Hansen: Laguna’s alternative Top 10 gift list

You can call it weird, alternative, unique or cool, but just don’t call my annual Christmas guide list touristy.

Touristy is not why people come to Laguna Beach to shop for gifts. They want something special. So here are some handpicked suggestions that may help you satisfy your Laguna holiday reputation.

No. 10: Vintage album. Sound Spectrum, 1264 S Coast Hwy. Prices vary depending on rarity, around $20 and up. If you don’t have a turntable anymore, get one. The things they are doing nowadays with vinyl are amazing. Look up what Jack White did with holograms on his recent “Lazaretto” album. You can’t do that with an MP3.

No. 9: Laguna branded food. Pearl St. General, 1796 S. Coast Hwy. Price: Less than $10. If you are going to a dinner party or beach picnic and need everything pulled together, come here. It has Laguna branded items plus a nice assortment of accoutrements.

No. 8: Laguna map bracelet. Areo, 207 Ocean Ave. Price: $290. Before wearable technology, local artist Connie Archbold had made a thick silver bracelet bearing the major streets of Laguna. The store also has some nice curios, including interesting paper mache animals, ornaments and high-end song bird sculptures made from recycled material.

No. 7: Sexy costumes. Romantic Boutique, 1857 S. Coast Hwy. Prices vary for masks, $10 to $95. Who doesn’t need a suggestive holiday costume? And if you don’t, buy one anyway. You never know when you may need to spice things up. You can start slow with a rhinestone mask. Trust me, it’s not just a Mardi Gras thing.

No. 6: Priceless helmet. Troy Lee Designs, 380 Glenneyre St. Price: Not for sale. This is a custom, one-of-a-kind motorcycle helmet designed by Troy Lee and signed by the cast of the movie “On Any Sunday.” OK, before you say this is an unfair suggestion because it’s not for sale, well, maybe you’re right. But it is pretty cool, and maybe he would sell it to you for the right price. If not, there are lots of other unique helmets, gloves, clothes and backpacks that look like something out of a “Mad Max” movie: black, rugged and highly functional.

No. 5: Handmade leather goods. North Menswear, 380 Glenneyre St. Price: $23 to $160. You don’t have to sport a burly beard to go into this store, but it helps. The year-old North Menswear is small but packs a punch, like any good lumberjack. For example, the store has some killer leather goods that are ruggedly elegant. Designed by a Dana Point leather master, the lineup includes a mustache brush holder. I think I’ll stop there and let that sink in.

No. 4: Creepy holiday gift wrap. Sin is Pretty, 1850 S. Coast Hwy. Price: $15. Yes, that’s right, creepy holiday gift wrap, including ventriloquist dummy heads, Krampus, various meat images and more. This gift would definitely shake up the mindless practice of not noticing the gift wrap. While you’re at this store, be sure to check out the Christmas dolls. Look deep into their eyes and try not to get scared.

No. 3: Tibetan spread. Tibet Handicrafts, 384 Forest Ave., Suite 5. Prices run from $70 to $145. Did you know that the only dedicated Tibetan store in Orange County is in Laguna? It’s a little hard to find in the Lumberyard Plaza Shopping Center by the post office, but if you want something from Tibet, this is your place. The fabrics are a higher quality than you will find at a Santa Ana swap meet, and the items include colorful spreads, jackets and rugs. The store specializes in custom-designed, hand-knotted woolen rugs and also carries Tibetan and Himalayan jewelry, spiritual and Buddhist ritual items and more.

No. 2: Children’s paint apron. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr. Price: $30 to $50. These are too cute, and if you want to instill an appreciation for art early in a kid’s life, what better way than dressing like Picasso? The aprons carry brushes, pens, crayons, etc. and were made by local artist Mary Keating.

And the No. 1 gift suggestion: Give to local nonprofits.

While giving to friends and family is a holiday tradition, consider donating something that will result in real value. Some of my favorites:

Boys and Girls Clubs of Laguna Beach, https://www.bgclagunabeach.org.

The Friendship Shelter, https://www.friendshipshelter.org.

Laguna Beach Community Clinic, https://www.lbclinic.org.

No Square Theatre, https://www.nosquare.org.

Pacific Marine Mammal Center, https://www.pacificmmc.org.

DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.