Fairfax County is home to an incredible and diverse group of artisan makers – so much so that the Made in Fairfax initiative was born.
The Made in Fairfax network aims to be a one-stop shop for maker businesses and those who want to support them. The Made in Fairfax directory features dozens of artisans who create a variety of unique gifts from Northern Virginia made in the county like custom furniture, baked goods, jewelry, and more.
This holiday season (or any time of year, really!) take “shop local” to new heights by directly supporting the makers of these gift-worthy products – created right here in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Fairfax County 2024 Gifts from Northern Virginia
Holiday Gift Guide Table of Contents
(Shop by category with these links)
Artwork
Image submitted by Trupti's Craft Paper Quilling Art
Add a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork to your home collection or bring in some unique new holiday decorations this year from Trupti's Craft Paper Quilling Art. Paper quilling is a rare, quickly-growing art form that involves rolling, shaping, and gluing paper strips together to create intricate designs. From holiday decor to wedding and baby nursery decor to customized pet portraits that start as low as $5 (quilling printed cards), $10 (for quilling ornaments), and $35 (for framed prints), this is a gift that your loved one will never forget. Browse some designs on their website here.
Image courtesy Mizz Mozaic
Embrace the holiday spirit with a Mizz Mozaic Art Kit, designed to spark creativity and joy! Choose from a delightful array of projects - picture frames, coasters, festive ornament kits and more - priced between $25 and $55. Each kit includes everything you need to craft a one-of-a-kind gift or share a fun experience with friends and family. This season, kick off a new tradition and create lasting memories together!
Image submitted by JHK Photography
We all know the Capital Region is a stunningly photographic area to live and visit. Why not gift some DC-area pride this holiday season with prints by JHK Photography Studio? With a focus on showcasing the area’s monuments and memorials across time, these photographs will brighten your day and remind you why you love living in or visiting this vibrant area. Prices vary by size of print, typically $22 - $120; visit their Etsy shop to choose your favorites.
More ideas: Make a point to swing by the Workhouse Arts Center for unique prints and other artistic endeavors from the 65+ studio artists-in-residence at the center. We promise you'll find more than one truly unique gift for those on your list. This year, they've given you a perfect reason to stop by during their Small Business Saturday event, happening Nov. 30 - get a 20% discount on all items and support your local artists! Closer to the Annandale area? Stop by the Craft Gallery by Artisans United within Annandale Community Park for more locally created artwork, textiles, toys, jewelry and more.
Body & Wellness
Image submitted by OmBaked
OmBaked is Northern Virginia’s top CBD store, specializing in wellness products designed to enhance your self-care routines and support a lifestyle of holistic wellness. Products include Yummy Gummies that can help with pain and inflammation, chocolate bars that help with sleep or brain fog, and calming drops that can help reduce stress in everyday life. You’ll also find a variety of Body Care products for sale in their online shop or at their retail location on Lake Anne Plaza. OmBaked Yummy Gummies are THC-free and included in the VDACS Voluntary Registry of Compliant Edible Hemp Products.
Books & Games
Image submitted by RPSWC
Infuse some creative fun into your loved one’s stocking stuffer this year with a unique card game called Rock Paper Scissors Wizard Croc. This family-friendly competition adds a strategy component and more choices to the classic game we all know and love. Easy to learn, easy to play, and wholesome fun for all generations. Purchase online at rpswc.com and get free shipping through December 31 with code GOWILD.
More ideas: Stock up on more good reads from our local independent bookshops, like Scrawl Books in Reston or Bards Alley in Vienna.
Chocolate & Sweets
Image courtesy River-Sea Chocolate Factory/Facebook
What’s the holidays without a bit of chocolate!? In-the-know residents may already be clued into the amazing bean-to-bar chocolate crafted at Chantilly's River-Sea Chocolate Factory, the only one of its kind in Northern Virginia. But for the uninitiated, you can find some perfect gifts for the chocolate lovers in your life, including a sampler gift box with 12 mini bars ($35.99), a 10-piece truffle gift box ($29.99), or a selection of their best-selling bars ($7.99 each or 3 for $20). Be on the lookout for River Sea Chocolate’s second location to open in Reston this coming year!
If you prefer a nuttier kind of chocolate, look no further than the chocolate clusters and nonpareils from Mother Clusters, a small woman-owned business based in Fairfax, VA. Give a gift and get a laugh with their “You’ve Been Naughty” coal bags that are perfect for stocking stuffers ($16-$24) or customize your cart with unique flavors like Eggnog Gingerbread Cookie, S’moreo, and Santa’s Milk & Cookies (starts at $36/lb).
Make the classic tradition of Christmas cookie decorating a tad bit simpler this year thanks to Good Golly Desserts. Grab a DIY Cookie Decorating Kit (starting at $36/dozen) or a Paint-Your-Own Cookie set ($5/each, $60/dozen). Holiday-specific treats will be available from November 15 – January 1. Peruse the website here.
