Whether you know a Cleveland fan or just want to bring the spirit of Cleveland home for yourself, this list is filled with Cleveland-made and Cleveland-inspired gift ideas.
AND, this list can also help you support some locally-owned Cleveland small businesses. So it’s a win for everyone!
Read on to find the perfect gift for the Cleveland-lover in your life.
The Perfect Cleveland Gifts
Cleveland gifts for your home and life
From apparel to accessories to home goods, here are some of our favorite Cleveland lifestyle gifts this year.
1. Cleveland Traveler mug
Did you know that we have our very own merch shop here on Cleveland Traveler? We totally do! We teamed up with an awesome illustrator to come up with a brand new and totally unique Cleveland skyline design, which you can now buy on posters, mugs, and tote bags.
These make the perfect gifts, either for a Cleveland-lover in your life, or just as a gift for yourself. (Our multi-color mugs even come in orange now, perfect for any Browns fan!)
COUPON CODE: Also, save 10% on all orders this holiday season by using coupon code CLEXMAS10!
Where to buy: Check out the shop here
2. CLE Clothing Co. apparel
If you’ve ever ventured to East 4th Street in downtown Cleveland, then you’ve probably seen CLE Clothing Co.‘s flagship store. This popular, local store features apparel with Cleveland’s sports teams and iconic sights (like the West Side Market), and even fun gifts like drinkware and art prints.
Clevelanders love to sport their hometown pride, and buying a shirt or fun souvenir from Cleveland Clothing is a must. Snag a Cleveland-themed gift from this store online and bring a dash of Cleveland to your work-from-home wardrobe!
Where to buy: In person at any of their shops, or online at CLE Clothing Co.
Other local shops we love that sell cool Cleveland apparel include GV Art + Design, Cleveland Vibes, and Emily Roggenburk.
3. Oceanne jewelry
Oceanne is a local Cleveland shop making beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces that you can mix and match for years to come. We especially love their gold earrings and necklaces with modern designs.
They are also known for their iconic “Cleveland Babe” shirts, so you can rep your love of Cleveland, and Oceanne, throughout the year!
This is also a female, Black-owned business in Cleveland.
Where to buy: Order online for delivery, or local pick-up, or shop at their store in Gordon Square
4. Fount bags and accessories
Now may be the perfect time to #treatyoself or a loved one to a luxury item; why not grab some leather goods from Fount?
Find your new favorite handbag from this fashionable company, which designs and produces most of its leather goods right here in Cleveland. (Amanda’s favorite is their Bellfield Crossbody bag.)
Where to buy: In person at their storefront in Gordon Square, or online at Fount
5. Banyan Tree gifts
This popular Cleveland shop offers many trendy fashion items, as well as home goods like the adorable “Someone in Cleveland Loves You” mug and Cleveland map beer mugs and wine glasses.
Banyan Tree is great whether you want to stock up your wardrobe for the winter or send a Cleveland gift to someone.
Where to buy: In person at their shop in Tremont, or on Banyan Tree’s online shop
6. Plum City Designs
For more Cleveland pride apparel and gifts, look no further than Plum City Designs. Shop local and show off Cleveland with tote bags, blankets, t-shirts, and more.
They also have beautifully designed cards to send to a loved one to share that Cleveland joy!
Where to buy: Find their Cleveland goods online here
7. Kiri Chic sandals
Summer sandals might not be top-of-mind at the moment, but the bright-patterned sandals and mules from Kiri Chic would still make an excellent gift this year.
This female, Black-owned business takes its inspiration from Africa, using lots of vibrant and colorful patterns. “Kiri” comes from the Nigerian Igbo word “Nkiri,” which means “Something to behold.”
Amanda loves her Lily Red Ireti sandals – they’re cute AND very comfy!
Where to buy: Online here
8. Cleveland photo prints
Terminal Tower at Christmas. The Guardians of Traffic on Hope Memorial Bridge. The Cleveland skyline in winter. Or even Progressive Field pre-Indians name change.
Amanda has photo prints for sale of all these things, plus much more.
Where to buy: You can order online here
Cleveland-made food
Because yes, you can absolutely gift food for the holidays! (Or just buy a bunch of it to enjoy at home as you binge Hallmark Christmas movies…) Below you’ll find some great Cleveland-made food options.
1. Malley’s Chocolate
A local favorite, Malley’s Chocolate is one of the best places to pick up unique sweet treats for the chocoholics on your list.
Malley’s best chocolate is definitely their Nutmallow, a tasty combination of walnuts, marshmallow, and chocolate! Other notable items include their buckeyes, pretzel crunch bar, and chocolate fudge. All can be ordered online for home delivery.
Where to buy: Malley’s website
2. Old Brooklyn Cheese Co.
For the foodies and home chefs, adding Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. to your list of Cleveland gifts is a phenomenal idea. This spot bills itself as Cleveland’s only cheese shop, serving up seasonal raw-milk cheeses made right here in Ohio.
Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. also sells delicious gourmet mustard that has earned a reputation as being “Cleveland caviar.” The flavorful “Pepped Up” is made with beer-infused whole mustard seeds, and won a Good Food Award in 2020.
You can buy cheese and mustard at either of their shops (one in Old Brooklyn and one at the Van Aken District), but they also offer delicious cheese platters.
Where to buy: Order online or by phone for pick-up or delivery; order local cheese boards (like the one pictured) online through Mercato
3. Sweet Brie Co. charcuterie board
Another great option for the holidays is one of the endlessly Instagrammable charcuterie boards from Sweet Brie Co. Handcrafted by two sisters in Cleveland, these boards are both beautiful AND delicious.
They offer their signature meat + cheese boards in a variety of sizes, from a picnic box for 2 all the way up to a party platter. Their boards and packaging are all eco-friendly, and they’ll deliver straight to your house in the Cleveland area!
(They’re also now offering bagel boards, too!)
Where to buy: Order online – and definitely do it in advance!
3. Bakery favorites
If I listed all the local favorites individually, this list would be incredibly long! So we’ll just say that there are lots of amazing bakeries in the Cleveland area, many of which offer special gift-able items around the holidays.
Some to check out include:
- Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes – With storefronts in both Avon Lake and Rocky River, Kelsey Elizabeth is known for her beautifully detailed sweets. You can always order cakes and other goodies year-round, but they also offer special menus around the holidays.
- Daisy Cake Pops – This Kent-based business creates *the* cutest cake pops, and of course they have options for every holiday!
- The Macaron Tea Room – Looking for beautiful and tasty macarons? I love the Macaron Tea Room in Broadview Heights. I purchased their Mother’s Day boxes earlier this year, and will likely order more boxes as gifts for the holidays. You could also gift someone afternoon tea here!
- Itty Bitty Bakeshop – This home bakery produces some seriously adorable cookies. Keep an eye out for their holiday options soon!
4. Great Lakes Brewing Company beer
GLBC is one of our favorite breweries in Cleveland. Great Lakes is also the oldest and largest brewery in Cleveland when it comes to distribution to other states.
If you are in need of a pick-me-up, many popular beers for sale include Dortmunder Gold Lager, Eliot Ness Amber Lager, Holy Moses White Ale, Burning River Pale Ale, and, around the holidays, you can even snag a Great Lakes Christmas Ale for a real treat!
Live close to Great Lakes? You can also stop in right now for carry-out beer (and food), or even get it delivered to your house!
Where to buy: Use Great Lakes’ Beer Finder online to find GLBC beer in stores, or order online here
RELATED: The 12 Best Christmas Ales and Holiday Beers in Cleveland
5. Campbell’s Sweets Factory popcorn
Who doesn’t love sweet treats? This is a Cleveland staple, with one shop even located in the famous West Side Market. But even if you can’t get to Cleveland right now, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the best food it has to offer!
The best thing from Campbell’s Sweets Factory has to be the popcorn. Indulge in flavors like nacho jalapeno, fruity corn, and dichotomy corn, a mixture of cheese and caramel corn that hits the spot!
You can build your own popcorn tin online and peruse some of their other merchandise like cupcakes, chocolate, and gift baskets.
Where to buy: You can shop in person, or just order online (currently with free delivery)
6. Phoenix Coffee Company
Coffee addicts, rejoice! Cleveland has some pretty incredible coffee shops (see our full list here), but one of the best local chains is Phoenix Coffee Company.
They always have a great mix of blended coffees and single origins, and you can get it delivered to your home! If you can’t currently visit Phoenix Coffee Company at one of their Cleveland locations, grab a bag of coffee online (and maybe pick up an Aeropress) to create your own Cleveland-inspired cup of Joe at home.
Where to buy: Online at Phoenix’s shop
RELATED: Get Your Caffeine Fix at 15 of the Best Coffee Shops in Cleveland
7. Perla Pierogies
Pierogies and Cleveland go hand in hand. If you happen to live in the greater Cleveland area, then you’re in luck! You can snag these perfectly delicious Perla Pierogies from Whole Foods in the area, as well as at other Cleveland shops like K&K Meats and Taste of Europe.
Hosting a holiday dinner this year? Just pan fry them up with a bit of olive oil, pair with a sauce, and it’ll feel [almost] like you’re enjoying pierogi night at Jukebox!
Where to buy: In-store at several local spots; use this page to find the location nearest you.
8. Bertman Original
With baseball season in the rearview mirror, hot dogs might not be top-of-mind at the moment. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find other uses for some Bertman Original Ballpark Mustard!
Only the greatest mustard you will ever use, this made-in-Ohio condiment is a staple at every single Indians game. If you want to bring some Cleveland flavor home to you, then grab a bottle of this mustard online! They also have a specialty Dortmunder Beer mustard as a collaboration with Great Lakes Brewing Company, as well as a tangy horseradish sauce.
