Carlsbad Patch's Holiday Gift Giving Guide

Whether you have a foodie, a kid with too many toys, or an eco-conscious person on your list, here are some suggestions (most from local businesses) to help make the holiday shopping process a little easier.

For a local family, for kids that don't need another toy, or the music enthusiast:

For $50 you can buy a family membership to Carlsbad's . Individual memberships are $25.

For the health guru

For $49.95 give the Pitcher of Life Alkaline Water Pitcher from Carlsbad-based business Life Ionizers. The pitcher uses technology developed for NASA to filter harmful substances while increasing pH and adding beneficial minerals. Costs 

For the game lover

Support Carlsbad-based business USAopolgy and buy just about any board game you can think of with all kinds of themes from GLEE to Metallica to National Parks to dozens of others. Prices start around $15. Go to usaopoly.com to find the perfect game.

For the woman who has to have the perfect mani/pedi

Get her a gift certificate to get shellac nails ($35) and a pedicure ($25) from Mai Ekblad at in La Costa.  Mai is my nail lady (and my mom's) and she is the absolute best. Shellac nail polish will last for weeks. She can be reached at 760-845-2466.

For the person who wants to help the world

For $40 you'll get a stove ornament to represent your gift of an actual stove to ta family in Kenya. The stove will save that family $280 of local income, give back 1,300 hours of time to a mother, save 33 trees and reduce toxic smoke up to 60% for a family. For more go to: paradigm.dntly.com/campaign/holiday-stove-ornament

For the foodie or a host gift

Extra Virgin olive oil is a great gift to bring for the host of the party, for a chef, or gourmet king or queen on your list. For $24.99 (plus $11 shipping) you can order a 500ml bottle of fresh olive oil direct from Italy from lartedellolivo.com. The owner of the company is from southern California.

If you are willing to drive about 50 minutes, I also suggest picking up some bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar from 41 Olive at the Irvine Spectrum. The white truffle oil and cinnamon pear balsamic are very tasty. Other flavors include chipolte, chocolate and lavender to name a few. Tastings are encouraged at the store. They don't do online orders yet. A four-pack of small sized bottles costs $19.99. Larger bottles are available.

For everyone else on the list

Think local. Does your wife or husband notoriously put off getting an oil change? Buy a gift certificate from a local business for an oil change. 

Is someone you know always on the run? How about getting that person a day of house cleaning? 

Local restaurant gift certificates are always a hit as are shopping gift cards.