Believe it or not, you don’t have to buy everything from the A→Z online store. You can actually buy from local businesses, or at least small businesses, online too. I personally love to shop in-person so that I get to know my neighbors as I’m shopping, but almost all of these have an online and shipping option.
Businesses, if you would like to be added to this list, send me an email or DM me on social media and let’s have a chat. No one paid to be here. I just learned about them and decided to share.
If you DON’T want to be on this list, also be sure to let me know so I can remove you. My apologies to you if that’s the case.
Things that are pretty
For the person who notices the shelf. Some shops show up again in other sections, because a lot of good gifts are more than one thing.
Thru My Samsung Lens Photography. Christine is an Atlanta photographer who shoots travel, nature, architecture and landscapes, and her 2026 Happy Holidays Print Gallery has wall art, desk art and keepsakes. She ships nationwide. Here's one of her photos: see the photo.
Kersting Designs. Original abstract alcohol ink paintings and archival prints, plus impressionist work in acrylic, oil and watercolor, by Karen Kersting and Kenny Hefner. Prints are the budget-friendly way in.
The Studio Miller. Watercolor fine art prints, stationery and gifts from original artwork, out of Athens, Georgia. Recycled paper and little or no plastic packaging.
Bradford Blooms. A North Georgia flower farmer and florist. Dried floral ornaments start in November, in several sizes and price points, grown without chemicals or pesticides. A dried flower doesn't die on the counter on December 27, which I appreciate.
LAVANORE Candles. Sculptural soy candles, hand-poured in small batches, and vegan. Good if you want something that looks nice on a shelf before anyone lights it.
Carlee Ingersoll. Artful stationery, prints and gifts in bold color palettes.
Belle & Ten. Acrylic ornaments and tags that work as a gift topper first, then as a display piece. Threads: @belleandten.
Smashing Pennies. Christmas ornaments made from coins, in seven designs, in copper, silver or gold. She's near Macon.
Katie Troisi. You can get earthy vases, tiny kittens, ramen bowls with spot for your chopsticks, and so many other things.
Sunglow Ceramics. Whimsical fruit and veggie ceramics. Like, I don’t think you understand how much I adore them.
Youngblood Designs. Ceramic vases, trinket dishes, platters and more.
Sara Crafts ATL. Resin jewelry from South DeKalb. She's also on Instagram as niceandodd.
Pearls and Fern Paper. Journals, notebooks, stationery, prompt stickers, etc.
Things your person probably doesn't have
For the person who has everything, or thinks they do. Nobody else is going to show up with these.
@lextalkington. Found-object resin art out of Jasper, Georgia, made from things like cameras and electronic components, with budget-friendly notecards and prints. Keeping e-waste out of the ground is part of the idea, and the artist says the resin offsets some of the recycling. Truly, I need you to look at their art. It’s pretty freaking cool.
Foxglove & Raven. Crystal tealight holders, handcrafted brooms and reference cards, for rituals, spells or everyday life. The owner calls herself a local hearth witch. Not for everyone, and that is the point.
Sara Crafts ATL. Resin gifts like axolotl and capybara desk buddies, plus pet memorials and custom work. She's still building her brand, so you'd be early.
Historic ATL. Atlanta merch. You probably have someone in your life who adores Atlanta like I do, so grab them some ATL merch that they probably don't already have.
Fedora Designs Atlanta. Custom and ready-made fedoras and wide-brim hats, made in Atlanta. For the bold person in your life.
Tudor Balls. Handmade soccer balls, hand-stitched from premium and interesting materials. Almost a guarantee they don't have one of these already.
Studio 28 Calligraphy and Engraving. Hand engraving and calligraphy on glass, metal and other materials, including liquor, wine and perfume engraving, with over 30 years of professional experience. An engraved bottle is a gift people keep the box for.
MagicaLettering. Personalized items, engraving and hot stamping. Threads: @magicalettering.
DEON LIBRA. Wellness rooted in ritual, art and drop culture, powered by adaptogens, headquartered in Atlanta. We could all probably use some "unbothered elixir" because whoa.
June Dragonfly Box. Andrea builds gift boxes featuring Atlanta-based, women-owned brands, so your person gets introduced to shops they haven't met. If you hate picking one thing, this might be your answer. She pops-up at events around town and has a small shop in The Lola.
CURATÉ Atelier. A digital AI styling subscription, trained by a personal stylist, with color analysis and shoppable links. It launches 11/22, and the site says "coming soon" as I write this, so check back after launch.
