This holiday season, protect your peace by remembering the number one gift-giving tip: Buying holiday gifts should be as fun as receiving them. Enter the CityBeat 2024 Gift Guide. We’ve broken down a unique local shopping list into sections for all the personalities on your list. From foodies, creatives and stoners to sports fans, thrill-seekers and internet-dwellers, we hope to make the holidays merry and bright with these gifts you can find in Greater Cincinnati.

Photo: Yan Krukau, Pexels
Sip, Bite and Stroll at Findlay Market 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine At more than 150 years old, Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continually operated public market. Go for the farmers market, butcher shops, flower stalls, OTR Biergarten and eclectic eats. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
For the Foodie Cooking Class at Tablespoon Cooking Co. 1731 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Tablespoon Cooking Co. offers interactive and flavorful cooking classes for all skill levels. So, whether your recipient is a budding chef or a cook with a plan, this welcoming community makes an excellent gift for any food-loving giftee. With classes focused on making tacos and margaritas, as well as curry and roti, you can find a class that pleases every palate. Photo: facebook.com/TablespoonCookingCo
For the Foodie Tickets for the Cincinnati Dinner Train All aboard for a dinner and a show on the Cincinnati Dinner Train! For those on your list who love food and the Queen City, this exciting ride is for them. The dinner train operates from March through December and takes reservations on its website. The menu includes appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts, along with drinks, of course. The train takes guests on a 25-mile round trip, passing sites such as Bond Hill, Lunken Airport, Riverside Drive, Theodore Berry Friendship Park and more. Photo: facebook.com/CincinnatiDinnerTrain
For the Foodie Food-Inspired Candles from Hoste Shoppe 737 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills Foodies will love the asparagus taper candles from Hoste Shoppe in Walnut Hills made of beeswax. Not a fan of asparagus? There are a bunch of other food-related candles, like croissants, an heirloom tomato, avocado and even a farfalle pasta-shaped candle. They’re the perfect addition to any kitchen or dining room. Photo: instagram.com/hosteshoppe
For the Foodie Marble and Acacia Wood Serving Tray from Lucca 126 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine (Findlay Market) Got someone on your list who loves to entertain? This marble and acacia wood serving tray from Lucca is an excellent choice. Whether used as the base for a delicious charcuterie board or a means to serve crackers and dip, this engraved serving tray comes in 18 different patterns that are all finished with beeswax so they’re food-safe. They can even double as a stylish jewelry holder. Photo: facebook.com/luccaworkshop
Eye masks at Launch Party $5-$24 | 114 E 13th St., Over-the-Rhine For beauty-obsessed friends and family, indie beauty store Launch Party is a one-stop shop stocked with makeup, skincare, fragrances and more. One product that caught our attention is their eye masks, which have become a must-have beauty item as of late, providing moisturizing and de-puffing benefits to the delicate undereye area. Launch Party sells individual and multi-packs, with options that target brightening, like the Bright Eye Collagen Eye Masks, to more soothing and hydrating choices, like the Wake Up Charcoal + Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Eye Mask. Photo: Launch Party, Google
For the Chronically Online Baked Goods from Sebastian Bakehouse 10269 Summit Parkway, Blue Ash For those who are food and social media-obsessed, a gift card to Sebastian Bakehouse is the ideal present. Their selection includes delectable sweet and savory croissants that look as good as they taste. While their brick-and-mortar location at Summit Park is still under construction, they’re hosting pop-ups, which are announced on their Facebook page. Photo: facebook.com/SebastianBakehouse
For the Chronically Online A Book by a Local New York Times Best-Selling Author from Downbound Books 4139 Apple St., Northside For rom-com-loving friends and family, fellow Cincinnatian Emily Henry’s latest New York Times bestseller, Funny Story, makes an excellent gift. The story follows Daphne as she searches for love after ending her engagement because her fiance realizes he’s in love with his childhood best friend (yikes). This book is a superb read for someone who loves lighthearted stories with twists and turns. Photo: Fair Use
