1. Hand to Hand
Here's a useful gift during an era when handwashing is universally recognized as a tremendous tool in the fight against COVID-19. Aromaland, a Santa Fe manufacturer that has been turning out essential oil products for 35 years, offers a 12-ounce hand soap and lotion in the same scent for under $25. Bonus: Aromaland also makes our favorite hand sanitizer, featuring tea tree and eucalyptus oils, $12 for 12 ounces.
aromaland.com, 985-5704
2. Punk/Fleischer
Local artist Dylan Pommer might have been one of the unlucky 200 who lost their Meow Wolf positions during the pandemic layoffs earlier this year, but it really gives his solo efforts a chance to shine. Think a combination of throwbacky Fleischer aesthetics (they did Popeye and Betty Boop, to name a few) with an edgier and more contemporary conceptual style. For those with bigger budgets, Pommer's sculpture can be found at downtown's KEEP Contemporary gallery, but his website boasts embroidered patches, vinyl stickers, enamel pins and tees—all between $8 and $25. This one's good for kids and animation aficionados alike.
rustthisworld.storenvy.com
3. Yummy Hum
Consumable gifts that don't contribute to holiday sugar comas can be hard to locate, so this Taos hot sauce maker has our taste buds burning with excitement for gifts that will last long enough, but not clutter up the receiver's home or cabinets. The pepper caricatures that grace the labels are sure to bring smiles. We tried three of the six varieties and recommend the "Prickly Ghost" for the best hotness-to-flavor-to-novelty ratio. $9.99 for 5 ounces.
taoshumhotsauce.com
4. Home Concert
Encourage contemplative downtime with one of the most skilled choral groups among the city's wide lineup as the Santa Fe Desert Chorale performs Rachmaninov's All-Night Vigil, Op. 37, popularly known as the "Vespers." The recording is from concerts by the chorale's 32 singers at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and at the Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque during the summer of 2016, conducted by Artistic Director Joshua Habermann. $20.
desertchorale.org/product/rachmaninovs-all-night-vigil-op-37
5. Classy
As we're all working through video conferencing more often, it only makes sense for online events to become a go-to means of hanging. So why not learn something while you're partying on Zoom with your friends and family? We're talking Santa Fe Art Classes, a number of live how-to lessons in painting from local artist Robbi Firestone. Each two-hour class runs $67 per person and will outfit budding creatives with skills like Van Gogh, O'Keeffe and others. This might be a good one for kids or anybody looking to foster a new hobby.
santafeartclasses.com
6. Maskorama
Online crafts shopping portal Etsy has helped makers in the cottage mask industry connect with buyers. We especially love the origami-style constructions and wide variety of fabric choices from Santa Feans Naja Druva (etsy.com/shop/Praeterea) and Tintawi Kaigziabiher (etsy.com/shop/TintawiCharaka), both offering locally made masks for $15 each. On the mass-produced front, Zia Pueblo benefits from these iconic yellow and red masks, including child sizes for $12.95 plus shipping (ziapueblo.co).
7. Contempo-Cool
As the world of Indigenous arts strays further from bizarre romanticized notions of what creativity in the Southwest must or mustn't be, contemporary artists experiment more, take bigger risks and show us some of the more excellent things. It's hard to know where to start, however, so might we suggest the gift shop at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts? It's more than packed with books, clothing, jewelry, stickers, one-off pieces and a consistently rotating exhibit featuring some of today's most vital and collectible Native artists. A specific price range is hard to nail down, but with regular specials and plenty of items for any budget, you really can't lose.
iaia.edu/store
8. Light it Up
If you're looking for the largest number of local businesses without having to go all over the place, keep this year's String of Lights holiday market in mind. It's become an annual thing usually hosted in the Farmers Market Pavilion, but pandemic restrictions mean 2020's version is an entirely online affair. Find items from Hopeless Thrifter, Hecho a Mano, Indigo Baby, Matron Design, Ami Bags, Lone Mesa, Power & Light Press, Chamisa Chocolate and many, many others from in and around Santa Fe. This is your chance to put your keep-it-local money where your mouth is across lots of businesses.
highdesertmarkets.com
9. Pottery Remake
All 19 New Mexico Pueblo tribes join forces at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, but COVID-19 has curtailed programming as well as the gift shop. Yet, that's no reason to skip finding these commuter cups, good for even the commute from the kitchen to the home office. Order one (or several) online from one of three series of mugs in original designs from Pueblo potters. $15-$25.
indianpueblo.org/shop
10. Between the Pages
Local, independent bookstores can deliver the perfect gift in the form of self-determination. Santa Fe is fortunate to have at least three booksellers that fit the bill in Collected Works, Garcia Street and op.cit. Choose a generous gift or a modest one with a zero regrets gift card.
