In years past, we may have shopped efficiently via phone taps and mouse clicks to check off our holiday gift lists in the (old saint) nick of time. But along the way, we’ve lost the magic of mall wandering—the unexpected bauble seen in a store window, the display that gives new life to a holiday table, the recommendation from an actual human salesperson that completes your perfect gift.
Sure, Add to Cart is convenient, but this season, we’re all about spoiling our senses with IRL shopping. And nothing makes us feel more like the main character in a holiday movie than strolling around a mall swathed in sparkling seasonal spirit. Take your walk to the corridors of Rosedale Center and check off some holiday gifting along the way. Now that’s multi-tasking we can get on board with!
Eye Do
Step into your holidays era and make the whole place shimmer with eyeshadow palettes in matte, glitter, and metallics. Don’t forget the brushes! Destinations eye palettes ($15 each) by Sephora, and Sephora Collection brushes #26 ($20) and #90 ($30), from Sephora, rosedalecenter.com
Pickle in the Middle
For that person on your list who holds court around a net: pickleball everything. No cucumbers and vinegar here, just a preppy hat and woodgrain paddles that nod to the game’s old money roots, plus an OG league T-shirt. Bonus points for using an iconic pickle ornament as a gift-topper. Pickleball paddle ($45) by P. Graham Dunn, hat ($20) by Polo, and graphic T-shirt ($38) by Original Retro Brand League, all from Von Maur, rosedalecenter.com
Glasses Half Full
Forget days-of-the-week underwear—this daily rotation focuses on frames. Eyebobs sees you: More than just a glasses case, this hexagonal storage box holds six pairs of glasses (from blue-light filtering and sun-shading to vision correcting). Call it a spectacle. Glasses storage case ($30) from Eyebobs, rosedalecenter.com (glasses sold separately)
Hi, Barbie!
Make like Margot Robbie and paint the town pink. The cult fave belt bag from Lululemon keeps your essentials handy—and your hands free! And since Mother Nature prevents us from showing our heads until April, we might as well look cute as we cover up. Everywhere belt bag ($38) in “Sonic Pink,” and Warm Revelation beanie ($48) in “Sonic Pink” from Lululemon, rosedalecenter.com
Of Love and Loafers
Forget love letters, wrap up this graphic sweater and shoe combo to tell that special someone how you really feel. Love sweater ($89) by Z Supply, and Trisca loafers ($150) by Marc Fisher, from Evereve, rosedalecenter.com
Sight Sea-ing
Calling all safari seekers! With more than 1,000 animals, SeaQuest Rosedale Center has enough land and water adventures for the whole family. The experiences are designed around animal interaction opportunities, from feeding a baby sloth and meeting a wallaby to snorkeling with stingrays. General admission tickets are $24.99, children ages 2 to 11 are $18.99, rosedalecenter.com
The Nightcap Before Christmas
Skip the old-fashioned pajamas and opt for a spirited sip instead. Cocktail mix and luxe cherries make the perfect host gift, and monogrammed lowball glasses ensure no one can steal sips of that perfect pour. Monogrammed old fashioned glasses ($17.95 each), old fashioned cocktail mix ($22.95) by Woodford Reserve, and Luxardo cherries ($19.95), all from Williams-Sonoma, rosedalecenter.com
More Power to You
For the ever-busy one who’s always running on low battery: Lightning charging cables and fast-charge magnetic pads make it easy to give devices a quick boost before zipping out the door to the next festivity. Pair these tech trimmings with a salt scrub to encourage R & R for more than their screens. Charging accessories (prices vary) from Apple, rosedalecenter.com
Smart Wool
We’ve all been the person juggling a bottle of wine and a gift in mittens while trying to open a car door. (It doesn’t end well!) Consider this cozy wool tote your extra set of hands—housing all the party supplies you could want and looking cute doing it. Wool tote ($195) by HejLöv, from Rose and Loon, rosedalecenter.com
Steak Out
Throw out your visions of stuffy steakhouses of old and meet Baldamar, the meat headquarters of your wildest dreams. Expect modern, moody décor and a menu based on traditional supper club classics with fresh twists and unexpected touches. (Psst, don’t miss the char-grilled street corn.) Wrap up gift cards for your favorite carnivore or spare yourself the hosting hullabaloo and create new traditions with a meal at this Roseville hot spot. 1642 Cty. Rd. B2 W., Roseville, rosedalecenter.com
Find more gift ideas and holiday experiences at Rosedale Center. 1595 Hwy. 36 W., Roseville, 651-633-0872, rosedalecenter.com