Your Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Howard County, MD and Beyond!

Download the FULL 2024 Holiday Gift Guide for Families HERE to discover LOCAL small businesses that will make the season bright!

Fa-la-la-la-laaaa! As a mom of two with a GROWING holiday list, I’m always on the lookout for gifts that bring joy and make life a bit easier for my family and friends. Luckily, Howard County is packed with businesses that have something for everyone—from unforgettable experiences for the kiddos to thoughtful treats for adults. Check out this curated list of local favorites to shop small, spread the holiday spirit, and get a gift for everyone on your list!

For the Kids (Step Aside, Santa):

• Clarks Elioak Farm: Give your favorite little ones the gift of farm fun all YEAR long with a 2025 season pass!

• Bluu Whale Kids Entertainment: If you're throwing a holiday party or looking for a unique gift, Bluu Whale Kids is a dream come true for little ones. Their play areas and party packages are always a hit!

• Doc Taylor's Toy Emporium: This whimsical shop is filled with toys that encourage imagination and fun. A great spot for finding the perfect stocking stuffer or main gift.

• Hyper Kidz Columbia: Let your kids burn off that holiday energy! This indoor play space is a lifesaver for those chilly winter days during the holiday break.

For the Busy Parent:

• GYMGUYZ: Parents—looking to burn off some of those holiday cookies? You will love a GYMGUYZ session. They bring the workout to you—ideal for the new year’s resolutions!

• Higeniks: As we gather with loved ones, Higeniks offers practical and thoughtful gift packages of household cleansing essentials, perfect for those wanting to rid their homes of messes and germs.

For Self-Care Lovers:

• The Pearl Spa & Adora Aesthetics: A holiday season staple, gift certificates for spa treatments or skincare sessions are always appreciated. Perfect for anyone who could use a little pampering.

• Buttercup Soaperie: Handcrafted soaps and bath bombs make wonderful stocking stuffers. Their festive scents and all-natural ingredients make every bath a relaxing treat.

Foodie Favorites:

• Pure Green: I have been HOOKED on Pure Green ever since my first smoothie. Nutritious smoothies, acai bowls, and cold-pressed juices are perfect for health-conscious friends or as a refreshing treat after the holiday rush.

• Ananada, Busboys & Poets, and GrillMarx: From brunches to date nights, these local restaurants offer gift cards that make excellent gifts for parents needing a night out or families wanting a festive meal without the hassle.

• Sapwood Cellars & Black Ankle: Wine and beer enthusiasts will love anything involving local brews and bottles! Sapwood Cellars and Black Ankle offer tastings, merchandise, and take-home options for the perfect holiday toast.

Sweet Treats & Desserts:

• Kupcakes & Co. & The Charmery: Celebrate the season with cupcakes, ice cream, or a gift card for a fun family outing. Who doesn’t love a delicious treat to brighten up a winter day?

• Goodies Sweets & Treats: If you’ve been following me for some time now, you have to have noticed the ADORABLE cookies that Mary Beth creates. They are a STAPLE for every occasion in my house. For custom treats that add an extra sprinkle of magic, Goodies Sweets & Treats offers delightful holiday-themed sweets that make wonderful desserts and favors.

Home & Decor Lovers:

• The Family Room & Sweet Elizabeth Jane: Both are filled with unique, beautifully curated items that make any house feel like a home. From seasonal decor to cozy knickknacks, these shops have a little something for everyone.

Unique Finds & Experiences:

• Dill Dinkers Pickleball & AxGard: For families who love sports and outdoor activities, check out these fun options! Dill Dinkers offers pickleball gear, and AxGard has a gift card for an axe-throwing experience everyone will remember.

• EC Letters & Simply Sarah Charcuterie: EC Letters creates custom decor, and Simply Sarah’s charcuterie boards make excellent hostess gifts or a delicious holiday centerpiece.

Gifts That Keep On Giving:

This season, consider a donation to a local charities in honor of a loved one. It’s a gift that truly keeps on giving and supports our community in meaningful ways:

• BLOSSOMS OF HOPE

• ZACHING AGAINST CANCER

• CUPID’s UNDIE RUN

• SPECIAL OLYMPICS

• MERRIWEATHER ARTS & CULTURE CENTER

• THE GIVING MACHINE

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

(Check out our full lists below! Click the “+” symbol to expand.)

• Local Restaurants

  • Ananada

  • Bus Boys & Poets

  • Cured 18th & 21st

  • Dok Khao

  • Food Market

  • Frisco

  • GrillMarx

  • Hudson Coastal

  • Stanford Grill

  • Lāk

  • EC Diner

  • Eataliano

  • Iron Bridge Wine Company

  • Kings Contrivance

  • Manor Hill Tavern

  • Turn House

  • Victoria's Gastro Pub

  • Walkers Tap & Table

  • Xenia Greek Kouzina

  • Pub Dog

  • Chicken & Whiskey

  • Offshore

  • Blackwall Barn & Lodge

• Beauty, Health, & Wellness

  • Adora Aesethetics

  • Bra La La

  • Thirty Hair

  • GYMGUYZ

  • Pure Green

  • Rehab 2 Perform

  • Vanity Beauty Lounge

  • Define Hair Salon

  • ODYSSEY Strength & Conditioning

  • Restore Pelvic PT

  • PuraVida Med Spa

  • The Pearl Spa

  • Buttercup Soaperie

  • Columbia Association

  • Mayweather Boxing

• Breweries & Wineries

  • Sapwood Cellars

  • Black Ankle

  • Hysteria Brewing Co

  • Manor Hill Brewery

  • Scout & Cellar

  • Lost Ark Distilling Co.

  • Jail Break Brewery 

  • Frisco

  • HoCo Brew Hive

  • Black Flag Brewing Co

  • EC Distilling

  • The Wine Bin

• Bakeries & Sweet Treats

  • Decadent Dessert Bar

  • The Charmery

  • Goodies SweeBakeriests & Treats

  • Kupcakes & Co.

  • The Crazy Mason

• For A Clean Home

  • MD CLEAN BINS

  • Candles by Candy

  • TIDYMILSO

  • Higeniks

  • The Family Room

  • Grit & Ash

  • The Pink Cabbage

  • Nest

  • Catonsville Mercantile

  • Sweet Elizabeth Jane

  • Belle Patri

  • Kendall Hardware

  • EC POPS

  • Vertical Connection - Carpet One

  • Cornerstone Cleaning

• For the Kiddos

  • Kidzville

  • Be with my Playseum

  • Doc Taylor's Toy Emporium

  • Hyper Kids

  • Barnes and Noble

  • Bluu Whale Kids

• Miscellaneous

  • 2nd Swing Golf

  • AxGard

  • Dill Dinkers Pickle Ball

  • Moments Made Simple

  • EC Letters

  • Simply Sarah Charcuterie

  • Green Moon Baby

  • SPARKED TOGETHER

  • Loud Beads

  • REMARKABLY HER

  • B4HOMEMADE

• Giving Back

  • BLOSSOMS OF HOPE

  • ZACHING AGAINST CANCER

  • CUPID’s UNDIE RUN

  • SPECIAL OLYMPICS

  • MERRIWEATHER ARTS & CULTURE CENTER

  • THE GIVING MACHINE