From boutique shopping in Leesburg, to the trendy stores and galleries of Middleburg and the craft beverages, produce and artisanal goods in more rural parts of the county, we’re spoiled for holiday gift choices in Loudoun. But sometimes we all need a little help to get the right gift.

Here’s our guide to buying the perfect present this holiday season.

For Him

Brick & Mortar on King Street, Leesburg has quirky accessories for the man in your life. The shop features everything from canvas shoulder bags, Vuarnet sunglasses and faux vintage vinyl record players to coffee mugs, baseball caps and quirky car license plates.  

If your man likes a strong drink – tequila, brandy, bourbon, rum, even absinthe – book him a tasting at Mt Defiance Cidery & Distillery in historic downtown Middleburg. You can try the spirits neat, in a mini cocktail flight or in seasonal specialty cocktails. Make sure to buy him a bottle to taste over the holidays. We like the green, French-style Absinthe Supérieure.

Does your man need a style upgrade? Get him the latest hipster pumps from Restocked Sneakers, an upscale sneaker boutique in downtown Leesburg opened in 2021. The trendy locker-sized store stocks the latest athletic pumps from Adidas and Nike as well as rare Jordans, Kanye West's Yeezys and hard-to-find, lesser-known brands.

For Her

Purcellville is having a moment. Graffiti and Silk is a gorgeous new thrift and consignment store on Main Street in the historic downtown. Dubbed as the place “where fashion, art, and culture meet social change,” pick up everything from feminine vintage dresses and winter coats to found metal decorative objects and Art Deco furniture. Much of the proceeds go to the homeless youth charity Mobile Hope.

For something more classical, M. Franklin Studio & Boutique is the beauty salon and design store of local make-up artist Melissa Franklin. Located in a grand Victorian house in downtown Purcellville, treat the lady in your life to a glam red-carpet makeover in the studio, then shop for one-of-a-kind jewelry, bags, shoes, clothing or facial products in the boutique. 

In Leesburg, wldwst is the lifestyle boutique and design studio of Lori Tran and Colleen West. Pick up locally made, small batch apothecary products (facial creams, perfume oils) as well as artisan jewelry, clothing and art prints. Across the street, Muz and Rose is a unique boutique supporting local and sustainable designers, brands and artists. Pick up some whimsical handmade clay earrings by Krysta Solomon of Loudoun’s Harper Leigh Designs and the timeless Margot Dresses with fluttered sleeves and blue and white floral print from local designer Rebekah Murray’s Virginia Dare Dress Co.  

Middleburg’s Washington Street is a trove of treasures for the style conscious lady in your life. Pick up fragrant “Gourmet Candles” in scents of pomegranate, grapefruit and blackberry from home goods boutique Crème de La Crème, which also sells decorative tablecloths, cutlery, glassware, textiles and jewelry. At nearby Chloe’s of Middleburg, the chic women’s apparel and gift store of former Bergdorf Goodman buyer Wendy Osborn, you can find stylish feminine shirts, skirts and dresses.

A final treat for her? Since the holidays can be a stressful time, grab a gift card to Om FLOAT, Ashburn. The facility uses a water-based treatment known as REST - Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy, which requires clients lie on their back in a dark 10-inch-deep tank of warm saltwater and float, Dead Sea-style, for 90 minutes. (Cost: $89) The weightlessness induces an ethereal, meditative state akin to peaceful sleep that results in less stress and anxiety.

For the Family

We’re blessed in Loudoun to have access to a bounty of locally grown fresh farm produce and craft beverages as well as access to the exquisite work of a creative community of artists, artisans and crafters. “Take Loudoun Home” for the holidays by visiting the Loudoun Made Loudoun Grown Marketplace to order the perfect locally made gift; everything from beer, wine and cheese to Christmas trees, flower arrangements, jewelry, paintings, pottery and more.

Downtown Leesburg is blessed with coffee shops but only one of them doubles as gift shop, used bookstore and art gallery. Trinity House Café & Market is a welcoming, family friendly space with an extensive food and coffee menu but also a shop selling an array of new and used books, stationery, crafts, candles, gift cards, art prints and jewelry.

On top of supporting local farmers and artists, be sure to support local restaurants this holiday season, many of which have upped their gift card game. Family favorite Ford’s Fish Shack sells cards for $25 to $200 – the latter perfect for ready-made family feasts of crab legs and lobster rolls.

For the Kids

Shopping for kids gifts doesn’t get any better than at PLAYroom Middleburg on the town’s Washington Street. The space doubles as a learning and entertainment center, so while you are browsing for anything from mini-electric guitars to wooden scooters to Connect 4, your kids can hang out, play games, do art or take part in fun group activities. What a concept!

Leesburg Animal Park provides plenty of festive fun for children in December. Take them to the park’s Christmas Village, then buy a gift card to visit in the New Year and learn about camels, zebras, llamas, snakes and other exotic animals.

Are any of your children budding thespians? Stagecoach Theatre Company in Ashburn doesn’t only host plays, improv nights and murder mysteries, but also after-school drama classes, summer camps and theatre workshops as well as private singing lessons and even audition prep. Next stop Broadway!

For a Friend

Buying local products and produce is a good way to impress friends about the bounty of Loudoun. Visit one of Loudoun’s 52 wineries and tasting rooms - or shop their online stores – to send wine to someone this holiday. There’s no shortage of superb vintages to choose from so why not pick out a winner from the Loudoun Wine Awards held in October? After becoming the first female winemaker to win the Virginia Governor’s Cup, earlier this year, Melanie Natoli of Cana Vineyards & Winery won Loudoun Winemaker of the Year. Try a bottle of her impeccable 2019 Unité Reserve or 2020 Chardonnay. Nancy Deliso, co-owner of 868 Estate Vineyards, was named the 2022 Wine Ambassador of the Year. The estate’s 2019 Vidal Blanc Passito is a sublime dessert wine for the holiday table. Other gold medal wineries this year included 8 Chains North, Carriage House Wineworks, Doukenie Winery, Three Creeks Winery and Williams Gap Vineyard. Pay them a visit to stock up.

Thera are more than 35 breweries in Loudoun, almost all of which sell cans and growlers to take home or order online. Buy a selection of seasonal ales from one of your favorites such as Old Ox Brewery’s Bourbon barrel-aged stout, a real winter warmer, or Harvest Gap Brewery’s full bodied American Brown Ale, which they have quirkily named Cow’s Cud. Belgian beer fans will love the 2 Legit 2 Wit wheat beer at acclaimed Solace Brewing Company in Sterling. Cheers!

Winter is coming so buy something distinctly Loudoun to keep a friend warm. Doug and Bonnie Kittrell of Double 8 Alpaca & Llama Ranch in Purcellville have been raising and harvesting alpaca and llama fleece since 2005. Visit the farm to purchase scarves, gloves, wool hats and plush toys from the gift shop. In a similar vein, fiber artists Rebecca Brouwer of Shepherd’s Corner Farm, Purcellville, and Susan Trask of Lovettsville, raise Gotland goats and alpacas respectively, shaping and coloring the wool into majestically beautiful fleeces, scarves and throws – what Trask calls “art you can wear.

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