2026 Holiday Gift Guide

7
min read
A- A+
read

Features
Margie Wuebker

It happens every year, right? That certain someone on your holiday gift list just stumps you. Fortunately, the Buckeye State is richly endowed with artists, craftspeople, entrepreneurs, and experiences to help solve your dilemma. 

A Christmas hot cocoa

Classics

Stuffed animals

Ellen MacMaster maintains that everyone, no matter their age, needs at least one stuffed animal friend — and she says each of the bundles of love she creates at ’EmBears in Wooster is handmade, hand-stuffed, and endowed with its own unique expression and “personality.” Her basic Bare Bears are just that: animals only, no outfits (though they’re not all bears); Baby Safe critters are generally machine washable and have embroidered eyes and noses to eliminate choking hazards; and a portion of the sales of Moon Bears supports the preservation of Asiatic black bears. She also takes orders for custom Memory Bears that incorporate a loved one’s garment or blanket. She prefers to think her handiwork is adopted and not simply purchased. Prices range from $12 to $40 (more for certain custom orders).

  • EmBears, 2535 Shreve Road, Wooster 
  • 315-244-9733 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • www.embears.com


Gift baskets

Gift-giving dilemmas don’t just happen at the holidays, so Amy Carter, owner and operator of Blessings From Ohio, is a problem-solver throughout the year. The home-based business showcases Ohio-made products that range from decadent candy to soothing self-care products, but can also include Ohio State Buckeyes merchandise, mustard, or even custom tartan Scottish apparel and jewelry. Carter, a stay-at-home mom, packs everything into attractive gift boxes, gift baskets, or keepsake Ohio tray baskets. Each order comes with a personalized card for any occasion and a “smiling” buckeye from an Ohio buckeye tree. Most of the themed gift baskets can be tailored to accommodate just about any budget, and free shipping is provided in the continental United States. She also accepts corporate orders. 


Skincare products

Gem Farms & Soap Company specializes in natural skincare products that both nourish the skin and support sustainable farming. Gabe and Emily Novotny, members of Consolidated Cooperative, started making and selling soaps a little more than five years ago, and their product line has grown to include soaps, lotions, body butters, and balms. Gem Farms’ offerings are made from 100 percent beef tallow, sourced from a local farm. Emily takes pride in producing items from start to finish, from rendering the fat to packaging the end result, without using synthetic fragrances, dyes, or preservatives — creating a gentle and effective skincare experience for customers. Special soaps for the holiday season include Peppermint Frost, Festive Frankincense, Frosty Forest, and Mulled Cider.


Scented candles

Finding the perfectly scented candle is no longer a problem thanks to The Candle Lab in Newtown and Cincinnati. Staff walk visitors through the process of customizing their own unique aroma from more than 100 scent choices, then pick out an appropriate container and create a personalized look for the label. Scents range from flowery (such as rose petal and lilac) to taste tempting (Cincinnati chili or sugar cookie, for example) and include some traditionally masculine offerings like Cuban tobacco and bourbon. Or choose a ready-made candle. Prices start at about $23, and the stores also stock seasonal collections and other gift items such as room/linen sprays or diffusers for home and automobile. Shipping is available nationwide.

 

Getaways

Amish country charm

Historic charm with modern comfort awaits visitors to The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Ohio’s Amish area. The 100-year-old barn was once part of a working dairy farm and then used as a nursery with assorted flowers and plants, but now it houses 11 homey rooms that afford panoramic views of the countryside. As it’s located 10 minutes from the heart of Millersburg, the clip-clop of horse-drawn buggies often intrudes on the otherwise quiet setting. Mornings dawn with a hearty home-cooked breakfast that can include treats such as quiche, waffles, crisp bacon, and fruit parfaits. Steve and Angie Linsky, the third owners since the barn first operated as an inn in 1997, offer visitors the opportunity to leave the cares of the world on the doorstep while relaxing in front of the fireplace.


Caribbean vibes

Guests can experience Florida or Caribbean vibes without leaving the Buckeye State at the one-of-a-kind Boardwalk Village of Celina. The resort destination overlooks picturesque Grand Lake, Ohio’s largest man-made lake, and features cottages available for rent year-round. Amenities include two swimming pools, on-site restaurants and bars, a sand volleyball court, and a lodge where visitors can rent golf carts, pontoons, paddle boards, and kayaks, or arrange sunset cruises. There is a full calendar of events, and the village is just minutes from downtown dining, shopping, and local attractions. It is a lively place in the summer and a cozy retreat in the winter.

 

Fine art

Stained glass

Mariah North captures the beauty of nature in colorful stained glass at Touch of Glass, a studio at her Greenville-area home. Interest in the art form dates to her high school days, when she had an opportunity to create mosaic patterns with stained glass. She later learned the exacting process of cutting foil and soldering glass. Her gallery includes birds, flowers, butterflies, chickens, dogs, and even snails. Last year she introduced a snowflake collection, and snowmen are planned for the 2027 winter season. Being a stained glass artist provides a welcome outlet for her creativity, and she especially enjoys the challenge of completing custom orders through online sales. She also offers classes throughout the year (see website for details).


