Holiday Gift Guide 2020
It’s time for our 10th annual Holiday Gift Guide! Looking for the perfect gift ideas this year? Here are our team's recommendations for thoughtful, local, or just plain fun gifts for those on your list.
Shayne Brill's Picks:
The Big Blanket
Tired of fighting over your favorite couch blanket or throw? Problem solved with this 10’ x 10’ blanket described as being perfect for Netflix marathons, cozy campfires, and ultimate blanket forts.
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Kids Against Maturity
Guaranteed to become a favorite on family game night. Based on the popular Cards Against Humanity card game, but appropriate for kids of all ages. Loaded with tons of potty humor that your kids find HILARIOUS!
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A Promised Land by Barack Obama
After reading the First Lady’s book “Becoming Michelle Obama,” I simply can not wait to read President Obama’s memoir. It is at the very top of my Christmas list. Even better if you purchase it at your local bookstore.
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The Child Socks
My 13 year old is going to lose his mind when he sees the socks I ordered him from Stance. It is the way.
SHOP NOWChelsea Neal's Picks:
Lackadazee Permanent Jewelry
Like your favorite DIY friendship bracelet from middle school, but way more elegant and refined. All of their jewelry is beautiful, ethical, and locally handcrafted.
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Homemade Samosas
For foodie friends or the coworker who’s always ordering Postmates. Sarah makes these East African treats with local ingredients grown by refugee farmers, and offers vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. She’ll also deliver to your doorstep for free!
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Just Creations
2722 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206Unique, fair trade gifts handmade by artisans around the world. I especially love the earring selection and the felt alpaca ornaments!
SHOP NOWNick Stewart's Picks:
Lux Bidet Neo 120
Early 2020 brought us the Great Toilet Paper Shortage and it looks like that's happening again with COVID ramping back up. It's never been a better time to switch over to using a bidet instead of duking it out in Walmart for toilet paper. This bidet is pretty simple, non-electrical, and only takes a few minutes to set up.
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America The Beautiful
National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual PassThis pass gets you into any National Park across the United States for one year. It is a great gift idea for a traveler or the outdoorsy person in your life.
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The Office:
The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s: An Oral HistoryThere is no way you can be a fan of The Office and not read this book. It covers the creation of the show and goes season by season with input from the entire cast, producers, and fans of the show.
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Red Hots
Made locally in Jeffersonville by Schimpff's Candy since 1891, red hots are the local candy and are a must-have for anyone from the Southern Indiana area.
SHOP NOWMitch Wiesen's Picks:
Shop JennRon
Shop JennRon is a unique, handmade clothing shop where you can find quality vintage for all bodies! They sell custom kaftans and other gender/size inclusive clothing made with a wide range of classic and rare vintage fabrics.
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Social Distancing Black Long Sleeve
By: Cody DeFranco'Tis the season for snuggling up in cozy clothes in isolation at home... and I can't think of anything better to wear this season than this well-designed celebration of social distancing by Cody DeFranco.
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Typeface Mug
By: Hoodzpah DesignThe perfect gift for the coffee-addicted graphic designer on your list!
SHOP NOWAshley Trommler's Picks:
Bourbon City Cruisers
Get Tuked this holiday! A gift card to Bourbon City Cruisers is the perfect gift your loved one can cash in once we all crawl out of quarantine. Bar hop on a cocktail tour, take a brews cruise, distillery hop, or just take in the views with 5 of your closest friends on these zippy little tuktuks.
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The Woman Owned Wallet
803 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206NULU's newest shop - Woman Owned Wallet (WOW) features all women-owned brands that are SASSY, BOLD and FEARLESSLY FEMINIST! Shop online or in-store for unique products. Candles, shirts, cards, prints... they have so much to choose from!
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Radio CBD
The ULTIMATE CBD line.... seriously. I know there are lot of options out there, but the creators of Radio have worked really hard to make a unique product that works. They offer a wide range of products including drops, capsules, and balms for different benefits such as focus, energy, sleep, and relief. I use their "Foresight" capsules religiously and highly recommend.
SHOP NOWJason Clark's Picks:
The Time-Block Planner:
A Daily Method for Deep Work in a Distracted WorldCal Newport has written many books on how to focus your time in a distracted world. I'm excited to see his methodology here.
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Local art from Revelry Boutique
Bobby Hinkel has a show up now at Revelry. His mandala-esque wood pieces are always beautiful. The group show "Yule Be Home For Christmas" opens November 28.
SHOP NOWGift Certificates to Local Restaurants
It's no secret that restaurants are struggling this year. Support your favorite restaurants by introducing your friends or family to them with a gift certificate!
Alexandra Ponce's Picks:
Pela Phone Case
These eco-friendly phone cases come in all sorts of colors and styles. I like 'em because they're durable and 100% compostable.
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Candid Art and Accessories
Candid Art is one of my new favorite Etsy shops. Based out of California, Candice makes beautiful modern abstract jewelry and accessories including earrings, face masks, and greeting cards.
