HOLIDAY INSIGHTS

The holidays are upon us and Hillsdale Shopping Center is here to bring you the greatest gift sensations the season has to offer! We’ve teamed up with four of our favorite bloggers who will help you joyfully navigate your shopping with savvy gift picks and holiday finds.

Over the next few weeks they’ll be sharing their fabulous feeds on fashion, home décor, food and those perfect gift ideas for the entire family here on our blog. Also look out for other holiday events and offers!

All Wrapped Up With Aimee Rancer

2020 has definitely been unpredictable and surprising for us all – and Aimee Rancer intends to keep it that way when it comes to gift giving! We invited her to wrap up her holiday shopping at Hillsdale and give us the scoop on the best out-of-the-ordinary gifts for everyone on your list.

Normally a last minute shopper, Aimee is turning over a new leaf this year! She’s thinking ahead and planning out unique gifts for even the hard-to-shop-for family and friends on her list. Having been an employee at the Macy’s in Hillsdale in the past, she was glad to return to her old stomping grounds for some holiday shopping, and we were thrilled to welcome her back!

Aimee’s first stop was her favorite go-to throwback store, Claire’s. She found unique (and dare we say, even cute and trendy!) masks that will add some flair to an outfit. Afterward, she treated herself to picking out some new reads at Barnes & Noble. We agree that a good book is the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one, this year especially.

Macy’s of course is one of Aimee’s favorite places to visit during the holidays. Normally defaulting to gifting her mom a classic scarf and socks combo, she switched it up this year when she saw the wide selection of treasures in-store. She chose a mulled wine scented candle from Anecdote Candles, with mixed notes of cedar wood, orange, cinnamon and red currant to make for a delicious and welcoming scent for her mom to enjoy on cozy nights at home.

Sometimes practical gifts can actually be the most thoughtful and unexpected. Aimee stopped by Journeys to browse functional fashion at its finest, and picked up two sets of socks and a new pair of Vans to gift to her husband.

Aimee’s Picks

Barnes & Noble Booksellers

650-341-5560

Claire’s

650-573-0594

Journey’s

650-345-8084

Hillsdale For The Day With April Wagner

Meet April, the champagne loving, ballet dancing, shopaholic mom who shares her passion for fashion, beauty, home décor and entertaining over on her blog, Champagne Colored Glasses. We invited April and her adorable family to spend the day at Hillsdale to give you the scoop on the best gift ideas, good eats, and holiday festivities.

The first stop was an absolute necessity for April’s sweet tooth – the famous See’s Candies, where you can find quality chocolate gifts for everyone on your list. She picked up six chocolate gift sets to gift to friends, along with a little treat for herself. Next stop was Pandora, where April and
her daughter Emma enjoyed a special mother/daughter moment while picking out a beautiful new charm to add to Emma’s collection.

Afterward, a trip to the Lego Store was in order, where there was something for all the kids to add to their wishlist. April secretly purchased a Mandalorian set for her son Nicky. We’re sure his face will light up on Christmas morning!

When everyone worked up an appetite, April and the kids got hearth baked pizzas to go from California Pizza Kitchen and fueled up al fresco in the open lawn area.

With happy full bellies, the whole family went to The Children’s Place where they stocked up on some essentials for the kids and found the perfect Christmas pajamas to wear throughout the holiday season.

After a full day of shopping, the family watched Hillsdale’s tree lighting and ordered dinner from the newly opened Pinstripes. April and her husband ordered the Tuscan Sangria and Blueberry Mash, along with appetizers, chicken parmesan and housemade ricotta gnocchi. Afterwards, the kids played underneath the glow of the Christmas tree. April can’t wait to go back for a date night with her husband once the bocce and bowling is reopened, and we
can’t wait to have her back for another visit!

April’s Picks

Pinstripes

650-781-4720

See’s Candies

650-345-7502

Pandora

650-572-9000

Get Holiday Ready with Bay Area Fashionista

Cathy of Bay Area Fashionista (@bayareafashionista) is a bay area native who effortlessly rocks the California casual vibe with an added touch of glam, and loves to share all things fashion and trend inspired on her blog. We were thrilled to invite her to Hillsdale Shopping Center for the day to enjoy some indulgent shopping. Here she highlights the most festive looks for yourself and your home this holiday season!

Cathy’s first stop was Williams Sonoma, where she
browsed the beautiful seasonal dining displays
and got inspiration for her own holiday table
setting. She picked up hot cocoa and holiday
themed marshmallows as a special treat for her
family to enjoy in the comfort of their home while
watching a fun movie (Elf, anyone?) These sets
would also make an amazing gift for friends!
Although the table setting may be small this year,
Cathy and her family are still dressing up for outings
and family Zoom gatherings. White House
Black Market and Michael Kors are the perfect
places to pick up something to feel festive and
glam in.

To top off a festive look, Cathy looked no further
than Sephora, where there are endless options
for yourself or for friends and family to feel
beautiful this year, including the widely coveted
Dyson hair dryer. Afterward, she added an item
onto her own wish list when she spotted a chic
moto jacket at Banana Republic. While she was
there, she snagged some cozy sweaters to tuck
under the tree.

Cathy’s Picks

Michael Kors

650-341-7200

Williams Sonoma

650-577-1027

Sephora

650-525-9710

Banana Republic

650-345-9300

White House Black Market

650-286-9134

Black Friday Shopping with Ana Hernandez

Ana Hernandez (@theanaduarte) is a bay area local who shares all things life, fashion, wellness, and new mama life on her blog. She’s our go-to resource for the most helpful gift guides for any holiday or special occasion! We were so happy to welcome her to Hillsdale Shopping Center to do a little Black Friday shopping, grab some yummy food, and kick off the holiday season in style. It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays!

Before diving into all the great Black Friday deals, Ana popped into Starbucks for a pick-me-up (because, #MomLife!) She indulged in her favorite Chestnut Praline Latte for the boost of energy needed for checking off her holiday shopping list. At her next stop, LUSH, Ana browsed indulgent gift sets filled with handmade body products, perfect for gifting any friend or loved one who is in need of a little extra pampering this year! Ana did some thoughtful shopping and picked out a relaxation set for a friend, which comes with a bath bomb, Dream body lotion, Sleepy shower gel, and a bubble bath bar (can WE be Ana’s friend??).

A chicken sandwich lover, (who isn’t?!) Ana stopped for lunch at the newly-opened Winner Winner in the Dining Terrace and enjoyed a spicy chicken sandwich and fries to fuel up for the rest of her day.

Since her little one, Mia, is starting to get into Legos, checking out the options at The Lego® Store was an absolute must! Ana picked out a Minnie Mouse set to surprise her with. Afterward, she browsed styles for the whole family at H&M and UNIQLO, where she found super cute Minnie Mouse pieces for Mia and some chic loungewear and neutral puff vests for the adults.

Ana’s Picks

H&M

855-466-7467

Winner Winner

650-315-2240

LUSH

650-638-1687