Columbus Gift Guide for the holiday season

It’s time to start purchasing your holiday gifts! We have a big list of local options to finish off your shopping list! If you’re waiting until Christmas Eve, make sure to check store hours, as smaller, local store may be closed or closing early. Merry Christmas!

Looking for all of the holiday fun in Columbus? Check out these pages!

This holiday season, aim to buy local for some, if not most of your gifts! Not only will your recipients love receiving unique gifts, buying local supports the local economy, as well as individuals, instead of large companies. Plus, Columbus has SO MANY amazing artisans, vendors, artists and more! We’d love to hear your suggestions for our Columbus Gift Guide! Leave a comment below, or on our Facebook page to give others more ideas. If you own a business, or just love supporting particular ones, leave a link for others to check out the goods! Scroll down for links to our other gift guides, including White Elephant gifts, hostess/teacher gifts, and more. Amazon affiliate links included.

Local goods that make great gifts

Local Apparel

Whether you’re looking for Columbus-themed shirts, or just something made locally in Columbus, Homage is your place. Order online or stop in at one of the stores. There are so many options, and their t-shirts are so, so soft. From sports, pop culture, colleges, and city themes (and so much more), you’ll find something for everyone. They have holiday deals and $10 bonus bucks for $50 purchases. New customers can use this referral link to get $20 off with a $40 purchase (I get a credit too), or shop in store at Easton.

Everyone loves Alison Rose shirts! They are super soft shirts, with fun, unique designs.

Variety of Local Gifts

These places are one-stop shops with tons of great, local options – from consumables and personal care to art, accessories, and clothing. These are great places to start or finish up your shopping. You’ll find options for many on your gift lists, and probably a few things for yourself as well.

Celebrate Local – Located at Easton, this store offers Ohio-made artisanal goods from 300+ Ohio small businesses! You’ll find locally-made apparel and jewelry, housewares, and lots of amazing local foods! You can also shop online if that suits you better.

The Ohio Craft Museum offers handmade jewelry, accessories, decorations and more from independent local artists. You’ll find options at all price points.

North Market has so many vendors that it’s easy to find something for everyone – especially if looking for consumables.

Whole Foods carries lots of local brands throughout the store and has local section as well.

Storge OHIO in Powell carries affordable, stylish, and practical products from small businesses all over Ohio. Shop in store or online.

Morgan House has rooms and rooms of goodies

What on Earth? in Upper Arlington features Earth-inspired products, art, and jewelry.

Gift shops at Ohio Statehouse and Ohio History Center feature many Columbus-themed products.

Local Beverages

Whether beer, wine, or liquor is the beverage of choice, there are TONS of local drink options.

Wine on High is offering lots of holiday gift options, including 3, 6, 12- month wine club memberships, wine baskets, tasting passes, and gift card specials.

Watershed Distillery has won double gold medals for both their Bourbon Barrel Gin and their Guild Gin as well as earned the title of Ohio’s Gin Distillery of the year from notable international spirits competitions. The distillery is happy to help create custom gift baskets including their spirits, distillery swag, tours and restaurant gift cards to create the perfect gift this season. They have launched a 350 ml giftable size bottle of their Old Fashioned – just pour over ice and enjoy an amazing cocktail. At $16.99 it’s an affordable gift (and maybe they’ll share with you!). Buy the bigger bottle, and they HAVE to share with you.

The Wine Lover’s Box from The Market Italian Village features two bottles of wine, hand selected cured meat, accouterments, a Market IV wine key, local sweets, and a reusable divided wine tote bag

Spritz Sparkling Tea: Sparkling Tea from Dublin based startup, Spritz Sparkling Tea just recently announced a December launch for their first two flavors of sparkling tea. Give the gift of being a tea tastemaker this year with this brand new, beautiful and bubbly beverage! (Price: 8 pack – $20, 16 pack – $40, 24 pack – $60)

Columbus Coffee

Yes, coffee could be under beverages, but I think it deserves it’s own mention. People in Columbus loooove coffee, as evidenced by the great local coffee shops in the city. Pick up a pound of coffee, some accessories, or some treats, and your recipient will be thankful for the morning salvation of good coffee. Columbus Coffee Experience website has a great list of coffee shops around the city where you’ll find good coffee to gift. There’s even a Columbus Coffee Trail that you can travel to earn a free tshirt.

