This year, it is even more imperative that San Antonians shop locally. Sure, the convenience of shopping on Amazon has a heavy pull, but San Antonio shops are filled with items that are just as good, if not better, if you want something with a local attitude. Plus, supporting your community businesses is important if we want them to be around next year.
See our shopping guide below for a handful of incredible shops with gifts that are unique, sleek, and puro San Antonio.
Son of a Sailor
Son of a Sailor owners, Jessica and Billy Knopp, opened their shop just East of downtown on Nolan Street in April 2023. Billy has a background in graphic design and screenprinting while Jessica in trained in fine art photography giving her a natural eye for framing, precision and composition. As stated on their website, “Son of a Sailor was born out of their shared love of thoughtful design and the ways it can spark joy in the lives of others.”
While this is not true for everything in the store, our eyes were immediately drawn to handmade items. The Son of a Sailor team thoughtfully curates their own handmade items as well as unique manufactured goods. It’s a lovely thing to behold. Some of our favorites include...
SOS x Sertodo Mug and Sleeve Set
Description by the vendor:
Discover the epitome of artisanal craftsmanship with our exclusive collaboration alongside Sertodo Copper, the connoisseurs of copper artistry. A set of two 12 oz. copper mugs that redefine the way you enjoy your beverages, all expertly accented with leather sleeves. This masterpiece emerges from the synergy of Son of a Sailor and Sertodo Copper, a partnership dedicated to exceptional quality.
Año Cuff Bracelet
Description by the vendor:
From our Eras Collection, takes inspiration from Matisse's cut-out shapes and my mother's bold 1980s Mexican jewelry. The sculptural element of the shapes make for a piece that is bold enough to make a statement, but subdued enough to wear on the daily. Crafted in our Central Texas studio, it's available in three material options: solid brass, copper, or sterling silver.
Emma Convertible Clutch / Crossbody / Belt Bag
Description by the vendor:
Our Emma Clutch and Crossbody is the epitome of a versatile and stylish leather handbag. This exquisite petite purse turned belt bag is designed to adapt to your needs, offering multiple carrying options with its convertible strap. Handcrafted with meticulous care in our Texas studio, it is made from vegetable-tanned English bridle leather sourced from a US tannery. (Also available in a smaller wallet version)
CADEAUX
CADEAUX is a lifestyle and gift shop at The Boardwalk on Broadway Shopping Center in Alamo Heights. Owned/operated by Arthur Perez and Doris Pitts, CADEAUX features a thoughtfully curated collection of books, candles, greeting cards, jewelry & more.
We love CADEAUX for their unique sleek modern gifts. Some items that stood out to us this season include:
UMÉ Erode Mini Soap
Previously featured in Architectural Digest!
Description by vendor:
Luscious soap and unique shapes, form and function work together to add a different kind of beauty to the daily ritual of bathing. Created with an abundance of unique botanicals, antioxidants, mineral rich clays, and skin-nurturing essential oils to cleanse, hydrate and nourish all skin types. Perfect for daily use. Each Erode is poured and cast by hand. As each batch is unique for each pour, no two are the same. As the soaps use and form are unique, the Bouton plate was designed hand in hand to serve as the Erode designated dish.
Toyo Steel Co. Tool Boxes
Description from Vendor:
Toyo Steel Company, Ltd. was established in 1969 in Osaka, Japan as a metal stamping service for the surrounding community. For decades now, Toyo Steel has produced high-quality tool and utility boxes as well as other fine steel items for both home and professional use. Their unique process of deep drawing technology involves stamping and folding instead of cutting and seaming, which eliminates sharp edges and creates a more sturdy, lightweight structure.
Features of the largest model: TOYO Cantilever Toolbox ST-350 TI (Titanium)- Includes double handles, double layers, comes with 8pcs removable dividers for trays, tray can be positioned as desired, attachable with cylinder lock φ4.8mm.
Ikebana Vase
Dweller Studio is a San Antonio-based artist studio that makes “future artifacts” which are beautifully handcrafted with sustainability in mind. We love how this vase has a spiked metal disk at the bottom of it to hold your sculptural flowers in place and prevent them from flopping over.
Vendor Description:
Designed to center all attention on the flowers, this large Ikebana Vase honors the organic beauty of nature. Perfect for tabletops, counters, and just about anywhere you want a tasteful centerpiece. Each piece is meticulously shaped by hand and finished in our cobalt blue glaze inspired by raw cobalt. With this vase, the art of Ikebana becomes approachable, allowing you to create arrangements that are both captivating and serene. Make the art of ikebana your new ritual.
Feliz Modern
Since Ginger and Mario Diaz opened their doors in San Antonio in 2017, Feliz Modern has been providing puro San Antonio goods that perfectly communicate the playful & light-hearted vibe of San Antonio. Here are some of our recent favorites...
The Sticker Wall
From Spurs stickers to Dolly stickers. Chingona stickers to concha stickers. We challenge you to find one that doesn’t resonate with you or someone you care about!
Art Prints
If the gateway drug to art collecting is to start with art prints, then Feliz Modern is your dealer! Find prints by SA-based artists like Kelly O’Connor, Analy Diego, Eva Marengo Sanchez, Symone Martinez, and more!
Mugs for the Moment
With drinking vessels that can deliver cold or hot beverages, everyone can benefit from one more mug that communicates the current mood.
GOOD | goods
Owned and operated by Interior Designer, D’Ette Cole, GOOD | goods offers a curated collection of goods in the Texas eclectic modern stylings of the designer.
Some of our favorites for this season...
Woven Grass Animal Heads from Morocco
An old world folk craft that’s passed down from one generation to the next, these heads are completely hand constructed and hand woven. They are not the fastest purchase as they are made to order, but when they first arrive in from Morocco, they are still raw and green in hue. Animals depicted include bulls, rhinos, donkeys and moose.
Glass Sun Catchers
These fused glass sun catchers are made by contemporary Arkansas artisans though they look like they came out of a vintage 1960s home decor magazine.
Art Collages of Michelle Trahan Carson
Each hand-cut collage is a little piece of goodness assembled by SA-based artist, Michelle Trahan Carson. The preciseness of her cutting and combining craft extends the imagination to believe that the very unlikely pairings she creates really might exist!
Period Modern
Period Modern is an 8,000 square ft. shop located in Olmos Park, 4 miles North of downtown San Antonio, Texas. Owned and operated by Ted Allen, they offer a wide variety of curated Danish modern and authentic mid-century design from the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's sourced from Europe, Mexico, and locally.
Below are some items that recently stood out to us in the store and will delight your favorite MCM fan.
Credenza with Pepe Mendoza Hardware
This credenza is a striking piece of Mexican Modernism from Mexico City circa the 1960s. The hardware was designed by Pepe Mendoza and is bronze with malachite and lapis resin inlay. Mendoza collaborated with a number of makers and this credenza is unmarked, but it is lacquer over mahogany with a mahogany interior, and would make a beautiful statement piece.
We Scream for Eames
We were MCM-geeking-out over Period Modern’s collection of original Eames chairs in various types & heights. As of the publishing of this article, Period Modern currently has 20 original Eames pieces on the showroom floor.
Beaumont & Martha Mood Lighting
Seeing a surge in popularity in recent years, local mid-century legends in ceramics and lighting design, Beaumont & Martha Mood, created pieces for many O’Neil Ford projects among others. They were actively producing works from circa 1952-1977. As of the publishing of this article, Period Modern has 14 pieces available for purchase.
If those last minute gift orders aren't going to arrive on time, then don't forget that your friendly local shops are ready to help you save the holidays!