Every December Christmas rolls around and you want to show your friends how much they mean to you, but let’s be honest, shopping for the perfect gift can be stressful! So I’ve compiled some of my favorite places to shop and unique experience ideas to help you find the perfect present this holiday season.
SHOP LOCAL
I love, love, love shopping local, and love gifting quality locally-made artisan goods, home decor, fashion, jewelry, art, speciality foods, and more! They’re perfect for sharing Nashville’s culture with friends and family, especially for those out-of-town.
Nashville is a mixing pot of artists, musicians, fashionistas, and general creatives so you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list!
Travel Illustrations + Custom Home, Building or Venue Illustration by Studioist
(Gotta put the plug out for the ole illustration [shop][1] on my site) If you’re looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift or momento, check out my shop.
Here’s my quick spiel—Life is very much a journey and the inspiration for my bespoke hand-drawn and painted illustrations. Buildings are more than brick and mortar. They’re sanctuaries, often housing our fondest memories. My hope is these illustrations will serve as a mindful reminder of adventures past, present, and future…bringing joy whenever they’re seen.
Each illustration is an artistic interpretation of the building, like a caricature, meant to capture the charm of each building, not an exact replica. Each is hand-drawn and painted to order, and therefore variations in the watercolors and lines will occur.
At this time—with Christmas less than 2 weeks away—I am not currently accepting custom orders with delivery in time for Christmas, but there are still a few days left for Nashville icons to be purchased. :)
Alternatively, purchase a custom illustration now with delivery just after the holidays.
Music City Marketplace
Website | @musiccitymarketplace | Address: 150 4th Avenue North, Suite G-250, Nashville, TN 37219 (corner of Fourth Avenue North & Commerce)
Batch Nashville
Website | @batchnashville | Address: Nashville Farmer’s Market - 900 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208
Serendipity
Website | @serendipity12south | Address: 2301 12th Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37204
Welcome Home
Website | @welcomehomeshop | Address: 1882 Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
Southernaire Market
Website | @southernairemarket | Address: The Pinnacle at Symphony Place - 150 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
Made in TN
Website | @shopmadeintn | Address: The Factory in Franklin - 230 Franklin Rd Suite 11x, Franklin, Tennessee 37067
Hey Rooster General Store
Website | @heyrooster | Address: 1711 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
White’s Mercantile
Website | @whitesmercantile | Address: 2908 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
EXPERIENCES
Minimalism is the black, haven’t you heard?
Over the years we’ve found that we have just about everything we need. We’re adults. If there is something we need we go and get it. Now thoughtful, meaningful gifts are different, but just giving a gift for the sake of having something to wrap…there are better ways people!
In out family, unless we find a physical something meaningful and unique, we’ve shifting to gifting EXPERIENCES!
A chance to spend time with those who mean the most to you. Make a memory with your friends this Christmas by treating them to something special—an activity y'all can do together.
Below you’ll find some experience ideas here around Nashville, though I’m sure some similar options are available wherever you are.
At this point (T-12 days till Christmas Eve), classes may be booked up but there’s always the opportunity to book now and take later, giving you and your friends something to look forward too after the hectic-ness of the holidays subside.
Option 1: Get Crafty
If it’s DIY, sign me up! DIY classes are a great way for everyone to try something new and classes enough flexibility for everyone to create something unique. Also many are set up for beginner experience levels so everyone will have a great time, no matter how crafty they are.
Discover your inner artist! Give painting wood signs a-go with hands-on custom home decor, framed signs, and art workshops, meet up at a BYOB and snack studio to be guided through a painting for you to take home at the end of class, paint your own pottery, or hand-pour candles yourself.
The best part is that everyone’s will be unique in it’s own way. Make the items for yourself or exchange them with each other for added fun!
Check individual workshop calendars for classes and availability.
