Cleveland cheer: FreshWater’s guide to local gifts this holiday season


If standing in long big-box store lines isn’t your thing, FreshWater has you covered this holiday season. Skip those lines and shop local with some of our favorite Cleveland spots and unique gift ideas to make your holiday shopping easy, meaningful, and impactful.

  • Cleveland Museum of ArtCleveland Museum of ArtFor the writer: Buy a membership to Literary Cleveland, 13002 Larchmere Blvd., and support the organization focused on improving the literary lives of Northeast Ohio writers and readers through classes and workshops. Your recipient can attend any of Literary Cleveland’s classes at a discounted rate for the year.

  • For local, unique art: As a multi-disciplinary nonprofit arts organization, Heights Arts, 2175 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights, showcases and sells artworks by regional artists. The 23rd annual Heights Arts Holiday Store features the works of more than 100 local artists and craftspeople with everything from ceramics, drawings, and textiles to jewelry, glass, and housewares. The holiday store is open every day through Monday, Dec. 30, except for Christmas Day.

  • For something special: In business since 1953 and in the same location at 14125 Detroit Ave. since 1959, Hixon’s Inc. in Lakewood has been a year-round destination for all things Christmas—from decorations, handcrafted ornaments imported from around the world, and custom pieces made by late owner Bill Hixson, who died at age 93 in December 2022. The store also has antiques, Tiffany-style lamps, stained glass, candles and cards. This is the place to go for a one-of-a-kind special gift.

  • For the wine connoisseur: The late Mansfield Frazier, the journalist and activist who started Chateau Hough in 2010 with three goals: reuse land and buildings in the neighborhood, create green space, and generate jobs. “Our job is to solve poverty with paychecks,” he told FreshWater in 2017. Ten years in business, Chateau Hough offers a variety of bold, crisp, and contemporary wines made with the red Frontenac and white Traminette grapes grown at the vineyard. Proceeds benefit nonprofit Neighborhood Solutions, Inc., which has a mission to “offer education and community engagement opportunities that promote village building and economic independence, leading to viable second chances for marginalized residents in Northeast Ohio." Haven’t tried the wine yet? Stop in a get a few bottles or a case—wine can be ordered online for shipping to limited areas or pickup—or get a gift certificate and share Frazier’s vision.

  • For the chocolate lover: You can’t go wrong with giving chocolate, most people will argue. Two locally-owned chocolatiers make shopping easy. With 18 Malley’s Chocolates locations and plenty of seasonal specials to buy for every age, shoppers can’t go wrong. Be sure to stop at Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates, 2285 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights, for plenty of seasonal selections and gift sets that are perfect for host gifts or just the chocolate lovers in your life.

  • For everything vintage: Take a trip back in time in the Lorain Avenue Antiques District where antiques and vintage goods are the hot commodity at Sweet Lorain, 7105 Lorain Road—you can get everything needed for that vintage look at home or out on the town. Paradise Galleria, 3910 Lorain Avenue, opened in October, mixes old and new with a fun, pop culture vibe. The lower level gives space for vintage vendors selling everything from retro clothes to books, vinyl records, and other unique throwback items.
Happy Holidays, and Happy shopping!