With the Coronavirus pandemic beginning to peak again, Gamble House is “preparing for significant financial challenges as the house faces the possibility of an extended closure and what will likely be a slow return to normal operations,” according to its website.
Thus the Gamble House is virtually throwing open its holiday gift store doors early to allow for more shopping and contributions in this most unique of seasons, and we don’t mean winter.
Pasadena’s Gamble House is an architectural treasure which transcends its local impact, standing as a living monument to the Arts & Craft home construction movement in Southern California of the early 1900s.
Also known as the David B. Gamble House, the American Craftsman home was designed by the architectural firm Greene and Greene, and constructed in 1908–09 as a home for David B. Gamble of the Procter & Gamble company
Today the home, a National and California Historic Landmark, would be opening its doors to holiday tours and holiday caroling right about now. But such a thing can’t happen in Pandemica at the moment, though the Gamble House always needs support to continue its operations.
In fact, the Gamble House largely relies on tour and bookstore revenue, memberships, and other donations to support its operations.
To make the season brighter, Gamble House is also partnering this year with Huntington Hospital to collect books and other items for children staying in their NICU and pediatric departments.
Donations will be collected through December 20, and any purchases intended for donation are eligible for a 20% discount. Guests can simply use “in-store pickup” as their shipping method and use code ‘JOY’ at checkout.
Gamble House Gifts range from bath and beauty products to toys, cards and a whole range of one-of-a-kind California winter items.
And apropos of nothing, who doesn’t love lip balm? Gamble House is offering one with every purchase of $25 or more. They’re packed in enchanting tins of William Morris designs. Available in three scents—floral mint, orchard pear and sweet honey—they make perfect stocking stuffers, along with a number of other Morris-related goodies located in our shop.
This offer can’t be combined with any other discount, and is good while supplies last, so act accordingly.
A dollhouse never goes out of fashion. This year’s Gamble House Doll House includes furniture and decorative items, and can be arranged in various ways to change the look of this modern-day home.
It’s perfect with the Take Me Home activity journal, which encourages kids to explore their own living space and learn about architecture and design, and homes throughout history. Dolls available separately.
As the holidays move toward us with lightning speed, there are two advent calendars to help count down the days to Christmas.
The Winter’s Night Pop-Up features artwork by Caldecott medal-winning Beth Krommes and includes stickers under each window to decorate a winter night scene. Christmas is Coming is a keepsake book that offers activities to complete each day (ranging from recipes, craft ideas, carols, stories and more). Perfect for families!
Visiting is problematic, so how about returning to the habit of sending holiday greeting cards? Shoppers will find designs by Yoshiko Yamamoto, Molly Hashimoto, Hiroshige and more in the holiday shop.
You have to wear a mask anyway, so why not wear it in style? Local artist Daedre Barryman (who also designed the store’s Waterlily mask), has created a “California Poppies” mask with many of the same features—100% cotton interior, metal wire at the nose, a pocket for a filter, and adjustable straps. And there are many other mask designs available on the site.
Books are always beloved gifts. Vesper Flights is a new book from bestselling author Helen Macdonald. This newest collection of essays mediates on notions of captivity and freedom, immigration and flight, while Helen invites us into her most intimate experiences ranging from observing the massive migration of songbirds from the top of the Empire State Building to seeking the last golden orioles in Suffolk’s popular forests. She writes with heart-tugging clarity about wild boar, swifts, mushroom hunting and the unexpected guidance and comfort we find when watching wildlife.
What about a planter for your home, just like the ones at The Gamble House? Each clay form is made using century-old techniques and is available in glazed and non-glazed styles. Both are kiln-fired and vary slightly in appearance, each one is unique in nature. The planters are designed to hold a six-inch pot, and handmade in California.
You’re not driving to work as much anymore, but you could likely be using too many paper coffee cups, anyway. Ditch single-use and switch to these dishwasher-friendly coffee cups made from sustainable bamboo fibers, featuring a resealable no-drip lid. Available in an assortment of sizes and William Morris patterns and colors. Water bottles also available.
While you can’t visit The Gamble house in person again quite yet, the shop is now open 24 hours, and you can get there here.
