I have loved Shady Lane at their past and present locations. This is one of the places I go…read moreregularly for family gifts. They staff is passionate and knowledgeable about the makers whose work they carry, and they carry such a wide selection of unique items by local artisans, as well as by global artisans. Most of the items I have purchased at Shady Lane fall under the category of jewelry, but I have also been very pleased with their selection of offbeat, small-maker clothing and outerwear. I appreciate that I can buy holiday gifts for a wide range of family members, from babies to adults, under one roof. A typical visit for me involves spending between ten and ninety minutes poring over their collection of Trollbeads (IYKYK). Then I move on to the artisan jewelry, the crystals, and the small woodworking (think jewelry boxes). And then, when possible, I blow kisses to the little dog behind the counter! I've also been to a few of their special events over the years, including a PassionArt Designs glass bead extravaganza. PS: It's taken me years and years to finish this review because it's one of my favorite places ever!

I wanted to attach a bead to an intricate lanyard and asked Shady Lane for help. It was a…read moredeceptively tricky task, but they showed great creativity and persistence and did an outstanding job! They are something which can be hard to find these days - true artisans who clearly care about the work they do. I'd give them more stars if I could!

Love this shop and all its fun items! Just got this set of 5 glass trees ((Christmas or any time!)…read more So fun. Also has pink, green and blue.

Great local shop that sells cute little gifts and cards. They have free parking around the corner…read moreand I came here to pick out a gift for my friend who was celebrating her 26th birthday!

I happened upon this amazing little local shoppe in the middle of a residential neighborhood…read moreyesterday. It was phenomenal. I have never seen any little shop like this before with truly curated gift items that are so unique. You won't find these items anywhere I can say with confidence. The outside is very inviting and back into you in. The shopkeeper had a big smile on her face and offered me wonderful Homemade Cookies. The fragrance of Christmas was in the air. I am sharing some of my photos and videos I took because I want everyone to know about this hidden gem in Menlo Park.

The owner is very friendly and made good recommendations for a brother hard to buy for. Very…read moresatisfied and I'll be back and bring my wife! Lovely eclectic and whimsical merchandise of good quality!

I needed to order a bunch of cards and found Paper Source. It was so easy to look through the cards…read moreand then purchase them. The cards arrived promptly and I was able to get them sent on time for birthdays! The communication was great and I knew when they were being sent so I could track them. And the prices were about what I'd expect for nicer cards.

This is a unique store for cards and gifts. It has many different types of paper and paper…read moreproducts. You can find special design to print your wedding invitation cards , programs , or any brochures you need . It has many unique gifts and collections of particular brands . It is more costly than an ordinary office supply . Quite enjoyable to browse around . They do have sales from time to time and can find the special gifts that you need .

Cute store with lovely handcrafted items from all over the world. You can get any national flag…read morefrom a neatly compartmented display. You can find any kind of gift here- jewelry, slippers, scarves, folk musical instruments and more. Educational books are available as well. The prices are reasonable but not too cheap as they are fair trade.

I'm smitten with this Palo Alto gift shop. They have so many interesting items, all fair-trade and…read moremade by women in developing countries. The shop is run by volunteers and benefits the United Nations Association and UNICEF. Among the items I love are the small metal sculptures from Africa, the wooden bowls from Nicaragua, and all of the owl-themed items. I bought two little string dolls, one Medusa and one Frida Kahlo. There was one volunteer working and she was helpful and kind. The shop wasn't too busy on a Saturday afternoon, but I'm guessing that's about to change with the holidays approaching. I'm looking forward to returning.

One of my absolute favorite shops in the Bay Area! The space is warm, inviting, and filled with…read moredecor inspiration perfect for refreshing your home or finding a thoughtful gift. Their seasonal displays are always beautifully done, and the staff is genuinely enthusiastic and helpful. Over the years, I've picked up all kinds of unique treasures, but most recently I purchased Farrow & Ball paint and enjoyed my experience. They have an in-house mixing machine and were incredibly patient in helping me find the perfect color match for my space. Prices can be on the higher end for vintage furniture, but they also carry more budget-friendly options like cookbooks and charming little knick-knacks. I always feel so refreshed after walking in & plan to at least monthly!

This is such a cute home goods store (so cute I already owned several pieces they were selling!) it…read morewas the perfect mix of rustic and unique. It was Christmas-y without being too much and you could definitely get goods here that are unique! The staff was friendly too. It was very warm and inviting.

Love these candles and soaps. I got the bath wash & samples of perfume. The attendant told that…read morehelped me was wonderful.

If you are looking for top quality fragrance candles and lotions, look no further. When you first…read moreenter Diptyque Town & Country, immediately your senses are stimulated by the beautiful aroma of the candles. The bouquet style of the store is inviting and the Staff are welcoming. I have bought Diptyque products before and have never been disappointed. Every item is nicely packaged to show case the immense quality of their products. This is great when giving these as a gift. For those who have stayed at the Ritz Carlton Hotels, you will be pleasantly reminded because Diptyque lotions are provided in each guest room. Prices are a bit higher but in my opinion it is well worth it. And if giving this as a gift, I would impress upon the individual(s) the quality of the gift and best of all the experience they will have. The aromatic qualities will transport them / you to Europe, Paris, or just a relaxing happy place. I also would recommend signing up to their registry. There are small benefits in doing so but only if you truly enjoy their products.

