Last Minute Local Holiday Gift Ideas

By the edhat staff

It’s the last week to get holiday gifts for your loved ones and there are more than enough options to shop local.

Here are some thoughtful ideas to warm hearts and support local businesses.

Goleta’s “Good Land Good Shopping” Initiative

The City of Goleta is promoting GoodLandGoodShopping.com, a digital gift card marketplace designed specifically to promote Goleta businesses. Anyone who goes to the site can purchase gift cards from Goleta businesses, and merchants can sign up for a free listing at any time.

What makes GoodLandGoodShopping.com stand apart from other gift cards is that you can customize your digital gift card by sending the recipient a personalized email, text message and/or video creating a memorable virtual gift or care package. Here’s a video in English and Spanish to learn more about how it works.

The goal of the GoodLandGoodShopping.com website is to encourage the public to think Goleta when shopping, dining, or purchasing services this holiday season and beyond. The website was created to boost local spending and help our businesses recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

To create the website, the City partnered with Giftbar, a vendor based in San Luis Obispo, with the experience and expertise in gift card commerce. Giftbar hosts businesses on its platform with the technology for businesses to sell and redeem e-gift cards.

The site features more than three dozen unique businesses, some you may know of and some you may be learning about for the first time. Don’t see your favorite Goleta business featured on the site? Let them know about the program, and that they can sign up for a free listing at GoodLandGoodShopping.com/signup. We are also going to be featuring on the City’s social media channels each of our businesses listed on GoodLandGoodShopping.com, which is free promotion and a way to showcase our awesome businesses. So, make sure the Goleta businesses you love are signed up.

Here is how you can participate and support this effort:

• Go to GoodLandGoodShopping.com and buy a gift card.
• Spread the news and promote on social media with #GoodLandGoodShopping.
• Encourage Goleta businesses you frequent to sign up by going to the website.

For questions about Giftbar and how to participate, email websupport@giftbar.com or call 866-989-5580. If you have questions for the City, email Kelly Hoover at PIO@cityofgoleta.org.

Stearns Wharf Shopping

Photo: Matthew Hawk Photography

The iconic Stearns Wharf extends from Santa Barbara’s State Street into the Pacific Ocean towards the Channel Islands. 

While it’s perfect for a photo op, it’s also a great place to get unique holiday gifts. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is currently giving away free ornaments when you mention edhat. There are custom crafts, snacks, and chocolate perfect for gift giving. Mother Stearns Candy Company and Old Wharf Trading Company are two other options for unique gift giving.

Gift certificates to restaurants with epic views are also a great option, wine tasting at Deep Sea, clam chowder at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, and surf n’ turf at Moby Dick, all with views of the Santa Barbara coastline.

See all the merchants available at https://stearnswharf.org

Santa Barbara Gift Ideas

The City of Santa Barbara is encouraging everyone to think locally first before making an online purchase. Many retailer’s holiday sales account for 25% or more of their total yearly sales!

Read their gift guide for a curated selection of gifts that can be found locally: Santa Barbara Gift Guide

Highlights include custom made surfboards, handmade jewelry, scenic cruises, locally made wine, and more.

Santa Barbara’s Eastside Business District

There are tons of hidden jems on Santa Barbara’s Eastside. Business owner Natalia Govoni highlights a few to check out: 

• The Illustrated Lady – The Holidays are here, and you want to dazzle, so grab an appointment with Carly Miles for new brows, lipliner, eyeliner, brow lamination, lash lifts, and/or tooth gems. Carly is a certified professional in all styles of full-face cosmetic tattooing, so you look fabulous 24/7. Additionally, she is certified in tattoo removal and microblading. You’ll have a serene experience in her private studio located at 422 N. Milpas St., Ste. 6

• Spiral Dynamics – What business couldn’t benefit from learning how to better navigate organizational and professional development?  With 2 decades of training and international experience, Spiral Dynamics brings effective approaches that analyze and implement leadership, team building, culture, change initiatives, and more. Book time with Natasha to explore how to get the most out of your workforce.

• Terra Malia Floral Designs – Flowers can bring a dead room back to life and reinvigorate any space. Commission stunning and sustainable designs for events and weddings which merge into art! Terra brings her creative flair to highlight nature’s beauty in all her floral designs to bring the perfect energy to your event or space. No special occasion? Don’t be shy to reach out and order a pick-me-up just because.

• Seventh Dimension Dance Studio – It’s daring, risky and oh, so satisfying. Tap into the creative outlet you didn’t know you have. Bring in the New Year with Pole Dancing, Aerial Silks and Lyra, Burlesque Dancing, and Flow Arts.  Not only will your heart sing but so will your body and soul!  Take their classes, have a party, commission a performance. Choose something that tickles your fancy and experience really living in your body.

• Aweto Printing—Come and meet Sam, a native of South Africa, who specializes in Black and White Photofinishing. Curious? Visit his quaint studio located at 422 N. Milpas St., Ste.4, where you can view his impressive photography work.

• Chaz Sportswear – A recognized specialist in custom printed & embroidered sportswear for business, schools, clubs, and special events for over 20 years!

• Beth McDonald Consulting – What is in your future? For centuries the planets have been speaking about love, romance, and what is in store for you. Beth brings her psychic, astrological, writing, and business consultancy together to provide spiritually based guidance and insight to companies and their leaders.

• Sheer Delights Lingerie and Accessories – There is nothing like Brazilian Lingerie to spice up the Holiday Season. Peruse the beautiful and intricate lace work bringing elegant sensuousness to the holidays. Everything from Brazilian Thongs to Brazilian Negligees in colors and styles to bring out your best features.  And, of course, don’t forget the incredible Colombian Shapewear that puts the finishing touch on any outfit. Most importantly, when you visit, remember to ask about the secret accessories that put the icing on the cake!

• Luna Cakes by Cinthia – Cinthia is a licensed home-based baker who creates everything from cupcakes to specialty cakes. Her outstanding designs and talent are just a phone call away! Commission something unique for the person you want to wow. Let them know how special they are with an original edible design.

• Bossie’s Kitchen –  The chefs feature local and seasonal farmer’s market menu offerings at their freshest best. Craft beer and wines accompany meals for those of age and your choice of indoor or outdoor seating.  The menu consists of a variety of savory sandwiches, salads, weekday specials, and sweets adding a bow to your Eastside holiday shopping treat.

• Zen Massage – After a couple of hours of shopping, put your feet up and take a load off. Specializing in reflexology, hot stone massage, and deep tissue/Swedish/Shiatsu massage, this is a perfect place to relax and unwind.  This clean and quiet spa is serene, and the masseuses attentive, so book your appointment early and give yourself a gift or bring a friend and get the couples special!