The Vancouver Voice Holiday Gift Guide

By the VV Staff

The word at the heart of our holiday gift guide this year is “locavore.” This delicious noun was chosen as Oxford American Dictionary’s 2007 Word of the Year, and it describes the budding movement designed to encourage the patronage of farmers who produce their foodstuffs locally. We here at The Vancouver Voice are hoping to stretch this definition a bit to incorporate your Christmas shopping, too.

Setting aside a portion of your Christmas budget to spend exclusively at local shops has many benefits. The dollars you drop at locally owned businesses circulate more effectively—and much more long-lastingly—in the community. Rather than flitting away your dough in impersonal department stores and national chains, you can rest assured that you are supporting the local economy and doing your part to bolster the livelihood of local people.

And while we’re patting our ethical selves on our ethical backs, there’s also the added benefit of being able to isolate the sources of production for the goods we buy our loved ones on this most capitalist of holidays. When you peruse local wares, it’s exponentially easier to unearth the identity of the companies who manufacture the gifts onto which we plunk down our hard-earned dollars.

Perhaps more importantly, items purchased from local businesses tend to be of the highest quality available. This certainly holds true with the selections we’ve made in this issue. It may go without saying, but as a rule, independent operators reach heights of eccentricity and personality unimaginable at Westfield Shoppingtown.

For the compulsive shoppers among you, please consider—there is no consumer rush like the unadulterated high to be had splurging at small businesses. With the smallest amount of research, the careful shopper can experience maximum instant gratification with the minimum of guilt. Beyond the obvious thrill to be gained by tapping your credit, there is the unlooked-for joy to be found in knowing that some earnest entrepreneur will be that much closer to making their rent.

So to tempt you, dear readers, we’ve gathered together some of the best that Vancouver has to offer, from exotic imports and local handmade items to high fashion and luxury pieces.

We’re proud to present our findings. It’s a pleasant change to be able recommend consumer options that pencil out beneficially for the community at large. Happy hunting, Vancouver! We think once you go locavore, you’ll never go back...

A. You needn’t sacrifice fashion for warmth in this hand-knit alpaca and mohair Murielle cardigan ($368, Lily Atelier, 237 NE 4th Ave., Camas, 834.9215).


B. Say no to itchy and ugly stocking caps! She’ll love a one of a kind soft knit cap ($9-$25, Urban Eccentric, 2411 Main St., 694.2934) festooned with fabric and button accoutrements. (Cap pictured: $19.99)


C. Shopping for a trendsetter? You can’t go wrong with Gwen Stefani’s clothing line Harajuku Lovers ($40-$80, Le Reve Boutique, 311 NE Birch St., Camas, 834.5240). Le Reve specializes in celebrity-designed junior fashion.


D. A girl can never have too many scarves and wraps, and Mint Tea Imports’ collection of textiles and designs ($10-$25, Mint Tea Imports, 2306 Main St., 699.4991) is gorgeous and unique. You’ll never rummage through another Old Navy fleece scarf sale bin again. (Scarves pictured: green silk, $64; multi-color knit, $15.)


E. The perfect marriage of form and function, these scotch plaid winter boots from Rocketdog ($80, Contessa, 812 Columbia St., 993.5996) keep feet warm, dry and stylish.


F. Sure, you could get her a nice pearl pendant...if you want to bore her to tears. Give her a limited edition coin necklace ($178-$216, Lily Atelier) instead, boasting real Morgan Half Dollars, Mercury Dimes and Walking Liberties.


G. If real bling is a bit out of your price range, there’s no shame in giving fabulous costume jewelry (Prices vary, The Urban Eccentric), like these brooches ($5-$7) or brightly colored carved bracelets ($14 each).


H. Retro suede wristlets and wallets by Lodis ($32-$125, Luxe, 233 NE 4th Ave., Camas, 843.9215) are a sophisticated alternative to the standard brown leather snap-shuts.


I. So ugly they’re cute. Uglydolls ($10-$20, Kazoodles, 575 W. 8th St., 699.9200) come in a variety of colors, sizes, and, uh, breeds. One eye? Two? Wings? Fangs? The possibilities are endless.


J. Move over Big Wheel, here’s something more space-agey: the PlasmaCar ($69.95, Kazoodles, www.plasmacar.com) is powered by inertia, centrifugal force, gravity, and friction. No pedals, no gears, no batteries...no joke.