For some cooler treats, don’t overlook Tysons Creamery for catered 3 oz. cups of handmade, artisan, gelato-style ice cream. Order online, starting at just $5/cup with delivery and set-up preferences specific to your occasion available.
More ideas: Stop by or pre-order gifts from any of these amazing chocolatiers in the area, like Cocoa Vienna or Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolates. Your taste buds will thank you!
Coffee & Tea
Offer a gift that truly kickstarts your loved one’s day every day – with a gift of locally roasted coffee beans. Stop by some of Fairfax County’s favorite coffee shops for a pick-your-own bag, or check out some of these special gift ideas below.
Cervantes Coffee Roasters, based in Springfield, is a woman-owned roastery that works directly with small farmer cooperatives to offer an array of ethically sourced, single-origin beans. The good news for you? You don’t have to pick favorites yet because Cervantes offers a 6-month coffee subscription where you can try a new roast each month ($105). Even more unique? Gift your caffeine fiend a spot in one of Cervantes’ educational classes, from brewing techniques to advanced cupping!
For a shorter, more seasonal subscription approach, check out Inner Loop Coffee, where you can get two bags of coffee a month for four months delivered in your grind of choice. Also available are their beautiful, customized holiday gift boxes, which include a freshly roasted bag of coffee, baked goods from J’Aime Madeleine, plus locally crafted items like candles, mugs, and gift tags ($24 - $65). Pre-orders available now through December 11.
And for a special Holiday Blend that doesn’t rhyme with "carlucks," click over to Fairfax-based micro-roastery Kustomcoffee to try their seasonal favorite, featuring notes of cinnamon, dark chocolate and cherries ($16).
Tea lovers, we haven’t forgotten you! Elden Street Tea Shop is your must-shop shop this holiday season. Get a pre-order in for the 2024 Tea Advent Calendar ($55.95), where you can enjoy 25 different daily tea sashes including several unique seasonal teas. After all, Tea’s the Season!
Food
Image submitted by Bisnonna Bakeshop
Bisnonna Bakeshop serves up incredible classic Italian pastries like signature cannoli, sfogliatelle, and more from generations-old recipes that are always made from scratch as an ode to the family matriarchs who celebrated togetherness through flour, sugar, and butter. Be the star of the holiday season with the Italian Cookie Gift Box, filled with Bisnonna’s best-selling Italian cookies, like Biscotti, Pignoli, Rainbow Cookies, and more. Or gift a long-lasting sentiment with their new Cookie of the Month Club, where your loved one will receive a beautifully curated assortment of handcrafted Italian cookies in either a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription.
Packed with superfoods like almonds, chia, and hemp seeds, and sweetened up (in some cases) with chocolate chips, Chantilly-based Dano’s Granola offers handmade granola and other baked goods. Add these tasty items to your stocking stuffer list this year: the Granola Sample Pack ($22), Granola Butter ($8), or a selection of 7 different flavors of individually bagged granola ($14). Find more ideas in their shop.
Be the belle of the holiday party ball this year with a handcrafted and custom pretzel charcuterie platter, pretzel wreath, pretzel party box, or pretzel variety packs from Nordic Knot. Pair these with a selection of tasty dips and you’ll have the tastiest holiday ever! Order online.
Image submitted by Jake's Gourmet Popcorn
Queuing up the holiday movie watch list? Can’t forget the popcorn! Falls Church-based gourmet popcorn shop, Jake’s, offers more than 30 flavors to choose from, including special seasonal offerings. Whether you want a bag ($3.75 - $29), a popcorn ball ($2 - $3.50), or a 1-2 gallon tin ($35 - $45), Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn has it all. Pair it with one of their hot cocoa kits and you’re good to go! Pick up at the shop.
Home Goods
Image submitted by Flame + Pout
Evoke cherished memories with one of the creative hand-poured soy candles from Flame + Pout, each of which the owner hopes will take you back to a fond memory, a place you once visited, a book you loved, or a moment in time. With candle names like “Crafting Memories at the Tree Farm,” “Snackin’ On Some Yuletide Holiday Pralines,” and “Warm Cashmere Embrace,” you’re sure to find one that makes you smile ($15 - $30). Flame + Pout has also expanded to offer shea butter lip balms, room mists, beard oils, soaps, and more self-care products (starting at $4.50). Browse their shop here.
You may know that Fairfax County is home to America’s first president, George Washington. And you may know that Mount Vernon is a must-visit for anyone coming to the Washington, DC region. However, did you know that Mount Vernon’s gift shop offers some truly unique items that will bring a bit of that Virginia hospitality to your own home? From the tabletop-sized weathervane ($74) and the Brass Candlestick with Snuffer ($49) that would make stand-out centerpieces for your holiday meal to the Colonial Black Lantern ($89) that could light your pathways, there are a myriad of options to choose from. Pick up items in person at The Shops at Mount Vernon or browse the online storefront.
