There are shoppers who have their holiday gifts picked out, wrapped and ready to go in September... and then there are the rest of us. That's where this gift guide comes in—it's perfect for last-minute shoppers who want something local and thoughtful. Rushing around to find the perfect present? We might have just the thing. 

A Pollinator-Friendly Plant 

Our local vegetation—and the pollinators that rely on it—took a big hit from 2024’s hurricanes. Replacing damaged plant life with Florida native wildflowers, shrubs and bushes—like milkweed, goldenrod, ferns, sea grapes or beauty berry—is a show of optimism for our region’s resilience and recovery. The team at Florida Native Plants Nursery & Landscaping, which has been in business since 1982 and is run by mother-daughter duo Laurel and Annie Schiller and their dedicated team, will help you choose exactly the right one for your home. Prices vary by plant, 730 Myakka Road, Sarasota, (941) 322-1915, floridanativeplants.com

A Not-So-Basic Candle from Bia Candle Co.

Don’t underestimate the power of a great scented candle—especially one that’s hand-poured right here in Sarasota. Bia Antunes’ eponymous line of candles is made from soy wax, essential oils and lead-free wicks and packaged in brown glass jars that look great on any counter, shelf or mantel. There’s a range of scents for every taste, from “Velvet Goddess” (a sweet, creamy scent with notes of fruit, jasmine, rose, amber and cedar wood) to “Smokin’ Cowboy” (a complex, leathery, masculine scent) and “No Man’s Rose” (a fresh take on classic rose, with notes of greenery and moss). From $19. biacandleco.com

One-of-a-Kind Ceramics From Osa Otoe Pottery

Nigerian-American potter Osa Otoe works out of a solar-powered home studio in Sarasota, creating ceramics inspired by both African tradition and Florida’s natural landscape, including pitchers, teapots, cups, vases, ollas (irrigation tools) and more. They’re beautiful, but they’re functional, too. Otoe’s carved red clay tulu with aqua accents ($450)—her take on a traditional Nigerian water storage pot—would be just as at home in a display case as it would be holding water. From $40, potterbyosa.com

A ‘Tour de Coffee’ from Banyan Coffee Roasters

The best part of waking up? A hot pot of coffee waiting for you in the kitchen. Palmetto-based Banyan Coffee Roasters levels up your morning cup, with a variety of hand-selected beans roasted at the company’s Palmetto HQ. You can choose from an array of options, including light, medium and dark roasts; barrel-aged varieties; green and organic beans; and exclusive releases, like washed Arabica beans from Tanzania with a juicy, jammy flavor. Not sure what to get? Go for the Tour de Coffee, the Banyan’s team’s choice of three different types of coffee. From $13.50, 1110 10th Street West, Palmetto, banyancoffeecompany.com 

A Sweet Treat for a Good Cause from Sarasota Honey Company

Sarasota Honey Company not only cares for local bee colonies, harvests honey and holds educational classes for the community, it also employs people with special needs to help make its products. And if you think honey is boring, think again. Sarasota Honey Company’s infused varietals—which include coffee-infused honey made with Sarasota’s O & A coffee, hot honey made with spicy and smoked Spanish chilies, and cinnamon- and vanilla bean-infused honey—are perfect for a gourmand who also loves to support a good cause. Find Sarasota Honey Company products inside The Bazaar at Apricot & Lime or order online. $36, 821 Apricot Ave., Sarasota, sarasotahoney.com

Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate from Norman Love Confections

We all have a sweet tooth in our life—someone who never skips ordering dessert and will always choose cake over cheese. That person needs the Holiday Cheer Bundle from Norman Love Confections: a 50-piece box of chocolates that includes flavors like candy cane, eggnog and gingerbread; a full-sized milk chocolate bar;  peppermint candy cane bark;  milk chocolate-covered almonds and a chocolate peanut butter bar. $150, 8109 Cooper Creek Boulevard University Park, normanloveconfections.com 

