These are a few of our favorite things

Our Favorite Things for the Holidays

CRAFT COCKTAILS
Traditional cocktails and craft distilling are making a comeback. A new lounge is opening this fall in Nevada City called Golden Era, specializing in craft cocktails. In Auburn, California Distilled Spirits’ Darjeeling Gin is making a splash. It is served at Tofanelli’s in Grass Valley, among other places.
GoldenEraLounge.com and CaliforniaDistilledSpirits.com

CAROLINES COFFEE ROASTERS GIFT BASKETS
We drink Carolines Coffee each morning: It is fresh roasted, in-house. But we also adore their gift baskets. The gourmet items are wrapped in baskets or wooden gift crates, with a festive bow.
128 S.Auburn St., Grass Valley 530-273-6424
CarolinesCoffee.com

CHRISTMAS AT THE RAILROAD MUSEUM
For old-fashioned holiday fun, go to the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad
Museum in Nevada City. On December 5, you can ride on a train, see toy rail cars in snowy settings, even visit Santa Claus. The gift shop is a welcome reprieve from the store chains.
5 Kidder Ct., Nevada City 530-470-0902
NCNGRRMuseum.org

NICHOLSON BLOWN GLASS
The Auburn hand-blown glassmaker creates exquisite works of art, from commissioned pieces to glass-blown pumpkins, ornaments and Mandarins. The Nicholson’s glass- blown ornaments make a special holiday gift or stocking stuffer. Visit the studios and watch the artists in action.
5555 Bell Rd, Auburn 530-823-1631
NicholsonBlownGlass.com

COPPER RIVER BAG CO.
High quality leather bags, messenger bags, laptop bags, iPad cases, briefcases, wallets and accessories—all handcrafted inNevada City. The bags are made from the finest American and Italian full-grain leather. We also like the Copper River Bag Co. travel blog, written by John Anthony Law.
CopperRiverBags.com