We know that searching for holiday gifts can be a headache, between the lines, the traffic and the usual seasonal rush. But if you ask us, there is nothing nicer than a gift with personality that also supports one of our many local merchants and artisans.
So, as we have done before, here we put together a list of 20 local shops, brands and artisans whose products you can find in person or online, to brighten the day of that special someone during this festive season.
🇵🇷 Caribbean details
1. Isla.Made
In Rincón, the Isla.Made space offers agricultural products, coffee, flowers and crafts made in Puerto Rico. Here you will find several artisan collections of clothing, mugs, scents, jewelry, utensils, accessories and more. We recommend visiting the store with the person you want to surprise so they can pick the perfect gift.
2. El Jibarito de la Cajita
Its iconic characters are not only a good gift for children, but also an excellent opportunity for them to learn pieces of our history. Each character comes with a book that tells an adventure or story from Puerto Rican tradition.
El Jibarito, the brand's original character, has gained new friends: la Jibarita, el Gallo, la Abuela and el Abuelo. You can buy each character separately or in kits, with its own story, plush toy and accessories. You can also find them at some local stores and pharmacies.
Take advantage of their 35% discount this Black Friday and Cyber Monday when you buy their character sets such as Los Reyes Magos, los Abuelos and the puppies Tito and Rosa.
3. La Lineal Art Gallery + Shop
In the historic downtown of Río Piedras, across from Librería Norberto González, you will find La Lineal, a shop, art gallery and space to browse. It carries local products such as illustrations, creative jewelry and ceramics, all good options for gifts.
4. Jalda Drinks
Give the gift of good rum, vodka and/or gin with the authentic flavor of Puerto Rico in every bottle of Jalda Drinks. For the holiday season, they have launched a line of cream liqueurs to complement and add a special touch to your favorite drinks, desserts and foods. These include pistachio, coquito, coffee, tembleque, white chocolate with strawberries, cookies and cream and chocolate molten. You can buy your preferred liqueur at your nearest supermarket or order through their website.
🚀 Children, books or family gifts
5. Colman y Lucía
Colman y Lucía, located along Avenida Roosevelt, is a concept store dedicated to high-quality children's products, bringing in international items that are hard to find on the Island, with a strong emphasis on durability and sustainability, whether clothing, books or toys for the little ones.
What will you find? Clothing for babies and children (ages 0-12), design toys, family accessories, home goods and family matching sets.
Ideal for: giving with care to little ones or to parents who take pride in good style.
Be sure to browse their discounted items on their website.
6. STEM Planet PR
STEM Planet PR comes with a legacy of collaboration with the Department of Education to provide children and families with educational learning resources focused on science and math.
Its catalog is extensive, ranging from memory games for the youngest children to elaborate puzzles for the curious and board games that stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving. This store at San Patricio Plaza offers options for children at every stage of development.
What will you find? Games, kits and STEM products designed to spark critical thinking, creativity and curiosity.
Ideal for: giving to children, teenagers or families looking for a fun and educational gift.
7. "Preciosa" por Carlos Aponte
If you're looking for a gift for a young reader, "Preciosa," by Puerto Rican writer and illustrator Carlos Aponte, tells the story of Pedrito, a boy from Aguadilla who lives through the devastation of Hurricane María. He finds comfort in the lyrics of the song "Preciosa," and comes to believe that everything will be all right.
Through vibrant illustrations and simple storytelling, this picture book captures a tender love of homeland and the importance of music, and stands as a strong example of Puerto Rican community resilience in difficult times.
Illustration: Carlos Aponte / Instagram
🧴Wellness and self-care
8. EnjabónaTé
EnjabónaTé makes artisanal soaps and oils. All of its soaps are made with 100% natural, cruelty-free ingredients, with no added fragrances, pigments, preservatives or harmful chemicals, and are produced in Dorado, Puerto Rico.
9. Mejunjes
Mejunjes describes itself as an herbalist and apothecary located in the heart of Santurce, where customers can explore medicinal herbs, elixirs and essential oils, among other products. The shop, run by young entrepreneur Gabriela Cruz, also has a space dedicated to tasting organic teas, to which you can add a pinch of medicinal mushroom extracts.
