By Vanessa Lantos Daly (Spicy Melon)
Dec. 12, 2024 – With the 25th only a couple of weeks away, it’s hard not to feel the holiday spirit. Unless, of course, you’re working at a downtown shop where that Mariah Carey song is on repeat your whole shift—if that’s you, I feel your pain.
You can definitely overdose on Mariah.
Despite the crowded streets and city visitors jaywalking through Broughton Street’s traffic lights, there’s still a lingering magic in the air, with twinkling lights, cozy sweaters, and warm colors all around.
Feeling inspired, I decided to put together a short guide of last-minute, locally-inspired gift ideas for this holiday season in Savannah.
1. Local Experiences
First thoughts: Gift cards to a favorite local restaurant, an intriguing walking tour, or a beloved sweets shop. While a gift card, being so compact, might not steal the show under the Christmas tree, gifting experiences is unbeatable because those memories last.
One of my favorites? Lulu’s Chocolate Bar. Seriously—where else can you get chocolate-covered strawberries, a chocolate martini, and a slice of chocolate cake all in one go, without any judgment? That place is ridiculous. And if anyone was judging me during my last visit, I was too busy chocolating myself to death to even notice.
I’m pretty sure heaven looks a little bit like Lulu’s Chocolate Bar.
These are the kind of gifts that get remembered. And for anyone thinking these gifts are lazy—hush. They can be incredibly thoughtful (unless it’s a gift card to Walmart… that’s a little basic, but I’d still take it happily!). For the full effect, pair your gift card with a heartfelt note explaining why you chose this experience for them and why you think they’ll love it.
You’ll hit all the 5 stages of gifting: surprise, delight, gratitude, happiness… and maybe even a hug.
Before you blow me off for being too cheesy, let’s continue.
2. Local Art
Strolling through the galleries at City Market or exploring River Street Marketplace means you’ll likely encounter some touristy crowds. However, this is also where local artists work their magic.
There’s something here for every budget, and each piece is one of a kind! Plus, when your gifted thanks you, you get to say, “I got it from this local artist…” which means you can also support local artists through word of mouth.
Want to avoid downtown? Check out Sulfur Studios or Superbloom for more local gifts! The T-shirts by Forest and Fin make for a great gift, and they also sell gorgeous locally made ceramic jewelry and art prints.
3. Local services:
Imagine… a spa day, a massage, or a gift card to a local salon. Like Salon Della Vita which is beautiful and has been a local favorite for over 25 years.
This is my kind of gift—luxurious and downright amazing.
And if you’re feeling magnanimous, consider gifting a local house cleaning service to a friend with a spouse and a couple of rowdy kids. Imagine them relaxing in a spotless house without lifting a finger. Now that is priceless, and a surefire way to become a momentary hero.
Enough thoughtful gifts like that, and who knows? You might just graduate to full-blown hero status.
4. Small grocery gifts:
Got friends who lost an entire fridge’s worth of groceries during the last couple of hurricane-induced power outages? A gift card to Brighter Day or Goodfortune Market might be a small blessing.
Some people lost as much as $500 worth of groceries when those hurricanes hit, so a gift like this is both thoughtful and practical. I guarantee this won’t be some random trinket that ends up lost in a drawer or closet somewhere!
5. Artistic Decor
If you want to treat yourself a little, why not decorate your home with beautiful locally-made ornaments? Make some hot cider or mulled wine from scratch, get all things green, red, and white, and turn your place into a scene straight out of a holiday movie.
On the same premise as those local art gifts, head down to the artisan markets to snag some gorgeous ornaments, pottery, and textiles. This time of year, local artists really get their creative juices flowing, and their creations reflect the season.
The extra benefit? These decorations are often one of a kind, so Martha next door will just have to envy your unique, locally crafted decor—she can’t run to the nearest Home Goods and replicate your style, even if she wanted to.
I’m going to try to stop sounding like a 1950s television ad targeted at housewives for a minute. The truth is, these items are usually of much higher quality than mass-produced Walmart decorations, meaning they’re built to last. You can preserve them for years and even pass them down through generations.
Final thoughts
Handcrafted items may be more expensive than the $5 buckets full of trinkets at Target, but keep that in mind as you consider picking up a couple of small treasures each year if you’re budget-conscious.
Even snagging a few unique items from local crafters and artists is an incredible way to support your community.
Get a few every year, and before you know it, your entire decor will be one of a kind, and those fuzzy feelings will linger all season long!
So this holiday season, take a little break from the big-box stores and choose some gifts that come with stories, local flavor, and a sprinkle of Savannah’s magic.
Supporting our local artists, businesses, and makers doesn’t just make us thoughtful gift-givers; it makes us part of what makes this place so special. Those gifts are like little love letters to our community (and maybe to yourself, if you treat yourself a little).
Happy gifting, and may your 2025 be as sweet and decadent as a night at Lulu’s!
Love always,
Vanessa
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