Retailers in the Holiday Spotlight
We talked to some of our favorite Orange County retailers, evoking their memories of holidays past and hopes for seasons yet to come.
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CHRISTINE McCAFFREY
Holiday and Collectibles Buyer, Roger’s Gardens
What’s the best gift you ever received?
A nativity set from my father. It was such an unexpected gift and it is my favorite thing to set up each year. It reminds me of my dad and the reason we celebrate the season.
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
A gift sent in the mail from a distant relative: a packaged smoked salmon folded into thirds and placed in a much too small holiday tin. To say the least, it was a shock to open, like a pop-up fish.
What’s your best advice for holiday shoppers?
When you see the perfect gift for someone on your list, buy it right away. If you walk away to deliberate, you may miss your opportunity. The best gifts are often found when you aren’t looking for a specific thing.
What will the “hot item” be this year in your sector of retail?
Traditional, well-priced, quality gifts that can become family heirlooms, such as handcrafted European glass ornaments, American-made folk art Christmas collectibles and German nutcrackers.
What’s your most cherished holiday memory?
A full house of extended friends and family on Christmas day. Being an only child, I missed the hustle and bustle of a full household during the holidays while growing up.
Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?
I enjoy visiting the mountains during the winter. Growing up in Orange County, I have been a stranger to cold weather and the snow. However, spending New Year’s in the snow is amazing. There is a quiet peace that you can only find in nature.
What’s the worst holiday experience you ever had?
Luckily, my worst holiday experience was not during the family gathering but on the return trip home. We were stuck midway on the Grapevine [on the 5 Freeway] in freezing weather, unable to move for over six hours due to an overturned lumber truck and its logs blocking all lanes. Lesson learned: Always have water, food, blankets, and a flashlight in your car.
If you had one gift to give the community, the country or even the planet, what would it be?
A sense of togetherness and to restore people to the balance of nature, and to give each community a beautiful, natural open space to enjoy.
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CARRIE VON HEMERT
Owner, Von Hemert Interiors
What’s the best gift you ever received?
My husband and my daughter.
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
A pink tool kit. At the time it was the worst gift I had ever received, but actually the tool kit, as it turned out, came in very handy. Now, I can honestly say that I don’t mind putting things together.
What’s your best advice for holiday shoppers?
Not to overdo it this year. In our family we do a gift exchange keeping a budget in mind. We go all out for the kids in our family as well as for that one person that we have for the gift exchange. And we make sure that their gift is delivered early so they can enjoy it under the tree for a couple of weeks.
What’s your most cherished holiday memory?
As a teenager, one chilly, starry night in Sun Valley, Idaho, my family went on an amazing horse-drawn sleigh ride through a snow-packed meadow. We were all bundled up under blankets sipping hot apple cider on our way to a fantastic home-cooked feast in a lodge with a crackling fire that kept everyone nice and toasty. It was such a magical experience from the very start that I can still remember it vividly.
Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?
At home with my husband and daughter sitting in front of a warm fireplace in my jammies and slippers with a nice cup of hot coffee.
What’s the worst holiday experience you ever had?
The first Thanksgiving dinner I threw for my family and in-laws (party of 22) in my first condo. I had to put all of my living room furniture in the garage and wedged into our loft so the downstairs became a sea of dining tables and chairs (an interior designer’s nightmare). Then, my brine turkey took too long to cook because there were too many side dishes cooking in the oven with it, so it dried out and didn’t look anything like the picture-perfect photo in my Williams Sonoma cookbook. Of course, I would still do it over because we truly enjoyed our first family Thanksgiving together as a newlywed couple and often laugh about it. Besides, chaos in the kitchen has always been a part of the holiday tradition in my family, just not that chaotic.
If you had one gift to give the community, the country or even the planet, what would it be?
Similar to the idea of “pay it forward,” I would encourage everyone to be much more giving, loving and compassionate towards all people. The overall goal would be that everyone would become a better mother, father, daughter, son, sibling, employee, employer, and all-around human being.
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ERIK HALFACRE
President, Traditional Jewelers
What’s the best gift you ever received?
