Santa Cruz Works 2024 Holiday Gift Guide
If you’re looking for a locally-made gift for the loved ones in your life, look no further! Every year we ask our talented community of makers, artists, and creators here in Santa Cruz County to share their creations with us so that we can provide you with a guide on what local gift to get your loved ones. This guide has ideas for a wide variety of interests and price ranges. We hope that it helps you find a gift for that special someone in your life!
For the one who has everything
The Gift that Gives Back - Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays
For that special person who has everything, give a gift that spreads joy far beyond the holiday season. By adopting a family in need through the Santa Cruz Adopt-a-Family program, you’re not only brightening the lives of over 2,000 children and teens but also sharing a meaningful experience in your loved one’s honor. Adopt a Family: Sponsor a local family on behalf of your loved one. Choose a family’s wishlist and shop for gifts and groceries to make their holiday dreams come true. Your loved one will receive a special message acknowledging this heartfelt gift. Make a Donation in Their Name: If time is tight, make a tax-deductible donation, and our Volunteer Elves will handle the shopping and wrapping, creating a holiday to remember for a family in need. Volunteer Together: Looking for a way to connect this season? Sign up to volunteer with us, helping to sort and pack gifts at our donation center in Capitola.
For the kiddo who loves dinosaurs
The Rapping Rocking Dinosaur Band by Nancy Stewart Lenz $17.99
A fun interactive children's picture book that takes readers time traveling back to the Cretaceous Age. The colorful illustrations depict accurately-sized dinosaurs with cartoonish eyes to give them personality. Author Nancy Lenz has lived in Santa Cruz since 1990. She has written a number of children's stories. Also available for purchase at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.
For the one who loves to organize
City Pack Pro 24L- Ultra $259.00
The City Pack Pro Ultra is a versatile everyday backpack designed for the city. It features a lay-flat main compartment for modular packing, smart organization for your everyday essentials, and a contoured back panel for all-day comfort.
Santa Cruz-based Rove Goods opened their doors in July of 2024, and hit the ground running with a comprehensive selection of technical bags and accessories. With a focus on performance fabrics, on-the-go tech organization, and everyday carry goods, Rove Goods offers a unique purpose-driven perspective in the Santa Cruz retail landscape.
Be sure to stop by Rove Goods (719 Swift Street, #57, Santa Cruz, CA 95018) find a bag that is the right fit!
For the one always on their feet
MERGE4 Socks ~$14.00+
MERGE4 is a Santa Cruz-based sock company that fuses durability, performance, and creativity in every pair. Created by a woman founder with roots in technical outerwear, MERGE4 socks are built to withstand intense activities, with features like moisture-wicking, seamless toes, arch support, compression to keep your blood circulating, and extra padding to keep you comfortable whether you’re training, exploring, or just tackling the day.
What sets MERGE4 apart is our passion for art and collaboration. We team up with legendary artists, athletes, and musicians to create designs that tell a story, with each pair becoming a canvas for unique, bold expressions. Beyond style, we’re dedicated to supporting causes and nonprofits that resonate with our values, from youth skate programs to health awareness.
More than just socks, MERGE4 is about merging purpose, artistry, and performance, bringing meaningful impact and standout style to everything we do.
For the Fashionable One
Sereia Design Collective was originally founded in Santa Cruz, currently nestled in a little cottage along the river in Capitola. Artisan made goods are all handcrafted with authenticity and love, from my studio to your home. Visit the collective to explore all the services offered, from one-of-a-kind products, to educational classes, and apparel business consulting.
15% off with code SCW15 ** free local pick up available
For the one who is always surfing
The Swellcycle Shaka Lamp is exactly what it sounds like—a lamp in the form of a Shaka! It has a controller to select from multiple colors, effects and intensities. Additionally the lamp comes with a cord to plug it into the wall or into a USB outlet. The Shaka Lamp was scanned from an artist’s (Patricio) hand in Santa Cruz. The material it is made from is the same as what we build our surfboards from, 100% recycled from post industrial hospital tray production PETG.
Swellcycle was founded in Santa Cruz, CA in 2023 with the mission to make better surfboards. We build boards out of 100% recycled material! The boards are better performing and long lasting!
For the book lover
Rapid Unplanned Disassembly by Craig Vachon $14.99 (Paperback) $9.99 (Kindle)
With a cast of quirky characters, including a posse of meddling aunts, some former spies, and villains who pushes the boundaries of betrayal, "Rapid Unplanned Disassembly" is a witty and suspenseful romantic comedy that will keep you turning each page.