collectedworksbookstore.com, 988-4226
garciastreetbooks.com, 986-0151
opcit.com, 428-0321
11. In the Box
If you've got decision fatigue, let someone else decide. Try the Enchanted New Mexico subscription box for a one-time gift of New Mexico-made products, or give a monthly subscription that delivers a new assortment regularly for three or six months. Loved ones will find piñon, chile, pistachios, pecans and other craveable Land of Enchantment treats. $49 holiday box. Subscriptions start at $45 per month.
enchantednmbox.com
12. Kitty and Pooch
Donations to the local animal shelters are always in style. This year, Española Humane has launched its "Make A Difference Gift Catalog," which offers a range of donation levels and services that can help one animal or dozens. Plus, recipients receive a plush Christmas dog or a Hanukkah cat. Donations begin at $53 to support an adoption or $125 for 50 vaccines.
espanolahumane.org/donate/gift-catalog
13. Bead It
Giving jewelry need not be a millionaires-only affair, and local artisan Emma Sherr Ziarko is out to prove it. Sherr-Ziarko's Etsy storefront GemporiumArts is a veritable cornucopia of beaded goodness, from simple but kicky earrings running around $15, adorable bracelets clocking in around $40 and entirely more complex pieces like the stunning Falling Leaves necklace, which'll set you back $175. There are many others, too, and even customizable pieces for when you want to throw in that added personal touch.
etsy.com/shop/GemporiumArts
14. Style and Function
Santa Fe native Madeline Zinn might have started her Sub Rosa Mercantile while living in Denver, but she's since brought the shop home to roost. Find countless items from candles, bath and body stuff, art, apothecary and textiles; wearables, jewelry, clothing, craft items, unique pieces from the Southwest pantheon of makers and more than we could possibly fit here. The best part is you can splurge on something special for someone special or just kick down a few bucks for a stocking stuffer or friendly little something for a co-worker. Basically, if you're not sure what to do about so-and-so's gift, Zinn and her shop will help you find the way.
subrosamercantile.com
15. Preserve the Jamz
Every business has of course been hit hard, but then not every business has managed to become so ingrained in our community we can't even picture the town without it. Enter The Candyman Strings and Things, the stalwart music shop (and multiple National Association of Music Merchants award winner) that's there for you, whether you're a pro or a n00b or at some point in between. The Candyman has kept the music lessons going remotely through COVID-19, and we can't think of a single musician who wouldn't appreciate some extra strings, that humidifier or a whole grip of picks. Call and ask owners Rand and Cindy Cook what to do—they'll know.
candymansf.com, 983-5906
16. Knife to See You
If you've ever been in the kitchen wondering whether you should get a high-quality chef's knife, the answer is unassailably yes—and local knifemaker Ryan Duran-Geiger has just the blades you'd want. Crafting them by hand for roughly 10 years, Duran-Geiger uses 52100 carbon steel or AEB-L stainless steel for the blades, plus desert ironwood and cocobolo for the smart and stylish handles. Prices usually run between $50-$225, but Duran-Geiger tells SFR he's working on some more affordable pieces to be added to his online storefront soon. There's no quantifying quality-of-life improvements a fine blade can bring to cooking, but being able to do so while supporting a local craftsperson? That's sharp.
etsy.com/shop/ryandgeigerknives
17. Something Fishy
In the introduction to his new book on fly fishing, Taylor Streit, who started the Taos Fly Shop (now owned by his son Nick, who also co-owns The Reel Life in Santa Fe) and has spent decades guiding others on the water, writes that he felt it was his "duty to sit down and write this book." The fishing public will appreciate his efforts with Fly Fish: Taos, Santa Fe. Streit provides extensive knowledge for the new and expert fisherpersons, as well as anyone with a love for New Mexico's beautiful environment and a desire to learn more about its hidden and less-hidden locations along the Rio Chama, Pecos, Rio Grande and dozens of other waterways. Beautifully photographed, the book details gear, timing, fish and, of course, locations, all within proximity to Santa Fe and Taos.
thereellife.com, 995-8114
taosflyshop.com, 575-751-1312
18. Since We’re All Cooking at Home More…
Former cosmetics brand creative director Hannah Day took a look around the quarantine landscape and thought she could up everyone's cooking game, and that's just what she's done with Kitchen Meets Quarantine, a massive compendium assembled by Day and featuring something like 30 recipes submitted by everyday people—plus the stories that went into their formation. "Some are highly skilled, complex recipes, some are easy and use a packet of ranch," Day told us in September. Proceeds from the book benefit Colin Kaepernick's Know Your Rights Camp, a nonprofit dedicates to Black and Brown empowerment and education.
kitchenmeetsquarantine.com
