Christmas. Chanukah. Kwanzaa. Saturnalia. The Solstice. Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, there’s no doubt buying gifts can add stress to your holiday schedule. And, sure, you want to shop local, but time is at a premium and honestly, sometimes it just feels easier to wipe out all your shopping on Cyber Monday. We feel your pain — and your regret (Mom doesn’t really need those reindeer slipper socks, does she?) — so this year we’re giving you locally driven gift ideas. From out-on-the-town experiences to under-the-tree presents, look no further. So grab this guide, make your list, and then spend the day lining ‘em up and knocking ‘em down. See? We’re here for you. Always. Except for wrapping all the presents. You’re on your own there. Click on the gift name for a link to the shop or service.
Here's where to shop local for holiday gifts in Tampa Bay
By CL Staff on Thu, Nov 15, 2018 at 9:12 pm
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Let's get ready to shop! Here's our A-Z guide of gifts you can buy from locally owned Tampa Bay shops.
A is for Amelia’s Wreaths of Joy
This St. Pete Beach maker has door hangers and wreaths for every occasion, from Christmas to football season.
Who to gift:Your aunt who has different colored candles for each holiday — including Columbus Day.
What to gift: Head to her Etsy store and find one that’s perfect for her. She also does custom orders.
Photo via Amelia’s Wreaths of Joy, via Facebook.
B is for Books
Look, you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a local author (but, uh, don’t do that). From Lisa Unger’s suspenseful writing to Tamara Lush’s sexytime books, put money in the hands of local writers.
Who to gift:Locally written books are great for holiday gift exchanges and last-minute gifts.
What to gift:Pick a book you’d like to read. There’s no one list of all our local writers, but the lineup for the 2018 SunLit Fest will get you started.
Photo via Cathy Salustri
C is for Canning Classes
We all have that friend — or are that friend — who talks about canning their own preserves or learning to pressure can. The Urban Canning Company has classes for that.
Who to gift:Any of your friends who have a Pinterest board.
What to gift: does custom orders. A jar of their jam (might we suggest the cranberry whiskey?) alongside a gift card.
Photo via torange.biz ; reprocessed (rotated and cropped) by Off-shell via Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0
Date Night at the Morean Center for Clay
Date night at the Morean Center for Clay. No, you can’t do the scene from Ghost.Yes, you and your partner can make something really cool.
Who to gift:Your partner.
What to gift: A Friday-night hand building/wheel class.
Photo goodfreephotos.com
E is for Ear-ventures at the Gasparilla Music Festival
Gasparilla Music Fest — Mar. 9-10 — is a music lover’s wet dream. 2019 lineup includes The Avett Brothers.
Who to gift: That friend who listens to vinyl because “it just sounds sweeter.
What to gift: Festival tickets, along with a card made from old album covers.
Photo pexels.com
F is for Fabric Smart quilting class
This Best of the Bay-winning quilt shop sells everything quilting-related — and offers classes.
Who to gift:Your friend who knits, cans or sews all her Christmas gifts.
What to gift: Quilt classes and a gift certificate for supplies.
Photo pexels.com
H is for Holizaar where you can buy Frank Strunk III art
Gulfport-based artist Strunk’s work brings a premium, and with good reason — he’s talented AF. At the once-a-year Holizaar (this year Dec. 1), he brings smaller pieces of his art.
Who to gift: Your steampunk, artsy neighbor.
What to gift: Literally anything Strunk creates.
Photo Cathy Salustri
I is for improv classes
American Stage offers improv classes, and we’ve heard from former students that they’re fun and worthwhile.
Who to gift: Your friend who binge-watches Whose Line Is It Anyway?
What to gift: The classes, along with a copy of Don’t Think Twice.
Photo via pexels.com.
J is for Jay’s Italian Olive Salad
You can find it at local Saturday or midweek markets, or you can order it online.
Who to gift: Your friend who loves N’awlins and muffulettas.
What to gift: A jar of the stuff, with a copy of their muffuletta recipe.
Photo via pexels.com.
Kis for Kahwa coffee
It’s locally roasted perfection in a cup.
Who to gift: Your overcaffeinated, artisan friend.
What to gift: A bag of beans makes the perfect stocking stuffer. Couple it with a reusable Kahwa cup.
Photo via pexels.com
L is for Love
While it’s never OK to give a dog or cat as a gift, why not give yourself the gift of a furry BFF? Plus, it’s a gift for the dog or cat, too. And, if we could make a plea, we’d beg you to adopt an older dog or cat. No housetraining, no chewing everything in site, and they’ll love you twice as hard.
Who to gift: Yourself.
What to gift: Well, are you a dog person or a cat person?
Photo Cathy Salustri
M is for Mize
Mize. We don’t know anyone who doesn’t know Chizzy. If St. Petersburg were going to appoint an Official Graphic Artist, it’d be him.
Who to gift:Your friend who lives for Movies in the Park and proselytizes about the ‘Burg when she visits Largo.
What to gift: Either the iconic shirt, or any of his kick-ass vinyl stickers.
Photo viaChad Mize/Instagram
N is for nautical ephemera at the Gulfport Beach Bazaar
This general-store-meets-artsy-stuff vendor-driven shop has more than its fair share of shells, sea glass and nautical ephemera.
Who to gift: Anyone on your list with a boat.
What to gift: We’re partial to their mermaid-related merch, but you do you.
Photo via Gini Fagan, Gulfport Beach Bazaar
O is for an OLLI membership in Pinellas
or HillsboroughThe classes are designed for the over-50 crowd but open to everyone. No credit, no homework, no tuition hikes, and members get discounted rates on the one-off lectures.
Who to gift: Your friend who actually attends the things she RSVPs to on Facebook.
What to gift: A membership and a class you think they’ll love.
Photo via OLLI at Eckerd/Facebook
P is for Puppies!
OK, no, don’t gift puppies. That’s a horrible idea. But how about making a donation to any of our overworked local rescues? Our favorites: Suncoast Animal League, Rugaz Rescue and Gulfport’s Get Rescued.
Who to gift:The coworker who always posts tearful stories about abandoned pets.
What to gift: A monetary donation, bundled with a small sack of treats for their own pets.
Photo Cathy Salustri
Q is for Queens Head
This Grand Central resto has full-meat and gluten entrees as well as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices. Plus, it’s just a lovely vibe here.
Who to gift:Your coworker who is paleo-vegan.
What to gift: A gift card — but take her to brunch here to give it to her.
Photo via The Queens Head/Facebook
R is for Reciprocal museum memberships.
Between Pinellas and Hillsborough, we have a glut of museums, so this is easy as pie. Get a membership at one and get access to almost all of ‘em.
Who to gift:Your uncle who has the “The best things in life aren’t things” bumper sticker on his Honda Element.
What to gift: A museum membership, of course.
Photo Jennifer Ring
S is for Selby Botanical Gardens
In the area, Selby’s gardens are beyond compare. From the lush settings to their plant-specific shows, there’s always something blossoming.
Who to gift: Your friend whose yard has no grass but the most gorgeous plants.
What to gift: Notice of their membership along with either an orchid or Craig Pittman’s The Scent of Scandal.
Photo courtesy of Walter via Flickr/CC2.0
T is for
Tombolo books gift certificates. Look, everyone loves books, and Tombolo’s gift certificates for them — designed by local artist Erica Sirotich — are the most beautiful around.
Who to gift: Your friend who is on target to finish the Goodreads 2018 Reading Challenge.
What to gift: A gift certificate, along with a copy of a book off her Goodreads “want to read” list.
Photo via Tombolo Books
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