Whether you want to shop local this season or give a piece of your hometown to out-of-state family and friends, look no further. This curated collection highlights a bit of the craftsmanship, flavors and creativity rooted right in our own backyard. Support local businesses while finding gifts for all with this regional gift guide. (Scroll down for a list of locally owned, independent toy stores, too!)
Food & Drink
Akron Honey: Infused Honey
Sweeten up someone’s day with Akron Honey’s raw honey infused with unexpected flavors such as Bourbon Barrel, Habanero Hot and Hibiscus. The small-batch honeys make an easy gift for foodies and are available at select area grocers and cafes, local pop-ups and online. $12.99+, akronhoney.com
Bertman Original Ball Park Mustard
Since 1921, this legendary brown mustard has been served at Cleveland baseball stadiums for generations. The slightly spicy and vinegar-based mustard, as well as other Bertman condiments, is available at local grocery stores (Heinen’s, Giant Eagle) or directly online. $3+ per bottle, bertmanballparkmustard.com
Cleveland Kitchen: Kraut or Pickles
Add some Cleveland flavor to the holiday table with locally-made fermented kraut or pickles (plus coleslaw, kimchi and more) from Cleveland Kitchen. Made with fresh ingredients sourced in part from Midwest farmers, its products come in a variety of flavors and are naturally fermented for gut-friendly benefits. Find them at local grocery stores, select national retailers, or order online. $5+, clevelandkitchen.com
Geauga County Maple Syrup
Bring home a taste of Northeast Ohio’s maple country with 100% pure Grade-A maple syrup or maple candy from Geauga County sugarhouses. Pick up a bottle at local farm stands and sugarhouses, or visit the Burton Log Cabin & Sugar Camp, located on the village square. $16+, burtonchamberofcommerce.org
Guggisberg Swiss Cheese
Charcuterie lovers will appreciate a gift from Guggisberg Cheese, famous for being the home of the Original Baby Swiss. Located in Millersburg in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country, Guggisberg offers its award-winning Swiss alongside 60+ other varieties of cheese. $6+ per block, babyswiss.com
Malley’s Chocolates: Buckeyes
Gift a taste of the Buckeye state with this classic peanut butter-and-chocolate treat, made locally by the famous Cleveland-based confectionery. Other Malley’s best-sellers include its Famous Fudge Sauce, Gold Cup Mix and more. Order online or visit one of its 18 area locations. Prices vary, malleys.com
Norka Sparkling Beverages
Give a taste of Akron history with Norka, the city’s historic craft soda made with pure cane sugar. Choose from nostalgic flavors including Cherry-Strawberry and Root Beer, available individually or in four-packs at Acme and Giant Eagle locations throughout the region, as well as specialty markets or online. $3 per bottle or $8 for a four-pack, norkabeverage.com
Home Decor
Don Drumm Studios & Gallery: Cast Metalware & Ornaments
For a gift with a distinctly Akron connection, look to Don Drumm Studios, known for its cast aluminum and pewter home accessories, wall art and annual holiday ornaments. Visit the Akron studio and gallery to find everything from small keepsakes to statement pieces. Prices vary, dondrummstudios.com
GV Art + Design: Cleveland Apparel & Accessories
In addition to artful apparel, celebrate Cleveland with home accessories from GV Art + Design, including flags, candles, blankets, magnets, pillows and more. Shop the company’s Lakewood, Willoughby or Avon locations, or
order online. Prices vary, gvartwork.com
Paper Cutz Vintage Collages
Turn Cleveland nostalgia (or that of another big city) into wall art with these clever collages made from vintage newspapers, maps, postcards, matchbooks and other paper treasures. Created by a local artist, the Cleveland collection includes skyline prints, West Side Market and Severance Hall designs, sports art and more. Prints start at $13, papercutzvintage.com
Root Candles: Beeswax Candles
Share a little Medina history with candles from Root Candles, a company that has been operating in the city since 1869. Its premium beeswax blend candles make a classic holiday gift and are available at the company’s flagship store near Medina Public Square or online. Prices vary, rootcandles.com
Zeber-Martell Studio: Handcrafted Ceramics
Add a little handmade beauty to someone’s everyday routine with a wheel-thrown mug, ring dish or other ceramic piece from Akron’s Zeber-Martell Studio. The Northside District studio creates colorful, distinctive pottery and home goods that make especially nice gifts for art lovers. Prices vary, zeber-martell.com
Clothing, Accessories & Body Care
CLE Clothing Co.: Cleveland Apparel & Gifts
From Cleveland-themed T-shirts and sweatshirts to hats, totes and gifts from local artists, CLE Clothing
Co. offers plenty of ways to show some hometown pride. Shop online or at its locations in downtown Cleveland, Crocker Park, Van Aken District and Fairlawn. $15+, cleclothingco.com
Little Birdie Design Studio: Hand-Knit Accessories
Bundle someone up in something handmade with cozy hats, scarves and other knit accessories from Little Birdie Design Studio in Cuyahoga Falls. The small-batch pieces are designed and made locally and can be found online and at Northeast Ohio markets and retail events. $35+, littlebirdiedesignstudio.com