What you'll find: Facial and body care products (oils, tonics), herbal blends, wellness accessories and gift certificates.
Good for: family members or friends who want to treat themselves or try something different.
10. Huele A
What sets Huele A apart, the artisanal candle workshop founded by Karinna Nieves in Río Piedras, is its option to refill your used candle containers, giving them new life and filling your home with renewed scents made from local ingredients and carefully prepared.
You can also find its candles, diffusers and air fresheners, all made with toxin-free materials, through its website, with direct delivery to your home.
What you'll find: Vegetable wax candles with carefully prepared formulas and reusable containers.
Good for: giving to someone who appreciates wellness rituals and minimalist design.
11. Necromancy Cosmética
From its workshop in Río Piedras, Necromancy Cosmética makes vegan lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes and limited-edition cosmetics with an eccentric style that doesn't go unnoticed. All products are made with 100% vegan, cruelty-free ingredients.
The workshop, founded by the couple Desiree Rodríguez and Salvador Pérez, has gained international recognition on social media for its gothic-chic aesthetic and its commitment to Puerto Rican and Río Piedras culture.
What you'll find: Lipsticks, eyeshadows and vegan cosmetics made in small batches, with reusable packaging and designs made for gifting.
Good for: someone looking for a different kind of beauty gift, with attitude, environmental awareness and a local feel.
From Black Friday to Cyber Monday (Nov. 28 to Dec. 1), they will offer a 10% discount on all lipsticks in the line and a 35% discount on eyeshadows.
12. Barras
"The soap revolution" is the motto of Barras, and it's hard to argue with them. This local business, founded and run entirely by women, makes artisanal bar soaps in multiple scents and formulas suited to different skin types. They also carry body scrub, shampoo and other products. Keep an eye out for their Christmas collection.
During Thanksgiving week, Barras celebrates its Golden Week with special offers, including its Happy Hour of 4 soaps for $24. They will also have a Black Hour, where customers can purchase their Ambara soap in a scent created exclusively for the brand, available only on Nov. 28 starting at 7:00 a.m. at their physical stores at Plaza del Caribe and Plaza San Patricio. Also, visit their website to learn about other bundles and specials available for the date.
🪴 For home décor
13. Conloque
Daniela De Jesús named her ceramic production project Conloque after the impulse to create with whatever you have on hand. This studio, active since 2018, is known for its small cups with esoteric designs that add a burst of color and warmth to any place setting at home.
In addition to its kitchen pieces, Conloque creates ceramic sets with specialized uses, such as the charming Lo-Se-Ta-Toe, a tic-tac-toe board game perfect for the living room.
What you'll find: Handmade ceramic pieces.
Ideal for: adding a personal touch to a space.
14. Materia Madura
Many people use the season to refresh their home with furniture and details that bring new life to a space. Consider the home goods and furniture from Materia Madura, a local brand that creates aesthetically distinctive products and surfaces made from composites with organic waste such as coffee, plantains and bread.
You can shop online. The brand also collaborates with architects on custom commissions for commercial projects.
The studio is currently on pause, but you can stay informed and connected through its waitlist for customizable projects and collaborations.
15. Encendía
Artist and electrical engineer Marie Ed "Zoko" Sostre turned her passion for recycled materials and experimental design into Encendía: a one-of-a-kind line of lamps built from repurposed objects, from cameras and coffee makers to phones and microscopes.
Encendía has an online store and is a regular presence at craft markets in the metropolitan area, and each of its pieces is an invitation to a broader conversation about sustainability, history and aesthetics.
What you'll find: Handcrafted lamps made from repurposed objects.
Ideal for: giving to friends or family who love original, character-filled design.
16. La Serigráfica
More than a typical online store, La Serigráfica is a screen-printing workshop and creative project known for the range of its services: poster creation, T-shirt and bag printing, and flyer production, among others.
The workshop, physically based at the Módulo de Mejoramiento Comunitario in Río Piedras, has an extensive product catalog in its online store and offers specialized services depending on the piece you want to create.
