Boston’s Best Indie Gift Shops

Tired of the same old ho-hum big box store shopping this holiday season? Feel like cyber-shopping is equally boring and bothersome? Never fear. The Boston metro area includes a wide variety of locally-owned and operated shops, each featuring gifts you could never find anywhere else.

Today, I’m going to be your guide to some of your best bets.

best gift shops bostonMagpie – Indie-made jewelry, candles, art, stationary, housewares, baby products and more. Look for the Ex Libris journals made out of old, recycled books, too. This shop is a Somerville staple that you’re not going to want to miss.

Mint Julep

This Harvard Square boutique is the perfect place to find designer clothing and accessories. You’ll find classic clothing cuts in fine fabrics, as well as a wide variety of practical and pretty denim dresses. Mint Julep is also a great spot to pick up a pair of Citizens of Humanity jeans.best gift shops boston

 

Black Ink

Black Ink has two locations: one in Boston, and one in Cambridge. Check out their “Museum of Useful Things” collection, which focuses on well-designed, functional and whimsical products. If you’re shopping for someone who needs home products, then make sure you shop here.


Shake the Tree

Slate cheese boards. Hand-poured candles. Clothes, bakeware, cookbooks and baby products. This is an intimate little shop filled with plenty of awesome things to love. The entire inventory is meant to evoke small gatherings with friends, making it the perfect place to find something for your bestie.

Salmagundi

If you’ve got a hat lover in your life, then Salmagundi is the only place to shop. This store does hats and nothing but. You’ll find a huge array of colors and sophisticated styles from every era. You’ll find one in Jamaica Plain and one in Boston’s North End.

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Olives and Grace

This Best of Boston pick is the place to go for food based gifts like honey, tapenade, and goat milk caramel. You’ll also find jewelry, bar items, and more. The staff will help you put together a custom git box that’s guaranteed to please anyone on your list.

Willey Boston

This award-winning boutique is located in South End. They offer home décor items and curated home furniture. Ask the staff about anything in the location and they’ll be able to tell you all about it.

In truth, if you love small shops you won’t be disappointed no matter where you look. There are so many small clothing and specialty stores in Boston that it would probably take weeks to explore them all.

Are you looking specifically for toy stores? Why not check out my past blog post, “The 9 Best Independent Toy Stores around Brookline, MA?”

Ruth Malkin Brookline Real Estate Expert

 

 

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