Orlando, are you beginning to eye your holiday shopping lists with a heavy sigh of dread? Forget about the big-box shops and chuck your phone in the toilet (maybe do that anyway just to get away from all the AI), because there are plenty of quirky, unique and creative options for presents that are locally rooted, eclectic and — crucially — fun. Here are 10 items for all tastes that see Santa repping Orlando in a festively fervent fashion.
Born Human: The Life and Music of Death’s Chuck Schuldiner, David E. Gehlke (Decibel Books, 2025)
Though it’s been a matter of gospel among Florida metal maniacs for many years now, Born Human, the new fully authorized biography of Orlando metal magus Chuck Schuldiner, sets the record straight in gloriously inky splendor: The template for Florida death metal was first bashed out in an unassuming garage in Altamonte Springs by guitarist Schuldiner and two confederate degenerates. That trio would eventually morph into tech-death overlords, ahem, Death, and that’s only the beginning of the story. This account of the far-too-short life of Schuldiner — he passed away from brain cancer in 2001 — was published with the cooperation of Schuldiner’s friends and family, with tons of in-depth interviews and unseen photos. Get yourself some civic pride on the darker side. And we spied a couple of copies in stock at Park Ave CDs over the weekend, so you can keep your dollars extra local. (decibelmagazine.com)
Endless Cherry Pie mead from Zymarium
Forget showing up at a family or friends gift-giving session with some impersonal bottle of wine from a big-box or liquor store. Keep your dollars local and present your giftee instead with an elegantly bottled mead from Zymarium. The Mills 50 meadery and taproom has several holiday blends made in-house and bottled with gothic grandeur worthy of the Ghost of Christmas Future. The tastes that summon up the most vividly cozy holiday memories are Endless Cherry Pie and Endless Apple Pie. The honey-based adult beverages are light on the palate, medium on the alcohol by volume, and sure to be a hit. (1121 N. Mills Ave., zymarium.com)
Jon Napoles painting on glass
OK, maybe the ship has sailed on this as a Christmas gift, but keep them in mind for any gift-giving occasion. Jon Napoles began making his unique and eccentric art over a decade ago, after leaving a job flipping houses (a noble transition, if we may say so). It was a particularly poetic move in that his paintings eschew canvases and instead use reclaimed household windowpanes, on which Napoles paints florid and rough-hewn renderings of a fantastical world populated by abstract and otherworldly cats, birds, horses, stars and whiskey bottles. He’s a longtime local favorite and a regular at markets like Indie-Folkfest and Grandma Party Bazaar, but if you miss out, try contacting him via his website. (jonnapart.com)
Doug Rhodehamel Fishmas ornament
For years, a Rhodehamel fish on your holiday tree has been an IYKYK badge of honor for Orlando cognoscenti. Now everyone can get in on the fun as Doug democratizes his sustainable vision and offers the masses a chance to decorate with extra joy — the joy of knowing your ornaments are bringing new life to discarded materials. This year, they’re popping up in various colors, shapes and materials (metal, wire, plastic, cardboard) at not-so-secret locations around town — follow Rhodehamel on Instagram to see where they’ll be swimming next. (instagram.com/dougrhodehamel)
Planet Moon Rock Craft Club
Now, on the other hand, if you have your own vision for giftable holiday ornaments, book into Planet Moon Rock’s December Craft Club. From 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Creative Jane Art Studio (1781 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park), you can make the hanging trinkets, tree toppers, and garlands of your own very weird and hyperspecific Orlando dreams. Planet Moon Rock will provide expert guidance and hot glue along with felt, ribbon, paper, glitter, rhinestones, pompoms, googly eyes and the rest. If you can’t make it to the club night, may we suggest Planet Moon Rock’s signature Bedazzled Gloopy Lighters? Nothing better to light the Yule Log. (planetmoonrock.com; creativejaneart.com)
Beefy King T-shirt
Snagging a Beefy King tee isn’t just about getting a shirt, it’s about owning a piece of Orlando history. Beefy King has been dishing up its legendary (and affordable) steamed roast-beef sandwiches in the Milk District since 1968, and through three generations of ownership, has stayed stubbornly true to its retro, no-frills tasty charm. This T-shirt and related merch is only sold in the restaurant; it comes in several colors, but the red-and-green Christmas version is especially tasty. For locals or transplants alike, it’s an easy way to rep some civic pride while grabbing a sandwich where Orlandoans have for decades. (424 N. Bumby Ave., beefykingorlando.com)
Winter Wonderland cocktail glasses
Ring-a-ding-ding in the holiday season, pally, with this set of delightfully kitschy cocktail glasses from Central Florida hepcats Atomic Drinkware. Renowned for painstakingly hand-painted Libby glasses — made in the U.S.A., no less — that are both on the right side of spooky and retro, this is the best of Atomic’s diverse slate of seasonal offerings. Adorned with artfully rendered pink and fuchsia “mid-century style” aluminum Christmas trees — the type that Charlie Brown scorned but we now covet — these Collins glasses are perfect for mulled wine, cocktails or even maybe a glass of milk for Santa. (atomicdrinkware.com)
Local landmark art prints from Sandhill Supply Co.
A mere $20 will nab you a gorgeous and sleek pen-and-ink stylized art print of the iconic facade of Park Ave CDs or one of a handful of other iconic locations from print mavens Sandhill Supply Co. Rendered with minimalist flair and clean lines, these illustrations are printed by (also) locals Rebel Reprints. Sandhill, the creative outlet of Ashlley and Kevin Lemke, specializes in whimsical and precise design work of familiar places and things. And yes, while you can easily nab these on the internet, we recommend instead you make a trip to Framework Coffee (1201 N. Mills Ave.) where these are sold in-person, and where you can browse all of Sandhill’s offerings, including stickers, pins, keychains and the like. (sandhillsupplyco.com)
“Welcome to Orlando” coasters from Freehand Goods
These “Welcome to Orlando” coasters from Freehand Goods bring a little artisan charm to any table and double as a small, thoughtful gift for someone who loves the City Beautiful. Made from full-grain vegetable-tanned leather and sealed with a water-resistant finish, these are built to last. Handmade at Freehand’s College Park shop, each coaster carries a bit of home-brewed authenticity — down to the (kinda) Disney-ish font. Whether someone’s a longtime local or new to town, these coasters make a subtle but meaningful gift. (2445 Edgewater Drive, freehandgoods.com)
Tickets to The Office Holiday Party Musical Extravaganza Show or Mean Girls at the Ren
A tumultuous season for the Renaissance Theatre Co. is wrapping up, and a holiday miracle is on the horizon: a theater lover’s perfect holiday gift is right here in town. The Ren’s annual immersive Office Holiday Party Musical Extravaganza Show, a tradition since 2021, blends art, adult-only energy and good ol’ holiday spirit through Dec. 22. Then, from Jan. 16-March 15, 2026, the Theatre will host a production of hit Broadway musical Mean Girls. There’s something for all tastes! Both shows run at the former Fringe ArtSpace at 54 W. Church St. downtown. (rentheatre.com)
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This article appears in Dec. 10-16, 2025.
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