We’ll just say it—2020 has been challenging. But there’s one thing we have to look forward to: the holidays are almost here!

While you may not be able to celebrate the holidays with your loved ones like in years past, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get them a great gift. That’s why today, we’ve rounded up a few gift ideas that will please your friends and family and help support a local small business all at the same time! From book lovers and DIYers to movie aficionados and vinyl enthusiasts—we have a gift idea for everyone you know. Happy holidays!

 

A stack of books from a local bookstore

There’s no better gift for a book lover than a brand new stack of worlds to dive into. Luckily, the Ann Arbor area happens to be packed full of independent bookstores, where you can shop for the perfect novel for your bibliophile. Check out our list of favorites, Your Guide to Ann Arbor’s Independent Bookstores, Mapped, and hit the shelves! If you aren’t sure what your loved one likes to read, the majority of local bookstores offer gift cards so that will allow them the freedom to get whatever they truly want.

 

A cherry gift box from Cherry Republic

Photo courtesy of Cherry Republic

For the foodie in your life, don’t miss Cherry Republic’s fantastic gift boxes! Cherry candy, chocolate, jam, nuts, syrup, pancake mix—you name it, Ann Arbor’s very own Cherry Republic makes it from scratch. Click here to peruse their massive selection of gift boxes, which includes smaller gifts with just their famous jam, a large one with a sampling of their entire store, or a box full of all the Cherry Republic essentials!

 

A ticket to a virtual movie at The Michigan Theater or The State Theatre

COVID-19 has definitely put a damper on all our favorite in-person activities this year. Fortunately, Ann Arbor locals know how to get creative and have come up with plenty of ways for us to enjoy our favorite things while also staying safe! While the Michigan Theater and State Theatre are open with social distancing measures in place and a lowered capacity, they are continuing to offer online shows of independent films if your loved one would rather stay home. Click here to explore their current movie lineup, which includes national and local titles along with monthly movie series that you can purchase for your favorite film aficionado!

 

Jewelry from 16 Hands

Looking for a unique jewelry piece for one of your favorite people this holiday season? Head to 16 Hands! This Ann Arbor shop has been operating in town for more than four decades. When it began in 1975, it was an artist collective of eight artists exhibiting artwork by its members in a storefront on Washington Street. In 2011, the store relocated to Kerrytown Market & Shops, and the team still showcases and sells original, finely crafted objects of uncommon quality and character, including jewelry and accessories, unique gifts, and items for the home, office and garden. Click here to shop their online stock.

 

A new puzzle from Rock Paper Scissors

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of us to turn to long-forgotten hobbies, like knitting, bread baking and puzzle completing! For Ann Arbor’s best selection of beautiful—and sometimes hilarious—puzzles, don’t miss Rock Paper Scissors, a local paper goods and gift store. In addition to their huge selection of puzzles, they carry a variety of fun and funny gifts: stationary, mugs, glasses, books, candles, balms, cocktail mixers, keychains, decor and more! Click here to shop online.

 

Some vinyl from Encore Records

Unbeknownst to many, Ann Arbor actually has a thriving music scene. Not only are we home to some of the best music venues around—including the Blind Pig and The Ark—plenty of fabulous musicians call our city home! So head to Encore Records, Ann Arbor’s premier location, for vinyl records, CDs, sheet music and cassettes, and get your favorite music lover a locally made LP.

 

A bag of coffee from RoosRoast

Photo courtesy of RoosRoast

RoosRoast is hands down one of the best coffee roasters in Michigan and word of this has reached as far as Portland, San Francisco and Manhattan. With their Loring Smart Roaster, they use 80% less energy than similar roasters and still create outstanding coffees. Stop in for a cup of Joe (and a few pastries) for yourself and leave with a bag of freshly roasted coffee to give away this holiday season!

 

A virtual class at the Ann Arbor Art Center

Located in downtown Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Art Center is our local headquarters for enjoying art exhibitions, connecting with local artists, and learning new art skills. Their virtual education experiences are available for all ages and topics range from painting and ceramics, to jewelry making and metalsmithing! Depending on how deep your loved one wants to delve, you can choose a class that lasts just a few hours, a full day or four weeks. To see upcoming topics and classes, click here.

