What Shoppers are Buying Downtown

As the countdown gets closer to Christmas Day, shoppers are furiously sifting the stores to find a gift for everyone on their list.

We asked some Napa retailers what their customers are buying this holiday season:

Dutch ovens are hot sellers year after year, said owner Lynn Campagna.

“People use them at this time of the year for holiday dinners, especially turkeys,” Campagna said.

The buyers are not necessarily women, she said.

“We have a lot of fathers, husbands and even boyfriends who shop here for Christmas presents.”

Campagna said the store also does a steady business in stocking stuffers, such as peelers and other kitchen gadgets.

But, she said, “I would say at this time of the year, we have people shopping for bigger and more expensive items.”

Brenda Roberts, owner of , said "a lot of customers buy hard-to-find cigars.

"We also sell games such as backgammon and Chinese checkers,” Roberts continued.

“A real popular item is yard art, which is made from recycled pieces from junkyards,” Roberts said.

“We pride ourselves on being able to offer many unique gifts — the type of things you can’t pick up at the big retail chain stores.”

At , owner Renee Fannin said “We have people coming in who are looking for more of the unique items rather than the ones advertised on TV and in the newspaper.”

Fannin said her customers are looking to find such items as Uncle Milton science toys and the Kimochi dolls. Dinosaurs are popular as well, she continued.

"And of course kids always want Legos and stuffed animals,” Fannin said.

owner Christy Beeman has bath and body products for givers who want to pamper someone special.

“The sets are nice because they are already in gift packages,” said Beeman, who also sells gift cards for hairstyling.

Jewelry and chocolate are always front and center at gift-giving time and Kent Gardella, owner of in Napa Town Center, has managed to combine the two for a holiday hit:

“'Hershey Kisses' are huge this year. I can hardly keep them in stock,” Gardella said, explaining that the Hershey candy company has allowed the reproduction of its iconic Hershey Kiss to be used in jewelry.

“The most popular is in pendants. We also have them in earrings and rings,” Gardella said.

Wedding and engagement rings are also in high demand at Christmas, according to Gardella: “Many men want to surprise their girlfriends and propose to them at Christmas."

How does that work?

“The man will come in and pick out a diamond, and we mount it in a temporary setting," Gardella explained.

"Then, after he proposes, they come to the store and pick out the permanent setting they want.”

Gardella said the new colored diamonds are another hot-ticket item this holiday

At , “sheepskin slippers and boots are really in demand right now,” said store manager Marilyn Teixeria.

“We have a lot of women who come in and scout out our store. They go home and tell their husbands what and where to buy their gifts,” Texeira said.

Across the street at , “hats are huge right now, especially the fedoras for men.

"For women it is more dresses, purses and accessories,” said owner Thea Witsil, whose store is stocked with a 50-50 blend of vintage and new clothing and accoutrements.