One Stop Holiday Shopping At Studio City Farmers Market

My sister, bless her heart, is one of those people who shops for Christmas gifts all year long. I tried this once, and forgot where I had hidden most of them. It wasn’t until the following Easter that I discovered my oh so clever hiding spot. Boy did the kids have great Easter baskets that year!

That is why I am a last minute gift shopper - decreases the chances that I will misplace them. Some people call this procrastination; I call it smart! And now that there are only 20 shopping day until Christmas, and fewer until Hanukkah, I’m thinking about starting my shopping.

This year, being on a tighter than usual budget with two kids in college, I thought I would make gifts for everyone. Then I started to tabulate just how much time that would take, and decided I’d rather shoot myself in the foot than do arts and crafts projects that would most likely end up in the Goodwill pile, or worse, the trash. Next, I thought I’d bake cookies for everyone, but it seems that everyone is on a diet, lactose intolerant, can’t eat wheat, and is macrobiotic, so there goes that idea. How about just a card for everyone? Just didn’t seem to convey my wish to let my friends and loved ones know how much I appreciate and care for them. Arghhhh!

Then, I had the most brilliant idea that I have had in at least 5 minutes, gifts from the Farmers Market. Better yet, I could make gift baskets filled with goodies from the Market! Everyone loves fresh fruits and veggies, not to mention all of the delicious prepared foods and handmade soaps, clothes, etc . . .

So, here is the list of great basket ideas that I have come up with and will share with all of you fellow “smart” shoppers like me.

The Pamper Me Basket – Karen’s Beautiful Soap Salt Scrub; handmade soap from Poppy’s Naturally Clean; tea from The Grove; honey sticks from Bernardo Leinenweber or Honey Pacifica; fresh organic lemons from Ace Ranch; and a bouquet of flowers from Skyline Flowers all in a reusable fabric bag from Cattel Headquarters.

The Munchies Basket – dried fruit from Island Farms; flavored almonds from Fat Uncle Farms; beef jerky from Gourmet Jerky; dates from Dates by Davall; kettle corn and fresh roasted peanuts from Aunt Betty in a lunch bag, so you can take it to the movies with you.

The Breakfast Basket – eggs from either Gama Farms, Lilly’s Eggs; bacon or sausage from Dey Dey’s Best Beef Ever; pastries from Top Bakery; goat cheese from Uncle Berch; fresh orange juice from Rancho di Rigo; fresh organic kiwi from Etheridge Farms in a non-stick skillet.

Pasta Dinner – fresh pasta from Domenico’s Foods; marinara sauce from Organic Soup Kitchen; baguette from Home Boy Bakeries; fresh basil from Living Lettuce Farms; fresh tomatoes from Beylik farms; fig balsamic vinegar from Uncle Berch in a big pasta bowl.

Children’s Basket of Goodies – a puppy dog balloon from Balloons You Love; cookies from Old Town Bakery; caramel corn from Ma and Pa Kettle corn; and a cool rock from Mike Goodson, the Rock Man or a tutu from Whimsy Ranch in a brightly colored box.

The Salad Bar – fresh mixed greens with flower petals and herbs from Scarborough Farms; flavored olive oil from the Olive Press; fresh sprouts from Bolanos Sprouts; nuts from Boujikian Farms; heirloom tomatoes from Venegas Creek Roses; and some fresh cheese from Uncle Berch in a wooden salad bowl.

The Gardener’s Basket – a few “seed bombs” from Poppy’s Naturally Clean; an orchid or succulent from Devine Décor Orchids; a few herb plants from Ipatzi Nursery; some hand lotion from Karen’s Beautiful Soaps and a great gardening hat from Fun with Tie Dye all in a beautiful flower pot.

The Gourmet Cook’s Basket – chanterelle mushrooms from Trevino Farms; white truffle oil from La Funghi; flavored vinegar from the Olive Press; christmas limas from Suncoast Farms; a quart of vegetable broth from Dave’s Korean Foods; spiced crab apples from Coldwater Canyon Provisions in a ceramic baking dish.

The Seasonal Produce Basket – pomelo grapefruit from Arnett Farms; organic pomegranates from Ethridge Farms; Fuyu persimmons from Ha’s Apples; Satsuma tangerines from Valley Center Growers; Brussels sprout trees from J&J Farms; rainbow chard from Fresno Evergreen; purple Japanese sweet potatoes from Yang Farms in an apple basket (ask Arnett Farms, they may sell you one).

The Organic Chicken and Dumpling Basket – a recipe for chicken and dumplings (plenty of them on the internet); a chicken and chicken broth from Dey Dey’s Best Beef and Chicken Ever; organic carrots and onions from Givens Organics; and organic celery and parsley from Menos Farms all in a pretty covered casserole dish or cooking pot.

Feel free to mix and match, or better yet come up with your own idea. (And if it is really great, share the idea with me so I can add it to the list! Or, if you want help putting your basket together, I can be found there every Sunday or can be reached by email at manager@studiocityfarmersmarket.com)

Now that your holiday shopping worries are over, don’t forget to stop by the Exceptional Children’s Foundation Art Show booth at this Sunday’s Market. And, mark your calendars, Pirate Santa and all of his pirate friends will be at the Market on December 18, 2011. This is something that you will not want to miss!!!

See you on Sunday.