It seems that no matter how hard you try to become organized during the holidays, there’s always something you forget to accomplish on time. Getting all shopping done well before Christmas is a lofty goal that’s not so easy to accomplish. Many shoppers wait until the very last minute to rush to the malls, multiplazas and Wal-Mart stores, thereby creating the infamous presas navideñas. Others draw a blank when it comes to getting that last present for someone, whether they forgot or just ran out of time. It happens to even the most methodical shoppers.

Instead of following the herd and exacerbating the unpleasantness of the presas navideñas, take a simple approach: skip the mall and check out the innovative presents that are proudly made right here in Costa Rica. The stores listed below are conveniently located in San José, and many of them are tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main traffic and pedestrian arteries. These stores feature locally-made attractive products that are sure to please all Ticos and Ticas.

Boutique Kiosco SJO is located in historic and trendy Barrio Amón, 350 meters north of the gazebo in Morazán Park. The store features a wide range of cool Tico-made fashion, souvenirs, literature, and novelty items. Most of the items here are made following sustainable design principles. At this boutique you can find the highly sought-after NOMELLAMOS; incredibly adorable plush toys which are uniquely designed so that no two ever look the same. If you like NOMELLAMOS, you’ll definitely like their NOMEBOTES cousins, stylish bags made from recycled materials.

With locations in San José, Alajuela and Heredia, Arteria offers affordable t-shirts, stickers, bags, beer mugs, and other gifts emblazoned with colloquial designs and expressions that may seem cryptic, except to Ticos.

At EskineARTE you can find stylish Tico designs in clothing, accessories and ornaments at very reasonable prices. They are located in Barrio Escalante, between 3rd Street and 33rd Avenue (their Tico address is 150 meters north of Bagelmen’s in San Pedro, in front of Intensa).