Think Big Shop Small

Downtown Winter Haven Holiday Shopping Guide

by James Coulter

Christmas is right around the corner, so the sooner you get your holiday shopping done, the better. Unfortunately, labor shortages and supply chain delays are expected to complicate deliveries this year, which means the gifts you order online or through big-box department stores might not arrive on time for Christmas morning.

Fortunately, there's one solution to bypassing these supply chain delays during these uncertain times: shopping local. By doing your holiday shopping through local retailers, not only will you be able to receive your gift immediately after your purchase, but your money will also go towards local business owners and employees.

Downtown Winter Haven has plenty of great shops, boutiques, and specialty stores that offer a little something for everyone this holiday season. Here's a holiday shopping guide to potential gift ideas and stocking stuffers and where to find and buy them downtown:

For The Fashionista: Local Boutiques

You don't have to break the bank to buy top designer brands for your significant other. Many trendy dresses and designer outfits can be affordably purchased from local boutiques. 417 Boutique by Cate offers the latest trends for women, with plenty of earrings, necklaces, and other accessories to complement their outfits. Top Buttons offers designer top thrift selections from brands such as the Rodeo Collection--not to mention proceeds to this faith-based non-profit go to supporting at-risk girls through charities like the PACE Center For Girls and Heartland for Girls. (You can even sponsor an at-risk girl as a gift!)

For Hunters, Fishers, & Campers: Andy Thornal Company

Whether they hunt, fish, camp, or hike, anyone who loves the great outdoors will love a gift from Andy Thornal. Benchmade Knives are perfect for hunting and fileting, and they're made in America. Bull Bay fishing rods make for great gifts for your favorite fisherman, especially since these rods won the 2021 ICAST Award for Best Seawater Rod— not to mention they're manufactured right here in the county in Lakeland. And for the outdoorswoman, jewelry from Uno de 50 and Roberto Coin will keep her looking stylish even in the vast wilderness. Click For More Information

For Cyclists: The Bike Shop

Whether you have a cycle enthusiast who pedals to work every day or takes long bike rides on the weekends, they will certainly appreciate a gift from The Bike Shop. Of course, bikes and trikes make for great gifts on their own, especially for little ones. However, for shoppers on a budget, accessories such as lights, mirrors, and seats make for great holiday presents. Small tool kits are convenient stocking stuffers, as you'll never know when a brake needs tightening, or a tire needs mending. Click Here For More Information

For Mommy & Baby: Bellies-2-Babies

Whether she's new or expecting, every mother anticipates baby's first Christmas. Bellies-2-Babies has everything for both mother and child to make their first Christmas together memorable. For baby, a cozy swaddling blanket or pair of Christmas pajamas will keep them warm during these cold winter nights. And for mommy, a personalized ornament helps memorialize her newborn's first Christmas. Of course, a new diaper bag and accessories always prove to be a practical present. Click Here For More Information

For The Cooks: The Treasured Olive

Check out our full business feature on this store to learn more about its diverse selection of traditional and specialty olive oils and Balsamic vinegar. Needless to say, any chef, either professional or amateur, will appreciate cooking with any of the store's diverse selection of oils and vinegar, which can satisfy anyone's tastes, be they herby, spicy, or fruity. The store also offers custom gift baskets that can be shipped anywhere in the world. Click Here For More Information

For Sweet Tooths: Confections

Everyone craves sugar and spice during the season of sugarplum fairies. And candy always makes for a great stocking stuffer. Confections offers diverse selections from craft candy companies across the country and from other countries like the UK and Japan. Their most popular gifts are British tins of assorted chocolates, including Cadbury Roses, Cadbury Heroes, and Nestle Quality, as well as Peppermint Chocolates from Madagascar. They also prepare custom gift baskets with candy and vintage memorabilia, making them the perfect presents for sweet tooths and geeks alike.

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For CBD Enthusiasts: Home Remedy Winter Haven

If you know someone who suffers from stress, insomnia, arthritis, or any other ache or pain, you can give them the gift for what ails them this holiday season; a little something from Home Remedy Winter Haven. Whether it's a lotion or salve for their aching hands and feet, or gummy candy, cookie, or other edible to help calm their nerves, any sample-sized product makes for an excellent stocking stuffer or gift basket filler to allow them to give CBD a try. The store is also the only one that operates an apothecary, with a diverse selection of dried teas and herbs that draws in customers from across the county. Click Here For More Information

For The Musician: Carlton Music

Do you have a musician on your Christmas list? Carlton Music sells a full line of musical equipment. Their inventory includes guitars, amps, band and orchestral instruments, pro audio gear, lighting, keyboards, percussion, music books, and more. Carlton Music also offers affordable monthly school instrument rentals, as well as overnight and weekend rentals. If you need music lessons, Carlton Music has you covered with several teachers in all musical genres. With two locations in Winter Haven and Lakeland, Carlton Music will certainly have what you are looking for.

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For Hometown Spirit: The Shop

Do you know someone who was proud to be born and raised in Winter Haven? Then they would certainly love some memorabilia about the hometown they love. There's no better shop to shop for Winter Haven merch than—well, The Shop. From pillows, towels, tumblers, and picture frames, whether it sports a vintage Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team logo or a map of the Winter Haven area, their Winter Haven mementos make for great holiday gifts. Also, check out their lotions, soaps, and salves from Rafa, manufactured in Lake Wales. Click Here For More Information