On a mission to reclaim space in the now gentrified neighborhood her dad grew up in, Destinie Escobedo left a career in commercial photography to open her consciously curated Highland Park party store in 2019. Painted on the huge wood-paneled window are the words “Heal Your Inner Child,” so you already know you’ve stepped into the right spot. The shop carries celebratory essentials like quirky cards, gift bags, themed cups, napkins and plates, plus gifts like snazzy stationery, candles, pins and an epic assortment of snarky stickers. Everything here is made by queer, trans, Black, Indigenous People of Color. And if latex balloons trigger your plastic anxiety, Escobedo stocks biodegradable ones.

Grab a journal for the writer in your life and sign up for a workshop (Chingona Hoops recently facilitated an embroidery one here) to get you out of your comfort zone. Penny, the store cavapoo, is there if you need a serotonin boost.