Not any gift will do for the special loved ones in your life. They deserve a well-considered, distinctive gift; a nice gesture to show just how much you care about them. Plus, who wants to receive something they need? Indulge them with a gift they will want and be excited to receive. Here, we’ll help!
Shops with a Social Cause
Some of the most conscientious recipients on your list will appreciate gifts of fair trade, ethical origin or benefitting minority communities. We have just the spots for you!
- Green Hummingbird Fair Trade Clothing at The Dayton Market in Dayton and in downtown Harrisonburg offers clothing and accessories from artisans in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.
- Latitudes Fair Trade in Staunton features the handcrafted work of artisans from developing countries. Find pocket size worry dolls from Guatemala (great stocking stuffer!), windchimes from Bali, woven bowls from Uganda, boho shawls from Thailand, clay earrings from Kenya, and much, much more.
- Shenandoah Moon in Luray is going out of business, sadly, but this is a great time to score amazing deals on their jewelry sourced from Poland, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Indonesia, and other countries.
- Ten Thousand Villages in Harrisonburg is the place to go for home goods, gifts, coffee, tea, and much more – all fair trade from more than 20,000 makers in 30 developing countries. You need to see the handmade iron spiral menorah from India, wool nativity from Nepal, and the quilled ornaments from Vietnam.
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Shops for Kids
Ditch the toy aisle for the toy store! There are so many great gifts for kids, you need only to branch out from the big box stores to independent toy stores.
- Pufferbellies in Staunton is such a fun place to shop and a great source for everything from stocking stuffers to the primary surprise! Find exciting gifts like AirForts, uncommon gifts like beeswax crayons, and rare gifts like an axolotl plushie. From newborns to us older kids, there is something for everyone.
- Timeless Toys at Shenandoah Heritage Market in Harrisonburg is the place to find cork guns, child size excavators, mechanical models, science kits, books, and more.
- Tic Tac Toys at The Dayton Market in Dayton features the classics plus innovative toys that will have your kids working their hands and their brains.
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Shops for Chefs
The run-of-the-mill items and brands just won’t do for a serious connoisseur of cuisine. No, you’ll need a genuine kitchen shop for that special person. After all, if they’re lovingly preparing meals, you can lovingly provide the best tools possible.
- Ladles & Linens in Lexington has a wall of gadgets and what-nots to do this, that, and the other with precision and ease. While we don’t know what they all do, someone somewhere surely must. A spoon made just for drizzling and scissors for cutting pizza? So cool!
- Kitchen Kupboard at Shenandoah Heritage Market in Harrisonburg offers a variety of stoneware, pottery, kitchen linens, cast iron, and plethora cooking and baking accoutrements.
- Kitchenwares and More at The Dayton Market in Dayton also offers a wide array of gadgets, cookware, teapots, and more. They like to say, “we practically go through the alphabet with apple slicers to zesters …”
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Shops for Book Lovers
Don’t. Get. Us. Started. We love books! The Shenandoah Valley is ripe with excellent bookstores – so many that this is but a mere sample. Small, independent bookstores are true gems. Lean on those folks to source rare editions and unveil works you never knew you’d love.
- In Lexington: The Bookery (out-of-print, used, local authors), Downtown Books (well-curated, specific selection geared toward local community), and The Historian’s Books (history books).
- The Green Valley Book Fair in Weyer’s Cave is a two-story, multi-building book bargain destination that’s very much like shopping the book fair at school when we were kids. Yes!
- Staunton is overflowing with books, too. The Book Dragon Shop is well-rounded to appeal to most; Bargain Books offers aisles and aisles of used books; Barrister Books caters to those seeking rare books.
- Stone Soup Books in Waynesboro is all about books in every sense: selling, buying, rescuing, consigning, discussing, and even author services to get newbies up and going.
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Shops for Cigar Lovers
A cigar. A glass of bourbon. We see you, and here are the shops you’ll love:
- The Beverley Cigar Store in Staunton is as swanky, leathery, and cozy as any cigar store we can imagine. It’s a lounge, really.
- The Tobacco Bank in Lexington is brand new and yes, occupies an old bank building.
Shops for the Music Lover
What’s old is new again in the world of music, it seems, and we’re here for it. Vinyl has made a comeback with teens, they’re digging the music of their grandparents, and shopping for music is happening outside of their phones. Hook them up with something tangible this holiday from The Vinyl Asylum in Staunton. There you can flip through all genres from classics through today, and even pick up a player, if you need it.
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Shops for the Art Lover
Art galleries are bountiful in the Shenandoah Valley! From solo galleries to cooperatives, there are many landing spots for canvas, pottery, glass, and sculpture.
- Warehouse Art Gallery in Luray (part of Page Valley Arts Council)
- Oasis Fine Art & Craft in Harrisonburg
- CoArt Gallery in Staunton
- Sunspots Studios Glassblowing in Staunton
- P. Buckley Moss Gallery in Waynesboro
- Appalachian Piecework Antiques & Textile Studio in Staunton
- Artists in Cahoots in Lexington
- Handworks Gallery in Winchester
- Earth, Fire and Spirit Pottery in Lexington
We wish you all the best this holiday season: the best shopping, the best laughs, and the best memories. Cheers!
Header image: Kitchenwares and More