Jack asks: Dear Cosmos, If I have to chew on another Barbie doll, mp3 player, or sheepskin slipper this holiday season, I think I’m going to hurl all over the new Berber carpet. Where should my family go to find truly unique gifts this year?

Cosmos: Well, Jack, while I can’t encourage chewing on your family’s nice holiday presents, I can help you direct them to the many stores in Balboa Park that offer the widest selection of one-of-a-kind gift items.

For starters, mom will love the original work of the many featured jewelry designers in some of Balboa Park’s stores. The Mingei International Museum right now is displaying fine jewelry by Arline Fisch, whose sculpture is currently on display in that museum’s galleries, and the San Diego Museum of Art is offering a rare collection of resin-inlay jewelry by the Los Angeles-based designer Sean Hill (pictured).

Many stores, including the Spanish Village Art Center and San Diego Art Institute, not only sell handcrafted jewelry, but paintings, prints, pottery, glassware, and other types of home décor by local artisans. For a more international selection, they can try the World Beat Center or United Nations Association Gift Store.

For dads, hobbyists and the younger set, the stores at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Natural History Museum, Air & Space Museum, and Automotive Museum have an incredible selection distinctive games, toys, books, models, and inexpensive stocking stuffers that will suit anyone’s tastes—except apparently yours, Jack.

Buddy Writes: Dear Cosmos, I’m sure I speak for many in our pack when I say you do a wonderful job of presenting a dog’s-eye view of Balboa Park, but I wonder if there is a good resource available that gives more of a child’s-eye view?

Cosmos: I’m so glad you asked as I just happen to be pawing through a new book hot off the presses titled Balboa Park A to Z. It features 26 colorful illustrations of places to go and things to do in Balboa Park, beginning with “A is for Alcazar Garden” and ending with “Z is for Zoo.”

Each illustration is accompanied by a preschooler-friendly verse about the pictured attraction while a couple of brief paragraphs below provide more in-depth info that older pups and parents will appreciate. In the back, a useful map locates each place referenced in the book by its letter designation.

Like my blog, this book serves as a wonderful guide to all the nooks and crannies in the Park that tykes of all ages will enjoy exploring, from the Puppet Theater and Fountains to the Rose Garden and Museums. I must admit, however, I am a bit partial to the entry for letter N, which is, of course, for Nate’s Point Dog Park.

So be sure to tell your family to fetch a copy in the Balboa Park Visitors Center next time they visit the Park or to simply order one online in advance of their visit.

If you’re like me and dread Black Friday mall madness, then consider shopping the most beautiful mall in San Diego this holiday season: Balboa Park. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Park’s historic buildings and gorgeous gardens while browsing through a wide diversity of specialty gift stores, each carrying one-of-a-kind items you won’t find at the Best-mart.

A complete list of stores can be found on Balboa Park’s Web site, but to give you an idea of the scope: the Japanese Friendship Garden, Mingei International Museum, World Beat Center, United Nations Building, and Museum of Man feature exotic decorative items from many world cultures. The San Diego Museum of Art and Museum of Photographic Arts offer framed prints and glossy books, while the Spanish Village Art Studios and San Diego Art Institute sell original artworks. Plane, train, and automobile aficionados will find plenty to choose from at the Air & Space, Model Railroad, and Automotive Museums. Lastly, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and Natural History Museum have great gift ideas for science and nature lovers.

Museum-goers will love the Balboa Park Passport, which admits holders into 13 different museums for one low price. Memberships to individual museums also make great holiday gifts that an entire family can enjoy year-round, and current members enjoy discounts on most museum store purchases. So take it from me, ditch the malls this season and shop the Park!