La Soledad Chocolate de Oaxaca
$9.95 

Ever since I started working here, I thought that would be the perfect gift for my sister. When people go to her house, she always likes to give her guests something — nothing fancy, but just a little something, and I thought the chocolate would be something different. And what’s really exciting is that the chocolate’s only $9.95, so I can get her two cups, a pitcher, and a special wooden frother, too, and make it a gift set!
— Joyce Benavidez

Also look for comales, Le Creuset
Melissa Guerra Cocina Casa Comida,
Pearl Brewery, Full Goods building,
312 Pearl Parkway, (210) 293-3983, melissaguerra.com

Get Thrashed: The Story
Of Thrash Metal [2008]
$19.99 

This [DVD] covers the history of thrash metal. I grew up during that time, and I wanna hear the history from the bands involved, the ones I went to go see a long time ago. Like Overkill, Slayer, Mötörhead — Mötörhead are the ones who started giving [music] that kick in the butt!

— Jaime Gonzalez

Also look for: hard to find local vinyl, great T-shirts.
Hogwild Records, Tapes & CDs, 1824 N. Main, (210) 733-5354

Animatronic singing and dancing
characters, including goat singing “lonely goatherd”
Circa $38 

A lot of people buy these and take them to retirement homes. One lady bought a good three-dozen chickens. She told me, ‘You would not believe how much joy these animated characters bring [residents]. One lady was rolling around with one in her wheelchair, entertaining people!’ I keep telling people if you don’t shop at home — not necessarily with me, but here at home — you’ll lose some of your options!

— Bill Davis

Also look for: holiday cards, locally made silkscreened T-shirts, politically themed tchotchkes.
On Main Off Main, 120 W. Mistletoe, (210) 737-2323, onmainoffmain.com

Elephant ring
$215 

These spray perfumes with glitter are really fun — you can shake it up and then spray, and they’re budget-friendly [circa $20]. But this [elephant ring] is probably my favorite thing in here!

— Lauren Sanders

Also look for woven candy-wrapper purses, and Betty hair dyes for you-know-where.
Galeana, 2508 N. Main, (210) 735-2227

Douglas
Fairbanks
and Mary
Pickford’s copy of
Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard
$150 

This little book, kinda old and beat-up, was Douglas Fairbanks’ and Mary Pickford’s book. And it’s what you call a four-edged-painting, meaning when you press the pages together, you see this landscape painting on the edges. It’s from their library, and it’s slightly damaged but I’m really intrigued with the bookplate, with pictures of them as they were in their prime…because I don’t think she looked like that anymore when she got married. It’s Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard. A very famous poem, you know: “Far from the madding crowd”… 
— John Peace
Also look for first-edition and signed copies.
Cheever Books, 3613 Broadway, (210) 824-2665

The Johnny
Hazzard Dildo
$33.95

You may not have your own porn star, but this is the closest you can get to a porn star! Also, this [naked man piñata] is good. It has a big hole in the back so you can put in lots of goodies — condoms, lube, little toys, candy, jewelry, whatever! 

— Santiago De Leon

Also look for personal portable dancer poles and novelty undergarments.

Zebraz, 1608 N. Main, (210) 472-2800, zebraz.com

Virgen Statue of Liberty, placing Juan Diego on this side of the border with all her blessings, by Nicholas Herrera

San Angel owner Hank Lee asked us not to list the price. Suffice to say, it’s a splurge for the great love of your life. Lee and his crew specialize in so-called folk and outsider art, collecting for your shopping pleasure the finest in original handmade vernacular genius by Hilario Hernandez Sanchez, Sally Ozuna, Miguel Rodriguez, Shane Campbell, SA’s much-persecuted Reverend Seymour Perkins, and dozens of other artists. Also look for elaborate earrings, one-of-a-kind guayaberas, and the most stylish bolsas in town.

San Angel Folk Art, 110 Blue Star,
(210) 226-6688, sanangelfolkart.com

Saint Parfum Japanese Tea Rose and Sakura Blossom candle
$75

Nothing says decadence in these uncertain times like a seven-sawbuck candle, recommended by Sloan/Hall manager Arthur Perez. The Saint Parfum version is all soy and comes in a formal ribbon-fastened black box. The subtle, all-natural perfume will impress scent snobs and the candles burn for up to 65 hours — plenty of time to make whatever move you’re planning. Also look for elegant highball glasses, intellectual art porn by Taschen, and dainty charm necklaces.

Sloan/Hall, 5922 Broadway, (210) 828-7738, sloanhall.com

Rise of the creative classes in Gift Guide 12/17/2008

Thanks fer nuthin' : Are charity gifts an F-you? 12/17/2008

Give as good as you get in Gift Guide 12/17/2008

I read it in a book : So it must be puro San Anto 12/17/2008

Members only : Support a local cultural institution, and fill a social calendar 12/17/2008

Easy to love, hard to buy for : A commonsensical gift guide 12/17/2008

Ask the clerk : 2008 Gift Guide 12/17/2008