Making a List

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.

 

Proud Newporter

Whether you’re looking for a holiday sweater with local flair or a T-shirt for year-round wear, Visit Newport Beach has options for those who like to flaunt their support for this city by the sea. The cotton crew neck ISLAND TIME TEE, $40, features a relaxed fit and the islands of Newport Harbor on the back, while the cute SLEIGH BY THE BAY UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER, $50, highlights the Balboa Fun Zone Ferris wheel, the Christmas Boat Parade and Santa’s sleigh pulled by flying dolphins, available online. (newportbeachthelabel.com)

 

Child

Encourage creativity with these popular CRAYON ROCKS, which feature vibrant colors and are made from all-natural soy wax and nontoxic pigment powders in a shape that strengthens grip muscles to prepare fingers and hands for writing. The shape also allows little ones to apply wide strokes of color and make artwork with beautiful texture similar to oil pastels, from $6.80 for packages of various quantities, at Environmental Nature Center. (949-645-8489; encenter.org)

 

Art Lover

LA-based Alexandra Grant began making artwork centered around the idea of love, using her trademarked “love” symbol, as a way to raise money for nonprofits and art projects, bringing together other artists, makers and customers as partners. In the 240-page “LOVE” book, the history of this grantLove project unfolds with images of contemporary paintings, prints, jewelry, textiles and even architecture that reflect on the meaning of “love,” $85, at Lido Village Books, Lido Marina Village. (949-220-7632; lidovillagebooks.com)

 

Thrill-Seeker

There’s nothing like the rush of seeing a huge whale close-up while out on the water. Newport Coastal Adventure offers whale-watching trips in rigid hulled inflatable boats, which have a low-to-the-water design and 360-degree views from anywhere on board. And these boats travel at up to 30 miles per hour, covering up to 14 miles from port in a two-hour trip for a better chance of seeing whales and dolphins. GIFT CARD voucher codes are $84.50 for ages 16 and up and $76.50 for children ages 5-15 (kids under 5 are not allowed), on the Newport Coastal Adventure website. (949-922-8784; newportcoastaladventure.com)

 

Coffee Enthusiast

For those who love a good cup of java, Freelance Coffee Project’s MEXICO VERACRUZ single-origin coffee is one of the Newport roastery’s most popular varieties. Grown in the Huatusco region, which receives abundant rainfall, and only offered as whole beans to preserve freshness, this coffee features notes of almonds, brownie and caramel, $22, at Freelance Coffee Project. (949-877-8862; freelancecoffeeproject.com)

 

Dog

Make Fido happy with this fun, novelty PUPPERMINT MUTTINI PLUSH DOG TOY by Haute Diggity Dog, which also offers toys in other shapes like a faux bottle of Puppermint Schnapps and a can of White Paw. The machine washable plush, squeaky toy that looks like a festive cocktail makes playtime a celebration, $16.95, with advance order at Nordstrom, Fashion Island. (949-610-0700; nordstrom.com)

 

Photographer

Taschen’s “A HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY FROM 1839 TO THE PRESENT” curates the most impressive images from the George Eastman House collection of more than 400,000 images and negatives by masters like Ansel Adams and Edward Steichen. The late Eastman, who died in 1932, founded Kodak and proved to be a photographic innovator; the collection that bears his name is the largest of its kind in the world. The hardcover book highlights the best photos in chronological order, $25, at Barnes & Noble, Fashion Island. (949-718-0109; barnesandnoble.com)

 

Sports Fan

Any baseball enthusiast will appreciate an AUTOGRAPHED MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, like this one signed in blue pen by Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and certified by MLB, $550. It’s just one of hundreds of signed baseballs by various other major leaguers available at LCG Signatures. (949-863-9697; lcgsignatures.com)

 

