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When much of Altadena burned in January, it affected not just the city’s homes but also its businesses. Popular local shops went up in flames just like everything else, and work-from-home artisans — displaced from not just their residences but also their work spaces and all the materials contained within — were suddenly without a place to live or a place to work.

On the Westside, the Palisades fire, also in January, tore through Pacific Palisades and Malibu, forever changing the fabric of these tight-knit neighborhoods and small businesses. Although rebuilding efforts are underway, progress and construction are expected to take several years as residents and business owners deal with permit approval, insurance hindrances and inflation.

Even now, local businesses that remain have struggled to regain a foothold.

With the giving spirit in mind this holiday season, we’ve put together this list of gifts from Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Malibu businesses, all of whom were affected in some way by the Eaton and Palisades fires. Purchase one of these items and you’ll spread good cheer (and good money) around areas that still need all the help they can get.

If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability of items and experiences in the Gift Guide and on latimes.com are subject to change.

Stumped for holiday present ideas? Food gifts have universal appeal: These are fun and practical at once. And even more meaningful because they’re from local small businesses including L.A. restaurants, bakeries, farms, markets and makers.

Who’s on your gift list? A chocolate lover? A Caracas-born chef in Pasadena makes her own hot chocolate mix from Venezuelan Criollo cacao. Coffee fan? East L.A.’s Picaresca Barra de Cafe roasts coffee beans and bottles its cinnamon-scented cafe de olla syrup. Tea aficionado? A Chinatown tea shop offers subscription boxes of thoughtful blends from China and Taiwan; some are rare finds.

And any farmers market regular would want to sport the Weiser Family Farm collab T-shirt emblazoned with a pink radish or Bonnie melon.

If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability of items and experiences in the Gift Guide and on latimes.com are subject to change.

Times are tough and inflation is real, but this holiday season, it’s still possible to shower your loved ones in luxury without breaking the bank.

There’s no rule that says indulgence has to come with a hefty price tag. As my friend Nicole likes to say, a luxury item is one that you wouldn’t think of buying yourself.

Does anyone need an iPhone case in rich pebbled leather? Probably not, but they absolutely might enjoy one.

On this list of gifts that feel expensive (but aren’t), you’ll find a rich smelling high-end candle alternative, an elevated bottle of indie nail polish with a display-worthy brass cap and one of the best olive oils you’ll ever taste from the fruit of 100-year-old California olive trees.

My editor challenged me to keep all the gifts under $40, and dear Gift Guide reader, I rose to the challenge — if you don’t count shipping costs. Remember: Luxury is a matter of extravagance, not price.

If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability of items and experiences in the Gift Guide and on latimes.com are subject to change.

Handwritten notes. Free product samples. Email responses to questions. And in some cases (shout-out to Surfing Cowboys in Malibu), an old-school phone call to discuss a gift item.

This is the kind of service that sets local businesses apart, offering personalized experiences you won’t find on Amazon.

From independent artists working at home to brands manufacturing in downtown Los Angeles, these businesses offer a diverse range of products and services that reflect the unique character of our city, which has been affected by wildfires, ICE raids and a struggling economy.

The gifts I’ve included here are all from Los Angeles-based businesses. They carry a personal touch — a connection to the people and the city. Some are handmade while others are manufactured, but all of them are a part of our city’s unique fabric.

Let’s keep it going and support small businesses in Los Angeles this holiday season. Our connection to one another is our strength.

If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability of items and experiences in the Gift Guide and on latimes.com are subject to change.

Kings captain Anze Kopitar has a significant foot injury that could sideline him for the near future.

The Kings announced that Kopitar is “week to week” on Friday, a day after he missed the team’s 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh.

Kopitar was hit in the foot by a deflected puck during a shootout loss at Minnesota on Monday. After saying Kopitar’s availability would be a game-time decision for the game against Pittsburgh, the Kings acknowledged the injury could be more significant.

Kopitar is beginning his 20th and final season in an NHL career spent entirely with the Kings. The Slovenian center announced his impending retirement last month at the start of training camp.

The two-time Stanley Cup champion has twice won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward. He is the second-leading scorer in Kings history and a five-time All-Star.

The Kings are off to a rough start to the season, losing three straight to fall to 1-3-1. New general manager Ken Holland made only a few changes to the roster that matched the franchise records for points and victories last season.

Los Angeles hosts unbeaten Carolina on Saturday night.

As USC enters a critical stretch of its conference slate, it’s unclear if it’ll have its star wideout or starting left tackle ready to play.

Junior wideout Ja’Kobi Lane did return to practice on Tuesday after sitting out last Saturday’s win over Michigan State with an upper body injury he suffered the week before. But junior offensive tackle Elijah Paige was not seen entering or leaving USC’s practice field.

USC coach Lincoln Riley declined to provide an update on Lane or Paige on Tuesday and instead referred reporters to the Big Ten’s availability report, which is released two hours before kickoff every Saturday.

