Your Etsy gift guide (localized) 🎁

Win the holidays with gifts from these local Etsy sellers

Choose any Crayon color combination for this custom monogrammed piece. | Photo via Etsy

Pop quiz, San Joseans. What’s better than shopping local? For 100 points: Shopping local from the comfort of your own home, of course. Not only is it one of the best ways to support the local economy, but locally-crafted gifts tend to wow during the holidays (a big win in our book).

To kickstart your holiday shopping, we’ve rounded up 15 products we love from local Etsy shops — some of which hold the coveted Star Seller badge that’s given to sellers who consistently earn 5-star reviews, ship orders on time, and provide great customer service, aka less holiday stress for you.

Psst — Some of these items may sell out quickly due to limited quantities. Click on the link to the Etsy seller’s page to find something similar.

These room sprays are made with organic witch hazel.

🎁 Under $25

Room and linen sprays ($11.50) | These fragrances can freshen up any room with scents ranging from lilac to gardenia. | Blue Gardens Beauty — Star Seller ⭐️

Caffeine molecule decal ($3.99+) | For the caffeine lovers, these decals are a perfect way to show off your scientific caffeinated brain-wiring. | Stickers For You All

Wooden cat tea infuser ($20.94) | A companion for the tea enthusiasts. This little infuser is the perfect way to enjoy that warm cup of tea in the morning. | The Other Labs

This cuff bracelet features two pieces of natural turquoise.

🎁 $25-$50

Turquoise and gold cuff bracelet ($33) | Need a forever bracelet? This handmade piece is perfect for that. | Ameyaa Jewelry

Corgi plush cushion ($29) | A corgi plush pillow? Yes please — the softness is outrageous. | Kiwihen — Star Seller ⭐️

🎁 $50-$100+

Carrot plush body pillow ($108) | This body pillow is both cozy and adorably shaped like a carrot. | Jumbo Jibbles — Star Seller ⭐️

Air plant frame ($85+) | Got a plant parent in your family? Gift them more plants with this unique plant frame. | Emma Claire Shop — Star Seller ⭐️

7 MORE GIFT IDEAS

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Friday, Dec. 2

Fox Tale Art Gallery Opening | Friday, Dec. 2 | 12-10 p.m. | Fox Tale Fermentation Project, 30 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose | Free | See curated art and specialty items from local creators, plus enjoy new bottle releases.
First Friday | Friday, Dec. 2 | 5-9 p.m. | San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, 520 S. First St., San Jose | Free | The gallery doors are open to all textile and art lovers.
Octobop Holiday Concert | Friday, Dec. 2 | 5:30 p.m. | Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose | Free | Ring in the holidays with the “West Coast Cool” of Octobop featuring special guest vocalist Nancy Gilliland.
San Jose Simpsons and Friends Art Show | Friday, Dec. 2 | 6-9 p.m. | Cukui, 229 Jackson St., San Jose | Free | Browse art from local curators and shop handmade designs.

Saturday, Dec. 3

Local Handicrafts Market | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Veggielution, 647 S. King Rd., San Jose | Free | Shop from local vendors, enjoy live music, and participate in raffles.
Martha St. Art Zine Drop Party | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 2-6 p.m. | Philz SJ, 118 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | Free | Pick up a copy of the “Compost” magazine and stay for an open mic.
Tidings, Tinsel & TETRA | Saturday, Dec. 3, Saturday, Dec. 10, Saturday, Dec. 17 | 3-5 p.m. | TETRA Hotel, 400 W. Java Dr., Sunnyvale | Free | Enjoy live music from local artists and a special appearance by Mrs. Claus presented by drag performers.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Oakridge Farmers Market | Sunday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Oct. 6 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Westfield Oakridge, 5420 Thornwood Dr., San Jose | Free | Get fresh produce, live entertainment, and more at this year-round market.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

This billion-dollar startup wants to help you retire

SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area. | Photo provided by SmartAsset

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement. 👀

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise Millennial looking to get ahead — SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors serving our local area.

In just a few minutes, you can get matched with up to three financial advisors, each legally bound to work in your best interest. Now that’s service.*

TRY THE FREE TOOL

Weather

55º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain

Civic

As part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s last batch of Homekey grants of the year, San Jose was awarded ~$20 million to transform the Pacific Motor Inn into low-income + homeless housing. It will include 350 market-rate units. City Council will vote on allocating an additional $5 million toward the motel’s redevelopment on Tuesday, Dec. 13. 🏘️ (The Mercury News)

Theater

The Tabard Theatre Company announced that it will bring back its production of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” from Friday, Dec. 9 through Saturday, Dec. 24. The play will be available to livestream for the first three performances of opening weekend — tickets and information can be found on the website. 🌠

Outdoors

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo recently welcomed four male Chacoan peccaries (an endangered pig-like species) to its family, thanks in part to the Happy Hollow Foundation. The peccaries will live in a newly renovated habitat in the Zoo in the Hollow — swing by to say hi to the ham-some arrivals. 👋

Watch

Catch the San Jose Film Collective‘s winter screening event next Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., at the Art Boutiki (44 Race St.). Enjoy short movies from local filmmakers — seats are first come, first serve. 🎥

DYK

Did you know Mineta Airport participates in the Sunflower Lanyard program, which is offered to passengers who self-identify with a hidden disability? By wearing the lanyard, airport staff will give extra assistance with airport processes. They are available at check-in counters or can be requested ahead of time. 🌻

Shop

Your holiday music just got better. 1byoneaudio sells high quality and easy-to-use turntables equipped with incredible sound quality and hi-fi speakers, plus some that connect to Bluetooth headphones. Think: a great gift for the record lover in your life (or even an early present for yourself). 🎶*

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Bye bye Bo?

San Jose highrise to replace Bo Town restaurant

A Google Maps image of the Bo Town Seafood Restaurant.

Bo Town Seafood Restaurant will soon be gone. | Screenshot via Google Maps

Earlier this week, San Jose City Council approved plans to build a 30-story high rise tower in the spot of the historic Bo Town Seafood Restaurant.

Bo Town, a downtown mainstay since the late 1960s, has been shuttered since 2019, but developer Westbank plans to pay tribute to the restaurant through several design decisions.

Along with keeping the original sign up next to the new development, Westbank will rebuild a modern version of the restaurant at the base of tower and include its signature “folded-plate” style roof line at the top.

Other plans for the tower include 27 studios, 405 one-bedroom units, 81 two-bedroom units, and 27 three-bedroom units. There will also be features of sustainable, modern, and green designs throughout the building.

Though no construction start date has been announced, the ~300-ft tower is expected to take three years to build.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Alyson.

Editor’s pick: I’m all for preserving historic value, so I’m glad to hear that Bo Town will be recognized in some way. That’s the same with the Dancing Pig sign, as Google plans to put it back into its Downtown village. Let me know, what do you think of these plans to replace, but preserve?

Missed the last newsletter? We gathered 46 winter festivities for you to plan the perfect holiday season.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Alyson Chuyang, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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