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🎁 The 2023 New Tropic holiday gift guide

🌮 Distinctly Miami gifts

Make your cafecito routine more sustainable and sophisticated by upgrading to a six-piece porcelain set by 305Vibe, recommended by Alberto S. If cafecito’s not your thing (đŸ˜±), there are plenty of other great Miami gifts sold by 305Vibe.

If you’re looking for stocking stuffers, Yuval O. suggests visiting the Official Art Deco Gift Shop on Ocean Drive to pick up enamel pins inspired by Miami Beach’s lifeguard towers and Art Deco hotels.

Speaking of our lifeguard shacks, Louise F. is selling limited edition hand-painted glass lifeguard tower ornaments through Deco X Mia. “Our ornaments are created in Poland (where glass ornament making started!) and come in a numbered gift box (we only produced 250 or each color) that includes the street address and an image of the tower that inspired each design,” explains Louise.

Erbi B. recommends jazzing up a wall with a work of art by Tony Mendoza, a Cuban-American raised (and inspired by) Little Havana.

đŸ«’ Gourmet gifts

On the hunt for some gourmet goodies? Josie G. would send you to Mima’s Market in Miami Shores or Mimmo’s Mozzarella in North Miami.

For the carnivore, Gabriel L. recommends taking a look at Meat N’ Bone’s gift center, especially The Gift of Japanese Wagyu. The gift center features charcuterie boxes and baskets, bundles of meat, and hardware like Japanese knives and grilling tools.

Sandra P.-A. says to take a look at Tappas for “a one-of-kind, Miami-designed gift for the holidays. Created by an artist and mother of two, Tappas is an all-natural container that serves and displays snacks and food!” A hostess with the mostest would be delighted to unwrap one of Tappas’ patented, sustainable, charcuterie spheres.

For the coffee connoisseur in your life, @jesygo recommends Killer Coffee Beans, while @kawaiiuniverse is partial to Panther Coffee. Panther Coffee has six locations across town and, beyond just beans, sells tools like a palm press and cold brew kit. Killer Coffee is a woman- and veteran-owned company purchasing beans directly from small farmers, mostly in Mexico, before roasting them here in South Florida. If your recipient prefers tea, @gabydoddy recommends investigating Admari in Little River. Finally, consider pairing the tea leaves or coffee beans with a one-of-a-kind cup from local ceramicist Erica Lores or local Etsy shop That Special Cup.

As for alcoholic beverages, Sloane O. is raising a glass with Candela Mamajuana’s Coquito Gift Set, which includes one liter of coquito cream liqueur, a 200ml bottle of Candela Mamajuana, and four holiday shot glasses.

đŸȘ Sweets, specifically

Tasked with bringing dessert to a holiday party? Numerous readers raved about Sweet Delights Bakery, which specializes in Key Lime pies and cakes. @maxeme305 says The Fudge Pie Co. has the “best pies ever” and @shopwithvianca suggests picking up one of Ceci’s Flans.

@xplore_your_city would happily gift a box of Cindy Lou’s Cookies, while @vava.ness’s favorite is Sweet Lich’s.

Lennie G. suggests dropping a 36% Crema de Vie (Cuban Eggnog) chocolate bar into someone’s stocking. The bar is made in collaboration with Havana Club and Exquisito Chocolates.

đŸ’Ș Help develop a healthy habit

Want to help someone kickstart an exercise routine? Vanessa F. recommends a gift certificate to CrossFit Soul, which has locations near Tropical Park and in Dania Beach.

Kristen R. is a local Miami entrepreneur who founded Like a Boss Nutrition, “the best high-protein, sugar-free snacks on the planet. My favorite product we developed is our Protein Cookie Dough, which you eat right out of the jar and has 20g protein and just 1g sugar. And best of all it’s freaking delicious!”

For the runner in your life, @xplore_your_city recommends getting them laced up with a gift from iRun.

If you’re looking to gift a new activewear set, @marggiesshot suggests taking a look at Beuyancy.