I walked in on one of those fine days where your off and just strolling around at your leisure…read more I walked in just to peak and this place caught my attention quickly because of how curated the cards were on the wall. I went from a quick browse to walking in and staying a while. I browsed all the items and loved every inch of this store. It's a perfectly curated space. Every area has been well thought out and has a lot of different items for everyone. I didn't come in thinking I'd leave with anything but ended up finding a birthday gift a beautiful book about the ocean for a kiddo. I also found these tiny boxes that you turn and they play a classical song so that came with me too. I wanted to buy all the cards! I saw a woman walking around and let her know that her space was beautiful curated. She was very kind and I later learned she is the owner. She rung up my order and after asking if she had any wrapping for my book she found some leftover and wrapped up my gift. Gwen was very kind and has taken a lot of consideration on the items she displays at her store. They are beautiful and unique items in this store. I believe the price I paid was worth the unique value. There are signs posted to not take photos of the items inside the store so I couldn't get any while I was there but trust me the space is beautiful and the items one of a kind. I will definitely return and recommend anyone to come visit and find that unique gift for the special people in your life.

I absolutely love wondering through Letter Perfect…read more They have the greatest selection of cards. For all occasions. The owner is very personable and knows a bit about everything in the store. They have great small gifts and I can always find something. They are a tad expensive but what you get and the quality is worth it. Highly recommend stopping by Letter Perfect.

Reach and Teach is truly a local gem and one of the most inspiring shops on the Peninsula. They…read moreoffer a carefully curated mix of progressive books, educational toys and games, eco‑friendly products, and other high‑quality gifts you won't find in big box stores. Every visit feels like a treasure hunt--you'll discover something meaningful, fun, and thoughtful. The two owners are not only super friendly but also deeply civic‑minded, always ready to share knowledge and support community causes. Their passion for education, sustainability, and social justice shines through in everything they do. If you're looking for a place that combines heart, purpose, and great finds, Reach and Teach is a must‑visit.

The first thing you'll appreciate is the service. The owners are friendly and incredibly…read moreknowledgeable about everything they sell. Next, it's the selection. These aren't just toys, games, and books; they've got the best toys, games, and books curated for developing and broadening minds of all ages. They don't just sell what's hot, they sell what's good. I'm not sure who enjoys going more, my 4 year old son or me!

Cute little shop I found after dinner in the area. There were a lot of cute kitchen knick knacks. I…read morepersonally came for chocolate though. I tried the cherry cordial. I never had a dark chocolate one and I may not go back to traditional milk chocolate. If Im ever in the area in again, I try some of their other seasonal chocolates.

For a guy that takes an inordinate amount of photos, I am surprisingly unobservant. This place is…read morejust three doors down from the Posh Bagel on Main St. How is it I just noticed this fantastic store? I mean, stores that sell candy and chocolate are my jam. But it was invisible to me. Until today, anyway. I am so happy I finally found it. Because Gourmet Works is much more than a store that sells candy and chocolate. In fact, as the name would suggest, it's more of a Gourmet food store and Gift Shop than a Chocolate Shop. But it's also a hella cool chocolate shop and that's the main reason I will be sure to return. Right when you walk in the door you are surrounded by an astonishingly large variety of items that would make the perfect gift for a loved one, or for yourself. Because, I ain't gonna lie, there were at least a dozen items that I considered buying for myself. I thought to myself, you know, I do so much for me, and it seems I rarely properly thank myself for my devoted patronage and self care. If you are interested in high quality gourmet gifts, Gourmet Works is definitely the place to go! They carry so many products you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Gourmet Salts, Dried Herbs, Pasta Sauces, Dried Pasta, Curry Sauces, Masala Simmer Sauce, Special Preserves and Jams. An impressive, well-curated selection. Then, at the back of the store you find the kind of Chocolate display case that dreams are made of. Oh my Lord! Just the Truffle side alone would be enough to melt anyone's heart. But the other side, with the astonishing variety of hand dipped chocolates is where I lost it. I saw the Almond Bark and stopped dead in my tracks. I stared at that Almond Bark. The Almond Bark stared back at me. We were locked into that stare down for what seemed like an eternity. I was sure neither of us would ever give in. But then I blinked. Somehow I became aware that the wonderful woman behind the counter was asking me if she could help me. As I regained my senses, suddenly I felt so embarrassed. How long had I been staring at that Almond Bark? How many times had she tried to get my attention? I had no idea. I tried to play it off like there was nothing going on between me and that Almond Bark. I casually inquired about some Chocolate Covered Caramels with Sea Salt on a totally different shelf in the display case. Then, of course, I had to buy a couple of those Chocolate Covered Carmels with Sea Salt, to cover up the whole situation with me and the Almond Bark. I purchased a couple ordinary, un-chocolate covered Caramels with Sea Salt too. The woman behind the counter couldn't have been more gracious. She didn't let on that she knew exactly what was happening and I wasn't fooling anyone with the whole Chocolate Covered Caramels with Sea Salt charade. So, my thanks to Gourmet Works, and the gracious woman behind the counter, Padmaja (her family owns Gourmet Works). It was such a pleasure to shop at your wonderful store! Mikey C says: I'm coming back for you, Almond Bark!