The 2021 holiday season is a great opportunity to shop small and support the Old Line State’s local economy. No aspect of Maryland’s economy was left unscathed throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, and local storefronts have faced another challenging year, making this holiday season a great time to support local businesses.
Take a moment to read Preservation Maryland’s staff curated holiday gift guide for the 2021 season, and consider shopping local this year. For even more gift-giving inspiration, be sure to check out the past five years of our guides linked at the bottom of this blog.
Not sure where to shop local for holiday gifts? We asked members of our staff what their favorite local businesses were to shop and support throughout the holiday season. From Charm City favorites to staff picks all the way in Savannah Georgia, we’ve got it covered in our 2021 holiday gift guide!
Nicholas Redding | President & CEO:
The National museum of civil war medicine | 48 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
“For a unique gift in Frederick, it’s really hard to beat the National Museum of Civil War Medicine’s gift shop – an experience unto itself. From recreated Civil War beer to books and unique history inspired gifts, it’s a shop unlike almost any other in the state. While you’re picking up provisions, be sure to visit the nationally acclaimed museum above.”
VISIT the museum of civil war medicine ONLINE
GET DIRECTIONS to the museum of civil war medicine
INBLOOM JEWELRY | RELISH DECOR | E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
“Located along the historic National Pike, it’s also just a stone’s throw away from several other less sanguine but equally impressive shops – from InBloom Jewelry, a locally-based handcrafted jeweler to Relish Décor, a vintage-inspired houseware and kitchenware boutique perfect for the historic homeowner or lover. Take a stroll in Downtown Frederick and start with the National Museum of Civil War Medicine – you won’t soon regret it.”
get directions to inbloom jewelry
get directions to relish decor
Jana Carey | director of operations:
Shananigans Toy Shop | 5004 Lawndale Ave, Baltimore, MD 21210
“Shananigan’s Toy Shop is like having Santa’s workshop in Baltimore! The store is carefully curated by owner David Stelzer, stocked with just the right gift for any child (and many adults)! The friendly and knowledgeable staff often help shoppers select the perfect toy then artfully wrap it so it’s ready to slip under the tree.”
VISIT SHANANIGAN’S TOY SHOP ONLINE
GET DIRECTIONS TO SHANANIGAN’S TOY SHOP
jessica feldt | preservation initiatives manager:
FOUND Studio shop | red canoe café | domesticity | tortuga | snug books | zeke’s coffee | shAnanigan’s toys – HAMILTON/LAURAVILLE, Baltimore
“I never miss an opportunity to guide people to my neighborhood, which has tons of great small businesses to get holiday gifts. Found Studio Shop sells amazing things made, by-in-large, by local and regional makers. As a bonus, you can grab a warm cup of coffee at the attached Red Canoe Café while you are there. A couple doors down is Domesticity which has gifts for the sewist on your list or everything you need to give something homemade this year.
VISIT FOUND STUDIO SHOP ONLINE
GET DIRECTIONS TO FOUND STUDIO SHOP
GET DIRECTIONS TO RED CANOE CAFÉ
“Just up the road are the shops at Southern and Harford like Tortuga selling jewelry and home goods and Snug Books with books for all ages. They are next to Zeke’s Coffee where you can not only grab coffee and a bite to eat, but shop for treats and condiments from other local makers. Finally, while not in my neighborhood, no holiday list would be complete without toys and my hands-down favorite place to get them is Shananigans Toy Shop. All these shops sell great products, offer friendly service and provide helpful advice.”
FIND A ZEKE’S COFFEE LOCATION NEAR YOU
VISIT SHANANIGAN’S TOY SHOP ONLINE
GET DIRECTIONS TO SHANANIGAN’S TOY SHOP
NOT BASED IN MARYLAND? Want to shop online?
Our colleague Natalie Henshaw is leading our national program, The Campaign for Historic Trades, from Savannah, Georgia. Here’s what Natalie had to say about shopping local in Savannah:
NATALIE HENSHAW | HISTORIC TRADES PROGRAM MANAGER:
Repurpose Savannah | 2302 EAST GWINNETT STREET, SAVANNAH, GA OR ONLINE
“Historic buildings are lost to demolition every day. Repurpose Savannah provides an alternative for historic structures at the end of their life-cycle: deconstruction. This non-profit organization saves valuable historic resources from the landfill, provides training opportunities for women to get into the construction industry, and seeks to have a positive environmental impact by reducing the harmful effects of demolition on the health of our neighborhoods and by diverting large quantities of “waste” from the landfill.
The majority of the saved historic materials are quickly reused in-kind for their intended purpose in the repair of historic structures. However, some pieces are not viable for these uses anymore. These scraps, shorts, and cut-offs get repurposed into craft goods like soap dishes, coasters, and picture frames. These make great gifts, and proceeds help support the organization and their mission.”
For way more ideas for Maryland-made and Old Line State-inspired gifts, please check out our guides from previous seasons!
EVEN MORE MARYLAND AND HISTORIC GUIDE IDEAS
- Preservation Maryland’s 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
- Preservation Maryland’s Made in Maryland Holiday Gift Guide 2019
- Preservation Maryland’s Ultimate Guide to Shopping Local on Prime Day
- Made in Maryland Holiday Gift Guide 2018
- Holiday Gift Guide for History Lovers 2017
- Made in Maryland Local Holiday Gift Guide 2016
- Made in Maryland Local Holiday Gift Guide 2015