From food and drink to apparel and housewares, reminders of UC Davis expertise can be added to nearly every aspect of the lives of your loved ones. As the holidays approach, here are some gift ideas to consider for Aggies of all ages:
UC Davis Stores
The on-campus and downtown stores contain a plethora of potential gifts. A few highlights for this season include:
Olio Novello 2023 Olive Oil ($22.50)
It doesn’t get fresher than this olive oil, unveiled at the Olive Center’s Nov. 18 festival. This extra virgin olive oil comes from olives grown at the university’s Wolfskill Experimental Orchards in Winters, and students are involved with every step in the process.
“We grow it, we bottle it, we sell it. It makes me feel proud,” Irvin Chao, a senior majoring in biological systems engineering, said of the olive oil.
The olive oil is sold in a 250 mL bottle (8.45 oz).
Julia Gash UC Davis Throw Blanket ($89.99)
Julia Gash is a British artist who specializes in prints and maps focused on destinations around the world, and when it came time to design one for UC Davis she included numerous campus landmarks and icons.
UC Davis Etched Square Glass Diamond Ornament ($29.99)
Add some Aggie Pride to your Christmas tree with this elegant ornament.
Embrace UC Davis’ playful side with a mug that would make an “udderly” delightful gift.
Legacy UCD Alabaster Heather Knitted Beanie w/Pom ($26.99)
Keep that head warm this winter in a stylish beanie that bears a subtle “UCD” mark on the cuff.
UC Davis Stores locations
Hours vary at each of UC Davis Stores’ locations, and daily updates are available online.
The locations and phone numbers are are:
- Campus Store, on the northeast side of the Memorial Union: 530-752-6846
- Downtown Store, 630 Second St.: 530-297-4450
- The Market at the Memorial Union, in the Memorial Union’s East Wing: 530-754-4010
- The Market at the ARC, inside the Activities and Recreation Center: 530-754-4771
- Welcome Center Store, inside the Welcome Center: 530-752-4202
Intercollegiate Athletics
Let the folks on your list cheer on the Aggies with a book of basketball tickets that puts the ball in their court: For $100, your recipient will get 10 tickets that can be used for any men’s or women’s basketball game in any quantity. These “flexbooks” could be useful if, for example, someone wants tickets for two people to five games, or wants to take eight people to one game and two to another.
If your recipient needs help deciding on a game, the men’s basketball rivalry contest against UC Santa Barbara is a game that often comes down to the final moments. The matchup is set for 6 p.m. on Dec. 28 at the University Credit Union Center.
Gorman Museum of Native American Art
The museum, which re-opened in a greatly expanded space this September, includes a gift shop featuring items and publications related to current and previous exhibitions, plus items responsibly sourced from Native American artists and organizations. Some items are available to purchase online, with more available in person during regular museum hours.
The museum’s new location is at 181 Old Davis Road, and directions and hours are available online.
Arboretum and Public Garden
For those who want a physical reminder of the Arboretum’s landscapes, merchandise like aprons and tote bags are available for purchase at the Arboretum headquarters in one of the cottages south of La Rue Road. But as the Arboretum and Public Garden points out, why not give the (free) gift of a walk through the grounds, or create a gift using their freely available guides?
Entomology Graduate Student Association
“Bug out” this holiday season with a series of T-shirts and stickers featuring insects and arachnids. The Entomology Graduate Student Association’s year-round fundraiser, a Briggs Hall fixture during Picnic Day, features shirts with various attractive and clever designs, like “the Beetles” or an illustration of a cowboy-hat-wearing bee adorned with “bee-haw.”
Shirts can be ordered online for $25 each, and both shipping and pickup options are available.
Read more about the shirts on the Bug Squad Blog.
Amazon storefront
Dozens of items — everything from shirts to refrigerator magnets — are available on UC Davis’ branded Amazon storefront. If you’re shopping for someone located far from Davis, items here can ship directly to your recipient.
Highlights from the Amazon storefront for this holiday season include:
Media Resources
Cody Kitaura is the editor of Dateline UC Davis and can be reached by email or at 530-752-1932.