The Best Places to Shop Small for Holiday Gifts in Los Angeles

The holidays are arguably the best time of year in Los Angeles—the summer crowds have shrunk, and the city’s residents have a larger share of everything from the waves to the mountains. To make the most of the season, we suggest visiting local shops filled with treasures for your loved ones (and, if we’re being honest, yourself).

We’ve gathered 16 of the best places to shop small for holiday gifts that suit a wide range of budgets, styles, and interests. Los Angeles may not be known as a winter destination—but as you peruse these shops in relative peace, that might not be such a bad thing.

Shout and About

When Tamara Houghten opened Shout and About in 2015, she envisioned what she refers to as an "urban oasis." "I wanted a store that features a curated assortment of beautifully designed goods made by small businesses and local makers," she says.

The bright and colorful store is just that—and it’s filled to the brim with everything from jewelry to toys, home goods, stationery, and candles. "When someone is able to visit a small business, they can take the time to browse unique items," she says. "That always makes for great gifts." If shoppers need to narrow down their options, Houghten has some ideas. "You can never go wrong with a Compartes chocolate bar, a Roen candle, a pair of Alice Rise earrings, or hand-painted stationery from Moglea," she notes. 

Potted 

Owners and best friends Mary Gray and Annette Goliti Gutierrez were working in the film industry when they decided to leave their careers behind and open Potted, a Los Feliz store that’s centered on outdoor living. "We opened our doors in January 2005, and neither of us had ever worked in a store before," Gutierrez says.

Potted’s tagline is "indoor style for outdoor living," and the shop offers furniture, houseplants, drought-tolerant greenery, and pottery made by local artisans. "We also have tabletop items, textiles like rugs and mats, and some of our own designs," she adds. Gray and Gutierrez also donate to local schools and host outdoor movies.

"Handmade pottery is one of our favorite gifts," Gutierrez says. "June Wong Birdhouses are a huge hit, as are Dustin Gimbel planters, Renee Norman dreamcatchers, and Prescott McCarthy desert landscapes. But don’t just visit our store online, we have way more inventory in store." 

Gum Tree

In 2008, Lori and Will Ford launched Gum Tree in a home that was built a little over a century earlier—and its period charm still remains. The cafe and shop balances Aussie and Southern California style and sensibilities (and there’s also a second location in Manhattan Beach). "Come to us for beautiful gifts, home decor, jewelry, kids goods—and great coffee," Lori says.

Both stores are located steps away from the ocean, and their interiors feel like a breezy vacation. Lori and Will also support their community by sponsoring a little league team and donating to local public schools. "We believe in the power of public education, and with South Bay public schools being some of the lowest funded in the state, we are happy to provide auction items, food donations, and sponsorships," she says. 

General Store 

Serena Mitnik-Miller and Hannah Henderson opened General Store in 2012 to showcase the creativity of makers based in and around Venice. "We wanted to bring thoughtful, functional design to our local community and abroad," Mitnik-Miller says. The shop features home goods, clothing, and wellness items from craftspeople with a beachy, comfortable aesthetic.

"We support our community by featuring local artisans and ceramists, as well as international women-owned companies," Henderson says. "We’ll have a pop-up with a small group of local ceramic artists in December, with all proceeds going to local women’s focused charities." As for gift ideas, the owners point to coffee mugs with reusable filters, Canyon Coffee beans, and cookbooks. "​​We love pairing them with handcrafted wooden utensils and printed tea towels," Mitnik-Miller adds.

Shorthand

It’s been five years since Rosanna Kvernmo opened Shorthand in Highland Park as a one-stop shop for desk necessities. "Everything is selected to be inspiring, both visually and functionally," she says. "We have a variety of sizes and styles for both notebooks and pens, including our own notebooks that we make in-house."

It’s no surprise that she recommends a journal and a pen as "a great gift," which can be finished off with wrapping paper and greeting cards found at the store. And for additional desk accessories, there’s art, candles, and stylish wastebaskets to choose from, too.

A + R Store

Andy Griffith and Rose Apodaca opened their namesake A + R Store nearly twenty years ago, and they recently opened a new space at ROW DTLA. "Our latest showroom is nearly 7,600 square feet, and it emphasizes furniture, lighting, and decor from nearly 90 modern design brands worldwide," Apodaca says.

Each year, proceeds from sales are donated to the L.A. Mission, which assists the unhoused population in the area. "We also work with our neighbor Free Arts, which provides a creative outlet to children who are unhoused or face other challenges," she says.

As for gift ideas, Apodaca likes the Monti-IRI Limited Edition Taste Set by Sempli, or the Pantop table lamp by Verpan. "We have the North American launch exclusive, and it comes in 11 colors," she says.

Arroyo Records

Native Southern Californian musician Daniel Clodfelter opened Arroyo Records in September 2020, in between lockdowns, to offer new and used vinyl across a range of genres. "I have been collecting records for over 20 years," he says. "I am obsessed with all kinds of music from all decades."

"It’s been a blast so far," Clodfelter says. "We want to make sure everyone finds something they’re excited about. There is so much great music to discover."

For gifting, he recommends classic records by Etta James and the Zombies—as well as newer offerings by Amyl and the Sniffers or Durand Jones. "The used records we carry change daily, but we are always stocked with amazing stuff at all price points—from a dollar to albums worth hundreds."

Midland

When Paige Appel and Kelly Harris opened Midland in Culver City (there’s also a location in Silver Lake), it immediately looked like the type of place where your always-put-together friend would go to restock. "Since we opened in 2017, we’ve specialized in quality gifts, elevated clothing, home goods, and curated lifestyle products," Appel says. "We also source from ethical and sustainable makers who are working their craft with intention and the environment in mind."

