The Banner’s 2025 holiday gift guide

The gift of news

Share local stories that matter with a Banner gift subscription. Readers get unlimited access to in-depth reporting, investigations and neighborhood news. A thoughtful gift for anyone who loves Maryland and wants to stay informed and connected.

Hand-building pottery workshop

Learn the art of hand building in a two-hour pottery-making session. Each participant will be guided in creating a one-of-a-kind mug or planter, choosing a glaze color for their finished work.

Giving Guide 2025

For many, the holiday season is about buying gifts, attending parties and baking cookies. However, the holidays are also a great time to give back to those less fortunate.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

The BSO’s holiday lineup blends cirque spectacle, timeless classics, lively pops, and bold contemporary sounds, offering a festive mix of artistry and energy. With performances that surprise, delight, and set the tone for the season, there’s something for every music lover on your list.

Early childhood music class

This immersive program in Annapolis for preschoolers and kindergartners is designed to boost cognitive, social and physical development while giving parents a shared creative experience.

Membership to the National Aquarium

Give the gift of undersea wonder this holiday season with membership to the National Aquarium. Members get free, unlimited admission for one year and can access exclusive perks, special events and discounts. Explore membership plans today.

Third Space

Treat yourself and your loved ones to Baltimore’s best Hanukkah party, the Hannukah Brew Ha Ha! The party will feature beer from Union Craft Brewing (as always!), a pickle and latke bar, tunes from Selecta 2 Scoops and a performance from acclaimed rapper Kosha Dillz!

The Shops at Kenilworth

Celebrate the season at The Shops at Kenilworth in Baltimore County! Discover holiday fashion, find thoughtful gifts, snap photos with Santa, explore our holiday train garden and enjoy seasonal specials all winter long.

Bark Social membership

Gift a monthlong (or more) membership to Bark Social to get the dog, and their human, out of the house.

Skin renewal subscription

This deluxe membership includes a HydraFacial, a dermaplane, peels and more each month.

Flower design class

Unlock your inner florist with a hands-on floral design class. Choose your favorite stems, learn expert techniques and walk away with a showstopping arrangement you created yourself. Ideal for a creative date or a friends’ outing.

Sew much fun

Have a crafty kid? Treat them to this hands-on sewing experience at Artsy Partsy. From threading the needle to finishing a handmade project, they’ll learn new skills and leave with something they created themselves.

Wine tasting

The Charm City Wine School is offering Wine 101 classes that span the vino globe. These fun and informative single-session classes feature three to four wines, including both New and Old World wines.

— James Meadows, newsletter editor

Beer bath

The Spa at BierBath offers a truly distinctive spa experience. Soak in — you guessed it — beer, enjoy a sauna, cool off in a rain shower and enjoy unlimited drinks while you’re at it.

— Tim Prudente, enterprise reporter

Very Maryland’s Best Gift Guide

Finding the perfect gift can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming when you’re short on time and searching for something unique for everyone on your list. This holiday season, make your gifts memorable with the Very Maryland’s Best Gift Guide!

Blend your own whiskey

If you have a whiskey lover in your life, book them a tour at Baltimore Spirits Co.

Otter encounter

Experience how the Maryland Zoo animal care team and river otters interact on a daily basis by watching a training session with Hudson and Brie the otters.

Love lavender?

Become a “friend of the farm” and get free field visits, picnics on the property and more from this lavender farm in White Hall.

Take flight

Give the gift of flight without the plane. At iFly’s indoor skydiving experience, you’ll step into a vertical wind tunnel and feel the rush of soaring in a safe, controlled environment. Perfect for thrill-seekers or anyone with “fly for real” on their bucket list.

Axe throwing and splatter glow paint party

Want to share some cathartic fun? Try this axe and splatter paint experience at AxGard. It’s equal parts high adrenaline and laid-back creativity, a unique idea for a bold date night.

Maryland Park Service passport

Instead of toys my kids will get bored with, one item on our wish list every year is a Maryland Park Service passport. Some of my family’s favorites include the tire park at the Hilton area of Patapsco Valley State Park and searching for shark teeth at Calvert Cliffs State Park.

— Carrie Mihalcik, express desk editor

Make your own blown-glass creation

A gift that’s equal parts art and adventure, this unique experience allows you to work with the resident glass artist at McFadden Art Glass to blow, shape and design your own colorful creation.

Baltimore Museum of Art membership

Gift a membership to the Baltimore Museum of Art to someone who can enjoy art all year round.