Looking for perfect gifts? Southern San Juan County Shopping Guide

by Kara Laws
Contibuting Writer

The Christmas season is upon us which means it is time for Christmas shopping! To help you through the present giving we have created a local gift guide. This guide will help you discover some of the hidden gems in San Juan County as well as spark some ideas for the people on your shopping list.
Even better, all of the gifts listed in this article are from local businesses. When you shop with a local business four times more money stays in the local economy. This contributes to job creation, school and sport team donations, community events, and fundraisers. Your local businesses are essential parts of our communities. Each time you shop with a local business you get the warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing that by shopping with your neighbor you are also helping grow the things you enjoy about your community.
While there are hundreds of businesses in San Juan County, for the purpose of this guide we have focused on businesses with some kind of storefront, be that a physical storefront or a virtual storefront in the form of a website.
Let’s get shopping!
HEALTH & BEAUTY:
Aspen Hill Farms: Aspen Hill Farms offers natural healing salves and bath salts that can help with anything from easing anxiety and promoting sleep to healing wounds. These are great for the holistic health fan in your life and start at only $7.50. Shop at jennynielson.com or pop into The Flower Shop in Blanding to view the Aspen Hill Farms collection in person.
Bears Ears Farms: Speaking of natural options for healing. Bears Ears Farms has been a fantastic addition to our community and offers CBD rubs, drops, and oils that promote sleep, decreased stress, improved focus, and ease daily pain. Shop their full lineup at bearsearsfarms.com. Not sure where to start? Their sample sizes make great stocking stuffers.
Blue Mountain RV & Trading Post: Just south of Blanding is a fantastic gift shop and trading post full of Native American Jewelry, blankets, and more. Blue Mountain RV & Trading Post is a great place to find inspiration for the jewelry lover on your list.
Hozho Spa: Did you know Bluff Dwellings has the most full service spa in San Juan County? Hozho Spa offers various types of massages, facials, and nail treatments. I am sure there is someone who could use some peace, quiet, and relaxed muscles on your Christmas list. Grab a gift card to the Hozho Spa and give them the refreshing day they deserve. Shop online at BluffDwellings.com/hozho-spa or in person.
H+Aesthetics: Hannah Bailey runs H+Aesthetics at 196 E Center Street in Blanding and offers a variety of beauty options. From lash extensions, tints, and lifts to various facial treatments, waxing, and skin rejuvenation. Stop by to snag a gift card for your beauty and skincare loving loved one. Or shop online at hnaskin.co.
Recapture Beauty: Enjoy this simple and affordable collection of handmade jewelry featuring Native American designs and stunning turquoise stones. Shop online at recapture-beauty.myshopify.com
Yanito Baahozho Gallery: The first official Navajo-owned business in Bluff has an incredible section of authentic Native American silver and turquoise jewelry. From cluster bracelets to blossom rings to baby bracelets. Binisht’aa creates truly stunning pieces for traditional lovers and more modern jewelry fans. While you can shop online at baahozhobijoux.etsy.com we suggest a trip to the gallery at 600 Main in Bluff.
TREATS & FOOD
Best Dough Bread: If you have a human on your Christmas list, they would 100% love any of these sour dough creations from Priscilla Arungwa the chef at Best Dough Bread. This mirco-bakery in Blanding puts out a new menu each week, simply order your fresh bread at bestdoughbread.com
Destinations Awake Coffee & Bakery: Pull up on Christmas Eve with homemade doughnuts and hot drinks from Destinations Awake to become the instant Christmas hero. Stop by for your fresh baked goods at 87 S Main in Blanding.
Dirty Pop: Dirty Pop popped up this year in Blanding and has taken the town by storm. It is clearly the coolest place to work, eat, and hang out. Anyone within a 30 mile radius will celebrate a Dirty Pop gift card in their stocking this year. Stop by at 174 E Center in Blanding to grab a gift card that is sure to delight.
While these were the top three suggestions for me this year, don’t forget our other local eateries. Nobody is sad when they get to eat out. Check out: Patio, Homestead, Twin Rocks, Canyon Smokehouse, Comb Ridge Eat & Drink, Yak’s Cafe, or Creamy Delights to grab a gift card as a fun and easy gift.
KIDS & STOCKING STUFFERS:
Bronco Shop: Bear Skins Custom Ink has an online San Juan Bronco shop where you can purchase Bronco t-shirts, beanies, hoodies, blankets, and more! Definitely hit the shop up if you have a Bronco fan on your Christmas list. Shop online at: broncostore.bearskinstshirts.com.