AR Workshop
Website | @arworkshopnashville | Address: 2022A Lindell Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
Craft Love
Website | @craftlovetn | Address: 5104 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209
Board & Brush
Website | @boardandbrushnashville | Address: 337 Cleveland Street, Nashville, TN 37207
Dabble Studio
Website | @dabblestudiotn | Address: 330 Harrison Street, Nashville, TN 37219
Painting with a Twist
Website | @pwatnashville | Address: 4009 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
Paint Night
Website | @paintnight | Rotating locations
The Candle Bar
Website | @thecandlebar.co | Address: Berry Hill - 2934 Sidco Dr. #14O, Nashville, TN 37204 + East Nashville - 901 Woodland Street (alley side), Nashville, TN 37206
Brushfire Pottery Studio
Website | @brushfirepotterystudio | Address: 4004 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215
Third Coast Clay
Website | @thirdcoastclay | Address: The Factory at Franklin - 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
The Clay Lady’s Campus - Not just painting, learn a skill, spin your own pottery. The studio holds 23 wheels!
Website | Address: 1416 Lebanon Pike # C, Nashville, TN 37210
Option 2: Get Cooking!
What’s the best part of the holidays? I’m voting for gathering around the table with your loved ones enjoying a delicious meal.
Blanket statement even though I know it’s true—everyone loves to eat! I’ve never met someone who doesn’t. So gather your friends and sign up for a cooking class. Classes range from mastering techniques like knife skills to beginner basics and to ethnic specialities to holiday specific classes (like holiday cookies for Christmas dinner).
Many studios also offer classes geared towards couples, families, and even kids so there’s something for everyone, no matter your experience level.
Take the class then impress guests with chef-worthy meals year-round!
Sur La Table
Website | @surlatable | Address: 211 Franklin Rd #155, Brentwood, TN 37027
Brentwood/Nashville Schedule
Whole Food’s Salud Cooking School
@wholefoods | Address: 4021 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN
Green Hills Schedule
Dabble Studio
Website | @dabblestudiotn | Address: 330 Harrison Street Nashville, TN
The Kitchen Nashville
Website | @thekitchennashville | Address: 6035 TN-100, Nashville, TN 37205
Option 3: Relax
With the stress of the holiday season even mounting during the final countdown, it’s time to TREAT YO SELF (and your besties) to a day, or afternoon, at the spa! Mani/pedis, massages, facials, blowouts…the choice is yours!
Urban Oasis Day Spa
Website | @urbanoasisnash | Address: 3202 Belmont Blvd. Suite E, Nashville TN 37212
The Woodhouse Day Spa
Website | @woodhousedayspanashville | Address: 2001 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203
Float Nashville
Website | @floatnashville | Address: 2701 Greystone Road, Suite B, Nashville, TN 37204
Arete - iv rejuvenation services
Website | @aretenashville | Address: 139 12th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Option 4: Be A Tourist In Your Own City
NashTrash Tours - Comedy tour show on wheels!
Website | @nashtrashtours | Address: Nashville Farmers’ Market - 900 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville TN 37208
Walk Eat Nashville - Walking food tour highlighting some of the best chess and dishes in the city!
Website | @walkeatnashville | Meeting location varies with tour selected
Wine Tasting or Brewery Tour
Enjoy some fine wine, craft beer, or spirits with your friends by visiting Arrington Vineyards, The Winery at Belle Meade Plantation, Diskin Cidery, Black Abbey Brewing Company, City Winery, Corsair Distillery, etc…or taking a short drive south to visit the Jack Daniels’ Distillery or the George Dickel Distillery!
Night at the Theatre
Get dolled up, grab a nice dinner, and head to The Schermerhorn Symphony Center or Tennessee Performing Arts Center for some culture!
Attend A Concert/Show
Check the calendars at Bridgestone Arena, Ascend Amphitheater, Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry, Marathon Music Works and countless venues around town to catch your favorite performers live!
Option 5: Girls Day Out (Or In)
Host a holiday baking exchange, brunch or movie night and spend it chilling with friends and enjoying some delicious treats!
