Whether you are already Christmas crazy or not yet in the spirit, there’s no denying that the holiday season is upon us. Trying to find a gift for everyone on your list can get really complicated. Don’t let the burden of shopping all over town detract from the holiday magic. Instead, follow our Downtown Gift Guide to add a little downtown flair to everyone’s holiday.
For the Antique Lover in Everyone-
Estates Revisited
M-F 10am-5pm
Sat. 9am-5pm
Estates Revisited's Annual Christmas Shop is back and it’s got a little something for everyone! The shop’s entire lower level has been flipped into a Santa’s Village of sorts, filled with Christmas decorations collected over the years. You’ll be able to find a little bit of everything here, and whether you’re looking to treat yourself or your crazy Uncle Sal, you won’t want to miss this sale!
For the Fancy Friend-
Ploughcroft Tea Room
T-Sat. 11am-4pm
October 1 to January 1 moves at lightning speed, so it can be tough fitting everyone in for a coffee break or lunch date. This year you won’t need to feel guilty about waiting until January to meet with all those friends of yours. Instead of stressing over one more commitment this season, plan to keep the holiday cheer alive in January. Just pick up a gift certificate and set a date to visit the Ploughcroft Tea Room with a friend this January. They’ll appreciate the chance to see you, and we know they’ll really appreciate catching up with you over scones during a slower time of year!
For When You Only Have 3 Hours to Buy All the Presents-
Lynchburg Community Market
Sat. 7am-3pm
December 7: Photos with Santa and horse-drawn carriage rides
December 14: Photos with Santa and horse-drawn carriage rides
December 21: Last Chance Market
Whether you’re too busy to spend hours each week perusing shelf after shelf of gifts, or you simply don’t enjoy shopping, the Mistletoe Market will quickly put your worries to rest. The Lynchburg Community Market is hosting the annual Mistletoe Market, taking place every Saturday from November 30 until Christmas. The event will feature dozens of local businesses, live music, food vendors, and the chance to find a Christmas gift for everyone. Quick shopping trip for you, great Christmas gift for them- it’s a win-win here.
For the Friend Who Already Has Everything-
Bluffwalk Bricks
We all have that friend who already has everything you could possibly think to give them- until now. This season you can buy your tricky friend a Bluffwalk Brick! Write a touching (or humorous) message to your friend and let them make a lasting impact on our city. By purchasing your friend a brick for Christmas you’re also supporting our mission at DLA by providing us with a chance to enhance our historic downtown, and your friend will finally have a gift they won’t want to regift. You can purchase bricks here.
For the Kiddos-
Amazement Square
We want our kids to be entertained and educated, so why not let them do both at the same time? This Christmas consider purchasing your child a membership to Amzament Square, an interactive museum for children. The museum is high acclaimed and a local favorite. You can find all the information you need to purchase a membership here.
*Bonus idea.* You can also bring your child to meet Santa. There are multiple events to choose from including Breakfast with Santa at the Virginian Hotel, The Glass House, and Children’s Holiday Festival. Have a delicious meal and let your child make new memories with Saint Nick.
For the Friend Who Actually Enjoys Working Out-
Rise Up Climbing
M-Sat 11am-10pm
Sun. 1pm-7pm
For the thrill-seekers and health enthusiasts in our life, let’s give them something that’ll excite them for months to come: a membership to Rise Up! Rise Up is a local rock climbing and bouldering center, and they even offer yoga classes several times a week. You can prepay for 1-3 month memberships, and with the adult climbing league starting up this January, it’s the perfect time to sign your friends up.
For the Friend With Hometown Pride-
Live Trendy or Die
M-F 10:30AM–6:30PM
Sat. 10AM–5:30PM
We all know about Live Trendy or Die, one of our favorite downtown boutiques, but did you know that all of their jewelry is locally crafted? All of their items are locally crafted and designed, meaning that every item for sale has a strong connection to our city, and especially our downtown. We recommend grabbing your hometown proud friend the new “Lynchburg is my happy place” pillow!
BONUS - stop into their sister store, Gilded, when you are done to pick up the perfect card and gift wrap (photo at top).
For the Only Friend We Let Play DJ-
Speakertree
Sun.-Sat. 8am-7pm
We all know the friend who has incredible taste in music, or the one who knows every word to every one of the Beatle’s songs. Treat them to a special gift this year- a record (or cassette) from Speakertree! With a wide selection, you’re sure to find an album they love, but if you’d rather leave the choice to your friend, you can give them a gift card and let them experience the shop for themselves. This way they can enjoy the comfortable lounge seating and in-house coffee shop, Blackline Coffee.
For the Ladies-
The Hip Tulip
M-F 9:30am-6pm
Sat 9:30am-4pm
Let’s face it- every lady loves a surprise bouquet of flowers, and even more so when the stunning blooms come from a local shop! This holiday you can treat any special woman in your life to a few blooms from The Hip Tulip, a floral shop that opened in Lynchburg this year. Stop by today and put together a few bouquets for the women in your life.
For the Men-
Pap’s Cigar Co.
M-Sat. 9am – 10pm
Sun. 1pm-10pm
Now that we’re taking care of the leading ladies in our life, let’s not forget about the fellas! This season repay the men in your life with a truly special gift- a set of luxury cigars. Pap’s Cigar Co. is the premier cigar lounge in Lynchburg and has the finest selection around. Stop in today to grab the guys something to make them feel swanky.
For the Friend Who Would Rather be Outdoors-
Taletellers
M-F 9am-5pm
Sat. 8am-5pm
Whether your dad is looking for fly fishing supplies, or your little brother wants a new hobby, Taletellers is your one-stop-shop! They specialize in selling gear, but they also lead free and low-cost events that explain how to do fly ties and start fly fishing. You can find a full calendar of events on their website, and stop by to see all their supplies from beginner to advanced.
For Your Boho Co-Worker-
Oxide Pottery
Tues-Sat 10am-6pm
With styles ranging from elegant to macabre to boho, Oxide Pottery has all the variety you could ever need! Grab that artsy vase for your aunt, the garden patterned plates for your mom, and anything with a unique design for your coworker. Or if you really want to make this gift count, place a custom order with Oxide Pottery for a one-of-a-kind piece. Make this a Christmas your family and friends will never forget!
For the Friend to All-
Holi-gay Makers Fair
December 7, 9am-3pm
Central Virginia Diversity Center (at Riverviews)
We’re proud to announce the 2nd Annual Holi-gay Makers Fair is coming to Downtown Lynchburg! Located at the Central Virginia Diversity Center, this market will include items such as zines, pins, paintings, drawing, comics, stickers, music, crotcheted clothing pieces and so much more. Live Trendy or Die will also be selling their LGBTQ+ affirming cards at the market.
One thing we’re really looking forward to is Madalyn Sullivan’s live poetry, where she writes a poem specifically for you on the spot. “I've written poems for parents' children that live far away, love poems between partners, and so forth. I even met my ex-girlfriend through writing a poem for her, so you never know what might happen,” said Sullivan.
Join us for this free event to support our talented LGBTQ+ community!
Well, there you have it! Instead of spending your time on questionable Christmas gifts, whacky online size charts, and big box stores, shop downtown this season and take a few pointers from our gift guide. You’ll be sure to find a few new treasures along the way too. So grab another cup of hot cocoa, take a stroll down the Bluffwalk, and get ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
