ashley's famous cookies

Birmingham Small Business Gift Guide

Shopping small is so important this time of year, especially in the midst of Covid-19. The Birmingham small business community is full of so many incredible makers and shop owners, and we are lucky to share our city with so many talented individuals! We wanted to make shopping small easy and convenient for you, so we’ve gathered together some of our favorite local artists and makers to shop from this holiday season!

P.S. We are partnering with many of the featured businesses below to bring you a HUGE giveaway, so be sure to visit our Instagram so you can win many of these gorgeous items for free!

Susan Gordon Pottery

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Susan’s incredible hand made pottery pieces and jewelry are timeless classics for any Birmingham household! Her hand painted ornaments would be the perfect gift for your loved ones or would be a great gift for yourself to snazz up your Christmas tree! Click here to visit the Susan Gordon website and start shopping!

Elam Estate Antiques

Antique shopping is a fun way to add unique details to your home and to make more sustainable purchases, but it can be hard work to find the hidden gems! Sarah from Elam Estate Antiques does all the hard work for you by curating the loveliest vintage and antique pieces in her Instagram shop. Instagram shopping is so fun and all you have to do is give her a follow and browse all the lovely pieces she has on hand. You can pick up from her locally or she can ship directly to you.

Sidewalk Film

Do you have a friend or family member who already seems to have it all? Experiences are the way to go for this challenging gift recipient! Sidewalk Film is Birmingham’s very own local theater and is so much fun to attend. Their concession stand is full of delicious and local snacks and drinks to add to the experience. They are being extremely diligent about Covid-19 safety, and are definitely much more safe than a big chain theater, so visit their website to purchase tickets or a gift card for your favorite film junkies!

Breakout Birmingham

One of the most unusual activities in Birmingham, this live action escape room experience is fun for puzzle and adventure lovers of all ages! You and your team will have an hour to solve the puzzles, riddles, and clues to accomplish your mission and escape from one of 8 different story lines like the Submarine Survival, Mystery Mansion, or Runaway Train. Breakout is offering 20% off all gift cards right now, and with exclusively private rooms, this is a great and Covid safe experience for you to give to your loved ones. Checkout their website to book a game or purchase a gift card!

Trove Design Shop

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Trove is a Birmingham, Alabama-based gift and home goods store that offers so many beautiful treasures that would be perfect gifts for anyone on your Christmas list! They have beautiful Holiday cards and gift tags that would be a perfect touch to your gift wrapping. We are also enamored with their stunning ceramic pieces and wall art. You can visit the Trove shop in person or order on their website for curbside pickup or shipping.

Ashley’s Famous Cookies

Cookies warm the heart and the soul, and Ashley pours so much love into every crumb! You will be the hero of the holidays when you show up with a box of her scrumptious baked goods. You can even ship a variety box of cookies to your loved ones if you are having to avoid holiday travel, so don’t wait too long to order! Click here to check out her website and browse all the flavors Ashley hand makes!

VAE Creative

This new Birmingham business was born in the midst of a Covid summer and the owner, Virginia, has a passion for creativity, love, and systemic change. She hand makes stunning resin jewelry and art that is as gorgeous as it is unique. You can purchase already made pieces from her Etsy shop or order a custom piece through her Instagram! We are really loving her citrus slice coasters and think they would be such a wonderful gift for someone with great style.

P.S. We think it would be lovely to send wedding florals to Virginia for a custom piece of jewelry designed with bits and pieces of your wedding embedded in her work!

Chocolata

Chocolata has a variety of beautiful chocolates and sweet treats to choose from. Their cocoa confections are as beautiful as they are sweet! We are huge fans of their decadent sipping chocolate that is SO much more luxurious than any hot chocolate you’ve ever had. It’s rich, warm, and oh so creamy! This would be the perfect treat for Christmas morning by the fire or a delicious stocking stuffer. You can visit their shop or purchase from their website directly!

Noha Nadler

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Growing up, Noha learned how important it is to celebrate culture and heritage through exploring her Egyptian roots. Now she incorporates the rich textures and colors that she saw on trips to Egypt into her stunning bag designs. She has lots of different designs and styles to choose from, and each one is so unique and beautiful! She also has some adorable leather hand sanitizer cases that would be the perfect stocking stuffer. We can’t get enough of Noha’s designs and are sure that her bags are going to be top on your Christmas list! Visit her website to shop and be sure to send a link to your hubby for a Christmas hint!

Club Duquette

With trendy clothes and good vibes, this Birmingham based shop has something for everyone. The artist and musician team of owners are full of creativity, and that is reflected in the clothing, accessories, and home goods that are hand selected and created for Club Duquette. They even have a signature scent! To shop Club Duquette, visit their website where you can even book a private shopping appointment in store!

A Very Birmingham Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we wanted to put together a list of our favorite delicious treats, beautiful gifts, and delightful locally made goodies to serve at your Holiday celebration or gift to your loved ones! Covid-19 has made the holidays unusual, but there are lots of safe ways to support local businesses, celebrate with your loved ones, and enjoy these beautiful and delicious goods together!

