2021 BmoreArt Holiday Gift Guide

Shop local this season from Baltimore-based stores and creators. Buy these gifts for yourself or for someone that you love.

For your friend who loves to read:

Merkaba Publications
This beautiful art book would be a welcome addition to anyone’s library: Exploring Presence: African American Artists in the Upper South by Angela N. Carroll and published by Merkaba Publications. ($70)

Ivy Bookshop (Mount Washington/Roland Park area)
The Ivy Bookshop offers several different book subscription services at a range of prices. Consider giving the gift of a new cookbook ($465, includes shipping) every month for a year.

Atomic Books (Hampden)
Ready yourself for a potentially meta moment by picking up The Stuff of John Waters Movies by Gabriel Edwards ($15), a book of illustrations of the Baltimore director’s movies, with the possibility (not guaranteed) of bumping into John Waters while you’re there.

Red Emma’s (Mount Vernon/Midtown)
Here’s a true-crime thriller illustrating the fact that truth is actually scarier than fiction because it’s about real-life crooked cops in Baltimore. Brandon Soderberg and Baynard Woods’ book I Got A Monster ($17.99) came out on paperback this year. 

Greedy Reads (Remington and Fells Point)
If you want to give something kinda personal with a cool tote bag but you need a little assistance, Greedy Reads has these curated bags starting at $50. Tell them your or your friends’ favorite books and current mood and they will select books for you! 

For your friend who really loves music:

Baby’s On Fire (Mount Vernon)
Baby’s On Fire makes great coffee and great pastries, and while their indoor record shop is closed you can still buy records from them online. Recommended: Vince Guaraldi Trio’s A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Soundgarden (Fells Point)
How about a Gift Card for the audiophile to buy some records?

Keystone Korner (Fells Point)
…Or a night out to hear some holiday jazz? Keystone Korner in Fells has a number of concerts in December. 

For the coffee connoisseur in your life:

Sophomore Coffee (Old Goucher)
This cool, sleek stainless steel travel mug (16oz. $40/12oz. $35) makes a great gift for your always-caffeinated friend. 

Vent Coffee Roasters (Woodberry)
Vent has a great Fireside Holiday Blend (12 oz., $18) that’s way better than anything at Starbucks.

For the friend who always picks the restaurant:

NiHao (Canton)
I know these spices/condiments from NiHao are going to be delicious: New Bay Seasoning ($6), Zhong Sauce ($12), Meiwei Chili Oil ($13).

Neopol Smokery (Belvedere Square and other locations)
These smorgasbords of smoked meats, fish, and salads make entertaining super easy. (Pictured: Neopol Smoked Fish and Meat Basket, $160)

Schola (Mount Vernon)
Sign yourself and a friend up for that cooking class (pictured: The Art of Making Pasta, $59) you’ve been talking about for years. 

For your air-sign friend who really cares about aesthetics and has great taste and you really need to impress them:

Good Neighbor (Hampden)
Peruse Good Neighbor’s collection of artist’s pieces, such as this collaboration made by woodworkers Alejandro Garcia and Estela Macedo: “Each piece is unique in form, handmade using local walnut or white oak, and numbered by sign painter Sean Danaher @danahersigns.” 

Personal Best Ceramics
Check out this beautiful ceramic mug (This and That Mug, smaller, $54) by Baltimore artist Whitney Simpkins (aka Personal Best Ceramics) that will look beautiful on all of your Instagram or TikTok home cafe videos.

For your own #selfcaresunday. Listen, you’ve worked hard and survived nearly two years of an ongoing global pandemic. You deserve something nice:

Sacré Sucré (Fells Point)
…Like these indulgent dark chocolates ($35) from Sacré Sucré.

Mount Royal Soaps (Remington)
…Or this festive body scrub ($18.99) from Mount Royal Soaps that might get you in the holiday spirit.

For your friend who always eats dessert first:

Dulceology (Federal Hill)
Take a look at this gift box of classic desserts from Dulceology. ($39.95)

Cajou Creamery (Mount Vernon/Downtown)
This vegan sweet potato pie ice cream (pint, $12) is indulgent and sorta healthy!

For the hostess/host that graciously invites you over for dinner:

Paper Herald (Mount Vernon)
This is a nice holiday gift box (2021 Holiday Gift Box, $50) from a new Black woman-owned stationery store in Mount Vernon.

Pomona Floral + Angels Ate Lemons (Old Goucher)
Consider, too, a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a bottle of natural wine ($75).

KSM Candle Co. (Clipper Mill)
Buy a beautiful candle from KSM, or one of their kits that allow you to make candles at home!

Uncorked & Cultured
Send a set of Black Holiday Cards featuring images from The I. Henry Photo Project Archive  ($20). Available online.

Amy Scripts
Snag a keychain from this Pantone-themed collection by Amy Scripts. She recently shared a @TheBaltimoreFoodie-themed one. I really love this Baltimore saltbox yellow one. ($12)

For your stylish friend:

A Day N June
Give them this super chic vintage blazer ($68).

Milkweed Ceramics
These lovely butterfly earrings from Claire di Salvo (aka Milkweed Ceramics) are sold out, but check out what’s left of their Fall ‘21 collection.

Poppy & Stella (Fells Point and other locations)
This burgundy velvet Duster jacket ($92) is so elegant it will steal the show at any Zoom or IRL office party. I want one!!!!

Bushelers of Baltimore (Mount Vernon)
Give them a gift card to get something fabulous altered from Bushelers of Baltimore, a Black-owned tailor shop in Mount Vernon. 

For the dog lover in your life:

BmoreArt
Mark off the days of 2022 with this 13-month wall calendar featuring images from Jill Fannon’s photo series 100% adorable art dogs.

Please consider donating to:
Black Church Food Security Network (@blackchurchfsn)