2021 Triton Holiday Gift Guide

This holiday season, spread some Triton cheer with gifts from UC San Diego innovators, entrepreneurs, tastemakers, scholars and more. We have curated a list of unique items and experiences offered by the campus community, featuring an array of holiday gifting ideas for all ages and interests.

Whether you are celebrating the sports fan in your life with game day tickets or surprising a foodie with a treat from an alumnus, each idea below highlights the talent of our fellow Tritons.

Here are ten gift ideas from UC San Diego alumni, staff, students and community members:

#1
Chuao Chocolatier

Made with ethically sourced cacao and crafted through artisan techniques, Chuao Chocolatier is the sweet invention from brothers and engineering alumni Richard (’84) and Michael Antonorsi (’85). You can buy chocolate bars in flavors ranging from “For the Love of Peppermint” to “Hope, Joy, and Gingerbread” online and at retailers across the country.

#2
Black Beauty Near You

Founded in 2019 by math-computer science student Jaida Day, Black Beauty Near You is dedicated to making Black hair and skincare products more accessible to the UC San Diego campus community. Shop her website online to order brushes, braid charms, edge control and more. Items are available for pick up and drop off in San Diego, with specially curated edge and braid “beauty boxes” available for shipping.

#3
Triton Athletics Game Tickets

Support UC San Diego’s Division I scholar athletes by gifting some game tickets from the Triton Box Office. Catch the Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams on the court against UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State and more. The Junior Triton Club membership is also available for purchase, offering children eighth grade and under the opportunity to participate in sports clinics, tour UC San Diego Athletics Facilities and more.

#4
“The Citadel of Whispers” by Kazim Ali

Poet and UC San Diego literature professor Kazim Ali recently released “The Citadel of Whispers,” the latest installment in the beloved “Choose Your Own Adventure” young-adult book series. Ali created the story’s narrator character to be genderless, allowing all readers to freely plug themselves in and choose their own path in the fantasy world of Elaria.

#5
HyperCube

Physics alumnus Dylan Lovinger and nanoengineering alumnus TimM O’Connor combine their passion for light, geometry, and technology with the HyperCube. This infinity LED cube is an art/tech fusion that simulates endless luminous architecture suspended within a finite space. Sound reactive, scratch proof, and app-controlled, the HyperCube is perfect for home décor, art spaces, and entertainment venues.

#6
Birch Aquarium Tickets

Plan a trip to Birch Aquarium at Scripps to explore an array of marine life within over 60 habitats, hands-on activities and more. The aquarium is also hosting Seas ‘n’ Greetings, a month-long holiday celebration through December, featuring holiday photo opportunities, an interactive scavenger hunt, music and other festive fun. Discounts are also available for UC San Diego faculty, staff and students.

#7
Consortium Holdings Gift Card

Consortium Holdings, a local hospitality group co-founded by UC San Diego political science and philosophy alumnus Arsalun Tafazoli ’06, showcases a collection of eateries and bars throughout the city. Gift the joy of a dining experience by purchasing a gift card online for spots such as the ramen-focused Underbelly in San Diego’s North Park area to the breakfast-centric Morning Glory in the popular Little Italy neighborhood.

#8
“May Your Life Be Deliciosa” by Michael Genhart

Written by psychology alumnus Michael Genhart ’84, “May Your Life Be Deliciosa” is a new children’s book (recently featured in The New York Times) that explores the Mexican holiday tradition of making tamales. In this story, Abuela shows her granddaughter not only how to make a delicious tamale, but how to make a delicious life. The award-winning author takes inspiration from his upbringing to tell a story of family, tradition, cultural identity and yummy tamales.

#9
Pawmiscuous apparel

UC San Diego economics alumna Mariko Miyake ’08 is the founder of Pawmiscuous, a lifestyle brand that offers clothing and accessories for pets and their owners alike. Explore the website to browse items such as colorful dog shirts, bandanas, tote bags and more.

#10
UC San Diego Gear

Shop the UC San Diego Bookstore, open in-person and online, for official Triton gear, apparel and more. As part of the Holiday Sale from Dec. 1-15, the bookstore is offering great deals on a variety of holiday gift ideas. Shoppers will receive 20% off logo apparel and gifts as well as 25% off books, fine pens, portfolios and journals, and musical instruments.