For the Chronically Online Matcha Tea from Churchill’s Fine Teas 3438 Edwards Road, Hyde Park | 122 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine (Findlay Market) Matcha tea is having a moment on the internet. If you’ve got a matcha-obsessed friend on your list, one of Churchill Teas’ matcha blends is sure to be a welcome surprise. From the rich Japanese and Kenyan blend of Izu Green Matcha to a spicy and sweet spiced chai matcha, these loose-leaf teas are always a delight and come highly recommended by tea lovers all over the city. They also have a traditional matcha bamboo whisk to make matcha lattes at home like a pro. Photo: Ryutaro, Pexels
For the Chronically Online Decorated Glassware from Handzy Shop + Studio 421 W. 6th St., Covington Cute home and kitchen decor is another winning gift idea, and this etched bow glass is no exception. Whether used for an iced latte, a fizzy cocktail or a refreshing glass of water, this adorable drinking glass will delight anyone who receives it. Plus, there are more designs, including one with colorful smiley faces and another with a floral cowboy theme. Photo: instagram.com/handzyshopstudio
For the Stoner The O-H Chocolate Bar from Story Cannabis 3950 Edwards Road, Oakley Chocolate is almost always a much-appreciated gift, and this Ohio-themed bar enhanced with 100% pure cannabis oil is a winning choice. Each bar is crafted with a milk and dark chocolate blend featuring toffee pieces. And for those who appreciate a little buzz, it’s made with 100mg of THC broken down into 10 mg pieces. Photo: storycannabis.com
For the Stoner CBD Bath Bomb from the Ohio CBD Guy 2817 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills Treat someone on your list to the ultimate self-care essential: CBD bath bombs from the Ohio CBD Guy. Made with CBD and essential oils, these bath bombs are available in scents to uplift, invigorate, comfort and refresh, and are made with 300 mg of full-spectrum CBD. Even better, they’re made without artificial dyes or preservatives, so they won’t stain your bathtub. Photo: Elizaveta Dushechkina, Pexels
For the Stoner Relax Gummies from Cincinnati Hemp Company 101 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine Give the gift of relaxation with Astria Farm’s Creative Chill Delta 9 Gummies from Cincinnati Hemp Company. Each chewy and fruity gummy is made with 10 mg of 100% hemp-derived DELTA 9. These gummies are available in a variety of flavors, including mixed packs, orange, watermelon and blue razz. Photo: Facebook.com/CincinnatiHempCompany
For the Stoner Thrive – MycoMatrix Mushroom Blend from Kentucky Botanical Co. 406 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky. | 266 Main St., Suite A, Florence, Ky. Kentucky Botanical Co. always tops our Best of Cincinnati lists as one of the voters’ favorite CBD and green stores. Their Thrive MycoMatrix Mushroom Blend is an excellent gift for those who are always looking for the latest and greatest in wellness. Made with a mix of lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi, chaga, shiitake, turkey tail and maitake, these gummies promote focus and cognitive function, stress relief and boost overall immune wellness. Photo: kybotanicalco.com
Make Your Own Candle at The Candle Lab 1325 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine; 7454 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township Candles are one of the top things people think of when it comes to “hygge,” a Danish and Norwegian word that becomes popular in the winter because of its evocations of being cozy and making the most of cold weather. To hygge up your space a bit, you can visit The Candle Lab, which offers pour-your-own candle-making where you can create a custom candle and scent from over 100 fragrance oil options. You can choose from a variety of sizes, many of which are under $25, or create custom-scented aromatic mists, reed diffusers or wax tarts instead. Photo: facebook.com/thecandlelabcincy
Photo: Paige Deglow
An underground lagering tunnel Photo: Hailey Bollinger
For the Thrill-Seeker Walking Cincinnati Book Thrill-seekers will enjoy months of inspiration and adventures with the Walking Cincinnati: 35 Walking Tours Exploring Historic Neighborhoods, Stunning Riverfront Quarters, and Hidden Treasures in the Queen City. This book includes 35 self-guided tours with a mix of short and long routes. It also provides details about each area’s history and tips on where to eat, drink and shop. Photo: Fair Use
For the Thrill-Seeker Climbing Fun at Climb Time 4460 Orkney Ave., Oakley | 10898 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash Give the gift of reaching new heights with a gift card to Climb Time in Oakley or Blue Ash. These rock climbing gyms are open to beginners, intermediate and advanced climbers and offer rental climbing shoes and harnesses. The Blue Ash location is a 7,000-square-foot space specializing in bouldering, while the Oakley facility features a full-service, 50-foot-tall climbing facility. Photo: facebook.com/climbtimeoakley