 

Olive Oil or Vinegar from Fustini’s

Photo courtesy of Fustini’s 

Any chef’s kitchen wouldn’t be complete without several bottles of oil and vinegar. If you know of someone in your life who would love a thoughtful gift of handcrafted olive oil or balsamic vinegar, head to Fustini’s—an Ann Arbor foodie destination. This luxurious shop is full of massive drums of different types of olive oils and balsamic vinegar that would make perfect gifts for the chef in your life. You can visit the store in person to pick out your gift or you can have it shipped anywhere in the world right from their website.

 

Wall art from Thistle & Bess

Photo courtesy of Cat Carty Buswell via Thistle & Bess

For any avid art lover, the best gift you can get them is something they can display proudly throughout their home! One of our favorite places to get one-of-a-kind home decor and antique treasures is Thistle & Bess, a quirky vintage shop in the heart of A2. Here, they have a wide array of incredible home decor, fine jewelry and other fine pieces that have been handmade by artists all over the world. Stop by their shop Wednesday-Sundays from 12-5 p.m. or schedule a private, after-hours shopping party for you and your friends! Click here for all the information.

 

Michigan gear from The M Den

It just wouldn’t be the holidays in Ann Arbor without giving the gift of blue pride! The M Den is the official retailer of Michigan Athletics, which means you can find branded clothing for women, men and kids, Michigan Nike products, hats, furniture and home decor, autographed memorabilia, toys, jewelry, pet accessories and more. You can shop online here or stop by one of five Ann Arbor locations to shop in person.

 

A box of macarons from Le Bon Macaron

Photo courtesy of Le Bon Macaron

Who doesn’t want a box of beautiful, delicious macarons during the holiday season? Born from a love of French culture, Le Bon Macaron is a local, family business that offers two of the most charming cafés in Michigan: one in Grand Rapids and one in downtown Ann Arbor. If you stop in the store, you can get French press coffee and espresso, fresh scones, ice cream sundaes, French and Italian sodas made with handcrafted fruit puree and, of course, the macarons that have made them famous. But, you can also shop online for Le Bon merchandise and customizable macaron boxes! Check out the online shop here.

 

A gift card to Ace Barnes Hardware

We all have a handy person in our lives, someone who would much rather do it themselves than hire someone else to do it. Make their day by giving them a few much-needed tools for the holidays! Ace Barnes Hardware may be a part of the Ace Hardware family, but it is locally owned and operated, offering everything from hardware and tools to paint and lawn supplies. This amazing shop was even named the “Coolest Hardware Store” by Ace in 2018—so you’re in for a treat when you visit in person! Not sure what to buy? Invest in a gift card so they can purchase whatever they desire, whenever they want!

 

A board game from Vault of Midnight

Photo courtesy of Vault of Midnight

As the headquarters of comic book lore in Michigan, Vault of Midnight has three locations: their flagship store in Ann Arbor, which opened in 1996, their second in Grand Rapids, and a third in Detroit. But they aren’t just home to a great selection of comic books; they also happen to be an Ann Arbor destination for both classic and unique board games! Visit their shop in person or shop online for a present that will make your favorite game enthusiast smile.

 

Spa products from Bellanina Day Spa

Do you know someone who could really use a spa day? While COVID-19 has made in-person spa services difficult, that doesn’t mean you can’t give them the tools they need for an unbeatable at-home spa experience! Bellanina Day Spa has their very own spa products line that you can purchase in person or online, which includes items like cleansers, moisturizers, scrubs, face masks, massage oil and more. Click here to shop their current stock!

 

A virtual baking class at Zingerman’s BAKE!

If you have a budding baker in your midst, don’t miss this opportunity to register them for a virtual baking class at Zingerman’s BAKE! This local educational destination has been hosting fabulous and helpful baking classes online all year long—teaching locals how to bake cookies, bread, pies and everything in between. Click here to explore their upcoming class schedule and for information on how to register.

 

Happy Holidays!

Are you planning on purchasing one of these gifts to give a loved one this holiday season? Let us know—we promise we won’t tell them!