The Shopkeep Gift Guide With Hero Shop’s Emily Holt

Photo Credit: Elizabeth LippmanThis holiday season instead of doing a traditional gift guide, I’ve reached out to my favorite local shop owners to learn what they recommend giving. The retailers stock their respective stores with gorgeous clothing, covetable home goods, sensational spirits, and delicious eats, so naturally they have a knack for selecting the perfect gift. I came up with a list of 10 quintessential SF personalities, from the gentleman farmer to the Color Factory girl, and asked the curator what they would give each unique type. Now through Christmas, I’ll be sharing their gift guides.

Emily Holt is arguably the coolest girl in San Francisco. She’s the owner of Hero Shop, a shopping mecca that’s bringing life to the Tenderloin, a former Vogue editor, and knows how to rock a wide-leg pant. She’s also wildly stylish and everyone wants her to make an appearance at their parties. On Holt’s wishlist this holiday season? “A full-on, top-shelf whale watching expedition.” I mean, how cool is that?! What is she giving this year? Stevie Howell pajamas, Of Rare Origin hand-carved bird earrings, MMClay white glazed flower vase, and all of the items listed below. Here, in her own words, is Holt’s heroic gift guide.

The Lady Who Launched: A 90-minute massage at International Orange ($220).

The Hoodied Tech Bro: Kastrup backpack from Want Les Essentiels ($495)

The Fabulous Couple: A Edie Parker cocktail tray personalized with their name or catch phrase (from $695)

The Cool Mom: Embroidered Prozac pillow ($88) or black/white ceramic Ganja canister by Jonathan Adler ($98). 

The Wine Country Escapists: Juliska Isabella acrylic goblets ($16). 

The Budding Mixologist: The Craft of the Cocktail by David DeGroff ($27). 

The Restaurant Hound: A Lyft credit so they can restaurant/bar hop.

The Gentleman Farmer: An Izola beard grooming kit ($48). 

The Interior Aesthete: Vogue Living: Country, City, Coast  ($100).

The Color Factory Girl: A stack (or, if you must, an arm party) of Aurelie Bidermann enamel cuffs and braided string bracelets ($290).

Check out the other gift guides in this series! Here’s St. Frank’s Christina Bryant’s suggestions and Bi-Rite market’s Liz Martinez’s ideas.