Gift-giving hard. Not only is it hard, but with how busy life gets, it’s easy to forget to actually get something before the big day. That’s why we’ve put together a list of spots for that person you love. 

Though The Bee Store is a specialty store for beekeepers, there’s plenty of stuff for the non-beekeepers too, like soaps, candles, and local honey. This place is great for a gal who likes her self-care. The handcrafted soap is beautiful, and each scent has eye-catching colors interlaced. My personal favorite is the Honey Catcher soap, which smells pleasantly sweet—and delicious— and is shaped like a honey comb, holes shaped like a hexagon, and everything! Surprisingly, the aprons are also a highlight here. They’re shaped like little dresses, so you can cook and look cute.  If you’re looking for a bee-themed gift, this is your number-one stop. 

If your lady is a bling-lover, Diament Jewelry is for her. Diament Jewelry stocks homemade and vintage pieces, creating a unique mix of styles that vary from antique to modern. They have what is called ‘old stock’ or ‘dead stock’, which is jewelry 30 years and older that has never been worn before. The material isn’t dingy or cheap either: much of the newer stock is made of sterling silver and gold-filled materials, while the ‘old stock’ is mostly brass, gold, and silver-plated. They have chunky styles, thin and sleek, intricate— really, they have anything you’re looking for. Most of their styles are on the younger side, though, and less traditional, so keep that in mind. It’s also best suited for a woman who isn’t too particular about price or extreme elegance, as the jewelry is much better suited for everyday wear and tear. What’s nice about Diament is that it looks lovely, but remains affordable, which is rare for jewelry shops. 

Everything at Shop Made in VA is local and made by Virginia artisans. A lot of specialty food is sold here— coffee, snacks, and gourmet treats. I personally love their gift boxes, which are similar to care packages and have a few items that share a similar theme. If you’re with a craft lady, Shop Made also sells kits for different hobbies. There’s different embroidery kits, and various painting kits which are especially great for beginners or those looking to get into the hobby. Their self care products are lovely and high-end, particularly their face mask that are dependent on what skin type you have. This is only a chunk of what they sell; you have to check it out in person to explore all the goodies they have! 

If your significant other is an adventurous daredevil, he’ll absolutely love this thrilling experience-based gift. He’ll be able to be behind a real race car with a pro racer and a two-way radio on one of the U.S. premier speedways. There won’t be a lead car nor an instructor holding your hand— you just have to take a quick driver’s course to get behind the wheel. If you opt for a 16-minute session, you’ll also get a pit stop. Picking a driving suit is part of the deal, and once you grab a helmet, they snap some photos of you to commemorate the experience. Every race fan, or if you simply love driving, should experience this at least once. 

This one’s possibly a bit more niche, but if you’re married to a Lego-lover and military veteran,  you have to get them a Brickmania gift. Brickmania is a Lego store specializing in the niche of military-themed building kits, accessories, weapons, and minifigs. There are other companies that do the same thing as Brickmania, but what makes them the go-to is the ability to modify outside of their products and the historically accurate details that others lack. Brickmania kits are not a kids' toy. The assembly is rigorous and a genuine challenge, and the company is focused on adult customers. The one downside is pricing, which tends to run on the higher side. 

This one’s far less niche and perfect for any partner who values self-care. Though they sell everything from home decor and furniture to kitchen supplies, the real highlight here is the apothecary, which has a subsection focused on men’s self-care. There’s fancy hand salve if your significant other gets dry in the cold season; specific products to wash beards if you’re with a scruffier type, or a mustache comb for those who pay particular attention to their handlebar or chevron. Besides self-care, they stock whiskey cocktail recipes for the gentleman drinker, snazzy fishing hats for the angler, and a lot of outdoorsy stuff for woodsy types. 

This locally-owned, family-operated toy store in Falls Church is perfect if you’re looking for really young kids. Much of their stock is reminiscent of older games and doo-dads. They also do free gift-wrapping on site, which is perfect if you’re trying to keep the surprise hidden from your little loved ones. Board games, craft kits, educational entertainment, plush toys— that’s just some of the highlights. The staff is known to be uber nice and helpful, so if you visit, don’t be afraid to ask any questions or voice any concerns. 

Similar to DoodleHopper, One Two Kangaroo Toys has unique and educational toys that differ from the stuff you can find at a big box store. One of the highlights of this shop is the eco on eco-friendly toys. Though the location is a bit more hidden, and the store itself isn’t overwhelmingly large, there are toys stacked from floor to ceiling. What’s nice about this shop is that they have toys for youngins’ of all ages— from newborns to +8. 

Charlie, the owner, is a well-loved local who’s been manning the desk for over 37 years now. 

Kinder Haus is a staple for Virginia, so much so that they’ve been featured on Good Morning Washington to talk about their toys and featured on the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Best of 2025. There are perfect gifts here for children of all ages. Kinder Haus focuses on classic brands like Lego, Hape, and Gund, but also has a more niche selection available too. Wooden toys and Jellycat products are another speciality of theirs, and prices are exceptionally reasonable. The staff is far above friendly, and way beyond helpful. 

What I love about Ten Thousand Villages: there are gifts for every type of friend. Compasses, journals, and travel gear for the friend that’s worldly. Candles, wicker baskets, and hand-woven blankets for your homebody confidante. Heady decor, yoga pillows, and meditative singing bowls for the hippy-types. Aesthetically pleasing chopstick sets, pizza cutters, honey pot holders, and pepper grinders for your buddy who’s always in the kitchen. 

Not only do they have great gifts, but everything they sell is fair-trade— hence the shop’s name. Their mission is to provide products made by artists in under-resourced communities. It’s not one and done either: their artisan partnerships last on average 20 years, so they actively change the lives of the families they partner with.

A lot of cool, unique items are featured at this store. If you have a vinyl-loving friend or a snack fiend, this spot is for them. They specialize in stocking different but always delicious coffees, Virginian peanuts, and tasty jerky, but they also sell candles, chocolates, and seasonings. 

Commonwealth Dry Goods has some old classics on record, along with really obscure indie albums. They also sell cassettes and mini portable (and adorable) cassette players that scream ‘80s. One of the coolest finds: James Brown’s Limited Edition Christmas Album. Speaking of, Common Wealth Dry Goods has a plethora of Christmas-infused gifts fo yourself or a friend. Scrumptious peppermint bark and Xmas coffee; cozy Christmas candles, and everybody’s favorite Christmas tunes, you know, from a Charlie Brown Christmas. 

Side note: Dogs are our friends, too, right? Commonwealth Dry Goods has some great gifts for our furry four-legged companions that aren’t too popular. A few customer favorites: mini elk Antlers for chewing, peanut butter dog treats for munching, and chicken, cheesy bacon jerky stick for a special surprise. 

Luckily, Northern Virginia has a shop full of the perfect gifts for just about anyone. If none of these felt quite right, check out the local pop-up Christmas markets— and Happy Holidays!