This year do your holiday shopping at the Santa Monica Farmers’ Markets where you will find a wide range of unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list.
Cheryl Gaines of It Began in the Garden, at the Wednesday and Saturday downtown markets, makes a variety of unique, handmade, artistic gift baskets. The jelly gift boxes come in several sizes housed in beautiful crates and baskets ranging from $20 to $40. The jars of jelly come in six flavors, and can be purchased individually for $6. Tea Gift Packs contain herbal teas and other goodies in a box or basket for $20 to $25. Bath Gift Baskets come in two scents, relax (lavender) and refresh (lemongrass), and include handmade soaps, baths and candles. Individual soaps in many scents can be purchased individually for $4.50. Cheryl has handmade wreaths in several sizes. She also has her incredible Gardens to Go, mixtures of plants, herbs, flowers, edibles and fragrances that are guaranteed to liven up any garden or balcony.
Roots Brothers Grows, at the Wednesday and Saturday downtown markets, has unique, handmade bottles of lotion, body wash and shampoo in 15 flavors that leaves skin and hair soft and smelling delicious for $10. Herbal bath soakers for $5 can be used over and over again in the tub or to exfoliate in the shower. Potpourri comes with a two-year guarantee to keep away moths, silverfish, ants and spiders, and comes in two sizes. Sweet grass is burned for prosperity and vision for $5, and is a perfect way to ring in the New Year.
For the epicureans on your list, Rancho la Vina at the Wednesday market has 500 ml cans of cold pressed walnut oil for $25. They also have shelled, toasted and candied walnuts and raw walnut butter. Santa Barbara Pistachio Company, at the Wednesday and Saturday downtown markets, has pistachio oil for $18. They also have several sampler packs from $18 to $20. Also, if you buy five one-pound bags of pistachios you get a free tote bag. Mike Moessner, at the Wednesday market, has a scrumptious array of handmade jams, jellies and butters in a wide variety of flavors. For a thoughtful gift, pick up a jar with an adorable fabric top and ribbon for $5, or two for $9. Adams Olive Ranch, at all four markets, has artisan olive oils and balsamic vinegars that are full of flavor, in addition to a plethora of gourmet olives. The Pico Market has handmade soaps and hand carved wooden spoons and serving utensils. For the chocoholics on your list, go visit Guanni Chocolates and The Sweet Spot at the Sunday Main Street Market for handmade delicacies that can only be found at Farmers’ Markets.
Happy Holidays from Santa Monica Farmers’ Markets.
