The Banner’s 2025 holiday gift guide

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.

DIY flower ornament

Create an elegant keepsake with this pressed-flower ornament kit. Each set includes real blooms, clear acrylic shapes and easy-to-follow instructions, making it perfect for a cozy craft night or a thoughtful stocking stuffer for someone who loves nature and handmade touches.

Turn your house into art

There’s no place like home for the holidays. Commission a custom illustration of your Baltimore rowhome from Pop Baltimore. This local artist will turn your residence into cheerful greeting cards, postcards or sticker packs.

— Lillian Reed, Howard County reporter

Blue crab blanket

Hyattsville-based artist Micah Morgan takes her inspiration from the Anacostia River near her home. The blankets are made to order, from a family-run knitting team in New Jersey.

Charm City silk screen

Baltimore is full of history, icons and stories. This four-color silk screen poster illustrates the Bromo Seltzer Tower, the Domino Sugars sign, Thames Street, the Patterson Park Pagoda and the famous city benches.

Icee Machine

Treat kids to their very own slushy station at home. This fun Icee Machine lets them mix ice and syrup to make their favorite frozen drinks. Perfect for birthday parties, snow days, or any time they want a cool and colorful treat.

Geometric latte mug

This latte mug, designed by NotJane founder and creative director Betsy Martin, features a throwback geometric design.

Old Bay journal

Celebrate the Old Line State with a Maryland-themed journal. Perfect for jotting trip notes, recipes, poetry or Preakness picks. A witty, locally made gift for anyone who loves Maryland and a good dose of charm.

Snowball stand print

A print celebrating one of the summer’s greatest joys in Baltimore — snowballs! Printed on acid-free paper and signed by the artist, it arrives ready to frame and wrapped in a biodegradable sleeve, perfect for Baltimore nostalgia lovers and art enthusiasts alike.

Floating forest art

Bring a little forest magic inside. This unique wall-hanging art piece pairs genuine cork bark with plush preserved moss and forest-inspired mushrooms. Zero upkeep, all mood. A standout pick for someone who loves nature with a side of style.

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.

Weekly Task Planner

Ideal for the organized professional or anyone ready to make 2026 their year of execution. The 9.5"-by-7.5" Weekly Task Planner packs a productivity punch with weekly spreads, a Sunday start and an hourly breakdown of each day.

The cutest travel bag

Travel in style with this Maryland blue crab neoprene travel toiletry bag by Jami Creates.

Citrus fruits watercolor kit

Paint your own watercolor citrus fruits with these outlines and paints. Optional add-ons like an easel and an apron make it a superb gift for painters of any skill level.

Baltimore neighborhoods print

Celebrate Baltimore in color with this hand-illustrated map print showcasing every neighborhood and city park. Printed on EcoSilk paper with soy-based inks and offered in framed and unframed sizes, it’s a stylish piece of local art.

Baltimore wallpaper

This high-quality, self-adhesive wallpaper features Baltimore designs by artist Elizabeth Graeber and is made of 100% paper with a woven linen texture. Plus, it’s movable and renter-friendly.

— Stokely Baksh, audience engagement editor

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!

Shady Grove Candles

A quarantine hobby between mom and daughter during the pandemic turned into a business. Shady Grove Candles are locally sourced, hand-poured and eco-friendly. My faves are the Peppermint + Eucalyptus, Sandalwood, and Apricot + Jasmine scents.

— Ginny Bixby, government and politics reporter

Watercolor art

These hand-painted watercolor prints from Lucky Bat Paper Co. add a touch of artistry to any space. Inspired by nature and garden textures, they’re locally printed on eco-friendly paper and come in standard sizes for easy framing.

African fabric journals

Looking for something for a writer, thinker or organizer with a love of craftsmanship and color? Take note of these authentic handcrafted journals made with 100% cotton African Ankara wax print fabric.

Emotional baggage

If only this bag could carry it all. The quirky tote from Shewolf Designs is just right for that friend who handles life with humor.

Eddie’s of Roland Park

Create holiday memories with gifts from Eddie’s of Roland Park. Discover our wonderful selection including gourmet confections, unique home goods, puzzles, host gifts and seasonal treats for any age.

Final Fantasy apron

Saphrina Splendors offers a homemade apron, emblazoned with a baby Chocobo from Final Fantasy, suitable for artisans of any kind — whether your craft is cooking, painting or sculpting!

— Rondez Green, creator and social editor

Cà Phê candle

Relish in the fragrant notes of Vietnam’s famous coffee with this Cà Phê candle.

Mr. Trash Wheel Construction Kit

Build your own miniature version of Baltimore’s beloved trash-eating icon, Mr. Trash Wheel. This laser-cut wooden kit is eco-friendly, educational and a fun gift for makers of all ages.

Crab chip notepad

Keep your tasks in check with this Maryland crab chip notepad featuring cheerful, snacking Oriole birds.

Mental health coloring book

Color your way into a deeper conversation with this 20-page Neuro Blooms coloring book. Each design is inspired by real brain scans tied to mental health conditions, paired with short facts and quotes. A thoughtful gift that blends art, awareness and self-care.

Custom stationery

Personalized snail mail is the best kind of mail! All illustrations are hand-drawn.

Merry and Bright Candle

Baltimore’s Mount Royal Soaps offers countless great-smelling goods, but its seasonal Merry and Bright 100% soy wax candle, scented with notes of apple, balsam, cinnamon and clove, is as energizing as it is cozy.

‘Tashiding: Beyond Earth and Sky’

This stunning coffee table book takes visitors inside a private Cockeysville garden that features a teahouse, Buddha statues and a lake filled with koi.