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Harvey's Cheese Gift Box
Not sure what to get your in-laws this year? Give the gift of cheese from Harvey's Cheese, located in Logan Street Market! Guaranteed to be the most delicious gift ever. They also offer cheese boards, locally made snacks and sundries, and gift cards.
SHOP NOWNick Wunderlin's Picks:
Super Mario™ 3D All-Stars
My love for Nintendo is no secret. In September, Nintendo re-released a three game bundle pack of the Mario games from the Nintendo 64, GameCube, and the Wii. These games span three generations of Nintendo consoles and are instant classics in the world of 3D platforming games. Super Mario 3D All-Stars is perfect for a trip of nostalgia or introduce newcomers to the Mario franchise.
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Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB
A fully manual turntable that adds the convenience of Bluetooth wireless connectivity to the existing analog and USB outputs. Perfect for a first time turntable purchaser or for someone looking to upgrade their current turntable. With analog, Bluetooth, and USB outputs it can hook up to any home sound system, whether you have a sound bar or a full 5.1 surround sound system.
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Donations to NIVA Emergency Relief Fund
America's independent music venues have largely fallen by the wayside in terms of pandemic relief efforts. While we all wait for Congress to act and help out citizens and businesses, many venues are at risk of closing forever if they don't get help today. The NIVA Emergency Relief Fund was created to raise money for our most vulnerable venues, and keep them afloat while we navigate the pandemic. A donation today could help save a venue you might visit tomorrow!
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Racing Louisville FC Merch
Racing Louisville FC is Louisville's first foray into top-tier professional sports since the Kentucky Colonels ceased operations in 1976. Racing Louisville will play in the NWSL, the top tier of American women's soccer. 2021 will be their inaugural season, so why not show your support for Louisville's newest professional team with some merch from their team store?!
SHOP NOWMorgan Plappert's Picks:
West Sixth Advent Beer Box
This awesome gift is filled with a surprise each day, with 24 slots filled with your favorite West Sixth beers, taproom exclusive cans, and fun merchandise. These are $99 and will be available for pickup starting on Friday, November 27. Reserve yours now!
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Forage - Germantown
Plant of the Month Subscription BoxHappiness Delivered right to your door every month! The Forage Plant of the Month Box includes one of Forage's hand-selected 4" plant and unique ceramic planter delivered right to your door every month. This listing is for one plant and pot that renews monthly.
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Duck, Duck Beet Gift Card
A spin on the classic CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Instead of selling their homegrown produce they turn their harvest into fully prepared, ready-to-eat meals. All meat is hormone and antibiotic free and local (if possible) from producers such as Foxhollow Farm, Barr Farms, Groce Family Farm, Marksbury Farm and Dream Catcher Farm.
SHOP NOW Ben Wilson's Picks:
The 99% Invisible City:
A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday DesignThis "field guide" to the design jungles in which we all live will have you seeing your city in a whole new way. What's that marking on the street? Why are stop lights the way they are? What are those stars on old building walls? Perfect for those beginning their journey into design. P.S. Don't order it from Amazon - order it from the fine folks at the local bookstore in your city, like Carmichael's here in Louisville. They'll likely deliver.
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StoryWorth
The concept of StoryWorth is simple - each week they'll email you a question about your life, which you reply to, and then at the end of a year, they'll compile your answers into a book. For lazy diarists like myself who deeply love personal histories, this has been an amazing Christmas 2019 gift from my wife, Kelly. I'm nearly done with my year of questions. It's been an amazing journey, and I can't wait to share the finished book with my family.
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Giving: The Healing Place
If you are looking for a local charity doing amazing work - and making real progress on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic - you don't have to look much further than The Healing Place. They are a nationally-recognized rehab and recovery program that is 100% free to their clients. More money, more beds, more lives saved.
DONATE NOW Mark Biek's Picks:
The Apollo Guidance Computer:
Architecture and OperationThe definitive guide to the Apollo guidance computer's architecture, instruction set, and programming.
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Civilization: Wisdom & Warfare
Last year, we recommended the Civilization board game. Now you can take your Civilizations to the next level with this expansion which adds six new civilizations, additional units and new was to expand your empire.
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C64 Mini
Retro gaming and Commodore 64 BASIC programming environment in a tiny, modern package.
SHOP NOWDanny Cash's Picks:
This holiday season, give the gift of music to kids all across Louisville by donating to these impactful organizations:
AMPED
The academy for music production and education (or AMPED for short) is a free program that uses mixes performance, writing, and production to help young people learn how to work as a team and express themselves creatively through music.
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Girls Rock Louisville
GRL empowers girls, trans (regardless of identity), and gender non-conforming youth from all backgrounds by exploring music creation in a supportive, inclusive environment. They view music as a force for change and community building and as an opportunity to develop self-confidence, self-expression, and involvement in social justice.
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Louisville Folk School
The Louisville Folk School's mission is to teach Kentucky's traditional folk music styles through education and performance, building on the rich cultural history of our state and its arts community.
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