There’s no need to go all the way to the North Pole. Here at the Long Beach Post, we’re hoping you’ll consider supporting local businesses by checking off your holiday shopping list close to home. Santa’s helpers can find whatever they’re looking for right here in their own backyard with this 2022 Holiday Gift Guide!

Ammatoli

Mediterranean restaurant Ammatoli, located in the Mosaic shopping center downtown, is a popular catering choice for holiday parties for good reason. Chef Dima carefully crafts delicious, modern cuisine that honors traditional recipes, using exotic flavors from the Levant region. The welcoming restaurant serves dishes packed with fresh vegetables, halal meats and big flavor is inspired by tastes from Jordan, Syria and Palestine.
285 E. Third St.
562-435-0808
ammatoli.com

 

Ash Bay Soap Co.

Ash Bay Soap Co. is the perfect place to find a gift to wash away 2022 and start clean in 2023. Basket a collection of gifts from spa towels, handmade artisan soaps and shampoo bars. Give the gift of zen to whoever receives them.
440 E. First St.
213-505-3386
ashbaysoapco.com

 

Buono’s Pizzeria

Warm up with some hot authentic Italian cuisine this winter at Buono’s Pizzeria. Owner Frank Buono says gift certificates wrapped in our cute little mini pizza boxes  make GREAT stocking stuffers. The family-owned restaurant specializes in hand-kneaded pizza made fresh daily, plus other authentic Italian specialties such as lasagna, spaghetti, eggplant parmigiana and more. The other locations are in LB on Willow and in San Pedro – “Little Italy”.
250 W. Ocean Blvd.
562-432-2211
buonospizza.com

Creative Cakery

Those looking for a sweet gift to bring or have delivered to any holiday party need look no further than Long Beach’s Creative Cakery, the original bundt cake bakery. A tradition for the sweet-toothed in the community since 1983, everything is fresh daily, with seven main cake flavors, plus the Sampler which is a bundt cake made up of sections of each of the seven flavors and brunch favorite Crumb Coffeecake–that come topped with a signature cream cheese frosting.”
2948 Clark Ave.
562-493-6550
creativecakery.com

 

Craft + Light

Need some help making a gift from the heart? Craft + Light in Naples is ready to ignite your creativity with Holiday Candle Making Workshops. The cost of the illuminating introductory workshop, including materials, is $55. The craft studio also offers other classes for adults and youth to explore their creative whims, from paper flower art to soap making and much more.
5614 E. Second St.
562-607-5959
craftandlight.org

 

 

District Wine

Oenophiles know and love District Wine in the East Village. The wine bar and lounge, which also offers take-out and delivery service, has been a favorite among locals since it opened in 2010. Regulars know District Wine’s Club Membership for $40 a month makes a really “grape” gift since it comes with small production bottles, 15% off all retail purchases, half-off wine tastings and free entry into members-only events.
144 Linden Ave.
562-612-0411
districtwine.com

Historical Society of Long Beach

The perfect gift for Long Beach history buffs is at the Historical Society of Long Beach in Bixby Knolls, serving the Long Beach community for 60 years. Take a stroll through their free gallery and pick from more than 40 titles by local authors or unique photographs of historic Long Beach. You can also gift a membership at a variety of levels which include free research appointments for a year. Gifting from the Historical Society helps support the archive and preserves our history for the future.
4260 Atlantic Ave.
562-424-2220
HSLB.org

Ficklewood Ciderworks

Designed to be a welcoming sort of living room, Ficklewood is a homey place to unwind and socialize in the East Village with dry and full-bodied ciders that are the perfect drinks for the holiday season. For gifters, Ficklewood sells special monthly ($45) and quarterly ($50) home delivery options of bottled all gluten-free and vegan ciders that celebrate both old-world craft and modern pioneering spirit.
720 E. Broadway
562-676-4497
ficklewood.com

 

Kleefeld Contemporary

At the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum at Cal State Long Beach, visitors find an archive of contemporary culture. The public museum was founded in 1973 and houses more than 2,000 works of art, with portions of its renowned collections regularly lent to other museums around the world. The museum is always seeking community support and memberships at various levels are great gifts for art lovers.
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
562-985-5761
csulb.edu/carolyn-campagna-kleefeld-contemporary-art-museum

 

Loose Leaf Boba Company

At the original Loose Leaf Boba Company, married owners Thomas Liu and Jasmine Yip have created boba drinks inspired by flavors from around the world that you can’t get anywhere else. With gift cards available this holiday season, giftees will enjoy made to order drinks freshly brewed in house. The company is “keeping it real” using milk and fresh fruit, no powdered ingredients, to make the best drinks possible.
315 The Promenade North
562-435-1559
bobacompany.com

 

Naples Rib Company

The family-owned Naples Rib Company has been a favorite in the community since its founding in 1992. The restaurant, which sells gift cards, prides itself on being not only a spot for great comfort food, but also a warm, welcoming place for neighbors to gather together — or order some delicious barbecue catering to be delivered at home — especially during the holiday season. Pick up is available daily 10 AM – 9 PM.
5800 E. Second St.
562-439-7427
ribcompany.com

