With the gift-giving and entertaining season nearly upon us (again? So soon?), it’s time to turn our thoughts to festooning our homes for family and friends, buying the perfect presents for loved ones, and finding sparkly adornments for our person. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? It’s a perfect time to prowl the Valley for all those charming vintage boutiques and antique shops.

Napa Valley happens to be ground zero for such venues, which sell both local and imported one-of-a-kind items. There are so many of them, in fact, that I’m devoting two separate posts to Calistoga and St. Helena, with a future post to focus on Napa itself. Many shop owners told me they’re frequently visited by designers from San Francisco and New York, because the selection is good and the prices are reasonable. Some of these places operate on consignment, some are regular retail venues. On Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga’s main street, you’ll find:

Roam – a beautifully curated selection of European, early American, and Californian antiques, including wine-making wagons and equipment. They bring over four forty-foot containers a year from Europe. (1124 Lincoln Ave.; open daily 10 am to 6 pm; 707-942-4508)

Calistoga Country Antiques – a great selection of French and European furniture, copperware, and Provencal-style antiques. (1117 Lincoln Ave.; open Thursday to Monday noon to 5:30 pm; 707-942-4076)

Bargain Basket – more of a thrift store, but with some antique items, such as a beautiful satin wedding dress from the 1940s. Mostly clothing, jewelry, housewares, and china. (1117-B Lincoln Avenue; open 10 am to 5:30 pm daily, closes at 4 pm on Sundays; 707-942-0276)

Ella Blu – a consignment shop of clothing, accessories, and furniture, including some nice vintage pieces. (1125 Lincoln Ave.; open daily 10 am to 5 pm; 707-942-5600)

CE Estate Furnishing – beautiful selection of home furnishings. (1227 Lincoln Ave., Suite C and D; open daily 11 am to 5 pm, except Tuesday and Wednesday; 707-942-1213)

Sugar Daddy’s Consignment – designer clothing, fabrics, and quilts, with some furniture, art, and housewares. (1333-A Lincoln Ave.; open Sunday to Wednesday 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday to Saturday 10 am to 6 pm; 707-942-1600)

Maxine’s – promotes itself as a seller of “arty junk,” but has some real treasures, including housewares, furniture, and charming gift items. (1365 Lincoln Ave.; open Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday 10 to 5; 707-942-4300)

Casa Design – a beautifully presented showroom of artisanal furnishings, jewelry, and Italian dishware with some selected antiques, such as an exquisite inlaid Moroccan coffee table. (1419 Lincoln Ave.; open daily 10 am to 6 pm; 707-942-2228)

Chicken Scratch – a large store filled with vintage furniture, housewares, license plates, clothing, and old (and some new) signage. (1348-A Lincoln Ave.; open daily 10 am to 7 pm; 707-787-8778)

Now, put on your comfy shoes and get going!