Gary Carnivele
Oh no. It’s happened again. The holidays are here, and you still haven’t picked out that special gift for your loved ones, the hostess of a holiday party or the co-worker who’s expecting their Secret Santa to deliver big-time. Don’t panic. Local shops have extended holiday hours and many of them will even wrap your package for you.
Who doesn’t love receiving books? Even if those on your list aren’t tearing through the latest best-selling fiction, they might adore a new cookbook full of enticing recipes, a lavish coffee-table book or even a tome about the joys – or perils – of the holiday season. Readers’ Books in Sonoma may prove to be an important stop on your rush-to-the-holiday finish line, especially since it always offers free gift-wrapping.
Diana Kennedy’s “The Art of Mexican Cooking: Traditional Mexican Cooking for Aficionados” ($30), “The Complete Robuchon: French Cooking for the Way We Live Now,” by Joel Robuchon and Vincent Noce ($35) and “Beyond The Great Wall: Recipes and Travels in the Other China,” by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid ($40) will open up the wide world of cuisine to the cooks in your life.
Readers’ has an abundance of bold and beautiful coffee-table books that cover a wide range of subject matter, including nature, travel and home design. Margaret Barlow’s “Women Artists” ($45) focuses on art history’s grand dames, too many of whom aren’t as familiar as they deserve to be. “In High Fashion: The Conde Nast Years 1923-1935,” by William E. Ewing and Todd Brandow ($75) celebrates the black-and-white photographic gems by Edward Steichen.
Christmas books aren’t just for children. “Christmas Stories” ($15) is a collection of 20 short stories by such esteemed authors as Truman Capote and Grace Paley. “The Curious World of Christmas,” by Niall Edworthy ($75) is a treasure trove of forgotten traditions and bizarre practices. Why does Santa Claus sometimes traumatize the youngsters forced into his lap? “Scared of Santa,” by Denise Joyce and Nancy Watkins ($10) is a hysterical collection of snapshots that depicts the ho-ho-horror of it all.
Okay, the weather outside isn’t all that frightful, but it’s definitely chilly enough for hats, gloves and scarves. Body and Soul in Sonoma stocks chic knit accessories by V. Frass, which will complement any winter coat. The stylish selection of knit hats ($16), cozy mufflers ($32) and long gloves ($14) are available in many colors, including dusty pink, papaya and smoke blue. The gloves are also available in whimsical stripes of various shades.
Body and Soul’s playful collection of women’s socks by Hot Sox come in many holiday themes. Kittens busting out of gift boxes, penguins in stocking caps, grazing reindeer and even fully lit menorahs adorn socks that are available in an enticing rainbow of colors. Comfortable knit slippers ($10) in white, black and blue embellished with colorful knit flowers are sure to keep feet toasty and fashionable.
Remember the childhood thrill when on Christmas morning your exhausted parents would push out from behind the tree a shiny new bicycle? Now it’s your turn to make the dream a reality for the kids in your life with a fully assembled Haro BMX-style bike (starting at $190) from Sonoma Valley Cyclery in Sonoma. Don’t forget to include a Giro safety helmet ($35 and up). They come in many designs, colors and sizes.
The bigger people on your list will feel like kids again cruising around on a spiffy bike. The Cyclery stocks two great lines by Electra, which are perfect for trolling around town and country. The bikes in the Retrorunner line (beginning at $350) are one-, three- or seven-speed steel bikes for adults in nostalgic colors and patterns, including a purple and gold paisley. The Townie bikes ($370) feature chin-high handlebars and 29-inch wheels, which are big enough for almost any man.
Wine Country Chocolates, with locations in both Glen Ellen’s Jack London Village and on Sonoma’s Plaza, sells handcrafted chocolates that will send any chocoholic into a frenzy. Their boxed sets are: Vintner’s Blend, with port and zinfandel truffles; Harvest Blend, which is a collection of fruit truffles; and Barista’s Blend, which includes cappuccino-tiramisu and French mocha truffles.
The friendly staff will gladly make up a custom box of delights for you (four pieces for $7; seven for $12; or 12 for $20). Choose from such delicious truffle flavors as: the Elvis, which is peanut butter and banana; green tea with lemon honey; Kahlua-Irish Crème; cinnamon with clover honey; and the seasonal favorite, eggnog. Their dark chocolate and marzipan-filled snowman ($6) is as tasty as it is adorable.
“My company, North Bay Made, shares the shop with Wine Country Chocolates here in Sonoma, where we offer many delicious dipping oils, vinegars and sauces, including the Girl and the Fig products,” said Elizabeth Caban. “We’ll make up festive holiday gift bags just for you with anything here in the store, so you can grab it and go.”
Three Dog Bakery in Sonoma sells many perfect presents for your pooch, including homemade dog treats (starting at $2). They’ll box up as many as you like and even print your dog’s name on a holiday stocking cookie ($4). Puggles, Schnoodles, Cockapoos and other new breeds can eat out of bowls ($20) and wear collars ($28 and up) declaring their independence.
The popular store sells many new lines of dog toys that are certain to become man’s best friend’s best friend. Jax and Bones make delightful rope toys (from $14) that resemble all kinds of creatures, including Louie the Lobster and Scott the Snowman. Simply Fido’s toy bear and reindeer ($16 each) are made of certified organic cotton and are chemical-free. Go Dog offers a complete zoo of toys (from $13) that are not stuffed and designed to last longer than other toys.
Body and Soul,
500 W. Napa, Sonoma; 707.996.3303.
Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Readers’ Books,
130 E. Napa, Sonoma; 707.939.1779.
Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sonoma Valley Cyclery,
20091 Broadway, Sonoma; 707.935.3377.
Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Three Dog Bakery,
526 Broadway, Sonoma; 707.933.9780.
Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wine Country Chocolates, 14301 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen; 707.996.1010 and 414 First St. E., Sonoma; 707.933.4475.
Open daily 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
