Shop local this holiday season and give Athens-inspired gifts as part of a Georgia Made, Georgia Grown holiday! Athens is home to an array of locally owned businesses offering unique, handcrafted items and experiences. Even Expedia named Athens one of the Best American towns for Holiday Shopping!
Take a look at these Athens vendors to find holiday gifts for friends, family, and everyone in between! While you're in Athens this holiday season, be sure to visit these wonderful artists, check out our Holiday Markets, shop small, and take home a piece of Athens for the special people in your life! Be sure to check back throughout the season -we'll be adding more gift ideas to the guide!
Stocking Stuffers ($0-15)
Athens keychain
Price: $15
Seller: Visit Athens, GA
These cute Athens, GA keychains are the perfect stocking stuffer for the UGA alum or recent grad in your life! Help them show off their Athens pride with subtle flair. Made with high-quality hardware fittings, a TPU cover, and a robust acrylic plate, these keychains are as durable as they are stylish. Attach this custom key ring to any keyset like a charm or onto a bag as a custom tag to help items stand out in the crowd.
Athens Original Classic Buttons
Price: $5
Seller: Visit Athens, GA
Featuring our "Original Classic" exclusive artwork, these Custom Pin Buttons are made from metal, yet are lightweight and durable with a strong safety pin. Buy a pin and show off your Athens pride this Football season! They make a great stocking stuffer for the Athens lover in your life! Whether they are a newly minted Dawg (congrats!) or a long-term Athenian, this button will look perfect on their bag or jacket.
Holiday Teas
Price: $7
Maker: MEplusTEA
Check out meplustea.com or the Athens Farmers Market on Saturday mornings at Bishop Park for holiday teas! Winter Bliss, loaded with flavorful orange and cinnamon, is Christmas in a cup and a tea lover's dream! Mint To Be hand blends locally grown peppermint, black tea and crushed peppermint candy to make the perfect holiday blend. MEplusTEA's blends are formulated to simply enjoy a cup of hot tea or explore the world of herbal home remedies!
CBD Bath Bomb
Price: $15
Seller: Classic Citiva
Indulge in relaxation with Franny's Farmacy 150mg CBD Bath Bomb, a luxurious blend crafted with the finest local ingredients, sold at Classic Citiva. Infused with 150mg of full spectrum distillate from sun-kissed North Carolina hemp flowers, this bath bomb combines the soothing powers of Kaolin clay, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, and Spearmint. Elevate your bathing ritual with a fizzy burst and a carefully curated mix of essential oils, skin-friendly elements, and antioxidant-rich CBD. Unwind after a long day as the symphony of all-natural goodness cocoons you, offering aromatherapeutic benefits while providing antioxidant support.
Stickers
Price: $4 each or 4 for $15
Seller: Anna Forrester - Illustration + Design
These nature-focused stickers include Georgia State Tree, Longleaf Pines, Geo Georgia, Georgia Regions and Beloved Appalachia. Find Anna Forrester's designs on her website and order via email at annacarletonforrester3@gmail.com. Working primarily in digital illustration, Anna's prints revolve around outdoorscapes, local and regional illustrations, place portraits and mapmaking.
$14-25 Gifts
Rooted: Earth + Rain Scented Candle
Price: $20
Store: Foxglove Plantbar
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the plant person who has everything, we’ve got you covered! Introducing Rooted: Earth + Rain Scented Candle – the gift that brings the cozy, comforting smells of a greenhouse into their home. 🌧️🌿 Imagine the fresh scent of soil and watered plants after a summer rain... it’s a little piece of plant paradise in a jar! Hand-poured, organic soy candle (8.5oz) – the perfect stocking stuffer for the plant lover who appreciates all things green.
Dog Bandana
Price: $20
Seller: Visit Athens, GA
In Athens, the Dawgs will always be #1! Our pet bandana collar puts a fun spin on standard animal accessories, for the Dawg fan in your life who loves their dog! It is made of polyester duck fabric and is sublimation printable on one side. The construction and printing is durable enough for machine washing. The collar fastening helps to keep the bandana fitting correctly, even during play.
Cocktail Shaker
Price: $25
Seller: Oak House Distillery
Oak House Distillery cocktail shakers are the perfect gift for the mixologist on your list! Oak House Distillery was founded in 2020 by UGA scientists with a passion for crafting artisanal spirits. It has the distinction of being the first legal distillery in Athens since the 1860s. The distillery is located on Macon Hwy, just minutes from Five Points. It produces award-winning contemporary-style gins using a range of locally-grown and exotic botanicals from Southeast Asia, as well as Jamaican-style silver and gold rums, with an extraordinarily smooth Certified Organic vodka being their latest release
Small Prints (8.5 x 11)
Price: $20
Seller: Anna Forrester - Illustration + Design
These Athens-inspired nature prints make the perfect gift for outdoorsy loved ones. Visit Anna Forrester's website to explore her various print designs, from the North Oconee River Greenway to the he Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. Place print orders via email at annacarletonforrester3@gmail.com. Prints can be 8.5" x 11" or 16" x 20". Working primarily in digital illustration, Anna's prints revolve around outdoorscapes, local and regional illustrations, place portraits and mapmaking.