What you'll find: Screen prints, artistic prints, printed textiles and limited-edition pieces with a local aesthetic.
Ideal for: someone who appreciates graphic art, distinctive visual details and gifts with a creative spirit.
17. Taller Ornamental
Unlike comparable productions, the enigmatic Taller Ornamental makes specialized crafts in hyper-limited runs using concrete, the same material we build our homes with, as the primary base.
These pieces, with an almost brutalist aesthetic, are full of personality. One example is their most recent creation: an imaginative take on the traditional Three Kings figurine. You can place your order online.
What you'll find: Handcrafted pieces made in concrete.
Ideal for: anyone who wants to add a truly one-of-a-kind design piece to their home.
🏝 For those who never leave the beach
18. Aragma Swims
Aragma Swims strikes the right balance between elegance and quality. Its swimwear brings together the chill vibes of Greece and the craftsmanship of ethical, sustainable fashion.
The bold prints, created by founder Adriana and local artists, reflect the beauty of the Caribbean. Orders are accepted through its online store.
19. Ocean Vibes PR
On an island where the beach is an option year-round, beach clothing and accessories tend to make good gifts. Ocean Vibes PR is a local beach brand that offers a range of products, with caps and shirts in a variety of styles among the standouts.
🐶 For pets
20. Tois Inc.
Tois is a 100% local brand that makes toys for the favorites of the household: dogs.
Its toys, made by Puerto Rican hands, are inspired by local culture, including tostones, empanadillas, avocados, plantains and, now for the holidays, pasteles. The question is: with ketchup or without?
You can get yours through their website: www.toispr.com
21. Molly & Co.
Looking for the perfect gift for your dog? Molly & Co. has its Christmas collection available to dress up your pet. If you're looking for bows, collars, charms, leashes, bandanas and other accessories, you'll find them here. Make sure your dog is as ready for the holidays as you are.
Molly & Co. is starting its Black Friday sale on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 12:00 a.m. Keep an eye on their social media for more details on their discounts.
✨ Looking for jewelry
22. Afrolunatika
Sometimes a single word makes all the difference. Turning a mantra into fashion was part of the inspiration behind Afrolunatika, a jewelry brand for everyday wear with motivational messages.
You can get your own organic piece inspired by transformative words and the diversity of Caribbean women through its website. And if you have a personal mantra you'd like stamped on your own aluminum earrings, you can order them here.
23. Botón de Azúcar
Botón de Azúcar is the result of an evolution that began in 2014. The designer behind this Puerto Rican brand, Aimar Abreu Maceira, creates handmade pieces in which the patterns of each fabric take center stage. Choose from a variety of products, including earrings, necklaces and keychains for the colorful, one-of-a-kind person in your life, on its website.
There will be a 30% discount sitewide from Black Friday through Cyber Monday.
24. Anticuado Jewelry
Puerto Rican pride runs in the blood and in what you wear. Anticuado Jewelry draws on its love for the island to create pieces meant to be appreciated by future generations. Its jewelry line includes rings representing each of the island's towns and necklaces that express our heritage.
25. Coquí El Original
Coquí El Original is a family-owned fine jewelry company located in Old San Juan, founded in 1920 under the name Barquet Jewelers and later renamed in 2009. Inspired by the island's nature and culture, the goldsmithing turns icons from Puerto Rico's fauna, flora and emblematic symbols into elegant pieces designed and made by Puerto Rican hands. Explore its collections of necklaces, rings, earrings and exclusive holiday ornaments by visiting its store in Old San Juan or through coquieloriginal.com.
26. Hernán Herdez
For classic jewelry with contemporary, modern touches, Hernán Herdez has the pieces for you. Its collections of rings, earrings and pendants stand out for their asymmetrical shapes combined with colorful stones and a unisex aesthetic. All of its jewelry is also made with recycled metals. You can browse its collections and place orders through hernanherdez.com.
Supporting local talent
When you give one of these products, you not only brighten the day of someone you care about, you also support the creativity of the many local artisans and entrepreneurs who keep the soul of the Island alive. So this Christmas 2025, before you order online from an outside store, give local!
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