Beauty Junkie

Used to accentuate natural beauty, Westman Atelier’s LIQUID SUPER LOADED DROPS are the perfect gift for anyone looking to enhance their appearance. The blend of vitamins, oils and antioxidants keeps your complexion smooth and bright while both hydrating and plumping plus a pearlescent shimmer adds the perfect glow whether used solo, under foundation or as a highlighter, $58, at Cos Bar, Lido Marina Village. (949-424-6572; cosbar.com)

 

Serenity Seeker

Experience tranquility wherever you go with the serene ST. BART’S SEASCAPE fragrances from Tommy Bahama. The invigorating island scent can be purchased as part of a three-piece set that includes a full 3.4-ounce bottle of eau de parfum spray plus two travel bottles of the brand’s first female fragrance in a decade, $78, at Tommy Bahama, Corona del Mar Plaza. (949-760-1886; tommybahama.com)

 

Fashionista

Step out in style this holiday season with the VIVID CHRYSANTHEMUM PRINT SCARF, which features vibrant pink and red hues atop a background of purple. At nearly 3 feet in length, this accessory, made of 100% silk, can be used to elevate a casual outfit by adding a pop of color or to complement an already bright ensemble, either as a scarf or a wrap, $295, at St. John, Fashion Island. (949-258-8570; stjohnknits.com)

 

Philanthropist

Those who like to give back will enjoy a luxurious gift from Lugano Diamonds, a company that started in town and prides itself on its philanthropic efforts and social impact. With charitable support benefiting local institutions such as CureDuchenne, the Decorative Arts Society, Childhelp and more, consider the MEN’S RIVET CERAMIC BAND, price available upon request, or the stunning HEART SHAPED SAPPHIRE & DIAMOND DROP EARRINGS for women, price available upon request, at Lugano Diamonds, Fashion Island. (949-625-7722; luganodiamonds.com)

 

Exercise Guru

Get your sweat on using LiveMetta’s own EVEREST MAT, a sustainable option made with interwoven jute fibers and natural tree rubber, which allow for better traction and durability of its textured surface; the open cell construction also aids in absorbing excess sweat for even better grip, $89, at LiveMetta Newport Beach, Westcliff Plaza. (949-646-8600; livemetta.com)

 

Home Chef

Pizza night is more fun than ever with the Cuisinart INDOOR PIZZA OVEN, which allows you to create your own pies with ease. Your favorite home chef will never want to order delivery again: Layer sauce, cheese and toppings on freshly rolled dough, place it on the pizza stone and pop it in the oven, which has a large viewing window so you keep an eye as it cooks; with temperatures rising to between 350 and 700 F, you can craft everything from thin crust to deep dish, $399.95, with advance order at Sur La Table, Corona del Mar Plaza. (949-640-0200; surlatable.com)

 

Wine Connoisseur

When it comes to procuring gifts for vino lovers, you can’t go wrong with a simple bottle of wine, like the deep, earthy ARTISAN UPRISING 2015 PETIT VERDOT, $65, which is perfect for crisp winter nights. If you’d like to take it a step further and provide your loved one with an experience, the company—which uses grapes from Paso Robles—also has a tasting room on Balboa Island where it offers sips of four well-aged varietals for $25, at Balboa Wine. (949-355-2711; artisanuprising.com)

 

Book Lover

Gift your favorite bookworm a coffee table book that will appeal to anyone living near the coast: “COASTAL” from Los Angeles-based photographer Gray Malin showcases coastlines near and far—from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts and even right here in Newport—and will catch the eye of any guest that gathers in your home, $45, at Serena & Lily, Lido Marina Village. (949-287-5764; serenaandlily.com)

 

Jewelry Lover

You can’t go wrong with the NEWPORT BIRTHSTONE NECKLACE for any jewelry enthusiast in your life. Crafted by Laguna Beach-based brand gorjana, this elegant, 14-karat gold chain will match any outfit and will look classy layered with other necklaces—plus, it can be customized with gemstones representing your recipient’s birth month, from $245, at gorjana, Fashion Island. (949-662-6101; gorjana.com)