Have no fear of the hard-to-shop-for people on your holiday list. Sonoma County stores have got you covered.
Flask Master: Take a load off and aerate your wine by putting it in this Sonoma-centric flask. Made of heavyweight canvas with a BPA-free plastic lining by Santa Rosa-based Tote and Able, this wine tote fits an entire bottle. $21, Tote and Able, 3345 Industrial Drive #16, Santa Rosa, 707-542-1423, toteandable.com
Wine Lover's White Out: This little bottle will not threaten your white outfit. It’s a stain remover for red wine spills. Bottled under the label “Chateau Spill” it’s good to give or have on hand. $9, Tiddleewinks, 115 E. Napa St..Sonoma 707-939-6933, tiddleewinks.com
Style your slice: And design your dice with a beautifully crafted cutting board by Sonoma Woodworks. Sonoma artisan Jesse Almos mills wood from fallen trees or retired wine barrels (pictured) from the area. The wine stains on the these boards are so great smelling, it’s a shame the photo isn’t scratch n’ sniff. $40 and up, Made Local Marketplace, 529 4th St, Santa Rosa, 707-583-7667, madelocalmarketplace.com
Fuzzy Ammo: How could one improve on the slingshot? How about one that uses rainbow-colored "ammo" made from wool that has a soft landing ? Also available are flower bombs: paper balls covered in wildflower seeds. It's the perfect gift for the person wanting to shoot flowers into existence. $16 (slingshot and ammo), $8 (flower seed ammo)River Queen Handmade & Collectibles, 16377 Main St, Guerneville, 707-869-8258
Mismatched Magic: Take a page from the Sock Monster’s playbook and mismatch your socks on purpose in the cutest way possible with these cookies and milk socks. It’s the ultimate pairing. $16, Hello Penngrove, 101 Main Street, Penngrove,707- 665-5759, hellopenngrove.com
The Balm: Monte-Bellaria di California offers this glorious culmination of all their agricultural efforts: a moisturizing balm made with lavender oil, olive oil and beeswax. The freshness of a field is somehow captured in this sweet-smelling balm. $15, Monte-Bellaria di California, 3518 Bloomfield Road, Sebastopol, 707-829-2645, monte-belaria.com (Open weekends only)
Luxuriously Local: Enhance your bath with essential oils from eucalyptus or lavender and olive oil, all sourced locally. Valley of the Moon Naturals makes these Sonoma scented bath bombs. $6, The Loop, 461 1st St. W., Sonoma, 707-939-8400, sonomaloop.com
Biggest Little Speaker: This 1.4” x 1.4” Bluetooth speaker has surprising sound, a button for selfie-taking, and a microphone for hands-free calls. It’s available in several fun hues, one for every nook of the house or office where you need sound, selfies and speakerphone capabilities. $34, The Gardener, 516 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg, 707-431-1063, thegardener.com
Sun Plug: For the person on your list that's always out of battery power, this charger uses solar power to recharge devices. It also powers itself with the sun. A great way to fuel your outlet-free, outdoor adventure. $29.95, Sports Basement, 1970 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-921-3147, sportsbasement.com
Tight Light: This light is outfitted with a retractable cord so it can easily fit around your head, wrist or wherever comfortable. With minimal fuss over fit, you can light the way on a trail, street or through a favorite novel after lights-out. $29.95, Sonoma Outfitters, 2412 Magowan Drive, Santa Rosa, 800-290-1920, sonomaoutfitters.com
Tavern Tricks: Bavarian taverns used absorbent wool “Bierfilzl” or “beer felt” coasters in the 1800s before paper coasters came into being. This traditional felt, cut into modern shapes, makes a transitional-style home base for your drink, if you wool. $24, G's General Store, 19 W Napa St., Sonoma, 707-933-8082, ggeneralstore.com
Eco Alternative: These laundry balls, made in Sonoma from pure wool from grass-fed sheep, are an alternative to dryer sheets or plastic laundry balls. They are said to soften clothes and reduce drying time. $29.95, Sonoma Wool Company, P. O. Box 365, Valley Ford, 707-291-3622, sonomawoolcompany.com
Have no fear of the hard-to-shop-for ones on your holiday list. Sonoma stores have got you covered with these unique and useful finds, many of which are locally made. With all prices under $40, checking off that shopping list should involve a good amount of comfort and joy—click though the above gallery for details.