My two-year-old daughter, Taylor. She was born three months after my father’s sudden passing and has been the greatest gift for me and my family. Number two is on the way, so I may have to edit this in six months.
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
There have been some really ugly holiday sweaters in the past and I remember getting a toy fire truck when I was eight or nine when I was expecting a Nintendo game.
What’s your best advice for holiday shoppers?
Do as I say not as I do on this one. Don’t wait until the last minute. Also, don’t even try to order one of Oprah’s favorite things. They are always back ordered and never make it in time for Christmas.
What’s your most cherished holiday memory?
Growing up in a retail family, the best memories were of all my family being together after a tiring holiday season. In the month of December, mom, dad, aunt, and uncle all worked every day. So Christmas was the first day they could all put their feet up and relax and come together as a family. Also, I will never forget sitting on the top of the step waiting for the green light from mom to run down the stairs to see what Santa had brought us.
Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?
This is easy because we don’t leave town for Christmas. So, Fashion Island. With the tallest tree in the U.S. and Christmas carols piped throughout the mall there is a genuine feeling of Christmas in the air. I’ve heard Hawaii and Aspen are nice but that will have to wait until I retire.
What’s the worst holiday experience you ever had?
Last year was the first year I can remember it just not feeling the same. It’s hard to be in the Christmas spirit when so many people you know and hear about are experiencing hardship. The usual Christmas rush and excitement just wasn’t there. We sell jewelry, but ultimately we are in the business of joyful occasions and that wasn’t the case last year. But thankfully it looks like the good times are coming upon us again.
If you had one gift to give the community, the country or even the planet, what would it be?
Tolerance. I wish we could all let each other live and enjoy whatever holiday they celebrate without judgment. I wish people wouldn’t be so concerned about what their neighbor is up to but rather just enjoy and love the ones who mean the most to them this holiday season.
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CATRINA CRAWFORD
General Manager, Quiksilver Youth
What’s the best gift you ever received?
Anything homemade: pictures the kids secretly painted and my husband had framed, the sticky rice “footballs” that our amazing family friend makes us, the professionally bound book my girlfriend made, filled with pictures of me when I was pregnant. The gift is not really what I hold in my hands; it’s knowing that a certain amount of time and effort went into making me happy. That’s the best gift of all.
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
A wooden statue of King Kamehameha holding a wooden shield and a sword. When I removed the shield... well, let’s just say he was hiding another sword.
What’s your best advice for holiday shoppers?
Buy it when you see it. Manufacturers and retailers don’t have the luxury of overproducing and over-buying anymore. As a buyer, I am finding more than ever that popular items are over-sold, and difficult if not impossible to reorder. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
What’s your most cherished holiday memory?
After trimming the Christmas tree, my brothers and I would drag our sleeping bags right under and sleep with our heads under the boughs. I remember falling asleep to the twinkling of lights, the sweet smell of pine and dreaming of what Santa would bring.
Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?
Anywhere our entire family can celebrate together. These days our lives are so over-scheduled that simply spending time and enjoying one another is the best – the place doesn’t really matter.
What’s the worst holiday experience you ever had?
When I was a teenager, I woke on Christmas morning two years in a row with the flu. I must have been on Santa’s naughty list.
If you had one gift to give the community, the country or even the planet, what would it be?
To give the gift of sight to parents. I would show them (myself included) that spending time with their children, teaching ethics, manners, humility, accountability, and good sense goes way beyond any material thing you could ever buy them. This would make the world a better place.
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SCOTT and LESLIE SEIGEL
Owners, California Closets
What’s the best gift you ever received?
Our California Closets staff bought me and my wife, Leslie, a year’s worth of Duffy boat rides. They bundled up Champagne and glasses and told us to go have fun in the Pacific. That was truly touching.
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
A good friend presented us with an abstract painting that looked like it was painted by a blind chimpanzee. We had to put it in our hallway for two years. Then only when they came over.
What’s your best advice for holiday shoppers?
Share an experience with someone. Instead of stuff, buy theater tickets. Or better yet, take them to a concert or theater.
What will the “hot item” be this year in your sector of retail?
