209 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

209 Staff Picks California Gold Olive Oil

When I think of gift ideas for the holidays, one of the things I like to do the most is give ‘local baskets’ by putting together items from our specific region. It’s a wonderful way to personalize a gift and showcase what the 209 has to offer. One must-have for me in any gift basket is a bottle (or two) of California Gold Olive Oil. Located on Claribel Road in Oakdale, the locally produced olive oil comes in a wide variety of flavors, from rosemary to basil, lemon to garlic, even hot jalapeño. It’s a good feeling to know that this is a fresh and healthy gift option, not to mention versatile. You can use it to sauté vegetables, brush it on fish for grilling, or simply use it as a dip for bread. No matter how you choose to use it, you can’t really go wrong. California Gold Olive Oil is available at californiagoldoliveoil.com.

Marg Jackson

Editor

I love to keep it local, so Sparks Fly Candle Co. is my go to for those perfect gifts. It is a veteran owned candle company and they bring the sass to the 209. Every season they come out with new scents and catchy slogans that bring a little laughter to the holiday season. Their candles can be found on their website sparksflycandle.com and they even do candle making parties creating a fun Christmas party idea. They are soy candles made with essential oils and have a double-sided wood wick that creates a visual and audio crackling while it burns for over 50 hours.

Sparks Fly Candle Co.

Yosemite Annual Pass

Sarah Lawson

Writer Give the gift of Yosemite year-round with an annual pass. It’s $70 and good for 12 months. It can be ordered usparkpass.com. It is activated by the recipient’s name. It is a gift of iconic rushing waterfalls in early spring, stunning granite vistas, imposing giant sequoias, inspiring hikes, tranquil lakes, and winter wonderland when the snow falls. See what brings more than 4 million visitors annual from around the globe to spend time in the national park that sis overall in the 209’s backyard.

Dennis Wyatt

Editor

Stewart & Jasper Gift Card

Living in the 209 for the holiday season boasts many opportunities to find such unique and heartfelt gifts from many of the local businesses in our area. My favorite gift to give for Christmas is a gift card to Stewart & Jasper. Their wine bar in Modesto is fabulous and has many delicious treats. The atmosphere is relaxed and definitely carries the holiday spirit. For gift cards and more information visit stewartandjasper.com.

Kaylee Inman

Legals Coordinator Christmas is the season of giving and when I am looking for something special for family and friends, I know there are treasures to be found at the Butler’s Pantry. There is a large selection of home décor, pillows, throws, wall décor, kitchen gadgets, tools, linens, dinner and drink ware, oils, vinegars, sauces, spreads, herbs, seasonings, and so much more. The Butler’s Pantry is located at 1730 Main Street in Escalon.

Roberts Ferry Gourmet

One of my favorite stops during the Holiday Season is Roberts Ferry Gourmet in downtown Oakdale. Whether it be stopping in for a hostess gift for a holiday party, grabbing some flavored nuts to have out for holiday visitors in our home or a custom gift basket for that person that has everything I can never go wrong at this stop. Of my list of “favorite finds” at Roberts Ferry Gourmet, my top five would include: Dark Chocolate Bomb Pecan Carmel Popcorn, Valley Veggie Almonds, Sweet and Spicy Trail Mix, Chocolate Cherries and Chocolate Dipped Apricots. Visit robertsferrygourmet.com for ordering and more shopping options.

Teresa Hammond

Writer

Sparrow Lane is definitely my “go to” gift for friends and family, especially at Christmas. They often have a holiday event showcasing their vinegars and oils along with lots of kitchen goodies and serving pieces. Stocking stuffers are readily available on any visit, but the seasonal events provide even more items to choose from. My favorite vinegars are the Cabernet, Champagne, California Citrus and Quatro Pepe/ garlic flavors, but there are lots more to choose from and usually tastings are available.

Sharon Hoffman

Graphic Designer I love to shop at I Love Paris. It has a great selection of gifts for everyone in the family, even that hard to buy for person. If you don’t know what to buy, they also have gift certificates. This time of year, they are stocking the shelves with holiday ornaments, and goodies from all over the world. They also have soaps, lotions, perfumes, ladies clothing, baby clothes, plants, home decor and jewelry. I Love Paris is located in Oakdale at 325 East F St. or call at (209) 847-4783 and their hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

Melody Wann

Sales Representative

Sparrow Lane Butler’s Pantry

Virginia Still

Writer and Photographer

I Love Paris

Hobby Shops

As a huge fan of sports and collecting, I believe that all of us in the 209 are fortunate to have a multitude of sports card and memorabilia shops in the region. For the fanatics in your family or friend group, collectibles are almost always a hit. Modesto is home to two hobby jobs, Teammates Sports Cards and Collectibles at 2900 Standiford Ave. and the Baseball Fan-Attic at 3025 McHenry Ave. While both locations specialize in trading cards and sealed boxes, their walls are filled with autographed photos and jerseys of superstars and icons like Stephen Curry, Joe Montana, John Madden, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and more. Up in Sonora, you can find another shop, B-J’S Cards & Collectibles at 45 S Washington St. B-J’s has a wide selection of ungraded singles while also having several memorabilia pieces on display and for sale. Whether it be a rare rookie card, an autographed ball or a game-used jersey, these local hobby shops can help you win Christmas.

Christopher Correa

Writer

Looking for a holiday gift item that has wide appeal? Look no further than Sciabica’s Olive Oil, manufactured in Modesto. Sciabica offers a variety of extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oils, which can be used for everything from spaghetti sauce to salad dressing … or just as a dip for bread. Since 1936, the Sciabica family has been cold-pressing olive oil in California, a process that has been passed on for four generations. Visit the Sciabica Family Gift Shop and Tasting Room at 2150 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto. Or call 209-577-5067.

Stewart & Jasper Almonds

No one needs more than one “Somebody in California Loves Me” t-shirt. That is why I send my out-of-state friends and family something a little more local for the holidays. California produces 80% of the world’s almonds, with most of the grown in the 209. Sending locally grown and produced almond products from Stewart & Jasper Orchards is my way of gifting a little bit of the Central Valley to my native Hoosier state family. Almonds are shipping-friendly and the there’s a variety of sweet and savory products to suit everyone’s tastes. A few of my favorite S&J products are: Jake’s Nut Roasters — these almond snacks have bold flavors like Bleu Cheese, Bloody Mary and Mesquite Smoked; Apricot Explosion Glazed Almonds — this sweet treat combines two locally grown products in almonds and apricots; Vanilla Almond Butter — there’s nothing better than an almond butter and honey sandwich. You can purchase Stewart & Jasper products at their three local retail stores 3500 Shiells Rd., Newman; 2985 Renzo Lane, Patterson; 1700 McHenry Ave. Suite 58, Modesto; or online at stewartandjasper.com.

Kristina Hacker

Editor

Sciabica Family Gift Shop and Tasting Room Yankee Hill Winery and Cooking School The 209 has a bounty of locally produced food and wine, so why not give a gift that teaches how to best use all those ingredients, like a gift card to Yankee Hill Winery and Cooking School in Columbia, led by Chef Ron Erickson. Erickson’s culinary skills encompass the globe and his style of teaching melds his quick wit and clear-cut directions and tips into a smooth banter that makes for an enjoyable time in the kitchen. Classes are offered year-round and usually cost $40, with the size typically around 16 students. For a list of upcoming classes or to purchase a gift card, visit yankeehillwinery.com or call (209) 532-3015 for reservations.

Joe Cortez

Writer

Sabra Stafford

Editor