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 everyoneβ€”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: Parentsβ€”looking to burn off some of those holiday cookies? You will love a GYMGUYZ session. They bring the workout to youβ€”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:

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • Decadent Dessert Bar

    • The Charmery

    • Goodies SweeBakeriests & Treats

    • Kupcakes & Co.

    • The Crazy Mason

    • 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

    • Kidzville

    • Be with my Playseum

    • Doc Taylor's Toy Emporium

    • Hyper Kids

    • Barnes and Noble

    • Bluu Whale Kids

    • 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

    • BLOSSOMS OF HOPE

    • ZACHING AGAINST CANCER

    • CUPID’s UNDIE RUN

    • SPECIAL OLYMPICS

    • MERRIWEATHER ARTS & CULTURE CENTER

    • THE GIVING MACHINE

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