Where to find uncommon, unique, and one-of-a-kind holiday gifts
Everyone wants to be a good gift-giver, but let’s face it; some people are just more talented than others. They have an innate ability to find the perfect, most thoughtful gift for every person on their list. Every. Single. Time.
We all know that the holidays should be more about spending time with friends and family and less about the gifts your giving. But, we also know that when you do find that just-right something, you’re secretly giving yourself a high-five inside. And, with the holidays right around the corner, the pressure is on!
Check out these local and online shops that just might have what you’ve been looking for. Unique, reasonably priced, stylish, trendy, practical, or otherwise perfect items that will take your gift-giving game to a new level:
Shop online
1. Uncommon Goods
Uncommon goods is an online marketplace that was specifically designed to connect creators with consumers who were looking for truly unique items. They offer creative designs by independent makers that serve a purpose, solve a problem, use interesting materials, or are otherwise, well, uncommon.
2. Town and Country Magazine: Oprah’s favorite things!
Oprah’s favorite things—her most loved products of 2019—have finally made it to the pages of Town and Country Magazine. As usual, it’s quite the list of ideas complete with links to online merchants (ahem, Amazon). From a motorized makeup brush to the Magic Hands truShiatsu Neck and Back Massager, these are gifts everyone will love.
3. Etsy
Etsy has the handmade, vintage, and independent products market covered. But, with its thousands of stores and millions of items to peruse, the holidays might be long gone before you get through them all. Here’s a cheat sheet of the best shops for functional, fun, pretty, thoughtful, and never-a-bad-choice gifts for every person on your list.
4. Inspire Uplift
From crazy to creative, you’ll wonder why it took so long for someone to come up with these problem-solving, laugh a little, but utterly genius products. It’s the little things, like the Magic Bun Maker or the Sleepy Cloud Travel Pillow that make life a little easier. Give a gift that’s fun, practical, and inspiring, and they’ll remember you all year long!
5. The Grommet
The Grommet is a fan favorite for sure. It’s the best online store for innovative new products that are anything but ordinary. Local makers and small businesses are where they hunt for the most distinctive finds. Visit their website and sort by recipient, hobby, occasion, and even personal values. If you love Shark Tank, you’ll be head over heels when you discover the Grommet.
6. Cloud 9 Living
Millennials will opt for an experience over a material gift any day so, if you have a certain one of those on your list, check out Clout 9 Living. With over 2,200 unforgettable adventures, you’ll easily find something for every interest, taste, and style–all within your budget. Food tours, bike tours, glamping, wine tasting, balloon rides, skydiving, and more. What’s not to love?
7. Minted
If you think that Minted.com is just for holiday cards, you’re in for a surprise. For those hard to shop for friends, parents, grandparents, and, well, everyone else who makes that list, check out these thoughtful gifts. We love the art gifts like the heart snapshot mix, the love you to the moon & back photo collage, and the reindeer ears print! You’ll capture the sweetness in a gift that lasts forever.
No time to ponder all the choices and make a decision? Text them a photo, and they’ll text back with three photo gift designs selected especially for you and styled with your photo—for FREE!
8. Mark and Graham
Town and Country called it “The mecca for monogram must-haves.” Mark and Graham is a space where customers can find beautifully crafted products that can be transformed into one-of-a-kind pieces with a monogram. For him, her, baby, teens, family, happy couple, pet, or host, their curated gift guides will inspire you.
Choose among hundreds of monogramming options to create the most perfect present that can be enjoyed for years to come. Whether it’s a wallet, money clip, toiletry bag, tech case, pajama set, credit card holder, tote, or any other accessory, it’s sure to be the perfect fit!
Shop local
If online shopping doesn’t bring you enough holiday cheer, here are a few local gift shops that will make you look like a gift-giving guru:
1. Sis + Moon’s Local Mercantile
24 Milton Avenue, Alpharetta, GA, 30009 / (404) 414-5765
Sis and Moon’s Local Mercantile is an eclectic shop in Downtown Alpharetta where “artists, makers, and beautiful-thing-lovers unite.” The shop features curated items from both new and vintage sources, including some of the owners’ original designs. Local makers and artisans contribute to the curious mix of furniture, art, jewelry, household items, and miscellaneous blend of rediscovered and reinvented items.
2. Doodlebugz
15 West Park Square, N.E., Marietta, GA 30060 / (770) 792-6734
Doodlebugz is a whimsy gift shop in Marietta Square. The quaint store is filled with unique treasures like inspirational art, jewelry, clothing, home décor, non-traditional gifts, and more. They work hard to find artists and items you can’t find in every gift store, and their inventory is always changing. If you’re looking for trendy, specialty items, you won’t be disappointed.
3. The Red Hound Gifts
211 Market Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 / (678) 624-7733
The Red Hound specializes in helping their customers celebrate special occasions and holidays by offering beautiful home decor and gifts for babies, kids, hostesses, teachers, friends, and family. They’ve partnered with some talented local and regional artists, as well as national brands, to bring you one-of-a-kind pieces that you’re sure to love. Check out their Sid Dickens Blocks, Nora Fleming serving pieces, Caribbean driftwood candles, mahogany teakwood fragrance diffusers, hand-embroidered pillows, and gourmet foods.
4. All-Inspired Boutique
5950 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097 – (404) 502-2172
50 Canton Street Suite 104, Alpharetta, GA 30009
All Inspired is a Johns Creek boutique where sassy, spunky style meets grace and gratitude. Slow down for a while, take a deep breath, and enjoy a holiday-themed latte while you shop for the perfect gift. You’ll find something for everyone, whether it be a trendy tunic, the perfect pair of jeans, an inspirational sign or picture frame, or a piece of handcrafted jewelry. Even better, you’ll find that almost all of their jewelry, signs, and pottery are created by amazing artisans from right here in Georgia!
5. elle B gifts
3130 Mathis Airport Parkway, Suite 304, Suwanee GA 30024 / (770) 889-9992 and 50 Canton St, Alpharetta, GA 30009 / 470-361-2040
elle B Gifts offers unique and fun personalized gifts for guys and girls, friends, tweens, and babies, too. You’ll find specialty wine glasses, car decals, engraved jewelry, pilsner glasses, party tubs, college-themed items, home décor, leather-bound journals, personalized stationery, cozy blankets, and more! They also embroider items on site. Check them out at either of their two locations and knock out your holiday shopping in one stop!
Have a favorite local gift shop? Tell us about it below.