Change, Charity & Christmas

It’s been a quite a chapter here at the Deep. After 42 sublime years our ship has new captains at the helm – but we can’t approach the holiday season without ghosts of Christmas past poking their noses around the corner.

Skin Deep has long been synonymous with giving. Gift giving, absolutely, (did we mention we won Best Gift Shop in the Independent this year?) and that was mirrored by what the Hasche sisters offered our community. Care packages following fires and mudslides, fundraising for Breast Cancer, Ukrainian refugees and emerging, local artists, plus countless events and causes which garnered donations of goods and services over multiple decades.

And what of the eternal gift to Santa Barbara? The December prestidigitation when Skin Deep morphs into a magical kingdom. Aisles brimming with goodies & gewgaws & gorgeous gifts – twinkling displays filled with unique ornaments calling our name – and shelves bursting with one-of-a-kind treasures. Will this year be the same?

Our new owners, the Von Stadens, arrived with a robust community allegiance on display. Their dedication to creating a newly refurbished (& gorgeous) backdrop has been inspiring. Then they got down to the business of conjuring up our much-ballyhooed world of enchantment; a warm Arcadia that beckons pilgrimages from far and wide. And may we say: Hallelujah! Holiday Shangri-La is once again instated at 3405 State Street.

So, what else is the same? I may be burying the lead but YES, you’ll still find that most beloved component: Complimentary gift wrapping. If your packages tend to look less dazzling, and more like they put up a good fight – fear not! Our beautiful gift wrap holds the same alchemy as our cupboards. Abracadabra – happy recipient!

So, we can all warm ourselves by the fire of nostalgia whilst indulging in the pleasure of goodies both shiny and new. Having our cake and eating it, too? So long as it’s fruitcake, I think that’s allowed.

Sure, Charles Dickens told a story of Christmas Past, Present and Future with more elegance and quainter adjectives – but our premise is the same. In this tiny corner of the world, it’s still all about Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men.

“Every day is a gift. But some days are packaged better.” – Sanhita Baruah

“You can get excited about the future. The past won’t mind.” — Hillary DePiano

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” – Andy Rooney