Consider our 2025 gift guide your newest cozy holiday read. | Graphic by 6AM City
Happy holidays, Columbia. We’ve spent hours curating our collection of 2025’s best holiday gifts. Read on for 90+ gift ideas, including local finds.
Gifts for your significant other
Local pick: Nana by Sally Dotty Bag | $225 | You can never go wrong with a beautifully crafted, handmade leather bag. Throw it over your shoulder or use the handle for a quick grab-n-go for any occasion.
Shiatsu foot massager | $79.99 | Nothing says “I love you” like a foot massage — give your hands a break and gift one complete with heat, vibration, and rolling compression.
Full-zip flannel jacket | $36.99 | Flannel, cotton, and fleece combine in this ultra-soft, stylish hoodie.
Gifts for parents
Snack organizer | $36.95 | Kids will love this snack spinner’s push button and slidable compartments — and parents will love how it makes snack time portable and stress-free.
Car backseat organizer | $25.99 | Gift parents peaceful car rides thanks to a two-pack of car organizers complete with a clear tablet holder and multiple compartments.
Local pick: Kyle Smith Pottery Pistachio Double Dish | $46 | This cleverly designed ceramic bowl keeps your pistachios in the center and the shells neatly around the edge.
Gifts for retirees
Local pick: A portrait from Barbara Welles | $130+ | Commemorate your favorite family pet with a hand-sketched portrait or painting.
Garden kneeler and stool | $30.90 | Gardening’s more fun without the knee and back pain — we love this all-in-one stool that functions as both a bench and seat + organizes garden tools.
Smart birdfeeder with camera | $129.99 | Birders can watch special visitors up close with this durable and weatherproof birdfeeder.
Presented by Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community
Find balance and support through these resources. | Photo provided by Still Hopes
November is National Family Caregiving Month, and Columbia offers an incredible network of support for those caring for loved ones.
Here’s where to start:
Still Hopes Adult Day & Memory Care Programs: Enjoy peace of mind knowing your loved one is engaged, supported, and cared for in a warm environment. Flexible day and overnight respite options are available at affordable rates.
Leeza’s Care Connection: Tap into free resources, workshops, and support groups designed to uplift and empower caregivers.
The National Council on Aging: Connect with a dedicated staff member who can point you in the right direction with personalized follow-up resources.
Because caregiving takes a village — and Still Hopes is here to be part of yours.
Are you heading to Chick-fil-A this weekend? You’re not alone. The restaurant is the top-rated fast food chain in South Carolina. Just don’t forget to show our local chicken spots some love, too — we recommend Bernie’s. (Brilliantmaps.com)
Mansion Monday
Just minutes from downtown Columbia, this 6,000-sqft brick estate sits on a half-acre corner lot on Gervais Street. Features include a Gunite pool, full cookhouse, library, and oversized 3-car garage.
Drink
Corona. That’s the most popular big beer brand in South Carolina, according to a Google Trends study conducted by Wine Enthusiast. If that’s not your preferred drink, you can always find more ways to fill your glass in Columbia by exploring our local breweries.
Outdoors
Looking for a spot to soak up the sun (or laze in the shade)? This tool allows users to find cafes in the sun or in the shade at different times of day — simply type in an address and look around. We think it’s the perfect supplement to our outdoor dining guide.
Fun Fact
62.5 mg. That’s how much caffeine is in an ounce of espresso — nearly four times the amount in an ounce of brewed coffee. If this data has you buzzing for your next jolt of energy, find your caffeine fix at one of Columbia’s coffee shops. (Visual Capitalist)
State
It looks like South Carolinians believe in the power of collard greens. That’s the most popular superfood in the state, based on Google search data compiled by Eachnight. If you want to buy some, or see what other goodies are growing in SC, head to a local farmers market.
Jobs
Whether you’re a small business looking to grow your team or a large company filling a key role, our Job Board can connect you with engaged, qualified locals who are ready to work. Post your open roles for free + watch the applications roll in.
Try This
Step into the vibrant world of Keith Haring at Radiant Vision in the Columbia Museum of Art. Explore iconic drawings, silkscreens, and posters filled with color, movement, and messages of hope, equality, and activism. On view through February 15, 2026 — a must-see for art lovers.*
Event Spotlight
Columbia Fashion Week unites fashion lovers, creators, and local talent for a week of shows and events. | Photo by Columbia Fashion Week
Columbia Fashion Week is set to take over the Capital City beginning today through Saturday, Nov. 8, with six days of runway shows, creative meetups, and fashion highlighting local and emerging talent. The week’s schedule spans everything from a streetwear runway show and a fashion-focused fitness class to a town hall on Columbia’s creative scene.
One of the week’s most buzzed-about events — Thrift the Runway (Thursday, Nov. 7) — challenges stylists to craft looks using secondhand pieces, with a focus on sustainability and creativity in the fashion scene.
A food warming mat — perfect for holiday hosting so your dishes don’t get cold before serving. It features seven temperature settings and is made from premium silicone to provide uniform heating.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Winter hours begin today at Riverbanks Zoo — the park is now open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Want to visit after dark? Wild Lights kicks off Friday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Jan. 11 with glowing wildlife lanterns, nightly snowfall, photo ops, and visits with Santa.
}})
