Local, handmade, and/or edible-or-otherwise-useable gifts are what we recommend this year.

Popcycle on 4th Avenue nails the first two categories at once. Many items are locally made, and all are either upcycled or organic/sustainable. Lots of supercute gifts–earrings, art, barrettes, magnets.

Similarly, Bohemia on Broadway features locally made goodies. I love their cheap-and-flattering all-natural tinted lip balms from Kuumba Made.

Maynard’s Market in the Historic Depot downtown and Time Market on University at 3rd Avenue sell a lot of interesting locally made gourmet treats.

Whole beans from Caffe Luce would make a nice gift (I find their Aztec hot chocolate/coffee drink almost unbearably delicious).

My favorite gifts are those that force me to spend an indulgent hour or three being anointed with unctions or otherwise pampered–gift certificates for massages, pedicures, facials, whatever–I love it all. Reflexology! The idea of spending an hour having my feet rubbed sounds exquisite. Providence Institute closed down, but many local day spas have great massage therapists on site.

Karma Day Spa on 6th Street near Tucson Boulevard (next to Rincon Market, no web site), has a Thursday afternoon special, where you can get “mini” treatments (abbreviated facials and pedicures, for example) for lower prices. This day spa happens to be conveniently close to the preschool some of our kids go to, so that would be a wonderful gift for any of their moms (or dads??)…one could, for example, leave work a little early, have a pedicure and a facial, and then pick up one’s children at 5:30. Or one parent could pick up the children whilst the other parent luxuriated at the day spa, and the spa-attendee could then return home, relaxed and aglow, at a leisurely hour. She could even be ordered to take herself to dinner at B-Line before returning home! Wait, this is more of a Mother’s Day request suggestion, isn’t it…

Gifts from Etsy are always on the top of my list. Later on I’ll indulge in a little Etsy windowshopping and post some finds…