Skip the big-box stores this holiday season and shop for something meaningful from these area artisans, makers and independent stores. Here are a few of our favorite things…
For Starters…
Take your appetizer game to the next level with a stunning cheese and charcuterie board ($125-$175) by local woodworker David DeJulio of Personal Inspirations Custom Woodcrafts & Art. Many of his sustainable, live-edge pieces—which also include cutting boards, lazy susans and furniture—combine locally-sourced natural wood (white oak, walnut, cherry) with colored epoxy resin for a dreamy effect. Find his work at the Port City Brewing Holiday Makers Market on Nov. 26, and at Made in ALX and Shop Made In Virginia in Old Town, Alexandria. He does custom work on commission, too.
Seismic Swift
At Lemoncello, a family-owned and -operated boutique, few things are more in demand this year than Taylor Swift swag. For the Swifties in your life, stock up on Little Word Project bracelets ($25) with words and phrases such as “1989,” “lover,” “fearless” and “in my era,” or a book by Terry Newman called Taylor Swift: And the Clothes She Wears ($30). The merch also includes mugs, candles, stickers, ornaments and more. // 4518 Cherry Hill Road, Arlington (Lee Heights Shops)
Raise a Glass
Swing by Covet in Bluemont for cheers-worthy goods such as Arlington glass beer “cans” made in Fredericksburg ($17.50 each), peppermint martini craft cocktail kits ($25) and Glass Tats (as in tattoos) ($14), an alternative to wine charms. Owner Autumn Clayton’s curated selection of merry merch also includes Geometry holiday tea towels ($18) made from recycled plastic bottles, artsy handmade scarves and jewelry, creative home goods, Taylor Swift paint-by-numbers kits and reliably hilarious ornaments, stickers and cards. //5140 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Sparkle and Shine
Arlington artist Linn Woloshin and veteran jewelry store owner Linda Sperling believe everyone could use something shiny and bright. Together, they make and sell rhodium-plated sterling silver necklaces, earrings and wrist candy with cubic zirconia, freshwater pearls and semi-precious stones under the name Not Your Mother’s Diamonds. All CZs are set (not glued) to enhance their durability. Opt for subtle sparkle in the form of heart-shaped Hana stud earrings ($75) or the bold bling of a 16-inch Cassandra tennis necklace ($350). Buy online or contact the owners to set up an appointment in their Arlington showroom.
In the Bag
Sometimes guys need to carry stuff. Arlington designer Isaac Richardson has just the solution: His rugged Voyager Bagworks line of hand-sewn packs includes weather resistant rucksacks made from waxed canvas or Ecopack recycled fabrics ($295), and sling bags in two sizes ($95 or $120) that can be worn on your back, front or waist. All items come with a lifetime guarantee on craftsmanship, and Richardson donates a portion of sales to organizations focused on climate change, green space conservation and a more inclusive/accessible great outdoors. Shop the collection online, at the Heurich House Christmas Markt in D.C. Dec. 2-3, or at the Mosaic Holiday Village pop-up Dec. 16-17. Richardson can customize orders upon request.