Columbus Food

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream: The gift of Jeni’s Ice Cream is ALWAYS a good idea (and it ships if you need!). The only problem I see with purchasing Jeni’s Ice Cream as a gift is that it’ll be tough to keep it in your freezer without eating it yourself! Jeni’s Ice Cream would make a perfect Secret Santa gift, teacher gift – or let’s face it…gift for anyone. Want to take the gift to the next level? Include a Jeni’s gift card or salty caramel sauce, or an ice cream scoop from this brand, which was recommended by Jeni herself (and I concur).

We can’t leave Graeter’s Ice Cream off this list, because there’s always room for more ice cream. Graeter’s offers in-store and online purchases, as well as gift packs, merchandise, chocolates, and other sweets.

Fox in the Snow: You can’t go wrong with pastries from Fox in the Snow. Starting in December, the local darling coffee shop/bakery will sell branded packaged coffee and grab-and-go sweets like bagged marshmallows, granola and shortbread, sugar plum tarts, pumpkin pie by the slice, and chocolate dipped candy canes. These are great for a teacher gift, hostess gift, or other small gift. Pair it with a gift card or bag of coffee for the ultimate treat!

Local Items

Eleventh Candle Co.: This local social enterprise employs survivors of human trafficking as a way to redeem, restore and empower vulnerable women. Eleventh Candle Co. uses its dollars from candle sales (they’ve grossed over $3M in just three years) to provide employment, support and training to recovering women who have been trafficked. Eleventh’s founder, Amber Runyon, was recently featured on CNN for her work. Each candle is locally sourced in Columbus, Ohio and shipped nationwide. They’re made with simple ingredients like soy wax, fragrance oils, and cotton-core wicks. We received some candles and they are amazing – the candles burn cleanly and the scents are just the right strength. Amazing Grace and Gray Flannel smell so good! Eleventh has two locations – The Madery at 752 High St. in Worthington and a kiosk at Polaris Fashion Place – where they sell their products. They also sell them at a number of other locations, including Grace Lane Boutique, Rue Boutique Shop, Made Local Marketplace, Penzones Salon and Spa, Happy Go Lucky, and Chunky Armadillo.

Holiday Art and Craft Fairs: Find other amazing local items at Local Craft and Holiday Fairs around here – we have a huge list!

Local experiences for gifting

Movie Tickets: Pick a theatre nearby for them to enjoy a movie or two. Don’t forget about great local theaters such as Studio 35, Drexel, and Grandview Theatre.

Concert Tickets: Music lovers would be thrilled with tickets to see a great concert.

Sports tickets: There are plenty of sporting events around the city, including Columbus Blue Jackets, Columbus Clippers (very affordable), Columbus Crew, Ohio Roller Derby, and all Ohio State sports.

Theatre Tickets: CAPA Theatres offer tons of great plays, musicals, concerts, comedians, and shows for all ages at various price points through the year. Check to see if the current season offerings are anything that would make your recipients wish list. Some upcoming popular picks are Jersey Boys, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert, My Fair Lady, The Bachelor Live on Stage, My Little Pony Live, Paw Patrol Live, Wicked, and more.

ZipZone Tours: This adventure destination features hands free, guided zip line tour in the treetops at Camp Mary Orton in North Columbus. There are a variety of adventure options to choose from, including ziplines and climbing, and they even offer a kid-friendly tour for ages 4-7. They will be offering holiday specials on gift cards for a limited time.

Painting classes: Studios include Wine & Canvas, The Party Studio, Studio 614, Color Me Mine and more. These are also often held at local wineries, so check with your favorite to see if there are any upcoming events!

Escape Rooms in Columbus: The Chamber Escape Room, Trapped Columbus, Room Escape Columbus, Lockology Columbus Escape Room, and more – if you have any to recommend, I’d love to add them to the list!

