The season of giving is upon us! I love the feeling of giving someone a gift that makes their face light up. Plenty of shops in SoIN can help you get that “wow” reaction with your gift-giving while supporting local small businesses in Southern Indiana!
The local experts at SoIN Tourism are sharing their knowledge of where to get must-have gifts in Southern Indiana.
We asked the SoIN staff where they like to shop for others and where they would want someone to shop for them. Hint hint!
Kia Black, Research & Data Manager
I don’t aim to gift mere objects; I want to give treasures. During the thrilling Fright Night in Starlight, I dove into the exhilarating experience of The Woods ATV Adventures. A gift card to this new SoIN attraction isn’t just a present; it's an open invitation to explore the captivating beauty of RicShir Forest and the adrenaline rush of off-road exploration. This gift promises to weave memories that linger long after the adventure ends. It's not just a day out; it’s an untamed journey through nature’s beauty, an escape from the mundane, and a chance to craft stories that will be cherished for a lifetime. After all, good memories are far more precious than a pair of socks.
Being someone who values experiences over material objects, I adore receiving the gift of skin care services. At Exile Waxing Co. in Sellersburg, it's not just about grooming; it’s a deep dive into pure pampering. Whether it's the precision of eyebrow shaping, the indulgence of deluxe facials, or the silkiness of post-wax skin, each service feels like a personalized, luxurious experience just for me. Every visit leaves me with a renewed sense of self-assurance and beauty. The exceptional staff at Exile Waxing Co. excel at turning each session into a personal and indulgent delight, making it a gift that truly speaks to the heart.
Anneliese Crumley, Digital Marketing Intern
As a coffee lover with previous barista experience, I am a coffee snob. Hope Coffee Co., however, exceeds my tough standards. Their drinks go beyond your boring morning coffee, and as a non-profit organization, their proceeds go to support noble causes like K-12 tutoring and homework help, job training, family services, and so much more. A gift card here would make a great holiday gift for any coffee lover and would double as a way to spread the holiday spirit throughout the year.
Crystal lovers like me would LOVE a gift from Earth’s Art. From polished and cut crystals to jewelry and eclectic gifts, you can find something for anyone with a unique taste. Be sure to check out their shelves filled with scientific and spiritual books, as well as their wall of winged creatures for an extra special gift idea.
Tyler Schaefer, Marketing & PR Intern
There's nothing better than sipping on a delicious brew or special drink while you gift shop for the family. Discover the perfect blend of warmth and wonder at True North – a one-stop destination for unique gifts and a heartwarming coffee experience, located in the heart of New Albany on Market Street. True North is not your ordinary coffee shop; it's a gateway to extraordinary gifting. You can explore a treasure trove of candles, jewelry, home décor and art all while you sip on some of the best coffee in the area!
As a musician, there’s no better gift than a bag full of guitar picks or cables. Maxwell’s House of Music in Jeffersonville has you covered on that and so much more! If you’re a music lover or are trying to find that perfect gift for the musician in your life, make sure you stop by Maxwell’s House of Music for a wide range of instruments, accessories, lessons and anything music.
Anna Rosales-Crone, Communications Manager
It’s tough to beat the thoughtfulness of a handmade gift, not to mention the fun you can have while making them. This year, you can gift crafty with a creation or a gift card from a SoIN location. Wimsatt Soap & Soy Candle Bar offers a fun, candle-making experience where you can pick your own scents and votives. Make and gift a candle or reserve spots at an upcoming candle bar session for a fun date night/friends’ night out. Paint and gift a painting from Viva Art OR give a gift card to those in your life who are artistically inclined. Have a Disc Golf lover in your life? Check out Disc Crazy, a full-service disc golf store. Their in-house disc dye bar allows shoppers to customize their discs with their own personal flair.
Cozying up with some popcorn and classic holiday movies is one my favorite holiday activities, so I’d love to receive a popcorn tin from Poppin’ Flavors Gourmet Popcorn in Jeffersonville! This shop makes delicious popcorn in more than 30 flavors (including my favorite Chicago-style, just in case anyone I know is reading this ….) Popcorn tins always make a great gift for family, friends and party hosts. You can go with a festive, holiday tin, or customize your design to make the gift extra special. Each tin can include up to 3 flavors. Stick with the classic caramel, butter and cheddar combo, or really mix it up with some of their savory or coated options, including bacon cheddar, s’mores, and their best-selling caramel bourbon peanut.
Seth Lieber, Visitor Services Coordinator
When it comes to holiday shopping I always try and think about the things my wife wants, but also the things she may not get for herself. Pampering it is then! At the Springs Salon and Spa in Jeffersonville, not only can she enjoy her regular hair appointment, but she can add things like massages, manicures, pedicures, and come home with her favorite products from Aveda. I’m going to take all the credit though because I started getting my hair cut there first!
