San Antonio has been called one of the friendliest cities in America — and part of that reputation comes from our love for shopping local and supporting fellow entrepreneurs and business owners.
So if you're doing a little holiday shopping, look no further than these local businesses, offering products, services, subscriptions and experiences for everyone on your list.
This bakery founded in 2020 by local San Antonio artist Rebekah Williams offers delicious custom-made cookie creations to suit any palate. Custom gingerbread families, personalized cookie ornaments, DIY cookie-painting kits, gift sets or a dozen boxed cookies for Santa Claus — you can find it all here while supporting a small, Black-owned, woman-owned local business at the same time. Christmas pre-sale pickup will be held Dec. 18-21 at 6211 Lowrie St., San Antonio. Visit lulabellecustomcookies.com for more information.
This Hill Country startup was founded by Kristin Aljoe, Jenni Urbanczyk and Mark Flick with a mission of sustainability: to make fine home goods, furniture and jewelry all from salvaged wood. These arborists mill usable logs from damaged trees, working alongside cities and municipalities to find their wood. The result? Gorgeous home items like candleholders, butcher blocks, wood utensils and charcuterie sets — as well as custom furniture items and jewelry you won't find anywhere else.
Here you can find customized, personalized stationery at this woman-owned small business founded by Alamo Heights graphic designer Meredith Alvarez, who went into business for herself 15 years ago with her first project: designing her own wedding invitations. It's hard to find a more perfect (or Instagram-worthy!) gift for that special person in your life than monogrammed stationery adorning their home office desk.
Whether you're looking for embroidered Mexican dresses, fresh candles and scents, Texas armadillo ornaments, San Antonio swag for your out-of-town visitors, or Miyuki glass tile bracelets to rival any expensive designer's, this shop located downtown across the street from the Arneson River Theater Center has it all. Founded by Liz Leatherbury and first asked by the city to launch its product line in a pop-up store in 2016, everyone on your list will enjoy the unique South Texas vision of Bird & Pair.
Here you'll find holiday-themed soaps, bath bombs and self-care items created with love by local makers. San Antonio-based Organically Bath & Beauty, co-founded by Kela and Kevin Nabors, was featured in Elle Magazine's 2021 list of "13 Black-Owned Soap Companies to Shop Right Now." Gift items include lavender and eucalyptus-whipped body mousse, turmeric and ginger facial scrubs and shower bouquets to make your gift recipient look — and feel — like a million bucks.
This historic local distillery sits on the former homestead of Samuel Maverick, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Today, it's owned by his great-great-great-grandson, Dr. Kenneth Maverick. The distillery produces and sells its own local whiskey, gin, vodka, white rum and agave blanco, an unconventional take on tequila. Its brand-new Barrel Proof Whiskey could make a perfect holiday gift for the whiskey connoisseur in your life — and online gift cards are available too.
Co-owners Mario and Ginger Diaz center their entire business around one crucial thing: connection. Opened on Olmos Drive in 2017 and now operating out of an additional location at the Pearl, at Feliz Modern you can buy home decor with a San Antonio flair, unique local and global art, accessories, pillows, clothing for the whole family and even fun premade gift boxes for the foodies, dog lovers and teachers on your list.
San Antonio food photographer Tracey Maurer created a new iteration of the traditional Mexican card game Lotería during the pandemic — featuring her own brightly colored artwork images of traditional Mexican foods. It was featured by USA Today's 10Best among best gifts to celebrate cultural diversity. Buy a set in person at Regalo Boutique's annual holiday bazaar this weekend only at Estancia Del Norte San Antonio, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, or purchase the game set or any of the original 54 canvas image prints at https://www.loteriadecomida.com.
Looking for gifts for the children in your life, but their parents say they don't need any more clutter? Consider an experience gift like season tickets to Morgan's Wonderland, San Antonio's fully accessible theme park, teeming with sensory experiences and fun for all visitors. (Guests with special needs and guests under 2 visit free.) Founded by former San Antonio homebuilder Gordon Hartman on behalf of his daughter Morgan, who has cognitive and physical disabilities, this inclusive theme park is fun for the whole family and season ticket holders can access both Morgan's Wonderland and its adjoining water theme park, Morgan's Inspiration Island, all season long.