Jewelry 

Some of the hand-stamped designs on Pink Daffodil Boutique jewelry celebrate life with thought-provoking messages. Others are personalized with names and/or special dates. Owner/designer Erin Sudhoff began making jewelry in 2018, drawing inspiration from everyday life, the beauty of nature, songs on the radio, and Bible verses. Her specialty jewelry includes necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and tie tacks. She also accepts custom orders, including for personalized holiday ornaments, and her creativity is evident in the pieces people order to commemorate the lives of family members or special friends. Her creations are available through the Pink Daffodil Boutique’s Facebook page or in person at the Minster Market; shipping is available nationwide.


Pottery

Retired Coldwater art teacher Nick Wenning believes pottery should have both form and function. After he retired in 2011, he spent countless hours at the pottery wheel, honing his skill. The mugs, vases, plates, and bowls that he now crafts feature unusual colors, custom glazes, and detailed hand-texturing. While certainly functional, they are works of art — suitable for display but also strong enough for daily use. Creating wheel-thrown pottery and stoneware is a time-consuming process, as he strives to make each piece unique in its own right. Completing one mug, for example, takes about three hours spread over the course of a month. While you can find and purchase his work at art shows throughout the area, his creations are sold locally at Pennyjane Art Co. in Coldwater.

 

Food & drink

Libations

Do you have a wine lover on your gift list? Perhaps a case of award-winners from Stoney Ridge Winery in Bryan fills the bill. Manager Abby Towne and her husband, winemaker Ryan Towne, are members of North Western Electric Cooperative. They draw in happy customers with 15 varieties of estate wine made from grapes grown on the 15-acre property, and also serve Slap Happy hard cider and craft beer. Wine can be ordered by the glass or by the bottle on-site, but the Townes also ship products throughout the state. Stoney Ridge is open year-round, offering live music and food service on Fridays and Saturdays.


Coffee and chocolates

Winans Coffee & Chocolates has 20 locations across the state, and each has a variety of gift ideas to suit about any taste. The business began in 1961 with regionally famous handcrafted chocolates, then expanded to house-roasted coffee in 1993, and now describes itself as “a coffee shop with a chocolate heart.” While Highlander Grogg is the bestselling brew, Winans rolls out holiday favorites like Peppermint Bark, Chestnuts Roasting Blend, Shortbread Cookie, and Holiday Morning Blend each November. Three new limited candy editions — milk chocolate lovers, dark chocolate lovers, and milk chocolate and dark chocolate sea salt — have debuted in response to customer demand, adding to the numerous signature chocolates available by the piece or by the box. A coffee subscription is a gift that keeps giving, as the recipient receives two 12-ounce bags of coffee and a chocolate treat every month.


Canned meat

It may not be the first gift idea that pops into your mind, but Werling and Sons, a fourth-generation Darke County business, combines quality meat products with a healthy side of convenience for those busy carnivores on your list. Choose from beef, pork, turkey, and chicken, along with hamburger, pork sausage, barbecued pork, beef or chicken taco meat, goetta, and even bacon — or get a mix-and-match variety pack of 14.5- or 28-ounce cans. All are fully cooked, meaning it’s just a matter of heating and eating at mealtime (the company website also offers a few recipes for the more adventuresome). 


(and something for the pets)

Nicole Ellis, owner of Healthy Hounds Bakery in Fairborn, lets you pamper your pup with everything from tiny training treats to custom doggie birthday cakes. All are free from preservatives, fillers, or chemicals, and also steer clear of chicken and wheat, which can be allergens for many pups. Instead, their all-natural recipes use oat flour and bone broth — both prepared in-house. Along with the various biscuits and chews, Healthy Hounds also offers a selection of pet accessories. Note: The inventory, as you might assume from the name, is mostly geared toward dogs, but the business offers a few treats for feline friends as well.

 

Unique

Statuary

When Tom and Regina Wilson opened Wilson’s Country Creations 41 years ago, their concrete geese were the most in-demand items they had. Now, as customers seek statuary for their homes or gardens, that popularity is soaring once again. But Wilson’s, served by Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, is more than just dressable geese; the business offers more than 1,500 unique statuary selections that range from a 2-pound cat to a 340-pound Bigfoot — all of them poured on-premises at the Killbuck plant. Shoppers can drop in to browse the selection, but are advised to call first to ensure a staffer is around to help; staff may also be able to direct you to a retailer nearer to you (because of the statues’ weight, shipping is not available). 


Wood products

Russell Wilson looks at a piece of wood and sees all the things it could become. Wilson, a member of Pioneer Electric Cooperative, has more than 15 years’ experience building custom furniture, and evolved that into Wilson’s Woodworks, where he says he makes “what people can’t find in stores” — from custom frames and cutting boards to sturdy benches and storage units. Unique game tables are a passion and his specialty. He also takes custom orders for those who want certain designs to fit specific size or style requirements.


Ice sculpture

Sometimes, a special gift-giving occasion calls for something really outside the box, and Sunbury-based Rock On Ice is ready to put its craftsmen to work on making that happen. The company, served by Consolidated Cooperative, has production facilities in Columbus and Cincinnati, and specializes in custom ice sculptures. It takes three days to create a solid block of ice and eight hours to turn it into a work of art. Some designs stand on their own merits, while others include photos, company logos, or team symbols. Many customers request clear ice, while others specify favorite colors to complement the design. The company also offers unique food art, pumpkin and watermelon sculptures, and sand sculpting. Craftspeople draw crowds of onlookers when they work on location at various events.

Tags
Christmas
shopping
holiday guide
holidays