The Ultimate Dayton, Ohio Holiday Gift Guide: Local and Thoughtful Finds
Looking for meaningful holiday gifts while supporting local Dayton businesses? I’ve got your back! If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I love to shop small and support local, so of course I had to put together a curated guide featuring some of my favorites in Dayton, Ohio! Think dining, wellness, self-care, and a few luxuries, all in one place!
For the Foodie in Your Life 🍽️
Local Restaurant Experience Bundle
Transform gift-giving into memory-making with my personal favorite idea, the “Love Where You Live” restaurant pack. This thoughtful gift includes five gift cards to local Dayton eateries, perfect for the food enthusiast who loves exploring new flavors. It’s more than just a gift—it’s an invitation to discover Dayton’s dynamic culinary scene while supporting our local economy!
My restaurants of choice?! So happy you asked!
This is a tough one, but if I was gifting someone that lived in the Centerville, Ohio area, I’d choose:
- Manna Uptown
- Old Scratch Pizza
- The Brunch Pub
- Cooper’s Hawk Winery
- Boston Stoker
- Bonus: add one for Bills Donuts for a sweet treat!
Have fun with this & explore my Community Favorites page on my website to find new places to try in different areas!
Premium Kitchen Essentials
Have a friend that just got a new home? Know a hostess that LOVES an excuse to gather? High quality kitchen essentials are practical yet elevated, plus a great gift that will have them thinking of you every time they use them!
Some of my favorite essentials are:
- Cutco Knives: Invest in quality that lasts a lifetime. Whether starting with a basic block set or selecting specialty pieces like their renowned cheese knife, these American-made knives are perfect for the serious home chef. Plus, the pearled handles are an elegant touch to add a little luxury in the kitchen!
Caraway Cookware: Ideal for health-conscious cooks and new homeowners, these non-toxic, ceramic-coated pans combine style with safety. Grab just a couple of items, or go big and snag a complete set to gift your loved one everything they need for a well-equipped kitchen!
- Engraved barware: Add a special touch with engraving and pair with a bottle of wine or bourbon! OpenHaus Gifts & Engraving in Centerville can do just about anything and is one of my favorite places to get creative with gifts.
Culinary Experiences
An experience + quality time together = the ultimate gift!
Check out these local gems that offer culinary experiences that you can gift your favorite couple, your bestie, or even your mom this holiday season for time together + memories that last!
Ele Cake Co: Intimate wine tasting sessions in a charming setting (plus…cake!)
Manna Uptown: Curated wine tastings that pair perfectly with their exceptional menu.
Dorothy Lane Market: Offers a variety of cooking classes you can choose from!
Clem & Thyme Nutrition: Invest in individual cooking instruction, group classes, or host an event in their gorgeous, renovated farmhouse to celebrate health & happiness
Wellness & Fitness Enthusiasts 🧘🏽♀️
Local Fitness Memberships
The fitness options in the Dayton area are truly unmatched! There is so much to choose from, and so many specialty studios to cater to your fitness needs. Support Dayton’s thriving fitness community with class passes to places like:
Mindful Movement Pilates: Perfect for those seeking strength and flexibility
Ignite Yoga: Offering various yoga styles for all skill levels plus additional services like massage, breathwork, energetic healing and seasonal workshops for in depth learning.
Spenga: From weights to TRX, cycling, yoga, and Pi-Yo, this space offers it all!
Rinse Cycle Dayton: The coolest atmosphere and truly unique indoor cycling experience.
Club Pilates: With three different Dayton area locations to choose from, you can’t go wrong here!
Speakeasy Yoga: Various heated and non-heated yoga styles plus barre, guided meditation, and System (a combination of yoga, barre, and high-intensity movement).
Bonus: With all of the incredible bike paths and Metroparks in our area, I’m sure there is someone on your gift list that could use some new cycle gear!
Creekside Cycle offers premium accessories for the bike lover in your life, from essential gear to stylish cycling wear. Located right next to the Beavercreek bike path, they make it easy for shoppers to hop on a bike and test it IRL right away!
