10 Stores with Unique Goodies: A Barcelona Gift Gu
The holidays….I can’t help but love them. Here in Barcelona the city has gone all out putting up extra lights (to encourage buying, say city officials) and Christmas flare throughout town. Maybe I’m a romantic but the nip in the air, holiday music and the cascades of white fairy lights that adorn Plaza Catalunya get me in the mood for Christmas. I know the season is not about presents, but it’s a fact that I adore buying gifts for other people. Picking out the perfect item, making a little card, wrapping it all up….it makes me feel like one of Santa’s Elves.
As an Elf, I know that a good gift is a unique gift. To get the ‘goods’ in Barcelona, it pays to know where to go. Never fear, in my time ‘Elfing’ I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 spots to buy Christmas or Hanukah gifts in the city and will share it with you today. Here goes:
1) Something Artisan
A good gift can be something made by hand and unique from Catalunya. There is no better spot to find this sort of present than at the Christmas Market held from the 1st to the 24th of December in front of the Cathedral. Here you’ll find live Christmas trees, wreaths, bushels of holly and traditional foods like sugar coated almonds. This is also the perfect place to stock up on Nativity Scene figurines. A tradition that most household follow in Catalunya is putting up a Nativity Scene in their house complete with Wise Men and mini manger scene. Many of these figurines are carved by hand and can be purchased at the holiday market from artisans.
Almost everything at this Christmas Artisan Market has to do with Christmas, and even if you don’t find the ‘perfect something’ here a walk through it will get you in a joyful holiday mindset.
Where: right in front of the city cathedral
What: Christmas decorations, trees and more
2) Something Chic
Clothes can be a good present if you know the recipients size and taste. For a high-end garment head to Barcelona’s own Custo to pick up a colorful shirt, skirt, scarves or pair of slacks for him or her. Chic is not cheap, and Custo is pricey but many think worth the money for something truly original and truly Barcelonese.
What: Designer Clothes from Barcelona
Where: Plaça del Pi, 2
3) Something Smart
Books can be hard in Barcelona unless the person you’re gifting speaks Spanish or Catalan. However, books featuring photo collections or artist can be given to anyone, because as we know ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. For slick pages of art and photography try La Central, a hip bookstore in La Raval neighborhood.
What: Books
Where: Elisabets, 6
More: www.lacentral.com
4) Something Thirst-Quenching
Wine. What’s more Spanish than wine besides maybe ham? Nothing. Wine can be a good gift if you’re airline weight limits allow a couple of bottles. For the best in reds and cavas buy at La Carte des Vins. Ask for Guillermo, the friendly store manager who will help you pick the perfect label.
What: Vino and Cava
Where: Roger de Lluria, 137
More: www.lacartedesvins.com
5) Something Extraordinary
It’s a typical Spanish tradition to send fruit and goodie baskets for Christmas. These can range from baskets filled with simple cookies and a couple oranges to super stuffed gourmet mega-baskets. For the best in Christmas fruit baskets, Farga is the place to go. Their ‘Basic Basket’ goes for €85 and includes: a bottle of Parxet cava, a bar of turrón, and a couple boxes of their special cookies and a sack of chocolates all arranged in an elegant box. Prices on Farga baskets range from €85 to €1,200.
What: Christmas Basket
Where: Diagonal, 391
More: www.fargabarcelona.com
6) Something Relaxing
If you are going to be in town for a while, why not give the gift of relaxation? Try a massage gift certificate from A Ma Teràpies or any one of their many in-depth treatments. Ask for Pamela Thompson, but be warned that she is usually booked far in advance!
What: Massage or other holistic treatments
Where: Enric Granados, 23
More: www.amaterapies.org
7) Something Useful
Women (and some men) need bags. Here in Barcelona your bag must match your shoes and your shoes must match your belt. For some of the best handbags in town head to Beatriz Furest in El Born. Every bag is handmade and designer. These bags are high-end, but all one-of-a-kind products.
What: Handbags and wallets
Where: Esparteria, 1
More: www.beatrizfurest.com
8) Something Musical
Right downtown on Plaza Catalunya is FNAC. Here you will find all your computer, DVD, book and musical needs in one giant store. Spanish and Catalan music can be a great gift idea and at FNAC you can listen to CDs before you buy them. My recommendation for this year? The CD Niña del Fuego by Buika.
What: Music
Where: At FNAC on Plaza Catalunya, impossible to miss
9) Something for Kidos
For kids and moms, Mujer offers shoes, clothes and other goodies. The shop is run by an English woman and also organizes events (seeing Santa and other Christmas celebrations). Check out Mujer’s blog for the latest in her store.
What: Gifts for kids and mommies
Where: Carderes, 28
More: blog - http://www.mujermamabebe.blogspot.com/
10) Something Very Barcelona
One of the best places to shop for items which represent Barcelona and the Barcelonese is at Museum Book/Gift Shops. It’s logical I suppose. Many of the city’s Museum Shops have high-quality gifts which are unique and artistic. For special finds try the CCCB and MNAC gift shops.
What: Artsy, local, cultural gifts
Where: CCCB – Montalegre, 5 – www.cccb.org
Or MNAC – Parc de Montjuic – www.mnac.org
So there you have it! A quick list of some of the best buys in Barcelona. So stop off for a coffee and a pastry at any downtown café to charge up, and then get out there and do some serious Elf shopping! Happy Holidays!