Without Lane, who is averaging almost 27 yards per catch this season, USC was forced to count on senior Jaden Richardson, who had just one catch coming into last Saturday’s game. He doubled that output against Michigan State and would presumably play a similar role if Lane is unable to play.

“He’s really created his own value here,” Riley said of Richardson. “He can play any of the receiver positions in our offense. Just does a lot of things well.”

Lane came out for early warm-ups last Saturday in shorts and a sweatshirt and appeared as if he’d try to play. But when the team returned in full pads, Lane came out of the tunnel several minutes later in street clothes.

It’s not clear how close Lane was to playing then or how seriously USC was actually considering the possibility. After the game, Riley described his injury as only “inconclusive.”

USC has a bye next week after its trip to Illinois.

“[It] was a little bit unexpected,” Riley said of Lane’s injury. “I don’t think it’ll be super long, but at the same time, I can’t sit here today and say for sure he’s going to play next week or in the coming weeks.”

Paige left Saturday’s game early in the second quarter and never returned, causing a chain reaction down USC’s offensive line. Paige was replaced by Justin Tauanuu, who shifted from left to right tackle. Tobias Raymond then moved from left guard to right tackle, while Micah Banuelos took over at left guard.

“These guys take a lot of reps at different positions throughout the week and really have throughout camp,” Riley said. “Some of the position flex we’ve built up at that position really paid off.”

Illinois is dealing with its own injury issues, but on defense. In a blowout loss to Indiana last week, Illinois was without most of its starting secondary. This Saturday, it definitely won’t have All-Big Ten cornerback Xavier Scott, who’s out for the season, and it could also be without a starting safety who is in concussion protocol. Two other key cornerbacks have yet to practice, but Illinois coach Bret Bielema expressed hope that they’d be cleared by midweek.

Even without its top red zone receiver and its steadiest offensive linemen, USC’s offense didn’t show many signs of slowing down last Saturday. It still piled up 517 yards of offense.

Chargers running back Najee Harris likely will begin training camp on the non-football injury list, general manager Joe Hortiz said Wednesday, after the running back suffered a minor eye injury during a fireworks incident on July 4.

As veteran teammates reported for camp Wednesday morning, Harris was still getting evaluated by doctors in the Bay Area and was expected to join the team later in the day.

“Everything that’s been relayed to us has been positive,” Hortiz said.

Harris suffered a “superficial” eye injury in a holiday weekend fireworks accident, according to a statement from his agent, Doug Hendrickson, and was “fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season.”

The Chargers’ medical team has remained in contact with Harris and his local doctors, said Hortiz, who reported Harris was in good spirits and more worried for a friend who was more severely injured. While the general manager wanted to save final judgment on Harris’ availability until the prized free-agent acquisition could be seen in person by the Chargers staff, Hortiz didn’t anticipate that Harris would be sidelined for long.

“We’ll let him get himself ready and then he’ll get out there,” Hortiz said.

The Chargers will begin training camp Thursday with five players on the physically unable to perform list, including receiver Mike Williams and safety Elijah Molden. Both key players could return to practice soon, Hortiz said.

Molden missed the offseason program after undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, but told reporters in April he was prepared to return fully for training camp.

Williams, who is two years removed from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, is not sidelined because of a pre-existing injury, Hortiz said, and is working back from an injury suffered during the spring after the 30-year-old returned to the team as a free agent.

“Just working through something small,” Hortiz said, “and he could be out there any day.”

The Chargers, who open the preseason on July 31 in the Hall of Fame Game, are the first team to report to training camp. The early arrival put rookie Tre’ Harris in a precarious position as he became the first holdout in a log-jam of 30 unsigned second-round picks.

The receiver who was picked 23rd in the second round (55th overall) had not reported to training camp yet, Hortiz said Wednesday, four days after fellow Chargers rookies arrived.

As NFL training camps begin soon, the league is in a standoff that began when the Houston Texans signed the second pick of the second round, receiver Jayden Higgins, to a four-year, $11.7-million, fully guaranteed contract in May. It was the first time a pick outside of the first round had inked a fully guaranteed deal. The Browns, who picked linebacker Carson Schwesinger one slot ahead of Higgins in the second round, then followed suit with another fully guaranteed contract.

Now teams, agents and the remaining 30 second-round picks are left waiting for the next domino to fall.

“I wish I could put a crystal ball on it,” Hortiz said when asked of his prediction on when Tre’ Harris’ deal could be done. “I hope it’s done soon. I hope he gets out here in practice. Practice is vital for everyone. Not just him, everybody. There’s a reason we come to camp and you want to hit the ground running Week 1.”

Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater reported for training camp Wednesday amid his own contract negotiations as the star left tackle is in line for a lucrative extension. Coming off his second Pro Bowl appearance, the 26-year-old Slater is due to make $19 million in the last year of his contract, the sixth-highest salary among left tackles this season, according to overthecap.com. He did not join the team for voluntary workouts this offseason, but returned for mandatory minicamp. Hortiz expects Slater to participate in training camp while contract talks progress.

“We’re working through it,” Hortiz said. “Like any high-level negotiation … they just take time. But every conversation’s been great. Both sides, we’re making progress. We’re feeling good about it.”

