The Ultimate 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
In a gift-giving rut? Shop local this holiday season and check out these Auburn-Opelika gifts!
The holidays are here and it’s time to cross those names off your shopping list! Support these independent AO retailers this holiday season with great gifts for all your loved ones, and you might make Santa's Nice List.
The Gift For Someone Really Mad At 2020:
Auburn Hardware’s Dammit Doll: Best gift ever, right? Available in a variety of colors and patterns (even Auburn colors), the doll reads, “Whenever things don’t go so well, and you want to hit the wall and yell, here’s a little dammit doll, that you can’t do without. Just grasp it firmly by the legs and find a place to slam it! As you whack the stuffing out yell “Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!” You're welcome. [Price: $13]
The Gift For The Teenage Girl Who Acts Way Older Than You Did At That Age
Therapy Boutique's Scarlet & Gold apparel: Maybe it's your daughter, your niece, or a friend's kid: we all know teenage girls can be tricky. They have mini skirts on their wish list and that's not happening on your watch. Give them a gift with a positive message when you pick out a super hip graphic tee from downtown Auburn's Therapy Boutique. They carry Scarlet & Gold, an apparel company that started in Auburn, that features gameday gear as well as tees with meaningful messages. Rumor has it, the tees are buy one, get one free while supplies last. [Price: $49]
The Gift For Your Friend Who Takes All The Personality Quizzes
Auburn Oil Company's Enneagram books: We all have that one friend or coworker obsessed with Buzzfeed quizzes (hey, we're not judging!), so indulge them this holiday season with the O.G. personality test in book form. What's the Enneagram? Glad you asked. "The Enneagram is a system of personality typing that describes patterns in how people interpret the world and manage their emotions." Every person is one of nine types and these books elaborate on what motivates each type. "The Road Back To You" is AO Tourism staff-tested and approved, and it's a great gift for learning more about yourself, your staff, your spouse, or even your kooky cousin who voted wrong and always causes a scene on Christmas Eve. [Price: $24]
The Gift for the Bougie Art Connaisseur
The Gallery's hand-painted oyster shells: Make the pearl of your life squeal with delight when she opens her very own hand-painted oyster shell. Perfect for an art connoisseur, a classy aunt, or a grandmother with impeccable taste, these bright colored trinkets are perfect set about or as a jewelry dish. Wink Wink. The Gallery in downtown Opelika has these and more fun artsy gifts to impress the most impressive person on your Christmas list! [Price: $34-64]
The Gift For Someone In Need Of A Strong Drink:
John Emerald Distillery’s John's Alabama Single Malt Whiskey: Now in a smaller size perfect for sneaking into your holiday dinners with in-laws! A single malt whiskey made in the American Single Malt style, known for being the first whiskey to be legally made in Alabama in 100 years. Made with 100% malted barley and smoked with peach and pecan wood, this whiskey drinks sweet and smooth. A true Alabama whiskey experience. Available in 750ml or 375ml bottle. [Price: $45/750ml, $26/375ml]
The Gift For The Hostess With The Mostest:
The Local Market’s locally made pepper jelly: This little store-within-a-store carries numerous treats from Hornsby Farms, a family farm located here in Auburn. They make fantastic pepper jellies (Sweet Heat is our favorite) plus honey and pickled vegetables. The Local Market even offers ready-to-go, customizable gift boxes to make things simple for shoppers in a hurry. [Price: $30]
The Gift For A Well-Dressed Man:
The Locker Room's Smathers & Branson accessories: Downtown Auburn's go-to stop for dapper Dans sells manly chic collegiate accessories recognizable by the brand's distinct needlepoint and leather materials. The men's boutique offers Smathers & Branson collegiate belts, keychains, coasters, can coolers, and more. We love this preppy gift for fellas of all ages. [Price: $30-165]
The Gift When You Don’t Have A Clue What to Give:
Home & Vine’s Merry Christmas mugs and pitcher set: It’s festive, classy, and holds your favorite hot or cold beverage. Hand-painted in the natural shades of a winter woodland, we love this gift for in-laws, moms, and neighbors. Need something smaller? Home & Vine also carries locally-poured Oliver Henry candles in holiday scents. [Price: $10/mug, $26/pitcher, $26/candle]
The Gift For The Philanthropic Girlfriend With A Big Heart
Four Corner Ministries's handmade Life Beads: This thoughtful gift exemplifies the true meaning of Christmas. Life Beads are made by Central African Acholi women who have been abused or abandoned. Four Corners works with them, sharing and showing them they are loved by God, by giving them this creative outlet as a means to support their families. All proceeds from the jewelry sales go directly back to the Life Beads ladies. You can shop in-store or online for handmade necklaces, earrings, ornaments, and more. [Price: $3-55]
The Gift For The Auburn Fan With A Great Attitude
Designers Warehouse's Auburn University ornaments: You may not be able to give the gift of an Iron Bowl win, but you can give the gift of Auburn pride with this adorable ornament! Sorry if that still stings. Auburn always. Designers Warehouse also carries tiger tea towels and stunning home decor. [Price: $18/ornaments, $13/tea towels]
Give the Gift of Full Tummies with these Local Restaurant Gift Card Specials:
La Cantina: Get an additional $10 gift cards for every $50 gift card purchased
Still stumped? Here are some more ideas:
Blessing beads by the Sercy Studio from Wakefield Home [$85]
iPhone 12 accessories like wall and car, chargers and adaptors from Cellairis [$10-20]
Vintage 1980s throwback hat from J&M Bookstore, as worn by Coach Gus Malzahn [$22]
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer featuring AU logo exclusive to Wares Jewelers [$1,695]
This year's original Opelika ornament designed by Taylor Made Designs [$14]
The Glory Days Stay Package at the Collegiate Hotel [Contact for pricing]
Kitsch Satin Sleep sets (includes a pillowcase, eye mask, and scrunchie) from Fab'rik [$36]
Z Supply Leo Plush Blanket from Behind the Glass [$68]
BBQ 1010 Class with Butcher Paper BBQ [$150]
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