In addition to ceramic vases, wooden cutting boards, quilted jackets, and cookbooks, Appel and Harris also curate small collections of items from around the store based on specific interests, like bundles for the pantry, the senses, or the playroom.

Greenwood

Greenwood may be many things—part general store, part plant shop, part studio—but it somehow still feels grounded. "We moved to our current location in Studio City in March 2021, and we specialize in apothecary goods, home items, and greenery," says owner Jaime Curtis.

The shop offers a wide range of goods, including pillows, textiles, crystals, and baskets, and Curtis is happy to provide anyone who buys a plant with guidelines for helping it thrive. "Our Wolfum domino sets in various patterns would make a great gift, as would a peace sign mug by Hey Moon and a pound of Casa Bianca beans," she adds. 

Skylight Books

As one of the most respected independent bookstores in Los Angeles, Skylight Books in Los Feliz is as much a literary institution as it is an ideal place to pick up the latest page turner. "We sell new books with an emphasis on contemporary literature, regional interest, and cultural and political studies," says manager Steve Salardino. "Next to our main store we have the Arts Annex, which concentrates on books about art, photography, film, music, architecture, and graphic novels."

The bookstore recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, and in that time, it has also established itself as a cornerstone of the community. It hosts fundraisers and book drives for different local causes including schools, youth centers, and the children’s hospital. As for book recommendations, Salardino suggests shopping local. "Los Angeles Standards is the latest architecture book I think everyone in Los Angeles can enjoy," he says.

Poketo

Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung started Poketo in 2003, but it wasn’t until nine years later that they opened their first brick-and-mortar store—a sunlit outpost in the Arts District. "We now have two stores in Little Tokyo, and another downtown," Myung says.

Poketo’s brightly colored offerings range from mugs and bags to t-shirts and games, and the shop routinely shares proceeds with the community through donations, gifts, and supporting like-minded campaigns. "We always have, and always will give back," Myung says.

The store is particularly popular for its stationery and housewares, which Myung recommends. "Our project planners, and especially our best-selling spectrum wall planner, would make great gifts," she says. "Our tabletop items would too, like our bamboo plate sets or our double-wall glass cups." 

Huset

Huset may have been based in Venice since 2011, but owner Holly Hallberg would like visitors to feel as if they’re miles away. "Our store specializes in modern Scandinavian home, fashion, and kids’ goods," she says. "If you were in a Scandinavian city and wandered into a design store, you would most likely see the same products that we offer."

As a hub for hygge design, Huset specializes in minimal yet eye-catching pieces, and Hallberg recommends shopping the selection from Studio Arhoj or Ferm Living for holiday gifts. "There’s nothing touristy or traditional about these items," she says. "They’re trendy and modern." 

Mohawk General Store

Bo and Kevin Carney have overseen Mohawk General Store in Echo Park for more than a decade, and in that time, it has become a go-to resource for anyone seeking statement-making pieces on the eastside. "We have three shops total now: men’s, women’s, and home goods and furniture," Carney says. "With our profits, we regularly donate to organizations like the L.A. Food Bank and the ACLU."

There are a lot of things to choose from, but Carney thinks two items in particular would make great gifts. "The men’s batoner knit cardigan is cozy and hand-knitted in Japan, and the vintage McIntosh Altec stereo would put a smile on anyone’s face," he says.

Sunroom

When Lucy Jolis opened the women’s clothing and jewelry store Sunroom in Malibu in 2017, she knew she’d have to be distinctive. "We’re on board with conscious consumerism, as are our customers," she says. "We know the only way they’re going home with something is if it genuinely stops them in their tracks."

Jolis also solely works with designers who produce responsibly and give back to their communities—and she follows suit by donating to grassroots organizations and schools in the area.

For holiday gifting, she recommends jewelry from Objet-a. "Precious and semiprecious stone beads, a gold chain, and a bezel-set gem or two make up the asymmetrical magic" she says. "Likewise, CVC Stones’ offerings are as extraordinarily stunning as they are simple. They’re made with diamonds set in straight-from-the-earth stones, so each necklace is completely unique."

Prism

Helmed by Dana Mance, Prism offers home goods, clothing, and accessories from a range of local and international creators. "Since 2013, I’ve had a vision to seek out undiscovered makers, work with designers I love, and stand behind brands I believe in," she says. "This includes supporting other women in business, which is crucial to our mission."

The company has grown to nearly a dozen employees, and it feels like a place where the community can come to connect, exhale, and well, shop. "We work closely with a women’s shelter here in Long Beach, and we get brands to participate in ‘take care’ sets. For our customers, I think a large desert planter and a Lorem "Wanderer" wall hanging shows you care, too."   

Wine and Eggs

After launching the Wine and Rock Shop in Yucca Valley, California—one of the first natural wine shops in the famed area near Joshua Tree National Park—Monica Navarro collaborated with Adi Goodrich of Sing-Sing Studio to open Wine and Eggs this year.

The shop is well stocked to provide Atwater Village with everything it needs for a cozy party. "We sell natural wine, fresh flowers, provisions, pantry staples, and specialty goods," she says. "And we’re always thinking of ways to give back to our community—most recently we ran a food drive for the L.A. Mission."

For holiday gifting, Navarro recommends the store’s recently launched wine subscription. "It’s called Over Easy," she says. "We also have a great selection of cookbooks, which pair perfectly with any pantry item." 

Related Reading:

13 Places to Shop Small for Holiday Gifts in the Bay Area

The Best Places to Shop Small for Holiday Gifts in New York City

Dwell’s Holiday Gift Guides Are Perfect for Everyone on Your Nice List