A Handmade Basket That Can Hold Anything

Papaya Cottage owner Lisa Curt makes every single one of her rope baskets by hand in her Nokomis studio.  Made from USA-made cotton rope (or cotton rope with a synthetic core, depending on the design), Curt prioritizes aesthetics as well as durability. She often adds decorative elements like embroidered monograms, tassels and beading, and she'll also create custom designs. Use them for, well, anything, from storage vessels to planters and more. Shop online or find Curt's creations in person at local events and markets. Prices start at $25, papayacottage.com 

A Sneaky Tiki Mug from the Bahi Hut

Even after its recent-ish glow-up, the Bahi Hut remains known as a no-frills place where you'll meet a huge cross-section of our population and get served an incredibly strong drink. The oldest tiki bar in Florida—it opened in 1954—it's served generations of Sarasotans conversation, camaraderie and cocktails. (We all have a Bahi Hut story.) Get the Bahi Hut enthusiast—or tiki lover—in your life this hand-carved Sneaky Tiki mug, handmade in 2022 for the Bahi Hut's annual Tiki Fever festival. If you really want a memorable gift, grab the 2024 Tiki Fever mug, too, and make it a set. Cheers! Sneaky Tiki mug, $19 (on sale), 4675 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 355-5141, bahihut.com/shop  

The Softest Sweatshirt from True Blue Vibes

Due to a recent cold snap on the day of DreamLarge's annual PINC conference, one Sarasota Magazine writer may not have dressed appropriately and found herself in need of a sweatshirt to keep warm. T.Georgiano's to the rescue. The boutique, on First Street in downtown Sarasota, now offers owner Tatyana Sharoubim-Stewart's own line of clothing and accessories called True Blue Vibes. Embracing Sarasota's signature sun, surf and sand, each piece has a coastal aesthetic, with many featuring mermaids, alligators or flamingos. There are hats, mugs, T-shirts, tote bags, beach blankets and more to be had, but the Kismet cropped pullover sweatshirt is just as soft and comfortable as it is stylish. You'll reach for it again and again. $110, 1409-B First St., Sarasota, (941) 870-3727, tgeorgianos.com

A Great Bottle of Wine and a High-Tech Wine-Preservation Device

Wine can get a bad rap as a last-minute gift, but what's more festive than a thoughtfully chosen bottle of white, red, orange or bubbly? Head to any one of our wine stores, like Seagrape Wine Co. or Michael's Wine Cellar, and ask a sales associate to help you pick out a bottle—they'll be happy to guide you to one that fits your budget and your giftee's taste. Then wrap it up with a bow and, for extra credit, Coravin's Pivot wine preservation tool ($199.99), which both aerates your wine—improving its taste—and preserves it for up to a month. Champagne that doesn't go flat after sitting open in the fridge? It's a holiday miracle. Prices vary on bottles of wine. Coravin Pivot wine preservation system available at Total Wine, 8280 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 918-8075, totalwine.com 

A Toy That'll Guarantee a Smile

Legos, Tonieboxes, miniature planes, trains and automobiles, friendship bracelet-making kits, books, puzzles and more—there's something for any kid (or kid at heart) in your life at Toy Lab, which has been in business in its pocket-sized Main Street space for more than 25 years. Our pick: a cozy Jellycat plushie—in a variety of designs—that the kiddo in your life will cuddle for years. Sometimes analog is wonderful. Prices vary, Toy Lab, 1437 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 363-0064, toylabsarasota.com 

A Subscription to Sarasota Magazine

We publish the print edition of our magazine 10 times a year, and inside each issue you'll find the state- and national award-winning writing and photography that's made us a local mainstay for 46 years. You'll get restaurant reviews, news and profiles, home tours, trend reports, longform features, photo essays, highly reported deep dives into issues facing our community, and more. Right now, you can get two subscriptions for $35—one for you and one for the person who loves Sarasota as much as you do. Thanks for supporting local journalism. Click here to subscribe.