing long-lasting hydration, available in three different colors, $39 each, at Balboa Bay Spa, at Balboa Bay Resort. (949-630-4772; balboabayresort.com)
Coffee Enthusiast
Java lovers will appreciate this HOLIDAY GIFT SET to fuel them with some caffeine through the colder months. This set comes with a bag each of the bright and floral Ethiopia Ginjo coffee and the rich, bold Full City Blend (both whole beans)—or choose your own varieties when buying in the store—plus a Reborn mug and Timemore crystal eye dripper for brewing a cup, $46, at Reborn Coffee, Corona del Mar. (949-200-9718; reborncoffee.com)
Serenity Seeker
Anyone looking to relax will relish sinking into the scent of sparkling wine, pomelo, woody oak and delicate rose petals with this 9-ounce Voluspa SPARKLING CUVÉE CANDLE, made from a coconut wax blend that’s hand-poured into an embossed glass jar. The single wick candle will keep the fragrance going for 60 hours, $41.21, at Spa Vea at Vea Newport Beach. (949-720-7900; spavea.com)