 

Portuguese Bend Distilling

It’s easy to get into the holiday spirits at Portuguese Bend, a gastropub that celebrates new American eats and all things boozy, with alcohol distilled on site. The perfect gift for cocktail lovers, Portuguese Bend sells a Holiday Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit ($75) that comes with a bottle of Portuguese Bend Bourbon, simple syrup, house made cranberry bitters, dehydrated oranges and cranberries for garnish.
300 The Promenade North
562-435-4411
portuguesebenddistilling.com

Long Beach Post

Looking for a great gift idea for those who like to stay in-the-know about all things Long Beach? A membership to the Long Beach Post is the gift that keeps on giving because it supports free, public news coverage for all of our community members, regardless of their ability to pay for it. Plus, it comes with cool perks including access to exclusive deals with businesses around town, special member-only events and discounts on Long Beach-branded merch at shop.lbpost.com.
lbpost.com/join

 

The Village Cookie Shoppe

No cookie-cutter holiday gift, every box of the award-winning cookies and brownies sold at The Village Cookie Shoppe supports Mental Health America of Los Angeles, which works to help individuals with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities. The delicious gift box sets are made from scratch with only the best ingredients and prepared by people on their way to recovery, teaching them valuable job skills and self-sufficiency. Holiday orders can be placed online today.
888-490-6688
villagecookieshoppe.com

 

Whimsical Charm

Whimsical Charm offers uniquely embroidered baby blankets, and other cozy and comfortable products for infants and children, including robes, clothing, shoes and accessories. Founder and Creative Director Rosie Arias, who embeds passion into every product she sells, creates practical, purposeful and high-quality items. She says her gift baskets are completely customizable and designed to provide children with warmth and style.
112 E. 22nd St. San Pedro
855-477-5138
whimsicalcharm.com

 

Lola’s

Tamales are back for this holiday season! Enjoy this delicious holiday staple all season long by the plate, in-house or to-go, by the half or full dozen, ready to go or eat later. Choose between chicken in salsa verde, roasted pork in salsa guajillo, roasted poblano pepper and cheese, and sweet corn.
2030 E 4th St. 562-343-5506
4140 Atlantic Ave. 562-349-0100
lolasmexicancuisine.com

 

Tinsel & Bow

Tinsel & Bow is a specialty gifting service based here in Long Beach. BIPOC, LGBT & woman owned and established in 2015, they help nonprofits, event planners, real estate agents and executives from all industries with hassle-free gift giving. Tinsel & Bow does all the work, you get all the credit!
5318 2nd Street #278
562-342-3131
tinselandbow.com

 

Ace Hardware

A local one-stop-shop for all the DIYers on your list, Long Beach Ace Hardware’s knowledgeable team, including longtime owner Tyler Barnes, provides top-quality products and a level of customer service that no “big box” store can match. Since 1987, Ace has been the neighborhood go-to for finding the right fix for any home improvement project, plus a wide variety of holiday decorations.
746 E. Fourth St.
562-432-2100
acehardware.com

 

Umberto’s Mens Wear

Look your holiday best this season!  On sale now, the entire inventory is reduced up to 75% off. Umberto’s is the finest quality men’s clothing store in Long Beach since 1960 with the best prices for sportswear, shoes & accessories anywhere. Big and Tall sizes also. The fit makes the impression with expert custom tailoring and alterations for men & women. For special occasions they offer tuxedos, formal wear and tuxedo rentals.
2141 N Bellflower Blvd
562-597-0391
umbertoclothier.com

 

Blue Diamond Jeweler

If you’re ready to ring in the holidays by popping the question, Blue Diamond Jeweler is the trusted jeweler of Belmont Shore. Founded on the idea that a satisfying life comes from quality relationships, Blue Diamond engages with you during your very special purchase of engagement rings and bands. They also offer custom creations, redesigns and watch repairs.
4814 2nd St.
562-433-8222
bluediamondjeweler.com

 

Spirit Cruises

Give the gift of a one hour harbor cruise or sunset cruise, starting at $19. Full cocktail bar and beer on board. Voted #1 Best in Long Beach & the South Bay for good reason and Southern California’s leading cruise operator for over forty years. Specializing in award-winning events and dinner cruising, the all-inclusive pricing makes planning the easiest part of the trip.
429-D Shoreline Village Drive
562-495-5884
Spiritmarine.com

bark!bark!

While shopping, wrapping gifts or cruising the harbor at sunset, bark!bark!, “where cool dogs go”, offers daycare, overnight hotel, grooming, and training. In downtown Long Beach since 2009, bark!bark! ensure’s your pet will enjoy the holiday season as you’re decking the halls.
325 Atlantic Ave.
562-437-3655
barkbarkdaycare.com