Hidden & Affordable Holiday Shopping in Mountain View

Mountain View's Best Hidden Gem for Holiday Shopping

With the holidays in full swing, and knowing that we’re all on the hunt for one location where you can find unique and thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list at great prices, I wanted to share with you all one of the best kept secrets for your holiday shopping. And you may be surprised. It’s somewhere you’re probably not expecting: our very own, local El Camino Hospital in Mountain View.

I stopped by yesterday to get a tour by Patty Tager, the buyer for the El Camino Hospital Gift Shops, and was blown away by the amazing selection of gifts, for any and every season, but especially for the holiday season available in their five different gift shops. Patty combs the country throughout the year to find cutting edge and uniqe products and then sells them at very competitive prices. “We are committed to offering the best products and services to all our customers, whether they are patients in our hospital, or members of our community, who come for a different shopping experience,” she said.

Price ranges and assortments vary and they have an extraordinary selection of holiday décor and gifts. You can find jewelry, scented candles, beautiful apparel and scarves, gifts for everyone in the family, fresh flowers, and even something so simple as a toothbrush. I saw great gifts for SF Giants and SJ Sharks fans. There’s something for everyone, and I had fun scoping out what I’m going to buy for hostess gifts this year. It really is one of those local gems that few people know about, so I wanted to share it with you.

Here’s the run-down of what can be found in each of the shops:

The Gift Connection

When I walk through the hospital lobby I always stop to look in the windows of the main shop in the lobby, The Gift Connection. There’s almost always a magical display of vintage animated musical amusement park rides, where you see little people on a Ferris wheel or skating on winter’s pond. It delights the inner child of everyone who passes by. “I just love to see the faces of the people that walk by the window. They will stop in their tracks and are almost magnetically drawn in,” says Patty. The shop carries convenience items, books, beautiful floral arrangements, gifts in every price range, greeting cards, as well as licensed sports memorabilia. I’ve already bought dozens of stocking stuffers here.

The Health Connection

The Health Connection shop, also located in the main lobby, carries products that are directed towards healthy living styles, with teas, candles, comfy natural clothing, books and CDs, and they even have a massage chair.  Patty’s vision for this store was to offer a relaxing space for visitors and employees to retreat from the stresses of the hospital. They also offer chair neck and back massages one day a week.

The Maternal Connection

The Maternal Connection, located in The Women’s Hospital, is primarily focused on the needs of new moms and babies.  The staff is specially trained in bra fittings for new nursing moms, and breast pump rentals and sales. They have a large selection of plush toys for babies and little gifts for older brothers and sisters. If you have a chance to stop by, you can also pick up practical and adorable gifts for new babies or new moms at prices that won’t hurt your wallet.

The Cancer Center Boutique

The Cancer Center Boutique, located in Melchor Pavilion, not only has products to ease the discomforts of cancer therapies, but they pride themselves on what they call “retail therapy” with beautiful and affordable jewelry, scarves, hats, and other gifts. I love this boutique especially, because it’s a place where you can find nurturing items for people who need extra TLC.

The Gift Connection Los Gatos

The Gift Connection Los Gatos is similar to the Gift Connection in the lobby of El Camino hospital, offering a variety of great items at great prices. It’s due to expand next spring, is also committed to outstanding service to their community.

“We are extremely fortunate to have such great support from our senior leadership as well as our employees”, says Patty.  And the support from the community continues to grow as word gets out about this gem.

All the shops are hospital owned and operated and all net proceeds of the gift shops go directly to hospital programs and services. I hope you’ll stop by one of these days, and check it out. I know you’ll find something for a special person in your life. Happy Holidays and of course, happy shopping! I’ll see you there!

-Barb

p.s. stop by the bistro downstairs for a yummy lunch from Chef Jacques and his team