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The Procrastinator’s Gift Giving Guide for San Francisco

Just say “no” to Starbucks gift cards. Stuff your stocking with something local.
By - posted 12/23/2015 No Comment

You know who you are, and you probably have accepted your fate by now – you are a gift-getting procrastinator.

And you probably have enough shame at this point to not want to face the mobs of stressed out shoppers in the giant mall.

An no self-respecting San Franciscan can get a generic gift card like for Starbucks, The Gap, Macy’s or Chipotle… Those are big ass chains – so you’ll lose your street cred. We’re talking about hunting for gifts from only truly beloved local institutions (and one new one).

So if you need last minute stocking stuffers, we’ve done the work for you. Now you won’t even have to leave your bed and comfy pajamas before Christmas Day!

Our Holy Grail of San Francisco retailers with online gift cards:

Awesome SF Gift Cards You Can Buy Online Last Minute

Philz Coffee – Everyone seems to love Philz. Really. Even people who hate coffee (they still have great tea and snacks!).

Alamo Drafthouse – By giving someone a gift card to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema which just opened up in the Mission, you’re probably guaranteeing a great evening (I recommend giving it to a lover, then you’re basically giving a gift to yourself. Hello date night!) This isn’t your average theater, this is like a one-stop date shop: dinner AT the movies!

Show Dogs – Now that hot dog emojis have made their entrance, it is officially appropriate to give the gift of hot dogs (in the form of a gift card).

Oaklandish – OK, it’s not “San Francisco” but you gotta have hella-respect for this local fashion line that reps the East Bay This gift also gives back. Oaklandish apparel donates a portion of all proceeds to grassroots nonprofits committed to bettering the Oakland community. And their stuff is dope.

Asian Art Museum – Give the gift of culture instantly! This gift idea is a little pricier than what normally might be on Funcheap, but this gift membership is packed. At $89 for the year, this gift includes includes unlimited free admission for two, including special exhibitions, preview days, and parties. And membership also means free admission to over 800 museums around the country. And on the selfish front, your purchase is 100% tax deductible since we’re getting right down to tax time. And don’t worry if they can’t use it right away. The 12 month clock of gift membership starts whenever they activate it, not when you buy it.

House of Air – You definitely do not have to be a kid to enjoy this one. The House of Air is an indoor trampoline park located inside a historic airplane hangar. How cool is that?! I might have to get one of these for myself…

Green Apple Books – This amazing totally local and indie used book and music store will buy your old books and sell them too! For the Funcheapers out there, this place is the best bookstore your lack of money can buy.

HONORABLE MENTION – Ike’s Place – Only the most iconic sandwich shop in the Bay. You can buy gift cards at any store (all are open on xmas eve, but may close early). But if you buy a gift certificate online (which they’ll mail to you a few days) it’s a gift that gives to the giver. If you buy a $50 gift card you will earn your own $5 gift card to keep. Or buy a $100 gift card and Ike will smuggle you a $20 bonus gift card for Santa to keep. So what if the gift card isn’t available right that very moment. Just print out a big picture of a sandwich and put in in their stocking as a proxy until the real thing comes.

HONORABLE MENTION – $9 San Francisco Giants Tickets – You can’t buy Giant’s gift cards online unfortunately, but you can buy game tickets. And the last day to buy tickets until FanFest on February 13th is on Christmas Eve (hello, perceived scarcity!). Tickets go off sale at 11:59pm, so don’t wait until Christmas Day. And tickets for many games start at just $9, though you’ll have to pay those pesky online fees. Currently there’s 10 games on sale with tickets at $9. So if you have an Giants fan on your list, get clicking, and get printing and stuff that stocking with some orange and black.

> Did we miss any beloved local shops and stores selling online gift cards? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Last Minute In-Store Pickup Gift Cards

If you don’t mind bouncing around town in the “real world” on xmas eve, here’s our list of a few favorite local shops that sell gift cards in store.

Good Vibrations – Well…. it’s a sex toy store (where the adults play). At least when you go in there you can say it’s not for you?

Ambiance – Everyone has a high-maintenance picky girl friend that’s impossible to buy for, so just put in zero effort and throw this gift card at her face and let her go to town own her own time. Phew, no work required.

Roxie Theater Passbooks – Movie theater prices keep soaring, but our lovable indie Roxie has affordable tickets, which you can buy for a friend so they can keep going back! Get a pack of five tickets for $40.

Bi-Rite – What can’t you get at Bi-Rite? Life-changing ice cream? The freshest veggies? Literally anyone can use (and would love) a Bi-Rite gift card. Note: these gift cards can be picked up at store, but require a 2-3 day turnaround.

Amoeba Music – While you can no longer have gift cards shipped to you in the mail for delivery by Christmas, you can have held at store location for pick up. Amoeba is the quintessential San Frantastic (and Berkeley-tastic) store with not only CDs and vinyl, but also awesome concert posters and apparel.

Ferry Building Farmer’s Market – The farmer’s market will be open on Christmas Eve where you can purchase farmer’s market gift coins to give to someone who definitely loves to cook (or just eat). The market will be open 10am-2pm on 12/24.

Sports Basement – Even if you friend isn’t that sporty and just wears Patagucci to fit in with all the “basics,” pretty much anyone can find something they love here. You can buy a gift certificate in store, but if you buy online it usually takes one business day to receive your PDF gift card.

Secession Art & Design – Bonus points here because not only does this local art and fashion gallery in Bernal sell gift cards, but they’ll get you liquored up while you shop.  They’re open until 7pm on Christmas Eve night and have complimentary whisky and chocolate to keep your tummy in the holiday spirit. Not only is Secession hosting this party for last-minute shoppers (that’s you), but you can also buy gift cards online here. They make cool art, clothing, and jewelry all from local artists. You can even pick up an Amos Goldbaum Bernal onesie. That’s legit.