👚 For the fashionista

@kawaiiuniverse suggests browsing the shelves of Wynwood Tribe, a sustainable and conscious fashion marketplace. If you’re in Miami Shores or the Design District, @cristyck thinks you should pop into Earthy Chic Boutique. Earthy Chic has fun prints in store, as does Tranqui Prints, recommended by Cathi R. Only in Miami is swimwear a totally suitable holiday gift; @xplore_your_city loves shopping Nic del Mar in Coral Gables.

If it’s jewelry you’re after, you’ve got options. Erik S. lauds Nikki E. Designs: “Nikki is raised in Miami, all her jewelry is designed by her (she has an architecture background), is produced by a local small-batch manufacturer, and is all hypoallergenic and won’t tarnish.” @Melreyesart is a fan of Kathe Cuervo’s designs, which can be found at Bosque Boutique in Upper Buena Vista. @shopwithvianca likes both Felipa Con Amore, launched by a local mom and her two daughters, and Sammy’s Trinkets, a local Etsy shop selling crystal jewelry.

📚 For the bookworm

New Tropic readers are doing a whole lot of holiday shopping at Books & Books. Josie G. recommends dropping in Dale Zine or Paradis Books & Bread for unique reads. Dec. 17 would be the perfect day to visit Paradis, says Luciana G., as they’ll be hosting a holiday market and party beginning at 2:00 p.m.

@dispatchesfromtheswamp sends you down to South Dade for a visit to family-owned Sweet Haven Books, a used bookstore.

As for specific reads, the O, Miami team recommends gifting a copy of Waterproof: Evidence of a Miami Worth Remembering, “a collection of stories celebrating Miami places. ‘What will you miss when Miami is gone?’ These are Miami’s answers: 197 pieces from 165 writers and artists, ranging from high schoolers to retirees and hailing from all corners of Miami-Dade County.”

đŸŽ” Help build their vinyl collection

@dispatchesfromtheswamp recommends perusing the selection at Technique Records on the Upper East Side or Found Sound Records in North Miami. As @gael_lelamer reminds us, you can always count on Little Haiti’s Sweat Records.

🛍 Odds and ends of ideas

Museum gift shops are always a good idea. Josie G. is a fan of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and PAMM gift shops in particular.

Take a look at Gifty Gang Gang, “a gang gang working to create super fun gift ideas and a shop full of really cool things.” The Miami-based co-founders source from Miami artists and small businesses (and beyond). Luciana G. says the Gifty Gang Gang will be hosting a holiday market outside Boia De on Dec. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Local toy stores are nearly extinct, making Megan T. that much bigger of a fan of Key Biscayne’s Toy Town. “There just aren’t any toy stores around anymore and they bring so much joy to the children who visit them. It’s worth supporting the local businesses who do so much for our communities.”

For the water sports lover in your life, @kaz88_mb recommends picking something up at Island Water Sports, Miami’s oldest surf shop.

@living.the.dream.in.the.305 suggests shopping The Artisan Flamingo’s Etsy shop. “Super cute stuff made in the 305!!”

If you’re in South Miami, @lucyfoerster suggests dropping by Isabel: Fine Home Accessories. Another “Isabel” that came recommended was Wreaths and Things by Isabel.

Sometimes the best gifts can’t be wrapped. Know an entrepreneur who could use a nudge? Amber T. can assist through her company FounderFuego, a business “focused on helping Hispanic/Latinx, Afro-Latino/a, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) founders and professionals build confidence and negotiation skills for better results in business and supplier deals, salary negotiations, and more.”

Jonathan H. is offering up a 15% discount for New Tropic readers who purchase a Capsul, a legacy video of loved ones. “We’ve been capturing the legacy of Miami residents for the past two years,” says Jonathan. “What’s great about this gift is that it’s a gift for your loved one (they’re gifted a beautiful and unique VIP experience to reflect on their life and leave special messages for their family) and it’s a gift for the entire family (the essence of their loved one captured on video forever).”