It’s Christmas time and you know what that means: gift giving!
We know it’s tempting to go to big box retailers and sites for your gifts, but there are plenty of amazing gift ideas from local shops and entrepreneurs. Here are our picks for unique gifts to put a smile on your loved one’s face.
Owner April Brooks has been killing the custom beanie and hat game, and her products have taken off this season. Coupled with the Saints winning season and her orders being featured by a number of sports wives on social media, you definitely don’t want to miss out on getting your hands on one of these hats. Fan favorites include the infamous 28-3 hat, and lids featuring players available in black or white. Click here for more information.
Kleaux Kouture
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💕All Colors in Checkmate Pants have been restocked💕 Available now online #shopkleaux #kleauxjewel
This women’s boutique has had a retail location in New Orleans East since 2012, but also offers shipping in 2-3 days, in case your boo isn’t in town. They also specialize in custom dresses for prom and Mardi Gras ball season, which is fast-approaching. Click here for more information.
Velvet Noir Beard Care
We know the fellas need some love and affection too. Velvet Noir Beard Care is 100 percent organic and cruelty free. The site offers lots of different products like co-wash, beard balm and oils, or you can buy everything in a set! Click here for more information.
So you’re a do-it yourself kind of person and want to put your own personal touch on your gifts. Xpress Vinyl is the only vinyl store in Orleans Parish, and offers tons of necessities for crafters. Blank shirts, gift bags, flasks and tumblers are available, as well as a large selection heat transfer and adhesive vinyl. Click here for more information.
Wicks Nola Candy Company
These hand poured soy candles feature wood-burning wicks! Their scent names are NOLA-inspired, like Waffles on Maple, Sleepless in NOLA, and Creole Cream Cheesecake. You can head to their social media to see where their pop-up shops leading up the holidays are located or visit their Etsy to buy candles, wax cubes or more than one scent in a holiday box.
This local skin care company offers exfoliating lip, body and lip scrubs, as well as face toners and body butters. There’s even a set for the gentlemen, featuring a soap, black aloe face mask and beard oil. Click here for more information.
Fleurty Girl
New Orleans native Lauren Leblanc Haydel has transformed her business over the past nine years, taking her first store in the back of a shotgun home on Oak Street to six different locations, including one on Magazine Street, a block from her husband’s new bake shop. Click here for more information.
The Crayon Case Cosmetics
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Raynell Steward, better known on social media as Wuzzam Supa, started her makeup enterprise in 2017. Her lines feature highly pigmented makeup with super cute names, like the Box of Crayons eyeshadow palette, Countoursition Notebook, and Chalk Dust setting powder. The recently made news when on Cyber Monday, her line made $1 million in sales in just 90 minutes. Click here for more information.
Fully Dressed Apparel
“You want that sandwich dressed?” The local slang for lettuce, pickles and tomatoes is translated into this hip collection by photographer Larry Everage, known for his striking images of everyday New Orleanians. Having all the fixings on your po-boy not only makes it taste good, but look good too. 😉This brand bridges culture with fashion to make sure you’re fully dressed. Click here for more information.
Karter’s Kloset
You’ve seen them: those adorable seersucker onesies with crawfish or monograms on them. But where do you get them? Karter’s Kloset offers classic and custom made clothing, accessories and gifts from sizes newborn to six. Click here for more information.
Local artist Christy Boutta has been making art professionally for the past 15 years. Her subjects include slices of New Orleans life, like bead-laden Mardi Gras trees on St. Charles Avenue.
Are you a local business owner and want to be added to our list? Drop us a line at [email protected] or on social media @VeryLocalNOLA.
