Holiday Shopping – Palm Springs Style

The past year has prompted us to reevaluate our priorities in a number of fundamental ways. We cherish quality time with friends and family, we look forward to showing them how much we adore them, and we appreciate the personal touch now more than ever.

So this holiday season, finding the perfect gift has become a merry, mirthful mission.

Sure, online shopping is convenient, but cyber-browsing makes it impossible to find those unique, quirky, memorable keepsakes that define your loved ones. When you spot an item on the shelves that you simply must have, your eyes light up in the exact same way the recipient’s face will beam when they open the glossy wrapping paper on your holiday morning.

The act of shopping in Palm Springs is a celebration unto itself. Strolling our storefronts during the crisp embrace of fall will warm your heart throughout the season. So, walk with us and let’s explore the best Palm Springs holiday shopping haunts, neighborhood by neighborhood…

Shopping In The Uptown Design District

The most difficult part of checking off your to-do list is deciding where to start. Before you can zero in on a precise purchase, you need to pick a general category, right?

Wrong!

Indecision is encouraged at The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five. This creative collective blends artistic expression with consumer indulgence, and the range of offerings mirrors the diversity of your inner circle.

For him: Towne Palm Springs, specializing in men’s apparel and tchotchkes. For her: Daydreamer, a fashionable enclave that sells ladies attire with an edge. For all: FOS Palm Springs – light up your life with fixtures and designs as bold as your imagination.

And that’s just the tip of the Uptown Design District iceberg. Destination PSP presents a dizzying mix of local flair and touristy pizzazz. If you already live in Palm Springs, congrats! You’ll want to stock your shelves with midcentury majesty in the form of place settings, clocks and dishware that reflect your passion for fashion. And if you’re visiting, congrats and a half! You’ll definitely want to impress your friends and fam with swag that commemorates your trip to our stylish hometown.

Kitsch and cool go hand in hand at Just Fabulous, a gift shop with attitude and gratitude. The eminently friendly staff can guide you through their stacks of cards, coffee table books and collectibles with boundless glee. As you enter the dazzling space, the owner often greets you with a “fabulous” hello, working in the title of the store effortlessly and earnestly.

Wonderfully weird is the name of the game at Iconic Atomic. If you have a hard-to-please person on your radar, you’ll (somehow) find the right present at this outpost of the outrageous. From tiki treasures to couture galore, Iconic Atomic will ignite your curiosity and generosity.

If you’re shopping for the guy who’s got it all, consider the custom resort wear at Seaplane Shirts. Each outfit embodies individuality, crafted from small batch textiles and brimming with effervescence. This dashing destination really puts the Design in Uptown Design District.

Palm Springs Holiday Shopping Downtown

Now that your shopping is popping, get some souvenirs to match! Trevor Wayne creates pop art that transcends genres, combining classic horror with Golden Girls chic and blending them all with a side of bananas. How appealing! Trevor emblazons his brilliance on an array of surfaces, from mugs to hats to coasters. In other words, he’s a gift to gift-buyers everywhere.

Peepa’s is another essential stop on your pop culture tour of Palm Springs. They have inappropriate greeting cards, incorrigible humor, and indescribable innovation in every corner of the shop. Their fierce fashions fit both men and women, but they also blur the line between genders in fun, flirty, fabulous ways.

For a more traditional aesthetic, visit one of the many vintage shops that have put Palm Springs on the midcentury map. Mitchells Palm Springs features throwback styles from mild to wild! Their spectrum of offerings is sure to suit someone on your shopping list.

And now that your fashionista friends are covered, give their interior designs a makeover. PS Homeboys is a showroom with a lot to show for itself. Even the most discerning decorator on your list will marvel at the accessories at this home staging Mecca.

But holiday gifting isn’t always about big gestures; great things come in small packages as well. Stuff your stockings with sweets from Lolli & Pops or travel back in time just a few short steps away at Balboa Candy.

If your special someone is avoiding sugary treats this season, get savory! Olive A’Sudden has perfected the art of oils and vinegars, with offbeat flavors like black cherry balsamic and blood orange olive oil. So, experience a dash of daring on your downtown shopping spree before pivoting to our next points of interest…

Smoke Tree, Sunrise and The Springs

The eastern frontier of Palm Springs provides a bevy of laidback destinations, each of which invites bargain hunters to cash in on cachet. Here you’ll find a range of retailers at The Springs. Home goods waltz with apparel shops and a healthy dose of restaurant choices to keep your treasure-hunting trek on track.

Just west, travel down Sunrise and peruse eateries like Aspen Mills Bakery & Cafe. They can refuel your shopping safari in the short term and cater your upcoming holiday soiree down the road. Win-win-grin!

As you reach the southern end of Sunrise, navigate to nearby Smoke Tree Village. This open air galleria alleviates the stress of gift shopping with a pleasant aplomb. Jewelry, stationery and flowers are all blooming for your attention in the Smoke Tree neighborhood.

And if you want to mine a true hidden gem, stop at Ace Hardware next door. This may sound like an odd holiday shopping recommendation, but it’s a real game-changer! Locals refer to this location as “the Nordstrom of hardware stores.” Truly, you’ll forget the nuts and bolts of everyday home maintenance as you browse festive décor, pool accessories, and general fabulousness. Ace is the place, indeed!

Don’t Forget To Treat Yourself!

Locals and visitors alike will rejoice at the leisurely pace of the Palm Springs holiday shopping scene. No hectic crowds, no needless hustle-bustle; just stylish gifts aplenty!

You’ll be so inspired by the goods and services you’re bestowing on your loved ones that you will inevitably want to treat yourself. Nosh on seasonal treats at Peninsula Pastries, work off those calories with a pedal party on Sunny Cycle, and keep the great times flowing at Bootlegger Tiki.

Even if you already live here, you can always live louder! So, crank up the Christmas cheer, holler with Hanukkah spirit, and immerse yourself in holiday happiness with an extended outing in Palm Springs. Stay at one of our welcoming resorts or book a vacation rental. Where better to spend your December/January break than the capital of cool?

Merry everything, intrepid shopper. You’ll find exactly what you’re seeking in beautiful, bountiful Palm Springs.

Written By Kevin Perry