Smell of Love Candles is an organic candle company founded and led by Alejandro Buxton, a young teenage "Kidpreneur" who not only was the youngest tenant ever to hold a kiosk lease at Tysons Corner Center, but also recently appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show! This holiday, treat your friends and family to not only this fabulous story, but also some pretty fabulous candles, which use hand-poured soy and coconut wax that are good for you and the environment, and are socially responsible. Holiday Gift Sets start at $36, but the shop also offers Room & Linen Sprays, Wax Melts, Hand-Dipped Incense, and other accessories.
Speaking of Smell of Love Candles and Bisnonna Bakeshop, you can find both products in the new (and limited!) NoVA Artisan Gift Box, created by local Vienna resident and small business owner, Liz Powell. The gift box is available in three sizes, each thoughtfully curated with items from nine different BIPOC and woman-owned businesses, and includes small-batch coffee, handmade pottery, artisan treats, and more. Additionally, for every box purchased, $5 will be donated to One Neighborhood Foundation to benefit food-insecure people in the area. Boxes are available for pre-order from now through December 1. Order here - but remember, these will go fast!
More ideas: Bring a bit of whimsey to your personal spaces with one-of-a-kind art and home décor from Magick Whimsey, whose shop offers intriguing gift ideas such as hexagonal wooden boxes ($30), various circular tins ($15-40) and glass jars ($30-35), and handcrafted Ceramic Tiles ($30).
Jewelry
Image submitted by The Shell Patch
If you’re missing the ocean this winter, check out the beach and shell-inspired jewelry at The Shell Patch, created by teenage sensation, Anna. It all began with painted seashells when Anna was 14 in 2020, but has quickly grown to include one-of-a-kind beaded jewelry pieces, unique seashell home décor, painted canvases, handstitched pillows, and more. This holiday season, browse the Etsy shop for unique pieces like the Aurora Borealis Shell Teardrop Beaded necklace ($49.99), a purple teardrop beaded choker ($34.99), or to really wow a room, the beaded metal chandelier made of hand wire-wrapped genuine quartz and glass beads ($364.99).
Metal & Stone Creations aims to blend sustainability, inspiration from nature, and craftsmanship to create pieces that showcase the power of connection. Browse their shop to look for unique rings, whether ones that emulate the constellations or the rings of a tree, and gemstone laced necklaces that evoke land, water, galaxies, and more. All pieces are made in recycled sterling silver by hand and responsibly sourced gemstones.
Textiles
Image submitted by Hoagland Handmade
Searching for a unique and warm eco-friendly gift? Check out the natural fiber knits from Hoagland Handmade, which uses fibers farmed in the greater DMV region to create sustainable gifts that will warm the hands (or head or ears) and the heart. For each item sold, a tree is planted through a partnership with the National Forest Foundation. Some winter must-haves include the Virginia Merino mittens ($54) or the hand-dyed Merino fingerless mitts ($44), among other gift ideas. New babies in the family? Don't miss the Organic Cotton Baby Booties that come in a variety of colors ($24).
Wine, Beer & Spirits
Image submitted by Woodlawn Press Winery
Woodlawn Press Winery is a family- and veteran-owned micro-winery that makes and bottles its own varietals and fruit wines right here in Fairfax County. Stop by this urban micro-winery for wine-based gift ideas, like the 12 Days of Holiday Wine Set ($120) - but act fast, as there is limited stock! Other gift ideas include the Wine Gift Bag ($35), which includes one bottle of wine, a River-Sea Chocolate Bar, and spiced pecans or a bag of slushy mix.
Image courtesy The Winery at Bull Run
The Winery at Bull Run, located in Centreville, has also put together a Holiday Gift Guide that features an array of items, even beyond their award-winning wine. Browse the catalog for gift ideas like ornaments, candles poured into wine bottles, custom barrel heads and gift baskets. Also, peep the catalog for exclusive Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!
At Open Road Distilling Co., at Reston Town Center, you can pick up handcrafted - and bottled by hand - spirits that range from Eage Eye Rye, Independence Bourbon, and American Gin or Vodka. Bonus while you're there - grab a gift card for an upcoming spirit tasting or for a dining reservation in their two restaurants.
More ideas: You can also pick up wine, beer, and spirit-related gifts at our Fairfax County wineries and Fairfax County breweries. If you're a fan of whiskey, stop by George Washington's Mount Vernon for a gift set that includes a bottle of George Washington's Signature Rye Whiskey, the official state spirit of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Many of these products can be purchased online, but you can also find many of the makers from the "Made in Fairfax" initiative - and beyond - at upcoming holiday markets, like Celebrate Fairfax's Winter Market at The PARC Tysons (December 14 from 12pm-5pm) or the Mosaic Holiday Village & Market (November 23-24 & December 14-15 from 11am-4pm).
For the growing list of vendors that are part of the Made in Fairfax initiative, check out their directory here. (If you are an artisan who would like to join, you can apply right here.)
What is your favorite product to find locally? Who will you be picking these gift ideas up for? Let us know in the comments below or tag us on social media using #FXVA and @VisitFairfax. Happy shopping!
