This holiday season, consider shopping in Santa Fe for a variety of delights, ranging from gifts for cats (and cat mommies and daddies) to a music concert membership.
A far cry from the scrolling aisles of the internet, local shopping in Santa Fe abounds with eclectic gift options. Behold a thoughtful array to consider for the 2022 holiday extravaganza!
Cat Dishes from Ten Thousand Waves
Known for its luxury spa treatments and private hot tubs nestled in nature, Ten Thousand Waves is also home to a lovely little gift shop. Among the soap, shampoo, and skincare products are precious ceramic pieces in beautiful oceanic blues, the stars of which have cats painted on them. Cats curled up with hearts on their bellies, cats triumphantly riding on the back of a fish. Cats on dishes for your jewelry, on dishes for dips, on dishes for your cat’s food. A perfect gift for any of the cats and cat lovers on your list. 21 Ten Thousand Waves Way, Santa Fe. 505-982-9304.
John Cage: A Mycological Foray from Los Poblanos Farm Shop Norte
Los Poblanos, the farm, restaurant, and inn located in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, opened a Santa Fe outpost in November of this year. The shop offers a range of highly giftable objects, from the farm’s signature lavender-infused goodies to cookware to very tiny copper bells whose purpose is both unknown and infinite. A standout item is John Cage: A Mycological Foray, a most handsome collection of two hardback books that explore the unconventional music composer’s love of mushrooms. Photographs, compositions, and other writing create a forage-like journey. A delightful gift for the music, mushroom, and overall book lover. On a side note, yes, you should absolutely stop in the Farm Shop’s tasting room for a drink and a snack after all this shopping. 201 Washington Avenue, Santa Fe. 505-808-1713.
Jamón Jamón Orange Wine and Perhaps a Wine Club Membership from Susan’s Fine Wine and Spirits
Susan’s has sourced excellent wine for Santa Fe since 2005, but after opening a new location on Agua Fría Street, the shop has emerged as a nexus for wine lovers. At Susan’s, there is ambiance, kind and knowledgeable staff, a tasting room with cocktails, numerous wine tastings, and a bottle akin to a slice of heaven—the 2021 Rogue Vine Jamón Jamón orange wine. Orange wines are sometimes funky, cidery, and nothing like what we know to be wine. This bottle is not these things. This bottle is beautiful. Bone dry and aromatic, Jamón Jamón pairs well with lengthy holiday dinners. You may also consider gifting a membership to Susan’s Wine Club. For $35 a month, members receive two bottles curated by Susan’s, and 10 percent off all other wine purchases. 632 Agua Fria Street, Santa Fe. 505-984-1582.
DIY Milagro Decorations Set by Metio Studio from the Museum of International Folk Art
Have you heard the term, “When in doubt, craft?” No matter, who wouldn’t love this set of ten plywood Milagro cutouts that can be painted and used as decorations for a tree, a doorway, or placed on a mantel? Milagro means miracle, and the Milagro tradition uses charms as an offering for healing or in gratitude for an answered prayer. Consider this suggestion the miraculous answer for what to get the creative and crafty person on your list. Available in the Museum of International Folk Art store and online. 706 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe. 505-476-1204.
AMP Concerts Membership from AMP Concerts
AMP Concerts is the force behind some of the best live music offerings in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and beyond. Kraunghbin, Wilco, Beach House, the entire Ladder to the Moon Festival at Ghost Ranch—we have AMP to thank for them. A gift that both supports live music and benefits the music lovers on your list is an AMP membership, which starts at $35 and has a range of benefits: the $75 level gets pre-sale access and a pair of AMP Discovery Tickets which are good for a concert priced at $20 or under. Plus, you can buy this mere minutes before needing to gift it. Just saying.
The Taste of Italy from The Deli at Sassella
Ciao. To some, good olive oil is a reason to live. On a quiet street near the Santa Fe Plaza, there is a mecca of good olive oil and generally incredible life-worthy Italian goods: meet The Deli at Sassella. Offerings include prepared foods (the best handmade ravioli, the best bolognese sauce, none of the effort), perishable foods like burrata and mascarpone cheese, the aforementioned olive oil, and numerous other Italian imports like Sicilian pistachio spread, olives, Italian sodas, the list goes on. For the friend who loves Italy, a good dip of ciabatta in a pool of olive oil, and the most recent season of White Lotus, a collection of goods from Sassella will do the trick. Basta! 216 Mckenzie Street, Santa Fe. 505-954-1568.
Hand Painted Terra Cotta Vase from Built Design
Fresh flowers get VIP treatment in this stunning vase from Built Design, a new home goods shop in the Santa Fe Railyard. Painted with gold details over a black base, this vessel will add beauty to a shelf year-round. Perhaps a thoughtful option for someone you’d like to give some flowers. Mistletoe not included. 500 Market Street, Suite 109, Santa Fe. 505-629-5847.