Federal agencies must do more to house struggling victims from January’s Eaton Fires, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) and advocacy groups argued Tuesday.

Chu hosted a roundtable at the Altadena Library with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and other agencies, where a dozen organizations assisting fire survivors pleaded for more assistance.

Even with the availability of federal vouchers and other housing aid, thousands of people remain bouncing between hotel rooms, living out of their cars or in other unstable housing situations, advocates said.

“Survivors of the Eaton Fire are slipping through the cracks,” Chu said at a press conference following the event.

Chu is urging FEMA to authorize a housing program called Direct Lease where FEMA directly rents apartments for disaster survivors who cannot find somewhere to live on their own. The Times reported this month that FEMA hasn’t implemented Direct Lease in Los Angeles even though it’s commonly made available after natural disasters nationwide, including the 2023 wildfires in Maui.

Nearly 13,000 homes were destroyed in January’s wildfires with more than half the losses in Altadena and surrounding areas.

FEMA and CalOES officials have said that their data shows thousands of rental units available across L.A. County, making the program unnecessary.

“We know from anecdotal evidence that that cannot be true,” Chu said. “It is far from the truth.”

Fire survivors have faced numerous barriers to finding permanent housing while they decide on rebuilding their homes, advocates said. Landlords’ income requirements are too high. Potential tenants’ credit scores are too low. Some landlords aren’t accepting the vouchers FEMA is providing survivors. And the agency is including apartments in the Antelope Valley and other areas far from Altadena in its assessment of L.A.’s rental market.

By not taking these factors into account, FEMA officials are ignoring needs on the ground, advocates said.

“There is a huge gap between availability and vacancy and accessibility,” said Jasmin Shupper, president of Greenline Housing Foundation, a local nonprofit.

The push for additional housing aid comes amid widespread cuts to FEMA and resistance from the Trump administration for disaster spending nationwide. On Tuesday, the president threatened to strip federal funds from California if the state continued to allow transgender athletes to compete in girl’s sports.

Chu said that FEMA already has provided $132 million in assistance, including $40 million for help with housing.

She said that money for Direct Lease was available through the existing federal disaster allocation following January’s wildfires. She noted that she supported the state’s request to Trump and Congress for $40 billion for long-term recovery efforts.

FEMA and CalOES didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on Chu’s request. After Times reporting earlier this month, state emergency officials said they were reevaluating an earlier decision not to advocate for Direct Lease.

If you’re looking to book a UK self-catering getaway this year, we’ve found a charming holiday cottage in Anglesey, Wales, that has travellers coming back again and again

With staycations on the rise – especially when the weather’s as nice as it is at the moment – we’ve been searching out some of the best UK holiday rentals homes and cottages to inspire you’re next British break – and we think we’ve found a gem with this charming Anglesey escape.

This four-bedroom, eight-person Sykes Cottages holiday home in on the coast of Anglesey, Wales, stood out to us for its stunning sea views, outdoor hot tub and high quality decor, not to mention the perfect customer score of five out of five stars. Even better, there’s still availability in June through to August, including during the school summer holidays.

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The single-story Yr Hen Feudy house is available to book via Sykes Cottages’ website, and is located on the beautiful east coast of the Welsh Isle of Anglesey in the seaside village of Moelfre. Here you’ll find a picturesque port, a shingle beach and stunning views, perhaps even spotting seals or dolphins out at sea.

The house itself features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an outdoor hot tub and an electric vehicle charging port, making it the perfect base for groups of friends or family holidays.

What especially impressed us were the glowing reviews from previous visitors, many who clearly have booked this place year after year. “We returned to this stunning cottage and it was as lovely as in previous visits,” one five star review reads. “The cottage is spotlessly clean and is finished to a very high standard. The views are fantastic. Good food at the local pub too. The owners are wonderful. We will be back again.”

“The views were amazing and the house was so clean and comfortable, definitely a home from home!” another person wrote. “We loved our stay, and we look forward to going again!”

A third person called it “such a gem“, writing: “This was our second visit to this property” and added, “Great location with amazing views from the comfort of the sofa. Facilities are just as you would expect. The house is kept in immaculate condition too. Can’t wait for our next visit.”

In fact, the only negative comment listed appears to be about some confusion about the number of guests staying – however the commentor does say that “the place is beautiful and well-maintained, and we had a very pleasant stay.”

At the time of writing, Yr Hen Feudy cottage still had availability on dates including 2-5 June, 25-28 July and 4-8 August, however is these dates don’t work for you or get booked up, there are plenty of other lovely Anglesey options on Sykes Cottages, including Chapel House, Swyn Llyr and Sea La Vie.

Alternatively have a look at some of Holiday Cottages’ stunning Welsh lets, such as Paws Retreat, Tyddyn Y Fron Cwtch and Butterfly Lodge.

And if, like Coleen Rooney and her family, you enjoy a caravan holiday, Parkdean has resorts across the UK, including Carmarthen, Lincolnshire and Northumberland.