Sheer Shimmer Stockings
Price: $14
Maker: Grail Bra Specialists at 1055 Gaines School Rd Suite 110, Athens, GA 30605
These woven-design sheer geometric stockings are perfect for the holidays. Available in sizes small through XL. Grail Bra Specialists is an independent, woman-owned bra fitting specialty boutique serving Athens and the surrounding community since 2019. Grail embraces total body inclusivity, with over 260 sizes stocked in-store. Its expert bra fitters are here to offer each client a knowledgeable and judgment-free fitting experience.
$26-50 Gifts
Digital Ikebana Workshop with Rebecca Wood
Price: $30
Maker: R. Wood Studio
Join R.Wood Studio founder Rebecca Wood in her garden and learn all about Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging! In this digital workshop, watch from the comfort of home as Rebecca shows you how find hidden beauty in your own backyard, and guides you in making elegant arrangements for any season.
Dual Brush Pen Set
Price:$29.50
Seller: K. A. Artist Shop
Tombow's Dual Brush pens are available in a dazzling array of colors and are appreciated by fine artists and crafters alike for good reason. These sets are made up of ten pens each to form a specified palette.
Two-Way Vase + Candle Holder
Price: $34.99
Seller: R&R Secret Flowers
Stylish, modern, and colorful glass vessel that can be used as vase or candle holder. The sleek and contemporary design seamlessly harmonizes with any space. Surprise nature enthusiasts, or anyone with a love for flowers with a gift that combines modern innovation with natural beauty.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2022
Price: $32
Seller: Kate Arnold Wines
Aromas of cranberry, cedar, baking spice, lilac, and red plum, with flavors of raspberry, blackberry, and cherry, and hints of palo santo and Earl Grey. Medium-bodied with balanced acidity and a clean, light finish. Sourced from vineyards in Willamette Valley AVA of Oregon. Fermented dry, no sugar added. 13.2% ABV. One of the staff favorites!
Very Good Puzzles
Price: $20-26
Seller: Georgia Museum of Art
For your artfully inclined friend, Athens-based Very Good Puzzle makes awesome puzzles of great art and have been supporting local artists since 2017. Designs vary, but each is engaging and fun!
Athens Wine Weekend Grand Tasting
Price: $50
Seller: The Classic Center
Sip and sample incredible wine and cooking artistry during this weekend of exquisite taste in Downtown Athens. Athens Wine Weekend benefits The Classic Center Cultural Foundation, which awards over $60,000 in grants and annual hospitality education, performing arts, and visual arts scholarships. Patrons must be 21+ years of age to attend.
$51-100 Gifts
Harlem Globetrotters Tickets
Price: $42+
Seller: Akins Ford Arena
Watch in awe as The Harlem Globetrotters go head-to-head in an exhilarating battle of skills featuring epic dunks, jaw-dropping four-point shots, and more-it's friendly competition at its most exciting! Enjoy pre-game perks like our Magic Pass, unforgettable post-game access, and more in-game interactions than ever before!
MiaLa Nordic Kindness Elf
Price: $54
Seller: MiaLa
The MiaLa Nordic Kindness Elf is a one-of-a-kind 12” fabric art doll. MiaLa began around 12 years ago in Athens, GA. They make an assortment of clothing and bags, but their main products are the unique Nordic kindness elves. Each elf is one of a kind and made with special materials like vintage laces and woven folk ribbon from Sweden. They hand make 50-100 elves a year and can be found at local holiday markets as well as MiaLa.Etsy.com.
Sterling Silver Jewelry
Price: $51-100
Maker: T.K. Anderson Designs
Sterling Silver Jewelry, perfect for any occasion. Our selection of sterling silver jewelry is a wonderful gift for any jewelry lover. Rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, all hand selected by our team of jewelers.
Framed Large Prints (16 x 20)
Price: $70
Maker: Anna Forrester - Illustration + Design
Gift a framed Athens-inspired nature print by local artist Anna Forrester! Visit Anna's website to explore her various print designs like the Georgia State Flower. Place print orders via email at annacarletonforrester3@gmail.com. Working primarily in digital illustration, Anna's prints revolve around outdoorscapes, local and regional illustrations, place portraits and mapmaking.
$101+ Gifts
Tom Segura Tickets
Price: $31-183
Seller: Akins Ford Arena
Actor/Comedian/Writer Tom Segura is one of the biggest names in comedy. Segura is best known for several Netflix specials, the fifth of which debuted at #1 on the streaming service. In addition to performing comedy tours, Segura is an actor, podcaster, and bestselling author. Recommended for ages 16+.
Lamps by R. Wood Studio
Price: $650
Maker: R. Wood Studio
Functional works of art for the home! These one-of-a-kind lamps are hand-sculpted, glazed, and professionally wired at the studio in Athens, Georgia. Mounted on a wooden base with green felt bottom, ceramic lamps include antiqued brass hardware and shade.
As you can see, Athens truly has something for every single person on your list this season. Look no further than the local shops and artisans that Athens has to offer for the perfect gift this holiday season that will keep your friends and family wanting to come to the Classic City for years to come.
Need more ideas? Check out our holiday market roundup!