As the holidays quickly approach, many of us are already shopping for those perfect gifts to delight our loved ones. And while it can be tempting to drop all of your cash on Black Friday deals at big box stores, we are here to encourage you to save some room in the holiday budget this year to share a little bit of Huntsville through gifts from your favorite local shops and attractions. With offerings for everyone on your list, we’ve come up with six ways you can support local artisans, artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses this season.
1. Visit Local Attraction Gift Shops
Unless you are making a specific visit to one of our area attractions, it’s easy to forget that many of them have incredible gift shops filled with unique, one-of-a-kind options for the trickier people to shop for on your list. Having a hard time finding a science-obsessed brother? Check out the offerings at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Know an art-lover? Beautiful items can be found at the Huntsville Museum of Art’s shop, the H.C. Blake Art & History Center in North Huntsville, Josie’s on the Mountain at Burritt on the Mountain, and Constitution Hall Park’s Piper & Leaf Shop. Many of these shops also feature locally made items, perfect for those who’ve maybe moved away from Huntsville and are missing a piece of home.
2. Gifts that Last All Year
Don’t forget that many of our local attractions also offer year-long memberships. A perfect gift for families, a membership to EarlyWorks Museums, The U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville Botanical Garden, Burritt on the Mountain, Huntsville Museum of Art, or Monte Sano State Park gives the whole family experiences and memories they can enjoy year-round. Consider even giving the gift of a local pool membership. You’ll be thankful, come summertime, to have a place to cool off.
3. Classes & Experiences
Who says your gifts have to be contained in a box? Consider gifting someone an experience rather than something material. Great options for art or cooking classes can be found at Burritt on the Mountain’s Folk School, Huntsville Museum of Art, Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, and area restaurants. Additionally, treat your friends or family to a night out at Pinot’s Palette, a Saturday afternoon at a local spa, or an afternoon in a box at the Trash Panda’s game.
4. Explore a New Neighborhood
Take advantage of Huntsville’s unique neighborhoods by exploring a new area and all the shops and businesses that go with it. You’ll want to start downtown with shopping the spots on Clinton Ave. and exploring the historical Harrison Brother’s Hardware. Take advantage of DHI’s “Downtown Explorer Card”, redeemable at many downtown establishments. It’s also the perfect gift for someone you know who lives downtown. Other neighborhoods to visit for some local fare are Downtown Madison, Providence, Five Points, Lincoln Mill, and Stovehouse in West Huntsville.
5. Night on the Town
Give the gift of a night out or date night with a gift card to one of our many incredible local restaurants. You could also look ahead and see who will perform at The Orion Amphitheater, Mars Music Hall, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Huntsville Ballet, or Levity Live. With an incredible season ahead, maybe it’s time to splurge on some great seats in Broadway Theater League’s 2024-2025 season.
6. Shopping Events and Markets
Looking for something more personal or handmade this year? Huntsville has a bevy of holiday markets to choose from. From Christkindlmarkts that will deliver old-world treats and goodies to modern fairs and markets like Yule Y’all at Lowe Mill and the Market at MidCity, there’s something for everyone to discover. Hop over to our Holiday page to find our full list of Huntsville Holiday Magic happenings.