Shadowbox Live tickets make a great gift for local comedy and Saturday Night Live fans, as the sketch comedy reminds me of SNL. Shows are definitely geared towards adults for some mature content, but holiday shows are toned down.

Axe Throwing in Columbus: This sport is developing quite a following in Columbus! Check out Columbus Axe Throwing and Dueling Axes. Gift certificates would be great for someone with everything, or the minimalist in your life!

Trampoline and Bounce Parks: Get Air Columbus, Sky Zone, Rockin Jump, and more.

Games and Fun: Arcade and game entertainment bars are IN right now in Columbus! Grab a gift card for 16-Bit Bar & Arcade or Pins Mechanical, and give them the gift of fun! Both have locations in Columbus and Dublin, and offer select times that 21 and under can also play (varies for each location), so it’s a gift that’s good for all ages!

Spa day: Gift cards for a mani, pedi, massage, or hair services are always appreciated – and useful!

Classes and Lessons: Whatever your recipients’ interests are, there’s a class for that around Columbus. Fitness, painting, sports, glass blowing, photography, writing, cooking, sewing and crafts, cake decorating, home improvement, self defense…the options are nearly limitless and impossible for me to list. Do an internet search for the “desired activity + local area”, or check local community centers, and you’re sure to find a few choices. Great options for kids are gymnastics, piano, acting, cooking, swimming, and whatever else their little hearts will enjoy.

Local season pass gift ideas

Season passes are the gift that keep giving. Not only does the gift last for several months to a full year, they are the gift of an experience, which is more valuable to most than just stuff. Whether it’s a gift for a whole family, or just an individual, they will appreciate the thoughtfulness that you took to choose a pass that they will enjoy, and will think of you when the use it.

These gifts can be a bit more expensive, but the value is worth it when choosing a bigger gift. If the season pass is out of your price range, purchase a one-time use pass instead. Attractions often offer specials during the holiday season, so be sure to ask, or look around the websites.

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium: Several membership options are available and memberships typically pay for themselves within 2 visits and include special discounts and other benefits.

Zoombezi Bay: Any water park lover will be thrilled with a season pass to Zoombezi Bay. Passes include admission to The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and other benefits.

COSI: There’s never enough time to enjoy all of COSI in a day, so a membership is a perfect way for loved ones to enjoy all of the traveling exhibits, Giant Screen Movies, Planetarium, and all of the regular COSI fun. While COSI is more geared towards families and kids of all ages, there’s fun to be had for any science lover. Purchase a membership by December 15 and get a ticket voucher for Disney on Ice presents Reach for the Stars.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: With every changing exhibits and gardens, plus fun family activities each week, cooking classes, and other special events, it’s unlikely someone could get bored with a membership to Franklin Park Conservatory. No matter the weather, there will always be plenty of beauty to enjoy.

Columbus Museum of Art: This membership will thrill the art lover on your list. CMA is such a fantastic place to explore, and features fun for all ages.

Local outdoor swimming pool: While these memberships are only valid for several months of the year, they pay off big time during the hot summer days. Many local pools offer early bird discounts on memberships, so Christmas is the perfect time to buy.

Community Center membership: Community centers offer so many benefits for individuals or families. From fitness, hobby classes, sports, events, and even indoor swimming pools, its a membership that can be used all year. Pick the center closest to the recipient and be sure to ask if there is a discount for residents of the community, as many have reduced fees for local tax district and school district residents.

Wexner Center for the Arts: From film to exhibits to special events, there’s so much fun to be had at Wexner Center for the Arts. They offer features that are family friendly, as well as ones that are perfect for date night. Gift memberships are presented in a box with an extra gift included.

Mad River Mountain Ski Resort: If your recipient loves skiing pr snowboarding, Mad River Mountain is just a short drive away and is great for when they only have a few hours to ski and for practice before big ski trips.

Don’t forget to check out our Columbus Gift Guide: Hostess Gift Ideas with additional local gift options that are perfect for hostess gifts, teacher gifts, friend gifts, co-worker gifts, and Secret Santa gifts.

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Looking for all of the holiday fun in Columbus? Check out these pages!

Holiday Gift Guide