If you like strong female leads, unexpected twists, drag clubs and a dash of humor, then prepare to fall head over heels for this captivating story.
For the one with a sweet tooth
Westcliff Cookie Gift Tower (Artwork by Santa Cruz Artist Tessa Hope Hasty)
Celebrate Santa Cruz this holiday season as interpreted by local artist Tessa Hope Hasty. A dozen freshly baked cookies are nestled inside of this gift item. Can be purchased online and shipped via FedEx anywhere in the U.S. or picked up at our bakery in Downtown Santa Cruz.
For the gluten free or vegan one
Gluten Free Baked Goods (Dairy free, vegan, & nut free options also available) by The Magical Baker
Menu items can be ordered in batch quantities, perfect for special events and celebrations!
To purchase individual items, come to our monthly pop ups at the Verve on 41st. See our Instagram (@mariasgfbakery) for dates.
You can also email us (mariasgfbakery@gmail.com) to purchase a gift certificate, which is a wonderful option for holiday gift giving.
For the one looking to grow a green thumb
Medium 5 Gallon Grow Kit by A Pot for a Pot
Starting at $49.95
Founded in Santa Cruz in 2017, my wife and I run the company on the East Side of town, shipping kits all over America. You can grow quality buds in only 80 days with our Medium Complete Grow Kit. Place the grow kit indoors or outdoors, on the patio or in your tent or garden. With our Medium Complete Grow Kit, you’ll grow a 3-6 foot tall houseplant when using auto-flowering seeds. Saving you $100 of dollars and teaching you how to grow one of the most amazing plants.
Get 20% off with the code SCW20%
For the Beginner Baker
Scone Mix Blueberry by Iveta $9.75
Baking can be messy and challenging, but it doesn’t have to be! The Iveta Blueberry Scone Mix is made with plump and delicious berries and a hint of vanilla. Perfect for your morning scones. With all natural taste and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, these dried blueberries meet the standards of our high quality Iveta scones.
For the one who likes to smell nice
Air Freshener $15.99 by Dark Lantern Perfumery
These air fresheners are made with 100% soy wax, and you can use them how you would any other air freshener. Hang in an entryway, near a door, bathroom, bedroom, closet, or where ever you can think of. At any point, these air fresheners can be transformed into a wax melt simply by breaking a piece off as needed.
DISCLAIMER: Do not hang these in your car, as they are made of soy wax, and can melt when exposed to high heat.
For the wine lover
Bring a bottle! For gifts, picnics, and all festive occasions. In black or brown leather with copper hardware. Fits bottles up to 3/5"x14".
Made from one piece of leather, this tote was designed as a challenge to create a statement piece wine tote using only one piece of leather with no stitching or glue. The circles formed by the handle cutout are used to create coasters with nesting glass-stem markers for a unique gift set.
Rachel and Rigel Hunter design leather goods, furniture and lighting to create pieces for the RREVV line in their Santa Cruz studio.
For the creative soul
Art Studio Membership $45-88 a month with The Vision Sanctuary
A membership at The Vision Sanctuary includes a use of communal art studio space and art materials throughout the week, a discount on art classes hosted through The Vision Sanctuary, access to artist resources and opportunities, and a community of artists and innovators!
Founded in Santa Cruz in 2022, The Vision Sanctuary is a Visionary Art community hub right downtown! Our space is FOR and run BY community, so artists have creative freedom, peer reviews, and inspiration to create their dreams. An all-inclusive space, full of kind and caring people.
Memberships are for all levels of artist (beginners welcome!)
Get 10% off using code “HOMIE”
For the green investor
A Free $10 Towards Your First Renewable Energy Investment using code SCWORKS
Climatize is an SEC-registered impact investing platform that allows investors to fund renewable energy projects while earning up to 10% annually. Climatize works with dozens of renewable energy developers across the United States to source projects for its platform. Climatize’s investing platform allows any investor in the United States over the age of 18 to invest in renewable energy projects.
Proudly founded in Santa Cruz, Climatize was co-founded by Will Wiseman and Alba Forns, two 2023 Forbes 30 under 30 recipients. Climatize was a finalist in Fast Company's 2024 World Changing Ideas list for both the Company of the Year and Impact Investing categories.