Where to buy: Online at Bertman’s site (for cases); on Amazon for single bottles
Cleveland experiences
From museums to restaurants to fun activities, here are some ideas for Cleveland-based experiences you can gift this year.
1. Walking tour of Cleveland
If you have a giftee who loves history as much as we do, then why not gift them a walking tour this year with Tours of Cleveland?
Led by a local, these downtown walking tours cover the history of the city, and take you to great photo spots including Public Square, the Fountain of Eternal Life, Playhouse Square, and more!
This year, they will also be offering a Downtown Christmas Walking Tour from November 29-Decemer 27.
Where to buy: Purchase gift vouchers online here
2. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame gifts
Cleveland rocks, and who wouldn’t want to receive tickets to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the holidays? You can purchase tickets online, and you can even gift museum membership!
You can also find gifts for the music-lover in your life online at the Rock Hall shop. With everything from rock-themed clothing to CDs, records, and posters from your favorite artists, get your jam sesh on with a virtual visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Gift Shop!
Where to buy: Online at the Rock Hall shop
3. Cleveland Candle Co.
We’re obsessed with this make-your-own candle company with over 150 different scents that you can choose from! Whether you want to gift someone a gift card for an in-store candle-making experience, or just purchase an already-made candle, there’s an option from Cleveland Candle Co.
And, for those who love a relaxing bath, this company offers incredibly fragrant bath bombs, too.
Where to buy: Check out their Cleveland Collection here
4. Gift a membership
No matter who is on your Christmas gift list this year, chances are there’s some sort of membership or subscription out there that would be perfect for them.
In Cleveland, some of my favorites include:
- Cleveland Museum of Art membership – The CMA is one of the best museums in Cleveland, and is always free to visit. A membership, though, also includes free admission to ticketed exhibitions and MIX events, plus discounts on things like parking and cafe and museum shop purchases.
- Cafilia subscription – Have a coffee lover in your life? Consider signing them up for Cafilia, a new concept in Cleveland that gets you a reusable coffee mug (yay, eco-friendly gifts!), and a certain number of coffee drinks to enjoy every month at participating coffee shops. This is a great way to support local!
5. Rent out a bookstore
Visible Voice Books in Tremont launched a really cool thing while they were closed to the public during the pandemic where you could rent out the bookstore for private shopping. These “Create-Your-Own Nights” at the bookstore were so popular that Visible Voice is still offering them.
A Create-Your-Own night at the bookstore gets you and up to 12 people 100 minutes of private browsing time, a large pizza, and a bottle of wine. Book Tuesday-Saturday evenings for $75.
There’s also a Brunch & Browse option available Saturday and Sunday mornings. With this option, you get 100 minutes to yourself in the bookstore, a pastry platter from Leavened, plus coffee and mimosas. This one costs $25 per person.
6. Gift cards to use later
If you can’t decide on a Cleveland-inspired gift, why not help out a couple different Cleveland businesses during this time with a gift card purchase?
Most restaurants and local shops have gift cards for purchase online!
You can also gift some unique experiences in the Cleveland area for later, such as:
- Gift card to Play: CLE – Buy a gift card to this indoor adventure park, which has ropes courses, climbing walls, ninja courses, and more. Buy here.
- Gift card to TopGolf – It’s as if a driving range and a game of darts had a baby. Add in bars and food and an open-air (but heated) venue, and you’ve got a great outing in Independence. Buy gift cards here.
- Cleveland Orchestra gift card – Have a music-lover in your life? Then you can always gift them a gift certificate that they can use for a future Cleveland Orchestra performance. Buy gift certificates here.
Cleveland gift boxes
Want lots of Cleveland all in one place? Here are some great gift options.
1. Build your own Cleveland in a Box
If you want to bring the gift of Cleveland home to you or to a friend, why not build your own Cleveland In a Box?
With many options including Bertman Original mustard, Campbell’s Sweets popcorn, Cleveland Bagel everything mix, and many other types of Cleveland memorabilia, you can combine the best of Cleveland together in one box.
This is a great way to support many local businesses at the same time by building a box to share with those at home, or to send to friends around the world!
They even do “advent calendars” every year for the holidays, though the boxes are already sold out for 2020.
Where to buy: Build your box online here; shipping is free to US addresses, and to military overseas
2. Give Gifted
Another great Cleveland gift box option is to order something from Give Gifted. You can order a pre-made box featuring Cleveland-inspired gifts, or you can customize one based on who you’re buying for.
These gift boxes are super cute and unique, and would make an excellent gift for any Cleveland-lover.
Where to buy: Order online here
Which of these Cleveland gifts would you love to find under your tree this year on Christmas morning?
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Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of the state. Now, she wants to share her love of Cleveland with the world, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.