Canyon Country Bowling: Many families are opting for fun experiences over more stuff this holiday season. Instead of toys, get your kids some gift certificates to spend the afternoon bowling with friends.
Fable Lane: Fable lane is a cute, local business that creates princess style dresses for little girls. These cute and affordable dresses will make any lover of everything princess light up on Christmas morning. You can shop online at: shopfablelane.etsy.com
San Juan Pharmacy: The pharmacy in Blanding has an adorable collection of stuffed animals, cute toys, books, and baby gifts. Our favorite section is their vintage gift wall. Stop by and see what you can discover.
San Juan Theater: Speaking of experiences, movie tickets and popcorn are always a homerun. Pulling movie passes from your stocking will make most anybody smile. Stop by the theater on Main and Center and get your movie passes.
Redd’s Ace: Ace has a fun selection of small toys, kids’ toys, games, and puzzles. If you are stuffing stockings for kids or adults you can almost always find something fun at Ace.
Gift certificates of any kind make fantastic stocking stuffers! Go beyond this list: photography, car repair, hotel stays (I promise, the women in your life want a night away), books, jewelry, outdoor adventures, etc.
SPORTSMAN & OUTDOORS:
Ancient Wayves River & Hiking: Even though we live in San Juan County, many of us still have not discovered all that this region has to offer. Ancient Wayves is a great way to explore the Bears Ears region of San Juan County with 1-2 day backpacking trips. Book online: tourancientwayves.com
Black Water Tours: If the outdoors lover on your Christmas list has yet to explore all that Monument Valley has to offer, consider booking them a tour with Black Water Tours. Black Water Tours do not require a lot of hiking so they are great for the person on your list who loves to explore but not by foot. Book at blackwatertours.com.
North Wash Outfitters: If your outdoorsy loved one has ever talked about canyoneering and/or repelling Jared Hillhouse with North Wash Outfitters has their perfect Christmas gift. From beginning repelling courses to advanced canyoneering adventures. Get gear, gift cards, and more at northwashoutfitters.com.
Redd’s Ace: In case you have never been inside Ace on Main Street in Blanding, the whole back half of the store is dedicated to outdoor loving humans. From dutch ovens, to firearms, to gardening supplies, the friendly staff at Ace will help you find the best gift or stocking stuffer for the person who always wishes they were outside.
Sunrise Outfitting: Sunrise Outfitting is who you want to call for OHV tours throughout southern San Juan County. You can rent your own side-by-side, bring your own, or ride with one of their guides. Whichever you choose, a day riding with Sunrise Outfitting will be a day to remember. Book a trip for your loved one at sunriseoutfitting-scenicadventures.com.
Wild Expeditions: Looking for something water based? If the outdoor lover on your Christmas list also loved the water, Wild Expeditions has 1-7 day river trips filled with short day hikes and peppered with ruins, petroglyphs and ancient artifacts. Shop online at riversandruins.com.
HOME &
COMFORT:
Cedar Mesa Pottery: While Cedar Mesa Pottery has closed up their historic brick-and-mortar shop they still have a complete list of all their beautiful and unique pottery on their website. Shop the full collection without ever leaving home at cmpottery.com.
Creative Floors: Stop by 295 S Main in Blanding to get your loved one the gift of new flooring. We would all like to believe our flooring will last forever. The truth is, many of us are ready for an upgrade. Splurge this holiday season with carpet so new and fluffy the whole family will sleep under the tree.
NMC Designs: Give the gift of ultimate coziness. NMC Designs (formally Naked Minky Co) has the softest minky blankets, bags, and slippers. Their products are handmade in San Juan County and are the quintessential cozy and luxury gift. Shop online at nmcdesigns.shop.
San Juan Pharmacy: San Juan Pharmacy in Blanding is a go to for beautiful home decor and design ideas. Stop by to browse their constantly revolving collection of home goods or grab a gift card and let your loved one pick out their favorites.
Yak’s Cafe: Stop by Yaks Cafe or shop online at yaks.cafe to view their collection of Bears Ears National Monument souvenirs and art pieces. They brag the largest collection of Bears Ears items and host various pottery pieces, shirts, and more.
Now that your Christmas shopping excitement has been sparked, get out there. Your Christmas list is waiting and your local businesses are excited to help you create the best Christmas for all.
I could not end this article without mentioning all of the small, local businesses that were not included in this article. You all have neighbors and friends that are working their hineys off to create small businesses. They are working their fingers to the bone and giving their clients their heart and soul.
If you are out of Christmas ideas, look as far as your local Facebook groups to find these incredible small businesses. Happy gift giving!