I cannot properly put into words how much I love the holiday season. For me I start getting that feeling in mid-September, even though we are still in the 100+ degree range in the Valley, I start itching for anything pumpkin! That is the start of the holiday season in my book. Of course, it all starts with Halloween, then on to Thanksgiving, Chanukah, and the culmination of it all…Christmas!
Each holiday season here in the pages of The Standard I offer you my favorite go-to stops, shops and restaurants to help you have the happiest, cheeriest and most fun filled, gift giving successful time of the year. This year is no different but, it comes with a twist…I am also going to help you decorate, wrap, give and host your best Christmas yet.
Let’s begin with my yearly favorite of the Holiday Guide, I am going to show you how to wrap the perfect most beautiful packages, with the most perfectly beautiful bows. I promise you that they will look so good, it almost won’t matter what is inside. Yours will be the presents under the tree that everyone wants to talk about and you will hear things like, “It’s just too beautiful to open!” It really is simple. Go to
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dann+foley+gift+wrapping There you will find my video for gift wrapping and bow making. Every year about this time, even I go back for a refresher…from me.
Now that I have you covered on how to wrap, let’s get on to the events, dinners, parties and shopping. Being an interior designer myself, I love to give beautiful items for the home. One of my favorites is Grace Home in Palm Springs, www.gracehomefurnishings.com They are a gorgeous and inspirational home store (with convenient private parking right in back) and they are found at 1001 N. Palm Canyon Drive in the heart of the Design District. They have everything for the home and price points for every person on your gift list. There are accessories, pillows, art, bar ware, coffee table books, throws, etc. Of course, you can also find furnishings and lighting for every room of the home. Do what I do and just spend time circling through store, with every pass you will find something new and eye catching.
Just Fabulous is a Palm Springs icon, located on the corner of Palm Canyon and Alejo Drives. www.bjustfabulous.com 515 N. Palm Canyon Drive at the start of the Design District. There you will find fabulous, everything! Tree ornaments, cards, candles, tshirts, stocking stuffers, Palm Springs framed art and the very best selection of art and design books in the Valley to display in your home. It is truly a fabulous stop every time I go. It is my go-to place for that quick, fun or cheeky hostess gift for those last-minute holiday party invitations we all seem to get.
If outdoor gifts are more your thing, then I always recommend, Running Wild on Palm Canyon Drive. Located at 180 N. Palm Canyon Drive is an owner operated emporium for the runner/hiker. It is always my first stop when I need a new pair of running shoes or just cool sneakers to make a suit more modern. I simply won’t buy workout socks anywhere else because Dan (the owner) has the highest quality and most fun colors/styles of socks anywhere. They also have apparel and all those fun (and mandatory) small items for the professional runner that make great stocking stuffers. Check them out and get something for yourself while you are at it.
If I have not covered everyone on your list for you yet, then let me share with you a very special spot, on Palm Canyon Drive, also in the Design District. Flannery Exchange, at 750 N. Palm Canyon Drive, This beautifully reconceived bank building was saved from years of dilapidation and transformed into a go-to spot for shopping, socializing, work and even roof-top yoga. On the ground floor you will find a coffee café with seating indoors or lounge seating right on Palm Canyon to do some people watching. Keep wandering, because you will find little specialty shops, galleries, foodie gift boutiques and more. This is a place where you can find unique and one-of-a-kind gifts, while refreshing and rejuvenating yourself for all those evening holiday soiree’s you will be attending.
Whether you are hosting that party or attending as a guest, a gift of food is always welcome, especially if it is fabulously presented. I have mentioned them before but, they bare repeating, Cake & Cakes of Palm Springs. www.cake-cakes.com There motto is, “Escape the Ordinary” and they are not kidding. Do yourself a favor and go to their website, it is divided by season. In this case go to fall and winter (the acorn & snowflake icons) and just peruse the offerings you can serve at home or take with you to make an entrance. From the Winter Cheesecake (don’t think traditional cheesecake AT ALL), to the winter lemons, to the “reimagined” fruit cake and the meringue Bouche Noel. You will be amazed and stunned by the presentation and blown away by the flavors and seasonal ingredients that they combine into their specialty offerings. There are “simple offerings” too, try the pumpkin bread with brown sugar and rosemary streusel and the foliage pumpkin pie, topped with a hybrid of individually sweetened fall leaves.
Need a gift of sparkle to dazzle? My favorite in Palm Springs is the family owned, Garo Jewelers. Located at 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive in the Smoke Tree Village shopping center, you will find a beautiful and unique selection of gems, estate pieces and casual items for all tastes and budgets. This is the jewelry store you to go to when you want more than just a salesperson. They know gems, jewels and watches because they are experienced, knowledgeable, passionate and they love their job. Don’t forget to bring along your repairs and watches that need batteries. They do it all at Garo!
If after all of this shopping and party going, you are looking for a beautiful meal, in an establishment with a knowledgeable staff and terrific service, then go no further than Reforma. 333 S. Palm Canyon Drive. www.reformaps.com. Lunch or dinner is always a treat, or sit at the bar to eat and drink to your holiday heart’s content. Then, if you are up for it, the dance club attached to the restaurants opens in the evenings, just in time to work off the amazing food and cocktails served to you in their dining room.
I wish you all the happiest of holidays and a happy, healthy and peaceful new year!
Live Well,
Designer Dann
Foley & Stinnette Interior Design
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