December 09, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

A thoughtful little gift

by Carol Blitzer

'Tis the season for celebrating -- often by going to parties, dinners, brunches, lunches, cookie swaps, teas. While many of these events do not involve the exchange of gifts, it's always a good idea to bring something special to the hostess and host.

If you're tired of re-circulating that good bottle of wine or box of See's Candies, you might want to take a look at what some nonprofit, local gift shops have to offer. Each raises money for a different cause. All offer unusual items, some hand-crafted -- either from around the world, or around the corner.

United Nations Association Gift Shop -Think exotic, colorful -- and very reasonably priced -- gifts at the UNA shop, which raises money mainly for UNICEF, the UN's children's fund, according to volunteer Camille Ball. In addition to the well-known greeting and note cards, you can find a pair of candles from South Africa for $13.50, as well as rolled candles scented in "wild cotton" or "African rain," or ambered vanilla balls for $9.50. (There's also a nice green candle from Bangladesh for $3.)

At this time of year, the store is filled with Christmas ornaments, including an unusual variety of Hungarian felt ornaments -- "The Singing Tree" ($16.50), "The White Stag" ($12.50) and "Father Christmas" ($14) -- as well as many from Peru.

Choices get more challenging when you encounter papier mache boxes from Nepal in the shape of cats, fish or roosters ($6-9), scented sachets from the European Union ($12-13) and charming note cards ($10-11).

Another intriguing hostess gift is a set of coasters from the Philippines, made of coiled paper ($17.50), or a matching large trivet ($14). Or, you could choose a set of two picture frames from Indonesia, made of hibiscus and lamtoro leaves from Bali ($25), a ceramic trivet from Turkey ($15) or a small vase from Morocco ($12). United Nations Association Gift Shop, 552 Emerson St., Palo Alto. Call (650) 326-3170. Hours: (December) Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m.

Fire House Gallery -- Open the door and you're hit with some very enticing odors, many the product of P.A. Moore, the self-proclaimed "soap lady." Moore, a volunteer in the shop as are many of the artisans, creates scented soaps such as Ramblin' Rose, Blue Gardenia, Toasted Almond, and a two-toned Pinot Gris/Pinot Noir ($4-6). She also made several gift ensembles, such as pastel flower-shaped glycerine soaps on a flowered plate or seashell motif soaps on a glass plate, each priced at $9.

Moore also suggested scented red candles, which she molded into old punch-bowl cups ($4). Other gift ideas include a wooden oven pull, for pulling out a hot oven rack, at $5, a cloth wine bag at $4.25 (in case you want to revisit that wine bottle), fabric bowls ($25-35), artist's cards (three for $10), holiday-themed cloth napkins (four for $10), or an apron that proclaims "I have a fabulous kitchen."

The gallery is filled with hand-crafted items, from knit scarves to paintings. Among the more unusual are hat/coat racks made from recycled porcelain faucet handles or old wooden doorknobs ($175), and a pair of bookends made from antique shoe lasts ($85).

According to volunteer Marcia Baugh, a popular item is the nylon scrubber, which comes in pink, purple or green and sells for $3. Every once in a while someone drops by from a local restaurant to pick up a few, she said.

Located in the front of Avenidas, the gallery also includes the old Crafts and Collectibles shop, which features mainly hand-knit sweaters and baby gifts -- including hand-sewn activity books and needlepointed baby blocks. Fire House Gallery, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., also first Fri. 6-9 p.m.

The Gallery Shop at the Palo Alto Art Center -- Just before you enter the gallery (or on the way out), you can stop and peruse the artful offerings at the small gift shop. While most of the items -- jewelry, ceramics and glass -- are more appropriate for major gifts, there are a few items to delight the host or hostess.

For $10, you could give the "eight teeny tiny gift notes with envelopes" by R. Nichols. Up the budget to $20 and you can find charming metal spreaders or a "cutting book" cheeseboard by Tumblewood in Berkeley. For just a little more there are small ceramic serving plates or vases.

The most popular items are the cutting books and the knives, according to Diane Master, gallery manager and buyer. "We sell a lot of ceramics and jewelry as well," she added.

The shop is mainly staffed by volunteers. Proceeds from the gallery shop go to the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation to fund art center programs. The Gallery Shop at the Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto. Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs. 7-10 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m.

Bookshop at the Cantor Arts Center -- Like the Palo Alto Art Center, the setting here sets the tone for gift shopping. Looking for a little remembrance of visiting Stanford's Rodin collection? You might want to pick up a chocolate version of Rodin's Thinker or The Kiss ($12) or perhaps a magnet ($7). In addition to the many art-related books and note cards, you'll find bridge sets with Cezanne, Renoir or musical notes and a red rose ($16).

For the holidays there are MOMA glass ornaments, with a tree, Santa, snowman or red bow on a green glass box ($18) or leather angels, stars and trees in lime, purple, turquoise or red ($18).

Finding the unusual is not difficult at the Bookshop, but locating that perfect hostess gift for under $20 is a challenge. A number of items came in under budget: colorful spreaders ($14), recycled paper coasters ($12), glass coasters ($15-18), arty note cards ($12.95-$15.95), playing cards ($14-15), or colorful, ceramic salt and pepper shakers ($20).

Among the less common fare were exquisite glass creamers -- a splurge at $50 -- and sets of cookbooks with appropriate mood music, called Menus & Music, ranging from food from spas with classical music accompaniment to Rock & Roll Diner, with a rock 'n' roll CD, all for $36. Bookshop at the Cantor Arts Center, Lomita Drive and Museum Way, Stanford University. Hours: Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; Thurs. 11 a.m.-7:45 p.m.

Assistant editor Carol Blitzer can be reached at cblitzer@paweekly.com.

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