K and J’s Elegant Pastries

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These scrumptious cupcakes are the perfect dessert after a Thanksgiving meal. Can’t wait ‘til the Holidays? Stop by their shop in Alabaster to try one of their famous milkshakes! Visit their website to learn all about the delicious treats they have to offer!

Seeds Coffee Co.

Nothing beats a warm cup of coffee, and the creators behind Seeds Coffee Co. promise honorably sourced coffee that they roast in house! Grab a few bags for friends or family - it won’t disappoint! You can order online and pickup at their store in Homewood or have their beans shipped to your family out of town!

Savor Style

Savor at Home Grazing Box

Savor at Home Grazing Box

Savor Style’s Courtney creates the most beautiful grazing boards full of locally sourced ingredients. You can order a board for your holiday gathering or purchase her new Savor at Home Grazing Boxes! These beautifully packaged boxes can be shipped right to your door and come with everything you need to create a perfect grazing board. These boxes also include handmade goods from local businesses like Susan Gordon Pottery and Magic City Woodworks.

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn

This artisanal kettle corn is crunchy and delicious! They have both sweet and savory options for purchase and they also make a great snack for game day! You can purchase these crunchy treats at their website or can pick up a bag at one of their local events.

Lillie’s Cup

Lillie’s cup is more than tea, it’s an experience. These beautiful loose leaf teas would be perfect served with Thanksgiving dessert! Their menu of teas has something for everyone and pairs so well with their hand made cookies. You can order from the Lillie’s Cup website or pick up directly from the local markets they attend regularly! Keep an eye out on Instagram for updates on where Lillie’s Cup will be.


Honey Creeper Chocolate

Honey Creeper Chocolate

Honey Creeper Chocolate

Honey Creeper’s craft bars and bonbons would be so fun to pass around a Thanksgiving table. Don’t miss their unique selection from around the globe! You can purchase directly from their website or visit their beautiful shop on Morris Avenue. Check out their gift guide for the perfect gift options for your friends and family!

Wild Things Florals

No need to fret over a Thanksgiving centerpiece when you can have a gorgeous arrangement sent right to your door! Wild Things Flowers and Curiosities have great online ordering options and you can also visit their shop in Homewood!

The Birmingham Candy Company

This family business hand makes some of the most delicious and unique candy creations. From fudge to caramel apples, you won’t want to miss out on a single treat! Visit Birmingham Candy Company in the Pizitz to pick out something to take home to your family.

Piper and Leaf Tea Co.

Piper and Leaf offers artisan tea straight from the source. Use their mulling spice blend to create apple cider or mulled wine that will warm your hands and your heart! You can shop all their delicious teas and spice blends here or visit them at the Pizitz or the many local markets they attend!

Real and Rosemary

Real and Rosemary

Real and Rosemary

Real and Rosemary always provides exceptional flavors in their restaurant, but did you know they’re offering a full, take-home Thanksgiving spread? This is a great way to spend more precious time with loved ones and less time in the kitchen. You can order from their Thanksgiving menu here.

Ashley Mac’s

Ashley Mac’s is a one-stop shop for Holiday meals, and they even have Breakfast covered, too! They also have gluten-free and vegetarian options. They have locations all over Birmingham for convenient pickup options and you can also order online! Click here to see their full Holiday menu.

Hero Doughnuts

You will definitely be the HERO of the holidays if you show up with a box of these marvelous and seasonal doughnuts! You can order their doughnuts online or pick up a dozen at one of their locations! Check out their unbelievable menu here.

Bandit Patisserie

Bandit Patisserie

Bandit Patisserie

Bandit has some of the loveliest pastries in Birmingham and they taste even better than they look. Treats from Bandit are a great way to seriously impress your holiday guests! You can order quiches, pies, and pastries from their online shop or visit them in person at one of their popups! Keep up with their Instagram for latest popup times and locations.


Ashley’s Famous Cookies

Cookies are a must during the holidays and Ashley’s are some of the best in town. Order one of her famous cookie packages and enjoy every crumb! These cookie packages can be shipped all over the U.S. so this would be a great gift to send to loved one’s who you can’t be with this year.

Stone Hollow Farmstead

Stone Hollow Farmstead Advent Calendar

Stone Hollow Farmstead Advent Calendar

Stone Hollow has created the most marvelous advent calendar full of jams, pickles, and vinegars! They have many other gift boxes and goods to choose from, so don’t miss out on these local goodies. Shopping from Stone Hollow is super easy through their online store!

Belle Chevre

This cheese company crafts the most delicious assortment of REAL cheeses and will soon be a pantry staple if they aren’t already. Check out their website to shop- they have great gift boxes too! They also have some wonderful recipes listed on their site to inspire your family meals.

Alabama Peanut Co.

This Birmingham classic is offering Thanksgiving peanut platters and delicious brittle for your holiday gatherings. You can pre-order these platters here or visit their historic shop on Morris Avenue.