Culturenauts are those people who define themselves by their refined tastes and are so far ahead on the cultural curve that it’s a literal pain in the neck to look back at us plebes trying to keep up.
Consequently, giving them gifts is an anxiety-ridden exercise in futility, judgment and disappointment. Merry Christmas.
Fortunately, some marketing genius created the gift card, which puts the onus of actually choosing a gift for that resident culturenaut on them. One only needs to choose where to get the card. Start here:
Book ’em, Danno
Choosing a book by its cover is no longer a problem. One can make a giftee do it with a gift card to Copperfield’s Books. An indie bookstore with nine locations in the tri-county area, they will appeal to a culturenaut’s inherent pro-labor, anti-Amazon sentiments while complimenting their conspicuous literary leanings. Will it be the latest Murakami or Miranda July’s All Fours? Who cares? One’s part is done. They may have some more eggnog. copperfieldsbooks.com.
Bonus: Russian River Books & Letters—a café-adjacent charmer in the heart of Guerneville, this bookstore deserves those dollars. booksletters.com.
Wine Time
Any time is a fine time for wine, except when Mr. Merlot Mansplainer, “self-trained sommelier,” opens his purple-stained gob to tell us what we should be “looking for” in our glasses. (Dude, I’m looking for wine, and it’s right here, so shaddup already.) By gifting this type of gift card for a local wine experience, one is simultaneously saying, “I know you like wine, and I defer to your literal good tastes.” Everyone wins.
Favorites in this regard include Petaluma’s La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge, which offers gift cards and a monthly wine club membership of beautifully curated selections. ldvwine.com.
For the oenophile with a taste for the boutique, Region Wine Bar at The Barlow in Sebastopol is the ultimate gift destination. With 50 wines on rotation from small Sonoma County producers—many without tasting rooms—it’s a rare opportunity to sip the rare find or emerging brand. Gift cards here unlock curated flights, by-the-glass pours and insider access to local micro-producers. drinkregion.com.
Bonus: Sonoma’s Gloria Ferrer, purveyors of fine sparkling wines, offers ‘digital gift cards’ online in $25, $50 or $100 denominations. gloriaferrer.com.
Cinema Claus
For the cinephile who already has everything everywhere all at once, Rialto Cinemas gift cards are the perfect plot twist. Available in any amount starting at $20, these cards cover tickets, popcorn and even wine—a triple feature of joy. Redeemable online or at the Sebastopol box office, it’s the easiest way to wrap up the magic of the big screen. One may give the gift of cinematic escapes, from arthouse gems to buttery indulgence. rialtocinemas.com.
Bonus: Santa Rosa Cinemas, whose theaters include the Roxy, Airport Stadium and Summerfield theaters, also offers gift cards at santarosacinemas.com/GiftCards.
Merry Music
A Green Music Center gift card will hit all the right notes for the music lover in one’s life. Part of the Sonoma State University campus in Rohnert Park, the venue is lauded as Sonoma County’s premier performing arts destination, offering live and online performances, which makes this a gift that can resonate far and wide. gmc.sonoma.edu.
Similarly, the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts makes gifting live performances relatively effortless, with certificates available online, by phone or in person. One may choose email for instant delivery or have them mailed—free of charge—to themself or directly to a recipient for a seamless, sonic surprise. lutherburbankcenter.org.
Bonus: Jazz venue Blue Note Napa also offers gift cards at bluenotejazz.com/napa for those who prefer their ‘White Christmas’ with a dash of blue.