Book It
Voracious readers will surely find their tribe at indie bookstore One More Page Books, where one of the hottest new releases on the shelves is The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA ($32.50) by New York Times best-selling author and Arlington resident Liza Mundy. When it comes to local authors and books, shopkeeper Eileen McGervey knows her stuff. “Fun fact,” she says. “Mundy met Bill Nye, ‘The Science Guy,’ when he emailed her after discovering that she had mentioned his mother, Jacqueline Jenkins-Nye, in her book Code Girls. They were married in 2022.” Also popular is the store’s selection of literary puzzles ($21.99) celebrating works by Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and other titans of the written word. //2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington (East Falls Church)
Tea Time
For the foodie in your life, check out the Inn at Little Washington’s Tavern Shop and give a taste of some of Chef Patrick O’Connell’s famous flavors. Available for purchase online, Flight From Our Kitchen ($215) is a signature gift box packed with house-made granola, roasted nuts, fruit treats and a flight of artisanal jams. The Tea Lover’s Gift Basket ($240) comes with O’Connell’s special blend of loose-leaf teas, a traditional Japanese cast iron teapot, a signature tea towel and a kettle tea strainer. Coffee connoisseurs will appreciate Patty O’s Coffee Lover Gift Box ($72), featuring sister bakery Patty O’s signature blend coffee, a branded stainless steel travel mug and vanilla syrup made from bourbon, vanilla beans and pure cane sugar. // 309 Middle St., Washington, Virginia
Healthy Harvest
Who says you can’t have locally grown produce in the winter? Give the gift of health with a Winter Farm Share ($40/week) from Area 2 Farms, an organic indoor, hydroponic farm that grows crops such as herbs, lettuces, root vegetables and microgreens, delivering its bounty to more than 100 local households each week. // 2600 S. Oxford St., Arlington (Green Valley)
Pay It Forward
Struggling to find a meaningful gift for the person who has it all? Consider making a donation in their honor to Arlingtonians in need. The Arlington Community Foundation’s fourth annual Wish Catalog highlights local nonprofits such as Arlington Thrive, which provides financial help to people in crisis; Edu-Futuro, an immigrant-led nonprofit focused on helping families break the cycle of poverty through education; and Rock Recovery, which helps individuals in their journeys to overcome eating disorders and body image issues. For more profiles of local nonprofits that need your support, check out our Guide to Giving 2023.
Blow Off Steam
Thulisa Naturals’ holiday-themed, plant-based shower steamer duo packs ($10) are so popular that there’s a waitlist to snap them up the minute they’re released. The seasonal scents include bergamot-plum, orange-sage and “Let It Snow” (spearmint and lime). The latter is also available as a body butter ($27). Shop online or find them at Covet (5140 Wilson Blvd., Arlington).
Plant Base
Gift something that will outlast the holidays—even if the recipient doesn’t have the greenest of thumbs. A 4-inch Christmas cactus from Botanologica ($10), for example, requires minimal watering and will thrive in indirect sunlight. The Little City boutique also carries cute planters, garden tools, home decor, jewelry and gifts. // 817 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Cozy Up
Psst: Word on the street is that Gossip, the trendy Ballston Quarter boutique owned by Katherine Glorioso Dress, has stocked up on plenty of warm and wearable (not to mention affordable) gifts to beat the chill. This season’s cozy staples include a soft and versatile cropped Fiona Shrug sweater ($42) and a chenille Cabbie Hat ($23), available in various colors. “This is our best-selling hat style,” says Dress. “Elevate a denim outfit or wear it with a mini skirt and boots for a retro vibe.” // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Unit 1245, Arlington (Ballston)
Local Gem
“I have enough jewelry,” said no one ever. Family-owned and -operated Dominion Jewelers has no shortage of bling, and much of it is designed in house. For maximum dazzle, try an on-trend paperclip diamond station bracelet ($1,560) featuring six full-cut diamonds set in yellow-gold, or a 14-karat gold diamond tennis necklace ($13,000). Got your own piece that needs updating or resetting? The store’s expert goldsmiths can do that, too. // 917 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Heaven Scent
Soap & Paper Factory’s Roland Pine soy candle makes a lovely holiday hostess gift, featuring notes of Siberian fir, pine and cilantro. It’s one of the many giftable goodies at The Golden Fox Boutique, a newcomer to The Crossing Clarendon owned by longtime Arlington resident Paula Frishman. The shop also carries apparel, jewelry, baby gifts and home goods, including dish towels and throw pillows by woman- and veteran-owned Goose and Willow, and note cards by Arlington-based Fast Snail Greetings. // 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 430, Arlington (Clarendon)
Jewish Roots
Vienna residents Susan and Shawn Dilles traced Northern Virginia’s Jewish past to the 1850s and put it all in a book: Images of America: The Jewish Community of Northern Virginia, released in November 2022 by Arcadia Publishing. Their research begins with the establishment of the first area synagogue, Alexandria’s Beth El Hebrew Congregation. Today, the region is home to about 120,000 Jewish residents. Order a copy ($25) from the Arlington Historical Society.