Sometimes we get so caught up in life that it’s easy to forget to check in on the wardrobe. When you look good you feel good, and there is no better place to make you look good than Him and Her. I’ve always been in search of the perfect t-shirt, and I think I finally found it there. They really have such great items that are high quality and last. I tell friends and family if you can’t decide on an item just get me a gift card to Him & Her because I love going there.
Nicole Kraemer, Operations Manager
Source: facebook.com/strandzandthreadz
I like to shop for gifts from Strandz and Threadz Boutique in Uptown New Albany. This space is two wonderful stores in one! Strandz Salon offers relaxing spa packages for men and women that include full-body massages, manicures and pedicures, facials, and scalp treatments. I love the Aveda products they use and sell. Threadz Boutique offers chic women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessories, as well as cute home décor. The staff is super friendly and will help you select the right gift.
I would love to receive gifts from Dress and Dwell this holiday season. It's a fabulous boutique offering a curated selection of fashion-forward clothing, accessories, and home goods. The attentive and knowledgeable staff ensure a stress-free and enjoyable shopping experience, and I can't help but drop hints about this fantastic store to my loved ones.
Todd Read, Trade and Consumer Sales Manager
Source: facebook.com/NewAlbanyOddShop
I like to buy gifts for people at the Odd Shop in New Albany. Specifically, I like to find rare and/or unique vinyl record albums for people, and that’s one of the best places in SoIN to find them. Also, I love taking my daughters there to experience the nostalgia and oddities from my youth.
Source: facebook.com/StarlightDistillery
I would like for people to shop for my gift at Starlight Distillery. I would really like to have a bottle of their Bottled-in-Bond Carl T. Bourbon Whiskey. It’s one of my favorites in all of bourbon country. And although I am a rather snobbish bourbon fan, Starlight’s Gin is out of this world.
Katerina Koehler, Visual Content Manager
My go-to for fun, unique and weird gifts for anyone in my life is Regalo on Pearl Street in downtown New Albany! From clothing and jewelry, homemade candles, to gag gifts, they've got it all. I will often go here when I am shopping for someone who is hard to buy for and I like to just wander around. Something will always jump out at me that matches their personality perfectly.
I also love giving gifts with a story, and there is no better place to go for that than 812 Vintage. Walking into the store, you’re immediately hit with nostalgia from all of the carefully selected pieces. From the vintage jerseys to the early 2000 Kentucky Kingdom fanny packs, you’re sure to find something unique to wrap up this holiday season.
I would like to receive a gift certificate for float therapy and the salt cave halotherapy session at Sukhino Float Center & Salt Cave. It would be a great way to reset in the New Year and start fresh! Float therapy involves stepping into their spacious float rooms and lying back into 10 inches of skin temperature water that's mixed with over 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt. You'll float effortlessly! Not only is floating great for relieving aches and pains in the body, but it's also a blissful break for your brain. To experience the benefits of halotherapy, spend 45 minutes in their playful, peaceful salt cave. Breathe in the salty air while you rest in a treehouse cave environment as you've never seen.
Luanne Mattson, Chief Marketing Officer
There are so many fun choices for holiday gift giving! I always say my family has a motto, “I eat, therefore I am.” We have a lot of great cooks, and we love to try new things. One way to experience great cooks in our area is to go to Mesa, A Live Dining Show. You get to experience the unique flavors that our area’s chefs create. These chefs actually prepare a meal right in front of you. It’s like you have a front row seat in one of those TV cooking shows!
A gift I’d wish for myself? Since I love food, I can always use gift cards to one of our unique restaurants. Aladdin’s Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Cuisine is a favorite. The hummus is divine, and they have beautiful desserts. The homemade food speaks to my “inner chef.” The older I get, the more I need to exercise to burn off those calories. I love hiking with friends in some of our local parks. The hike could be at Charlestown State Park, the Falls of the Ohio, Mount Saint Francis, or on the Ohio River Greenway.
Jim Epperson, Executive Director
Source: facebook.com/HuberWinery
I particularly like to shop at Huber’s Orchard & Winery for my out-of-town family. My daughters and nieces have great memories of going to Huber’s as kids. Sharing food is an important part of our family traditions so the selection of specialty foods, wines, cheeses, and even fall apples still available at Christmas make this a great one-stop-shop for a gift basket.
For myself, I prefer experiences over stuff, so I always get excited about a gift card from one of our local independent restaurants or for entertainment like Derby Dinner Playhouse or the Ogle Center.
