If you’re like me, you’re scrambling for gift ideas this season. What do you get your office secret Santa? The family member from the name draw? The friend who has everything?
We’ve compiled a list of products, places, and things to do that would make perfect gifts this season. The important takeaways:
- Shop local. There are so many people, places, and products to support.
- Give the gift of experiences. Take someone out to eat. Book a tour or a class.
- If you need more ideas, check out our 2017 Holiday Gift Guide. It’s loaded with more products, places, and neighborhood-centric ideas!
Basically, this post reads like our Christmas lists for this year. You know, in case you need gift ideas for Beth and I…
Special thanks to everyone who pitched ideas on social media! Got more ideas? Add them in the comments!
DISHING IT OUT
You know I’m going to say that food makes a good gift, right?
- A bottle of Mikey’s Unicorn Sauce
- Krema Peanut Butter
- Darista Dips (send them at ShipTheDip.com!)
- Jarred goods from The Crest Pantry
- Deliciously cured meats from North Country Charcuterie
- A pound or two of locally roasted coffee
- And there’s always gift cards to a local restaurant or market. Introduce someone to a new favorite, take them out to dinner, pair it with a concert or a class or a gallery visit!
SWEETS & TREATS
Indulge someone’s sweet tooth this season!
- Fresh roasted nuts from Roasted Almond Company
- A jar of biscotti or cookies from Giorgio Cookie Co.
- The adorable holiday tins from Laughlin’s Bakery
- A gift card for a dozen Tupelo Doughnuts delivered monthly
- Sweet treats from Coco Cat Chocolates
- A box of stunning confections from MMELO
- Tokens to J Pops
- Bean-to-bar Ohiyo Chocolate
- As always, pints from Jeni’s
- Stock up on good from local bakeries like Dough Mama, Bakes By Lo, C. Krueger’s (Cheryl’s new shop in Short North), and Pistacia Vera
GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT(S)
Honestly, one of my favorite gifts is a bottle from a local distillery. It’s a gift that’s fun to share and (depending on your discipline) can last all year.
- A bottle of the good stuff from Middle West Spirits (I’m partial to their Ohio wheat whiskey, in case anyone has me for secret Santa…)
- Limoncello or dark cherry whiskey from Noble Cut Distillery
- A gift card to Tastings wine bar
- Bourbon, vodka, or gin from Watershed Distillery
- A Crowler of the Month membership to The Daily Growler
- A subscription to the wine club at The Market Italian Village
TOURS & CLASSES
Gather friends or family to learn a skill, explore a new part of the city, or enjoy some thrills!
- Explore the city’s food, beer, and history through Columbus Food Adventures, Brew Adventures, and City Adventures
- Book coffee classes at Crimson Cup’s Innovation Lab!
- See if you and your friends can get out of Amaze Escape Rooms
- Get spooked on a Columbus Ghost Tour
- Buy a gift card to a class or dinner at 1400 Food Lab
- Learn to bake breads and craft floral arrangements at Flowers & Bread
- Explore print-making and calligraphy at Igloo Letterpress
FEELING CRAFTY
From candles to knife sharpening, T-shirts to printed posters, try these Columbus products!
- Pour a custom candle or book a candle-making session at The Candle Lab
- Soaps and sprays from Glenn Avenue Soaps (we swear by their all-natural bug spray; it’s worked better than any spray we’ve ever tried)
- Coasters from Columbus Coaster Company
- Cards, prints, and classes from Igloo Letterpress
- Vintage tees from Homage
- Colorful prints from Natterdoodle
- Tables, flasks, and more from Columbus Barrel Co.
- Hand-printed T-shirts from Alison Rose
- Eco-friendly jewelry from Honey Rose & K
- More locally made candles from Eleventh Candle Co.
- Know someone whose knives are dull? Get them sharpened through Blades of Glory
- Give a Breakfast With Nick T-shirt!
GETTING LIT(ERATURE)
Support a local bookstore and the work of phenomenal local authors!
- Prologue Bookshop (new to the Short North!)
- Gramercy Books
- Two Dollar Radio Headquarters
- Cover to Cover
- The Book Loft
- Seek out the work of local authors: the poetry of Maggie Smith; Scott Woods’ new book of essays; Rafael Rosado and Jorge Aquirre’s latest in the Claudette chronicles, Monsters Beware!; Jeff Smith’s new book for younger kids, Smiley’s Dream Book; Cameron Mitchell’s new book Yes Is The Answer
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Find all sorts of amazing gifts – cards, clothes, toys, artwork – at local shops!
- Wholly Craft
- Tigertree
- Cub Shrub
- Happy Go Lucky
- Cascata Gifts
- Glass Axis (where you can also book a glass-blowing class!)
- Ohio Designer Craftsmen
Got another gift idea to plug? Leave it in the comments!