Sweet Indulgences
For little works of art that are almost too pretty to eat, pay a visit to Artisan Confections, where the small-batch truffles come in flavors like Baklava, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Chile Sea Salt, Gingerbread, Candy Cane, Snickerdoodle, Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Caramel. Customers can build their own gift boxes ($11- $83) or purchase pre-packaged 15- piece and 30-piece gift boxes ($32 and $59). Other goodies include Peppermint Bark, salted caramels and hot cocoa mix. The store ships anywhere in the U.S. //1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington and 1333 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
Pack It Up
Holiday gifting is in the bag with Karina Gaull handbags. A former graphic designer and silversmith, the Arlington resident discovered a passion for sewing when she began making face masks during the pandemic. Now she’s got her own line of handbags, totes and wallets in styles ranging from the popular “fanny pack” to crossbodies. The biggest challenge: deciding which fun fabric combo speaks to you most. Check out her Instagram account for the most up-to-date designs. Order online or find her at these upcoming pop-up markets.
Seasonal Scents
Lemon & Whim owner Heather O’Hara, a self-described soap snob, makes small-batch skincare and aromatherapy products, including vegan soaps, candles and diffusers. For scents of the season, try the body soaps ($10) with cheeky names such as Fir Sure, Peppermintini, Cinnamon Kane and Go With the Snow. Or light a coconut-soy blend Fir Sir candle ($28), which is also available as part of the Winter Mini Candle Trio ($35). The Arlington maker doesn’t have a storefront, but local shoppers can pick up purchases from her by selecting “local pickup” at checkout.
Wearable Mementos
After the death of her sister, Lisa Maurer began making 14-karat gold rings, earrings and necklaces under the name Sister Sister Jewelry. It was her way of paying tribute and honoring women with stories to tell. Today, her collection includes the “Laura,” a London Blue Topaz Ring ($530), named after a cancer survivor with blue eyes and a vivacious approach to life. (Featuring December’s birth stone, it’s a great option for people with birthdays this month.) The “Jess” ($377), is a customizable two-phrase ring named for women Maurer met on a trip to Italy.
Games People Play
Sarah Allen, owner of The Urban Farmhouse, says one her favorite gifts to give this year is a desk calendar ($42) made by Norfolk, Virginia, artist Anne Temple, which features multiple images of the artist’s work and comes with a Lucite stand. Also popular during the colder months: puzzles, such as a 1,000-piecer by PuzzleFolk called Booked All Weekend ($42) and a 500-piece brain-teaser from 1Canoe2, a women-owned illustration company, titled This Gingerbread Christmas ($28). // 5140 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Bluemont)
Stress Soothers
Two the Moon owner Johanna Braden says she’s putting an emphasis on self-care gifts this hectic holiday season, such as Patchology kits that include face and foot masks and eye gels ($18-$30). Also on the shelves: Musee shower steamers ($25) and bath balms ($13) made with all-natural ingredients by women recovering from substance abuse and incarceration. For a giggle, grab the Howdy Ho Ho Santa from One Hundred 80 Degrees ($24), a battery-operated, solid-color decoration that can wave at you all season long. //6501 N. 29th St., Arlington (Williamsburg Shopping Center)
Pretty and Practical
Operating under the name WareClay, Falls Church ceramics teacher Lindsey Augustine sells her fanciful creations, including flower vases, coffee mugs and soap dispensers, at local shops such as Urban Farmhouse and at pop-up markets. Look for her booth at the Mosaic Holiday Market (2905 District Ave., Fairfax) on Dec. 16-17, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Among this year’s most popular items: handmade travel mugs ($48) that are dishwasher- and microwave-safe.