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15 unique gift ideas from Ashland shops By Jim Flint Nov 18, 2022 12:30 AM A A 15 View all photos Customers browse for gifts inside Paddington Station in downtown Ashland. [Mail Tribune file photo/Andy Atkinson] Shoppers hit up downtown Ashland's Main Street. [Mail Tribune file photo/Jamie Lusch] Pam Hammond restocks gifts inside Paddington Station in downtown Ashland. [Mail Tribune file photo/Andy Atkinson] Ruth Bader Ginsburg crew socks. [Courtesy photo] Divinity three-tone diamond stackers. [Courtesy photo] White gold opal and diamond pendant. [Courtesy photo] Wax & Wool pure soy wax candle. [Courtesy photo] Wizard Potion Kit. [Courtesy photo] “The Last Chairlift” by John Irving. [Courtesy photo] Flannel pajamas from Paddington Jewel Box. [Courtesy photo] Eco-friendly wood toy. [Courtesy photo] Nikon Monarch 7 8x42 binoculars. [Courtesy photo] Ottolock bike lock. [Courtesy photo] Lavender Petit Voyage Collection. [Courtesy photo] Blue Dream wrap. [Courtesy photo] When Ashland flips the switch Nov. 25 to turn on more than a million lights, downtown comes alive with the holiday spirit. The annual Festival of Light Celebration signals Ashland is ready to celebrate the season with unique gifts, tastes and flavors. The spectacular “grand illumination” turns the Ashland Plaza and downtown into a magical wintertime fairyland. Ashland all dressed up for the holidays has attracted national attention in the past, often featured on the Hallmark Channel. But locals and visitors alike find Ashland’s unique collection of boutiques, shops and eateries combine for a pleasurable holiday shopping experience. You can preview and buy local offerings online at stores’ websites or at Ashland Chamber of Commerce’s independent retail website, shopashlandoregon.com . But the fun is in browsing local shops in person to find those special gifts, discover what’s new and enjoy Ashland’s personal customer service that matches the spirit of the season. And when you need a break, Ashland’s many restaurants, bistros and pubs are ready to welcome you with tasty food and drink. Following are some ideas to get you started, with a sampling of unique gifts available at Ashland shops. • Ruth Bader Ginsburg crew socks, black or striped, from the Crown Jewel, 266 E. Main St. Handmade in Concord, Massachusetts, by Maggie Stern, these RBG socks are an instant classic, commemorating the U.S. Supreme Court justice. $15. • Thai saa lamp from Ignition Gallery, 40 N. Main St. This Asian-style plumeria flowers lamp is made of mulberry paper and other natural materials, providing subdued, ambient light. $29.95. • Heritage steel 13.5-inch French skillet with lid for the chef on your list from The Culinarium, 270 E. Main St. The skillet features a large, flat cooking surface, excellent for crepes, French toast, grilled sandwiches and large sautés. $299.95. • Divinity three-tone diamond stackers from Gold & Gems Fine Jewelry, 25 N. Main St. These C&R stackers are handmade by Ron at Gold & Gems. The ring set comes with one 14-karat rose gold, one 14-karat yellow gold and one 14-karat white gold ring, featuring 1/2 carat of fine diamonds in each. $2,990. • White gold opal and diamond pendant from Art FX Fine Jewelry, 45 E. Main St. A gift to treasure, with a 14-karat white gold pendant, 3.5-carat Australian boulder opal, .05-carat bezel-set round white diamond and .03-carat bezel-set round green diamond. $1,495. • Wax & Wool pure soy wax candle from The Websters, 11 N. Main St. “Evergreen State” captures the scent of an old-growth forest. Rich in complex notes of cypress, pine, spruce and sandalwood, with a punch of citrus and base notes of moss and musk. $25. • Wizard Potion Kit for the creative youngster from Tree House Books, 15 N. Main St. The set is full of supplies and enchanted objects that can inspire as well as aid in studies of the natural magical world, all stored in a secret book box, disguised for the bookshelf. $20. • “The Last Chairlift” by one of the world’s greatest novelists, John Irving, from Bloomsbury Books, 290 E. Main St. This 900-page epic is his first novel in seven years — part ghost story, part love story and a lifetime of sexual politics. By the author of “The Cider House Rules” and “The World According to Garp.” $38. • Peanut brittle from Branson’s Chocolates, 1662 Siskiyou Blvd. If you’re a chocolate lover, you already know Branson’s very well. Their peanut brittle is salty-sweet with a buttery, nutty crunch, made with cane sugar, non-GMO corn syrup and real butter. $8.25. • Flannel pajamas from Paddington Jewel Box, 180 E. Main St. This designer PJ set amps up the cute factor and comes in many sizes and prints. They’re designed for a cozy, comfortable sleep with fashionable good looks. $64.95. • Eco-friendly wood toy from Paddington Station, 125 E. Main St. Made in Thailand by Plan Toys, this sustainable play set will provide hours of engagement for the creative child. $40. • Nikon Monarch 7 8x42 binoculars from Northwest Nature Shop, 154 Oak St. Just the ticket for the bird watcher. All-terrain, waterproof, fog-proof with extra-low dispersion glass elements to enhance brightness and color. $479.95. • Ottolock bike lock from Piccadilly Cycles, 525 A St., Suite 1. Designed for quick stops and protecting against opportunity theft, it has a starting weight of 145 grams and coils to a compact 3-inch diameter. $75 • Lavender Petit Voyage Collection from Pelindaba Lavender, 30 N. Main St. This collection contains a half bar of lavender castile soap and a .34 fluid ounce lavender lip balm, purse-sized for traveling or as a gift or elegant party favor. $21. • Blue Dream wrap from Heart & Hands Boutique, 255 E. Main St. This doubled silk charmeuse wrap is 72 inches long by 16 inches wide, sumptuous and luxurious for all seasons. It pairs nicely with a mask made from the same material, as well as with organic cotton. $240. These are just a few gift suggestions from Ashland’s unique shops. Google other Ashland stores and check out shopashlandoregon.com for more ideas for your gift list. Or, better yet, browse the stores in person for an up-close look and personal service. Reach freelance writer Jim Flint at [email protected].