Things that are useful
For the person who would rather get something they'll use up, wear out or reach for every morning.
Huskmilk Pottery. Mugs. Cute and fun stripes, mostly. I have some in my cabinet at home and I reach for them regularly.
Katie Troisi. You can get mugs here too, but a different style! You can also get earthy vases, tiny kittens, ramen bowls with spot for your chopsticks, and so many other things.
Youngblood Designs. Ceramic vases, trinket dishes and platters. I'm a little obsessed and cannot manage to get my hands on her ceramics. They are GORGEOUS and I'm keeping an eye out for the next drop.
Las Palmas Candles + Soaps. Coconut-soy candles, plus soaps, room sprays, body oils and bath salts. The maker told me everything is phthalate-free, which is pretty cool! They take custom orders. Instagram and Threads: @laspalmascandles.
Ellis Station Candle Co. Black-owned soy candles from the Eastside Beltline, with gift boxes, custom candles, room and linen sprays, and small gifts like pins.
Grace the Collection. Wax melts, candles, and room and linen spritzes.
Grace Alan Home. Small-batch, hand-poured fragrances from West Georgia.
Satin Radiance. Handmade body scrubs and body oils in scents like Lavender, Passionfruit, Watermelon-Lime, Vanilla and Mahogany Teakwood.
Henley Grace & Co. Body products and embroidery from the same shop.
Lucid Moon Studio. Handmade spiral notebooks, greeting cards and stickers, designed in North Georgia, with eco-friendly nature stationery and ribbon.
Studio 28 Calligraphy and Engraving. An engraved glass or bottle is a gift people actually keep and use.
The Spaceship Match. A children's book series for ages 4 to 8, three books so far. The first is about a young creature determined to build a spaceship for his classmates' space trip, and what happens when he makes mistakes.
DetailedByDenise. Cutesy Kindle cases.
Ding Design Studio. Fabric book covers, Kobo/Kindle covers, Nintendo Switch covers, etc. Not local to Atlanta, but they are based in the US. I don't know of a local shop that sells these and I love them.
Beau Paper Co. Very cute stationery, calendars, cards, stickers, craft supplies, etc. You've been meaning to send more mail anyway, right?
The One Day. Grab their Daily Execution Planner...no, it's not dark humor. It's to help you turn those thoughts into reality.
Scrub and Butter. Deep Recovery Body Butter. They talk about softness being your strength. When you feel good, you do more good.
Gleam Eyewear. Our own local eyewear maker. Quirky designs, useful, reasonably priced. They can even accept HSA and FSA funds...so...especially for your FSA people. Use that before you lose it.
Becalia Botanicals. Gua sha, body oils, cleansers. Gift the stuff that feels like luxury to use.
Things that can be eaten
This is the shortest list I have, and I'd love to grow it. If you know a food maker I should add, tell me.
Honey and Chai. Order custom snacks for your gatherings so you don't have to spend the time making them. I love them for when I host open houses.
Brown Girl Mixers. Beverage mixers, so more drinkable than edible. I adore these. They can easily be used in mocktails or cocktails, and are fun flavors that you just mix right in.
Lange Salt Co. Fancy salts from the Atlantic coastal waters, hand-harvested and right in the wheelhouse of anyone who cooks on the regular. I’m eyeing that lemon zest salt for myself.
Just Add Honey. This is for your friend who loves tea. They have so many different varieties and also have classes where you can do something together if you want a memory to make instead.
Sum Thin About Spice. Spice mixes called things like "Curry Curious" and "Greek Twist" give you something fun to add to your cooking that you're not going to find at your regular grocery store.
Things that are actually experiences
For the person who says they don't want anything. Give them a Saturday, or something that keeps showing up.
Ellis Station Candle Co. Candle-making classes off the Eastside Beltline, and they welcome large groups, so it works for a birthday crew too.
B Hart Art. Lists private pottery classes, plus pottery for sale.
Leaning Ladder. Lists cooking classes.
Opo. Lists latte classes, which is a very specific gift and therefore a very good one. I've personally gifted this and attended. Super fun to do!
Bode and Ev. Candle-pouring, making your own body scrub, or seasonal simmer pots. Gift it to your crew and then go together.
One more thing
If you run a business and I missed you, or I got something about your shop wrong, tell me and I'll fix it. And if you're gift-shopping and also thinking about a move, I'm happy to talk about that too, no pressure. Happy Gifting!
Shelby Crews, REALTOR®
