A Lexington Gift Guide

Do you ever find yourself in a pinch to buy a present with a birthday just around the corner? Well, you have more options living in Lexington when it comes to buying gifts than you think. In fact, gifts from local stores tend be more personal, demonstrating how you took the time to peruse stores in town with the recipient in mind.

With the holidays approaching, it only seems fitting to give our readers a Lexington gift guide. We scouted out the stores in town that have the best gift giving potential, so you don’t have to. In addition to the easy access, the small business owners benefit from your local purchases!

For the fashionista…

If you are not sure what to gift a sister or a friend, the Clover Boutique has the popular stackable bracelets from the brand, E-Newton. These are a go-to-gift since you can never have enough of the dainty, stackable bracelets. Prices range from $20-100 depending on type and width.

If you want personalized jewelry, try the classic handmade Lex Brick jewelry available across the street at Artists in Cahoots. They offer rings, charms, bracelets, and necklaces in silver and gold with the Lexington Brick emblem. These are a classic among the W&L students and a great way to personalize a piece with a reference to a meaningful place.

For the host…

Check out Purveyors on Main Street or Cattlemen’s Market. They offer locally sourced products and highquality food that you won’t find in a grocery store. Purveyors and Cattlemen’s have a wide selection of cheese, crackers, spreads, and meats - cheeseboard galore!

At these markets, you could make a makeshift charcuterie board basket with their wide selection of cheeses and crackers, like Fire Hook Crackers or Ines Rosales Tortas at Purveyors, my personal favorite. If you are shopping for a cook, try the Purveyors Exclusive International Spice and Bread Dip set for $20.99.

For those over twenty-one, Purveyors is known for their immense drink selection, selling items you won’t find at the liquor store. From wine, to beer, to seltzers any of these drinks would be a unique 21st birthday gift. They also carry a special selection of nonalcoholic drinks and sodas.

The newly moved, Kitchen and Ladles has a great assortment of kitchen gear now in a bigger space. From baking to cooking or to bartending, this store has it all, no matter the level of skill.

Cookbooks are a fantastic gift since people tend to opt for recipes online. There is also a unique selection of spices, jams and, sauces to spice up any dish. Along with any of these fancy condiments, add in cocktail napkins, coasters ($4.95) or the Bistro dish towels ($9.95) with endless witty sayings on them – the perfect present for a grandmother.

For the mixologist, pair items together like the Lexington map glasses by Well Told ($18-20), or any other cocktail glass, a fancy ice tray, wine stoppers ranging from $4.95-12.95, or Mother Shrub elixirs ($14.00). This is also an opportunity to add to the cheese board basket made with items from Purveyors or Cattlemen’s with a cheese board or a cheese knife set for $34.95.

For the future interior designer…

Curated Interiors might be on the higher price scale, but they do have a selection of old records, ranging from $6-12. They also have decor for mantels or book shelfs to liven up a dorm room or an apartment like decorative candles ranging from $40-60, coffee table books, and throw pillows. Lizzie’s of Lexington also has distinct decor pieces! Stop in and look at their selection - a great place to shop for mom.

For the outdoorsy…

Walkabout has everything you need for your friend that is always outside. These gifts are practical because it is not necessarily something someone would buy for themselves. A day hike pack, the perfect sized backpack for day hikes, for $70.00 would be an amazing gift for your Outing Club lover. Walkabout also has a selection of hats from brands like a Patagonia. There also sell the classic Life is Good t-shirts for $36.50. On the pricier side, opt for an Eno for $79.95 or the classic Patagonia sweatshirt for $139.

Getting personal…

Pumpkin Seeds carries a selection of products related to Lexington like the Ella B Candles with scents like The Blue Ridge Parkway and Lex Vegas ($34). They also have prints representing places and items known to Virginia locals on napkins, dishes, and dish towels.

Additionally, Pumpkin Seeds offers a huge selection of personal birthday cards. But these birthday cards aren’t like the ones you might find at the pharmacy or grocery store. These cards are much more intricate and artistic and would be a nice touch to any gift!

Not sure what to get someone?

Opt for a gift card to a restaurant or a store in town like Pronto for your coffee lover or Pure Eats for your breakfast buddy. That way they can pick what they want, and you don’t have to. Don’t forget about the school store. I’ll be the first to admit I do most by Christmas shopping here. Who doesn’t love another W&L sweatshirt?

Some best practices to keep in mind when purchasing gifts for a loved one, are to aim for something personal. And what doesn’t say personal than a gift from your college town? One tip for a more intimate gift is to write down ideas as soon as they come to you on the Notes app, so you don’t forget. This way when it comes to buying a gift, you will have a ton of ideas to pick from. Lastly, the best rule of thumb is to give someone something they won’t buy for themselves. Good luck shopping!