Christmas in Mammoth Lakes is beautiful, magical, and…only 5 days away! And if you’ve forgotten to buy a gift for someone on your list, you might be wondering where to do some last-minute shopping.
Take a look at our list of the best gift ideas you can buy right here in Mammoth. Your gift recipient is going to love them!
Private ski or snowboard lessons
If your group is coming up to Mammoth to enjoy the slopes, our first recommendation is the gift of private lessons. This is an obvious winner for your loved one who will be learning how to ski or snowboard during their trip. But it’s not just a good gift for the newbies! Anyone can benefit from a professional instructor giving them tips and pointers on how to improve their form and technique. So, if someone in your group has been talking about wanting to improve their downhill skills while in Mammoth, consider booking them a one-on-one lesson.
A good-old-fashioned souvenir
Who doesn’t love a Christmas gift that will remind them of their amazing trip to Mammoth? And luckily, the options for souvenirs here are many!
If you’re traveling with family, we would certainly recommend some matching mountain-themed pajamas from Graphic Conclusion or Another T-Shirt Shop. These are also great places to buy mugs, tote-bags, ski socks, and more of your typical souvenir-style gifts.
Family-friendly board games and toys for the kids
If you’re looking for something more geared towards the kiddos in the family, we would suggest taking a look around Mammoth Fun Shop. There, you’ll find some Mammoth-themed merch plus more general board games, toys, and stuffed animals. This is a great option if you’re looking for Christmas gifts that you can enjoy in your condo when you’re not on the slopes.
Local art from one of our galleries
It’s no surprise that the beauty of the Eastern Sierra would inspire many local artists. And, if you’re buying a gift for the art-lover in your life, you’ll certainly be able to find something here.
For photography, Sierra Light Gallery on Main Street offers a range of print sizes. They are also selling smaller gifts such as candles and gift boxes for the holidays. But, you’ll want to get over there fast as they’ll be closed after tomorrow for Christmas.
Mono Arts Council is another fantastic place to support local artists. Whether your gift recipient appreciates ceramics, handmade jewelry, fiber arts, or paintings, this local gathering place for Mammoth artists has something for everyone.
A spa experience
What better way to give your loved one some peace and quiet this holiday with a spa experience in the mountains? There are a few popular places to get a massage or facial here in Mammoth, such as Snowcreek Athletic Club, Simply Massage Body Boutique or Healing Arts Centre.
Keep in mind that the holidays are a busy season for our local massage therapists! Call ahead to check their availability during your stay.
Guide books
If there’s a book-lover on your list this year, they’ll love getting a guide book to help them make the most of their trip to Mammoth. Maybe it’s a guide book of the flora and fauna of the Eastern Sierra, or a how-to book on taking photography in the mountains. Or perhaps they’ll love to have a guide book about backcountry skiing in the area. No matter what their particular hobbies may be, you can bet there’s a guide book just for them.
If you’re looking for recommendations, definitely take the time to stop in at our local gem, the Booky Joint. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable about all things Mammoth, so they’ll help you pick out the perfect book for the bibliophile on your list.
A taste of our local brews
If you ask us, there’s something special in the water here. How else can you explain our amazing local craft beer and spirits? Okay, it doesn’t hurt that we’ve also got some of the most talented brewmasters and distillers in California!
If your gift recipient enjoys a good craft beer or spirit, there’s no shortage of Mammoth-made alcohol to put under the Christmas tree. Mammoth Brewing Company is, of course, a crowd favorite. And, Shelter Distilling offers a wide range of spirits, including bourbon, gin, vodka and more.
We always like to remind our guests that while the old saying that you get drunker at high altitude has been debunked, it’s still a good idea to take it easy on the alcohol here. When combined with altitude sickness and our dry climate, overindulging on the holiday drinks can make for a bad combo.
A photography session
Maybe someone in your family is always trying to wrangle everyone together for a group shot. And as they would probably tell you, it’s stressful to be the one responsible for making sure you have these memories to look back on!
This Christmas, you can take the pressure off by hiring a professional family or group photographer. That way, you can get some lovely pictures with stunning mountains in the background. And, your picture-snapping relative won’t have to worry about taking the perfect photo for next year’s holiday cards.
A donation in the name of your loved one
It’s becoming more common to break away from material gifts in favor of donations in a loved one’s name, and we can think of a few Mammoth-based organizations that would appreciate the support:
Mammoth Lakes wouldn’t be the special place it is without its sense of community. Which is why making donations is a great gift for Christmas and every other day of the year!
What Mammoth-based gift will you give this year?
Will it be a Mammoth Mountain beanie? A one-of-a-kind coffee mug with the Minarets? An hour-long post-skiing massage? With so many options to choose from, we know you’ll find something special for your last-minute Christmas shopping in Mammoth Lakes!
Planning a mountain trip? Check out our Mammoth Resorts to find the perfect stay.