K. Video games rot kid brains. Build brains instead with the MENSA Select board game Legend of Landlock ($12, Kazoodles), a quick 2-person strategy game of bridges and streams (and cute little gnomes).


L. Kids love to bowl things over - give them something to aim at besides your vase collection. Zoo Bowling ($12.50, Kazoodles) is easy for kids to set up and fun to knock down...and adults will appreciate the fear in the animals’ faces.


M. Make diaper changes a little less icky with these Mabel’s Cloths cloth diapers in a variety of colors and patterns ($19 for set of 3, Boomba Toomba, 1705 Broadway St., 607.4552). Boomba Toomba sells eco-conscious used baby/toddler goods, as well as new items made by work-at-home moms.


N. This striped knit bunny ($20, My Nana’s Cottage, 321 NE 4th Ave., Camas, 834.3877) is too trippy and cute to pass up.


O. Pass on the pink and baby blue onesies with ducks and bears and bunnies, and give your favorite newborn a cool Little Punk People onesie ($12, Boomba Toomba) to spit up on, poop in and grow out of in a month instead.


P. Made from reclaimed wood, this Two’s Company 4x6 picture frame ($34, Uncommon Gift, 415 NE 4th Ave., Camas, 834.5445) is attractive and green.


Q. Leave nothing to banality: even lighting candles can be an elegant affair with this stainless steel refillable butane lighter ($16.95, Willows, 302 W. 8th St., 993.1318).


R. And speaking of candles, Illume’s Pearl collection ($28, Fancies on Fourth, 321 NE 4th Ave., Camas, 834.3877) not only smell amazing, but come in a gorgeous round box you can reuse.


S. If you’ve never tried Tea Forte ($24 sampler of 20, Willows), you’re missing out - fragrant, flavorful teas in an ingenious steeping design make tea fun again.


T. Never grab the wrong suitcase again with these distinctive and cheeky luggage tags from Fluffshop ($18.50, Le Reve Boutique), in a variety of shapes and styles.


U. The deep colors and elegant lines of this hand-carved ebony candlestick holder from Mozambique ($13, Mint Tea Imports) make a rich statement, but cost next to nothin’.


V. Knitting is all the rage, and for good reason - it’s easy to learn, relaxing, and addictive. Give the knitter on your list luxury yarn, like a few skeins of Tahki Yarns “Irish Donegal Tweed” ($11-$11.50, Unraveled Fine Yarns, 207 E. McLoughlin, 993.5835) and maybe you’ll get a handmade gift in return.


W. Keep him warm and stylin’ in a Shades of Greige plaid bomber jacket ($184, Bryan Lee, 337 NE 4th Ave., Camas, 210.5615).


X. What guy wouldn’t love being reminded that he’s a sexy bastard every time he took off his pants? Bonus: these Sexy Bastard Low Rise Boxer Briefs ($26, Bryan Lee) come with a back pocket. Weird, but cool.


Y. Not just for ex-boyfriends of Britney Spears, stylish fedoras and caps ($48-$66, Bryan Lee) have moved into the mainstream.


Z. You can tell a lot about a guy by his watch, and this Diesel watch ($140, Bryan Lee) says “I am understated elegance. I am sophisticated and conscientious.” (It might also say “I’m totally metro,” but who isn’t these days, right?)


Aa. Nothing looks more unprofessional than fishing through old receipts (and even older condoms) to find a business card. Bust out one of these leaf-imprinted leather card holders ($22-$25, Mint Tea Imports), though, and walk away with your dignity in tact.


Bb. Isn’t it time to get rid of the natty messenger bag from college, the one with the old band pins and faded patches hanging on for dear life? We agree. Go green (literally) with this recycled mosquito netting messenger bag ($75, Mint Tea Imports).


Cc. Not that we don’t still love the plain white tee and jeans look on guys, but it’s nice to spice things up once in a while, perhaps with a silk-screened fashion tee ($28, Bryan Lee).

Need more ideas? Try browsing through last year's VV gift guide. Organized by gift recipient, you'll find ideas for The Fashionista, The Road Warrior, The Martha Wannabe, The Technophile, The Constant Gardener and many more... (Make sure you check ahead with stores to make sure items are still in stock and priced accurately...it was written a year ago, after all.)