For the Thrill-Seeker Book a Haunted Tour with Cincinnati Ghost Tours Ghost stories, hauntings and more. For anyone on your list with a fondness for the supernatural, the gift of a Cincinnati Ghost Tour will be a sheer delight. Tours are held all year round and start at 8 p.m. for an even spookier feel. It starts at Memorial Hall and takes participants around some of the most haunted places in Cincinnati. Photo: Karolina Grabowska, Pexels
For the Sports Fan Engraved Wood Bengals Coasters from Grainwell 33 W. Pike St., Covington Spread Who Dey spirit with these engraved Bengals coasters from Grainwell. Each coaster has a cork backing to protect table surfaces and is finished with a water-resistant poly finish to help prevent wear-and-tear. These coasters can be purchased individually or in packs of two or four. Photo: grainwell.com
For the Sports Fan Cincinnati Recreation Center Golf Gift Card Give those who enjoy the warmer months something to look forward to with a Cincinnati Recreation Center (CRC) golf gift card. These gift cards can be redeemed at any CRC golf facility and are good for green and cart fees and balls at the driving range. Note: They are physical cards, so you may need to order online ahead of time to ensure they arrive on time. Photo: Soheb Zaidi, Unsplash
For the Sports Fan FC Cincinnati T-shirt from Cincy Shirts 2709 Observatory Ave., Hyde Park Cincinnati is home to many rivalries, but one team most Queen City residents can agree on is FC Cincinnati, which makes FC Cincinnati a safe bet for Cincinnati sports fanatics on your list. Featuring FC Cincinnati’s shield logo on soft, screen-printed cotton fabric, this t-shirt is the perfect way for fans to show their pride. Photo: Justin Sheldon
The Cincinnati Cyclones (or the Cincinnati Hippos for one night only) battle the Indianapolis Fuel at Heritage Bank Center on March 4, 2023. Photo: Aidan Mahoney
For the Sports Fan All Over Ohio Socks from Originalitees Do you have someone on your list who is passionate about Ohio sports? Then they need a pair of these Originalitees All Over Ohio socks. With color combos like white and black, red and gray, and blue and orange, these socks are ready to show off anyone’s Buckeye pride no matter what sport they’re watching. Photo: originalitees.com
For the Artsy Person Ornament from Rookwood Pottery 1920 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Give the art lovers on your list a piece of history with an ornament from Rookwood Pottery. These tiny delights are elegantly crafted with no detail overlooked. These will look great hung on a tree or used to decorate a wreath to spread good tidings. Choose from cheerful designs, like the Queen City Pig, a happy elephant, a frolicking Fiona the Hippo or a beautiful blue jay. Photo: rookwood.com
For the Artsy Person Charley Harper Print The gift of one of Charley Harper’s colorful and geometric prints will surely be a winner for those obsessed with the Queen City and art. This A Day in Eden Park poster is an excellent choice that features Harper’s well-known red cardinal, but there are also a handful of other options to cater to the recipient’s preferences, like prints of national parks. Photo: Provided by Brett Harper
A Happening with Pablo at the Cincinnati Art Museum 6-11p.m. June 23 Be one of the first to experience the brand new exhibit Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds. Take in this exciting new piece while enjoying an immersive experience that includes music from the Bluewater Kings Band, cocktails and rare menu items, both inside and outside in the Alice Bimel Courtyard. Proceeds will go to youth and family programs and thousands of free public programs both in the museum and the Greater Cincinnati area. 6-11p.m. June 23. 953 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills. cincinnatiartmuseum.org. Photo: facebook.com/cincinnatiartmuseum
For the Artsy Person Tickets to a Show Cincinnati is home to a thriving arts scene, so why not give the gift of a show to a friend or family member? With options including a revolving list of traveling Broadway shows to stunning performances by the Cincinnati Ballet, you’re sure to find a show to mesmerize everyone on your list. Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Ballet
For the Artsy Person Creative Classes at Silk Road Textiles 6106 Hamilton Ave., College Hill For creative kids and adults, a class at Silk Road Textiles will be a welcome surprise to help them fine-tune a skill or learn something new. With classes like Get to Know Your Sewing Machine, Learn to Crochet, Introduction to Embroidery and more, the artists on your list will enjoy this hands-on experience that will spark inspiration and joy. Photo: Cottonbro Studio, Pexels

Kelsey Graham is a freelance writer who often writes for CityBeat’s dining and arts & culture beats. She’s a proud Cincinnati transplant and a two-time graduate of the University of Cincinnati. In...