Majestic Meadows Alpacas: Alpaca Fiber Apparel
Give the gift of seriously soft winter warmth with alpaca socks, scarves, gloves, hats and sweaters from Medina’s Majestic Meadows Alpacas. Shop the farm’s Alpaca Boutique or browse its online selection for cozy gifts with a local connection. $15+, majesticmeadowsalpacas.com
Océanne: Cleveland-Made Jewelry
Created by French designer Anne Harrill, all handcrafted jewelry from Océanne is designed in Cleveland. The collection includes necklaces, earrings, bracelets and personalized pieces. Browse the collection online or at its locations in Cleveland’s Gordon Square, Pinecrest in Orange, or Crocker Park in Westlake. Prices vary, oceanne.net
STEM Handmade Soap: Bath & Body Care
Treat someone to a little everyday pampering with small-batch soaps, bath and body products from STEM. Handcrafted in Lakewood with plant-based ingredients and essential-oil scent blends, the products make easy stocking stuffers or additions to a larger gift basket. $6+, stemsoaps.com
Sugar Pepper Soaps: Handmade Goat-Milk Soap
Treat someone with a handmade bar of goat-milk soap from Sugar Pepper Soaps, based in Mantua. Seasonal scents and small-batch products make these an easy little luxury, available online and at local craft and holiday
markets. $7+, sugarpeppersoaps.com
Three Sons Leather Co.: Handmade Leather Goods
Skip the mass-produced wallet or belt and give a handmade leather piece from North Olmsted maker Seth Robinson, of Three Sons Leather Co. Traditional saddle-stitch construction goes into the company’s wallets, belts, bags and other leather goods. Prices vary, threesonsleatherco.com
Gifts for Kids
Becco Bags: Customizable Backpacks & Lunchboxes
Designed in Chagrin Falls, Becco Bags lets kids customize their backpacks and lunchboxes with interchangeable hook-and-loop patches, from sports and animals to Ohio-themed designs. Individual patches and sets offer an easy way to refresh the look. $42+, beccobags.com
Dutch Craft Furnishings: Amish Wooden Toys
Bring home a classic, screen-free gift with handcrafted Amish wooden toys from Dutch Craft Furniture in Berlin. Made from solid wood by local Amish craftsmen, the toys include traditional favorites — doll furniture, rocking horses, trucks, trains and more — designed to stand up to years of imaginative play. Prices vary, dutchcraftfurnishings.com
Lil’ Burritos: Clothing & Nursery Decor
Find sweet, playful gifts for little ones at Lil’ Burritos, located in Chagrin Falls, with children’s clothing and whimsical nursery décor designed to add personality to their spaces. Designed and printed locally, the onesies and art prints feature clever designs, often with a local twist. $15+, lilburritos.bigcartel.com
Shop Local Toy Stores for the Holidays
This season, skip the big-box stores and support some of Northeast Ohio’s independent toy shops. From one-of-a-kind toys and educational items to vintage collectibles and games, these local stores offer plenty of gifts you won’t find at the usual chains, as well as some popular name brand must-haves.
Apple Jax Toys: Vintage toys meet modern favorites at this shop, with locations in Lakewood and Peninsula, where kids and collectors can browse action figures, plushes, games, comics and pop-culture treasures. applejaxtoys.com
Gather Round Games: Located in Fairlawn, this game shop is a great destination for kids and teens who love Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana and other trading card games. There’s also puzzles, game accessories and collectibles, plus special events and gaming space. grgcollect.com
The Little Toy Store: This Canal Fulton shop offers the kind of old-fashioned toy-store experience that’s becoming harder to find. Kids and grown-ups alike will enjoy browsing its selection of LEGO, RC cars, games, classic toys and more. thelittletoystore.com
Medina Funtastic Toyz: Located on Medina’s Public Square, this small-but-mighty shop is stocked with board games, crafts, outdoor play options and classic toys. funtastictoyz.com
Off the Wagon: With locations in Chagrin Falls, Kent and Medina, Off the Wagon is the place to find unusual games, clever toys, science kits, puzzles and quirky gifts you won’t see everywhere else. offthewagonshop.com
Once Upon a Time Toys: A Rocky River favorite, this toy shop is packed with imaginative toys, games, puzzles, dolls and crafts for kids of all ages. Free gift wrapping makes it an easy one-stop holiday shopping destination. onceuponatimetoys.com
PlayMatters: This Pepper Pike toy store specializes in toys that encourage creativity, learning and hands-on play, from puzzles and building sets to dolls, games and sensory toys. playmatterstoys.com
S’il Vous Play: Located in Cleveland Heights, this European-inspired toy shop takes a thoughtful approach to play, with a curated selection of imaginative, beautifully designed toys for babies through older kids. silvousplaytoys.com
Sir Troy’s Toy Kingdom: With an enormous selection of LEGO, games, plushes, trains, model kits, Playmobil and more, this toy store is practically a destination in itself. Three Northeast Ohio locations — Canton, Solon and Strongsville — make it an easy place to tackle a big holiday shopping list. sirtroys.com
Smartickles Toy Store: This Medina shop focuses on toys that make kids think, create and explore, with a strong selection of educational, sensory and STEM toys. smarticklestoys.com