The weeks ahead are full of reasons to show someone how much you care with a thoughtful gift. This holiday season, consider these local books, experiences, and giving opportunities while shopping for friends and family.
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For the theater kid (or grown up)
The Muny gave gifters a hand this holiday season by opening up season-ticket sales earlier than usual. Order your season tickets early to secure your favorite thespian’s seats for the recently announced 108th season, which includes Meet Me in St. Louis, South Pacific, Something Rotten!, and more. Opera Theatre of Saint Louis can help you give the gift of something to look forward to as well, with multiple subscription packages available for their 2026 Festival Season. The OTSL mainstage will see productions of The Pirates of Penzance, The Light in the Piazza, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Romeo and Juliet next summer.
If you’re looking for something a little sooner than summer, consider single tickets or a subscription for the second half of the Fox Theatre’s 2025-2026 season. Coming attractions at the storied theater include The Outsiders, Hell’s Kitchen, Phantom of the Opera, Harry Potter & The Cursed Child, and more.
For the bookworm
Books make for useful, affordable (and easy to wrap!) gifts, but choosing the right thing can be difficult. Leave it up to the experts with a mystery box from The Novel Neighbor. Just provide some key details, and let the shop’s booksellers fill a box with books and merchandise based on your budget.
If you’d rather do the shopping yourself, consider one of the titles that earned a spot on our A-List this year: The Last American Road Trip by Sarah Kendzior, Francofilaments by Eileen G’Sell, A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl, or Coven by Soman Chainani and Joel Gennari.
Have a picky reader on your hands? Give them the gift of a day spent wandering the stacks with a gift card to one of St. Louis’ bevy of excellent local bookstores. No matter their neighborhood or interests, there’s likely a shop that can provide their next favorite read.
For the history buff
Give your history-obsessed friend or family member some local flavor to chew on with Adam Lemp and the Western Brewery, SLM contributor Chris Naffziger’s recent release dedicated to the story of one of St. Louis’ most influential and enigmatic figures. Visual learners will appreciate Reedy Press’ Cathedral Basilica: An Illustrated Timeline, which is full of gorgeous photos and interesting tidbits.
Access to exclusive lectures, workshops, and exhibitions all year round makes for a great gift for the person who insists they don’t want any more “stuff.” Consider memberships at the Missouri Historical Society, The Griot Museum, and St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, which each offer benefits such as member publications, exclusive access to events, and shop/admission discounts.
For the art lover
Memberships are the way to go for your favorite gallery wanderer. St. Louis’ wealth of free art spaces means entry is already affordable in many cases, but members at institutions such as the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Saint Louis Art Museum, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, and The Luminary receive additional benefits such as shop discounts, free/discounted access to ticketed events, exclusive member communications, and other perks.
If you’re looking to grab something a little more wrap-able than a membership card, consider stopping by one of our local holiday markets, which draw artists and artisans from all over the region as vendors. Upcoming shopping opportunities include Tinsel Town at City Foundry on December 13, Laumeier’s Holiday Pop-Up Shop on December 13, the Lafayette Square Holiday Parlor Tour and Holiday Market on December 14, Winterfest’s Winter Market on December 20, and the Dutchtown Bells Holiday Night Market on Saturdays through January 3. Want to keep the focus on fine art? Check out Fifteen Windows Gallery’s Holidaze, opening December 13. This group show featuring work from 46 artists is a “cash and carry” event, meaning you can take your selection home with you right away.
For the music fan
Perhaps the most straightforward gift for your favorite music fan is tickets to see one of the artists they love live. Check out our Big St. Louis Concert List, which is updated weekly with exciting new shows around St. Louis, to browse the months ahead and pick the perfect gig.
If you want to take a big swing this holiday season, consider season tickets to Hollywood Casino Amphitheater or Saint Louis Music Park, both of which offer premium seats, easy parking, VIP club access, and early access to hot tickets.
For the craft guru
For the friend who loves to create and learn new skills, Craft Alliance offers tons of classes and workshops to learn skills such as ceramics, printing, woodworking, and more. Sign up for something to do together, or snag a gift certificate to let them choose their own artistic adventure.
If you need to find just the right thing for a sustainably minded crafter, Perennial is a treasure trove of supplies and knowledge. Gather bits and bobs you know your favorite DIYer can work into their next project, or sign them up for a class where they can create their own frame, learn how to cyanotype, or try out soapmaking, among many other options.
Looking to grab a gift that keeps on giving? Both Craft Alliance and Perennial offer memberships for access to materials, workspaces, and classes all year long.
For the one who wants to give back
If you’re looking to donate on someone’s behalf this holiday season (or just want to spread some cheer of your own), consider donating to an arts-based nonprofit. Need help deciding who to support? Choose a favorite venue or event such as COCA, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Black Rep, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, or Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis; a project whose mission you believe in, like Artists First, CommUnity Arts STL, HEAL Center for the Arts, or Saint Louis Story Stitchers; or let the Regional Arts Commission use your donation to fund one of its many projects, artists, and organizations.
Looking for more gifting help this holiday season? Check out SLM‘s other gift guides:
