A Columbus-area holiday shopping guide

The holiday shopping season is in full frenzy once again and shopping locally offers a chance to support our area's economy while crossing items off somebody's wish list.

Why it matters: This year's holiday season is one of the most important ever for Columbus' small business community according to Betsy Pandora, executive director of the Short North Alliance.

• The district boasts the city's densest concentration of local businesses — nearly 300 — and many are still reeling from the pandemic.
• "These are our friends and neighbors," Pandora tells Axios. "They make Columbus an incredible place people love to visit and love to live in. Without them, it would be a drastically different community."

State of play: After cutting back last year, shoppers are in a spending mood, Axios' Joann Mueller writes. The problem is there may be fewer products to buy due to supply chain logjams.

Yes, but: Area vendors are stocked with Ohio-sourced products and can meet shoppers' needs, Ashley Vukovic, spokesperson for Experience Columbus, tells Axios. She refers shoppers to the destination marketing group's gift guide.

• The Short North has organized a holiday shopping trail with e-gift card rewards.

Our favorite central Ohio shops and the gifts they offer:

• For a bookworm: You can't go wrong with The Book Loft in German Village.
• Tyler enjoys giving away gift cards to encourage friends and families from out of town to get lost in the 32-room shop.
• For a sports fan: The Window Guy & Co. offers officially licensed Ohio State home decor and other Ohio-themed items, including coasters featuring iconic landmarks.
• They get bonus points from us BGSU grads for having Falcons merch in Buckeye Country!
• Locations: Polaris Fashion Place and the Mall at Tuttle Crossing.
• For a coffee-holic: Grounds from Stauf's Coffee Roasters are the gift that keep on giving — a nice jolt of caffeine — every morning. Festive flavors include Winter Wonderland, Holiday Grog, Gingerbread and Peppermint Cream.
• Grandview Heights and German Village.
• For a fashionista: Create one-of-a-kind jewelry with Red Giraffe Designs. Alissa bought her mom a bracelet and herself an Ohio charm necklace last year.
• Short North, Grandview Heights, Easton Town Center.
• For an experience: Pouring custom candles at Penn & Beech Candle Co. (formerly The Candle Lab) creates a fun memory and a gift to go.
• Short North, Grandview Heights and Worthington.
• For a sweet-toothed beer-drinker: Wolf's Ridge Brewing is offering bundles of seasonal beers and freshly baked cookies.
• Downtown.

Your suggestions:

• Bake Me Happy: Gluten-free baked goods for family and friends with dietary restrictions.
• Merion Village.
• Supporter Supply Co.: Locally designed gear for fans of "the yellow soccer team."
• Online store.
• Glenn Avenue Soap Company: Natural soap and skin care products.
• Grandview Heights and Easton Town Center.
• Tabletop Game Cafe: Board games, shirts and gift cards available — or bring your family and friends for a game night.
• Clintonville.
• Helen Winnemore's: A historic gift shop offering "useable, wearable art" that touts itself as the longest-running business of its kind in the U.S.
• German Village.

📬 What area businesses are your favorite? Email [email protected] and help us grow this local shopping guide.