More and more people are telling us that the home is their sanctuary. They want tranquility and clutter relief, so many people are transforming their closets, home offices, garages, pantries, and media centers into beautiful showcases to help manage their life. Reclaiming our space at home, now more than ever, can transform our lives in a way we simply cannot imagine.
What’s your most cherished holiday memory?
Easy. The one spent with our friend Glenna during her Christmas party with her daughter Alexandra, my wife Leslie and our two kids Joshua and Ashley, playing Phil Spector, Aaron Neville and Dean Martin Christmas albums. Plus, of course, overdoses of chocolate, Burgundy-infused mushrooms and single-malt Scotch.
Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?
Always at our home with my family, the Kurzweils and the Weiners. Friends for life.
What’s the worst holiday experience you ever had?
Our son was trapped in a terrible blizzard at Denver airport three years ago. It was his freshman year at University of Colorado, Boulder and he slept two days in the airport before he finally managed to make it home.
If you had one gift to give the community, the country or even the planet, what would it be?
The inspiration and ultimately the fulfillment of being proud of what you do because you are making a positive difference in the lives of others.
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VALINDA MARTIN
Owner, Art for the Soul
What’s the best gift you ever received?
I have received so many wonderful gifts over the years, I don’t really remember any one specifically, but I do know what I like: baked goods. I love the fact that someone took the time to make me something yummy.
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
In the ’80s, I received a hanging white macramé plastic plant that you plugged in with little blue lights. We turned it into the white elephant gift the next year and my friends still talk about it.
What’s your best advice for holiday shoppers?
Buy only what speaks to you about the person the gift is for. Don’t buy something just to check it off your list. A gift with thought means so much more than one that is just given because you feel you need or have to… and it shows.
What will the “hot item” be this year in your sector of retail?
Jewelry has always been great, but this year we have a twist on the basics that’s been super hot. It’s called “come get charmed” in silver and gold. You make your own necklace or bracelet by picking out and adding chains, charms and stones to make up the piece that fits you or the person you’re buying it for: stones for energy or birthdays, charms that fit the personality, favorite items, memories, or even a word that means something special. It’s a wearable statement.
What’s your most cherished holiday memory?
Growing up we had a family ritual that we got to open one present the night before Christmas. My mom always picked the one we could open and it was always a new pair of PJs. Years later I found out she did it so we would look good for our Christmas photos the next day. It worked.
Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?
At home in front of the fireplace and in my always new PJs [I’ve carried on the ritual] with leftovers from the night before, doing nothing or maybe watching movies. Sometimes we’ll rent the old and new version of the same movie and compare after watching both.
If you had one gift to give the community, the country or even the planet, what would it be?
On a local scale I would love to give out free, everything. I think it would be great to wait till the person picked out all their gifts and went to the counter to pay and say “It’s on Art for the Soul this year. Happy holidays.” The big problem would be the word would get around and it wouldn’t be the same if people were expecting it. The gift is in the giving.
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DAVE THOMAS
Owner, Areo, Inc.
What’s the best gift you ever received?
A Charlie McCarthy Ventriloquist Puppet when I was 10 years old, my first G.I. Joe or small one-of-a-kind pewter tray with a beautiful image of a scarab embossed in it. They were all the best.
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
I don’t want to offend anyone, and honestly, I can’t really think of one.
What’s your best advice for holiday shoppers?
Find a store with great stuff that does complimentary gift wrap with a French gold wax seal.
What will the “hot item” be this year in your sector of retail?
Scented candles. All sizes and scents. There are great ones if you’re on a budget and great ones if you’re not. Everyone loves giving them and getting them and they offer hours of enjoyment.
What’s your most cherished holiday memory?
Believing in Santa Claus.
Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?
I don’t think it’s about the place I spend the holidays; it’s more about being able to spend them with family and friends.
What’s the worst holiday experience you ever had?
Being served reindeer for dinner on Christmas night.
If you had one gift to give the community, the country or even the planet, what would it be?
On the 20th anniversary of “Saving the Canyon,” I would restore some of the vistas in Laguna Canyon by providing a tunnel for the toll road and burying all the power lines. Even without that done, it’s still a great accomplishment that Laguna Canyon has been saved. What a beautiful place.