Holistic Wellness Experiences
There is always someone on your gift list that could use a relaxing and rejuvenating wellness experience. Some of my favorite wellness centers with the best pampering packages include:
- Elevate Cryo & Wellness:
- Gift a full-body wellness package including:
- Red light therapy
- Cryotherapy sessions
- Recovery treatments
- Gift a full-body wellness package including:
- Centerville Salt Room:
- The perfect relaxation gift featuring:
- Halotherapy sessions
- Therapeutic massage options
- Wellness packages
- The perfect relaxation gift featuring:
- Exhale Esthetics in Centerville:
- A full service facial & manicure facility where you can go to:
- Get a Dazzle Dry manicure (non-toxic, yes please!)
- Hydrofacial
- Dermaplaning
- Hair Removal Sugaring (a safer alternative to wax!)
- A full service facial & manicure facility where you can go to:
- Wellness Flow:
- Give the gift of health with an IV drip! Opt for a vitamin boost for the wellness junkie in your life or recovery protocol for the fitness enthusiast on your list. They also make customized drip cocktails so you can get a tailored infusion! How cool.
Beauty & Skincare
Local, natural skincare products. Her body butters are to-die-for and I highly recommend snagging one for your bestie to treat her right this holiday season. Ok and grab one for you too because we advocate for self love around here!
- Rowe Casa:
- This one isn’t local, but they have a huge variety of toxin free products ranging from personal care, hair care, body products, and even household cleaners to put together a basket that shows you care for someone you love. You can find these products in boutiques around town!
- Non-Toxic Nails
- For the mani/pedi lover on your list! Opt for a healthier treatment at salons like Nails on Brown, or Frenchies Modern Nail Care. Spa-like and non-toxic? Sign me up!
Home & Lifestyle Gifts 🏡
Local Finds that Add a Special Touch
- Sea Love Candle Studio:
- Handcrafted beeswax candles
- Candle-making workshops at their newly opened Liberty Township location (perfect for a unique gift experience!)
- Shoppe Smitten Boutique:
- Elegant barware
- Unique home accessories
- Curated gift collections
Offers unique home decor and accessories that are the perfect touch for any thoughtful gift basket or stocking stuffer this season.
Talk about charm and one-of-a-kind! This nonprofit boutique is a hidden gem and staffed by volunteers, with a passion for giving back to the community. Since its inception, they have donated over 2 million dollars to Dayton Children’s Hospital.
Service Certificates
Nothing says “I love you” like the gift of extra free-time and peace of mind. Consider grabbing a gift certificate from one of these awesome local service providers that go above and beyond to make your home feel like the relaxing haven it should be:
- PurpleBee Cleaning: Professional house cleaning services
- Crunchy Clean: Expert home cleaning & organization services
- Bonus: Kate’s Plate meal delivery service, why not have your house cleaned and healthy meals delivered on the same day?
At Home Wellness Accessories
Prefer to keep it simple? These accessories will make every day wellness feel a little more luxurious. I have tried and loved several of these items, so I know there’s someone on your list that will enjoy them too!
- Therapeutic acupressure mats
- Premium weighted blankets for better sleep
- Portable heating pad for travel, occasional discomfort or as part of an evening routine
- Stainless steel drinking straws (opt for gold for an aesthetic vibe!)
- Jade roller, eye patches, and a silk pillowcase
- Salt therapy accessories
- High quality essential oils
- Red light therapy wraps or masks
- Massage guns to relieve aches and pains
- Bonus: Air Doctor because clean air never goes out of style! These Air Doctor air purifiers are a larger investment that your loved one might not gift themselves, but they would absolutely appreciate one under the tree this year for a gift that keeps on giving!
Shopping Tips
Best Times to Visit
Many local shops offer extended holiday hours to help make sure all your gifting needs are met. Be sure to check social media for any adjusted hours, and special events or promotions that these local retailers and service providers might be offering!
Save yourself the hassle and shop early to avoid the rush or potential sell out of popular items!
Ask about Gift Wrapping Services
Several featured shops offer complimentary or low-cost gift wrapping. Call ahead to confirm availability during the holiday season, and utilize this service to save you time and support another small business at the same time! 🙌🏻
Which gift option do you like the most?
This holiday season, give gifts that truly matter while supporting our vibrant Dayton, Ohio business community. From culinary adventures to wellness experiences, each purchase helps strengthen our local economy and brings joy to your loved ones.
Happy Holidays, and Happy Shopping!
