To help with the holiday hullaballoo, the SFBG staff is revealing — at last! — its secret shopping secrets, to perhaps give you some gift inspiration. Our first installment: Senior Culture and Web Editor Marke B.‘s giving pleasures. Check out more suggestions in our ginormous 2008 Holiday Guide — and enter our contest to win $500 in gift certificates if you spend $100 locally. Wowza.
The fabulous Fiona’s Sweet Shoppe
Green Apple Books & Music
The absolute, ultimate one-stop for everyone on my list. I snag some snazzy calendars for the in-laws I know so little about, and some books and CDs (and occasionally vinyl) for the immediate fam. Plus, it’s a great excuse to lose myself for a day among cozy dead-tree media. Could it get any better? Only if they served hot chocolate.
506 Clement, SF. (415) 387-2272, www.greenapplebooks.com
Kayo Books
Yep, another bookstore, but one that simply screams “creative stocking stuffers!” Kayo specializes in rare and vintage pulp paperbacks from sometime last century. (The last window display, focusing on “Naughty Nurse” novelettes, had me transfixed for hours.) If you want to watch a beloved hipster’s eyes light up in lurid, bemused wonderment, Kayo ’em.
814 Post, SF. (415) 749-0554, www.kayobooks.com
Nancy Boy
“Strong enough for a woman, but made for a man” could be the motto of this cute little Hayes Valley store and local manufacturer of all-natural beauty products. Check off all the males on your list (and some females as well) with impeccably packaged skin lotions, shaving accoutrements, hair products, and more. And don’t forget a little something for yourself.
347 Hayes, SF. (415) 552-3636, www.nancyboy.com
Fiona’s Sweet Shoppe
More delectable stocking stuffers and treats for those you’re not on intimate terms with (or those you are — hello, Scotch Whiskey Fudge). Fiona’s, just off Union Square, proffers lovely little old-fashioned candies selectively imported from Britain and Europe, with totally adorable packaging to boot.
214 Sutter. (415) 399-9992, www.fionassweetshoppe.com
Upper Playground
Forget those San Francisco tourist traps when shopping for unique mementos of the City for those back home (or here, for that matter). This cooler-than-thou boutique features men’s and women’s apparel and accessories designed by the creme de la creme of local grafitti artists. Make the unbuyable-for teen in your life very happy with one of UP’s indelible designs.
220 Fillmore. (415) 861-1960, www.upperplayground.com