The Ultimate Nashville Gift Guide

The true Nashville lover would appreciate a little taste or sparkle from their favorite city to remind them of how much they adore Music City.

Written by Kelly Brickey
The Ultimate Nashville Gift Guide
The Ultimate Nashville Gift Guide

It’s getting to be crunch time for picking out all of the perfect gifts to impress your friends and family, but the city of Nashville has got you covered on some of the best locally made presents to make anyone light up like a Christmas tree on that special holiday!

While most people know Nashville to be a town of music, it’s also home to various other companies that make all of their goods right here in the city. Because the town prides itself on supporting local businesses, people come from near and far to start up their own productions in order to create anything from candy to jewelry to alcohol.

With that in mind, the ultimate Nashville lover would appreciate a little taste or sparkle from their favorite city to remind them of how much they adore Music City. Thankfully, the list is practically endless when it comes to finding the best that Nashville has to offer.

We’ve compiled just a few to get those creative juices flowing for the holiday season wishlist, so here’s your ultimate Nashville Gift Guide to make this year’s Christmas as jolly as Santa Claus himself:

Goo Goo Clusters boxed chocolates, googoo.com

Photo courtesy Goo Goo Cluster website

Variety Pack; Photo courtesy Goo Goo Cluster website

Our mouths are watering just thinking about the delicious Nashville novelty. A crispy chocolaty delight stuffed with peanuts, marshmallow and caramel, the Goo Goo Cluster is an absolute must for any sweet tooth who visits town. Their shop, where they cook up these scrumptious treasures, is conveniently located where all visitors stop when they come to town: just steps off of Broadway. Don’t feel guilty about gaining that holiday weight and just eat about 50 of these treats for full satisfaction.

Thistle Farms gift set, thistlefarms.org

Photo courtesy Thistle Farms website

Holiday Gift Set; Photo courtesy Thistle Farms website

The holidays are the best time to give back to those in need, and Thistle Farms does that with their dedicated mission statement to “healing for women survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking and prostitution.” By teaming together with the survivors and other employees to create wonderfully-smelling bath products for customers to indulge in, it also helps the women maintain a safe lifestyle one purchase at a time. The aromas from their lotions to their soaps will warm up any holiday season in the soul and in the heart.

FashionABLE scarf, livefashionable.com

Photo courtesy FashionABLE website

The ABLE Scarf; Photo courtesy FashionABLE website

Going along on the giving back theme, Nashville is one of the hottest hubs for non-profits to get their start. Music City is a community full of helping hands and the citizens do so in a collaborative effort, specifically at places like FashionABLE. Like that of Thistle Farms, FashionABLE employs women living impoverished lives in order to give them opportunity to success. Creating leather goods and accessories for the minimalist chic fashionista, picking up something as simple as a scarf can make a world of difference during the Christmas season.

Hatch Show Print poster, hatchshowprint.com

Photo courtesy Hatch Show Print website

2016 Limited Edition Holiday Poster; Photo courtesy Hatch Show Print website

Known as a Nashville legacy for over 100 years, Hatch Show Print has defined how institutions like The Ryman Auditorium prints their concert and performance posters. The iconic text and visual elements have carried as a tradition through decades upon decades of the music evolution in town. But for tourists who stop by when their favorite artist isn’t playing a show at the historical venue, the Hatch Show Print company expanded to their own print shop right in downtown Nashville. A print, no matter the artist, always add that vintage flair to any home décor.

Bang Candy Company marshmallows, bangcandycompany.com

Dexlue Marshmallow Box; Photo courtesy The Bang Candy Company website

Deluxe Marshmallow Box; Photo courtesy The Bang Candy Company website

Because everyone you know needs to try artisanal marshmallows at least once in their lives. The Bang Candy Company does offer the typical “naked” marshmallow, but ‘tis the season to spice things up and try a chocolate chili cube or a maple bacon bourbon treat. Trust us: it’s so worth the weird flavor combinations.

Project 615 graphic tee, project615.org

Tennessee Christmas Unisex Tee; Photo courtesy Project 615 website

Tennessee Christmas Unisex Tee; Photo courtesy Project 615 website

Want the perfect excuse to make the receiver of your gift giggle uncontrollably over the present they get? Head immediately to Project 615 before it’s too late because their holiday collection of graphic tees channels jokes like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and the stereotypical pedal taverns that drift among the streets of Music City day in and day on. If you want a more traditional and laid-back shirt, Project 615 has you covered as their Santa sack is filled with celebratory Nashville logos on their gear.

Martin’s Bar-B-Que BBQ sauces, martinsbbqjoint.com

Five Sauce Set; Photo courtesy Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint website

Five Sauce Set; Photo courtesy Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint website

One thing is for certain: the South knows how to take care of barbecue. The savory tastes of ribs and brisket and chicken…wow, the possibilities are endless. Some people even take the tradition and make it a holiday one for their families by grilling up a huge slab of meat to feed the family during the colder months. Rather than feast on a bland cut, Martin’s Bar-B-Que BBQ sauces will do the trick to any Southern food that needs a bit of a kick. With flavors of sweet and spicy alike, the Nashville sauce craze is definitely one to follow and devote yourself to.

Barista Parlor coffee, baristaparlor.com

Roaster's Choice Club Box; Photo courtesy Barista Parlor website

Roaster’s Choice Club Box; Photo courtesy Barista Parlor website

Coffee reigns supreme in Nashville. Want to go on a date? Go to coffee. Want to coordinate a quick business meeting? Go to coffee. Want to study for that big final right before Christmas break? You guessed it…coffee. Because coffee culture is huge, people get pretty particular about what brew should warm them up when winter weather strikes. Barista Parlor is bar none one of the top-shelf places to pick up a cup, so we recommend grab a box or two of some fresh grounds.

Loveless Café mugs, lovelesscafe.com

Blue and Cream Mug; Photo courtesy The Loveless Cafe website

Blue and Cream Mug; Photo courtesy The Loveless Cafe website

If you go anywhere to eat when visiting Nashville, The Loveless Café must be on the top of the list. Its classic Southern fare holds up as some of the best comfort food one will ever come across! (Yes, even better than Mama’s homemade cooking on Christmas day.) While they’re more known for their biscuits and jam than their coffee, a mug marking the hotspot is an absolute must as a cute little stocking stuffer. Every morning filling up the cup will bring back fond memories of happy hearts and full tummies.

Consider the Wildflowrs jewelry, considerthewldflwrs.com

The Basic Bar Tag; Photo courtesy Consider the Wldflwrs

The Basic Bar Tag; Photo courtesy Consider the Wldflwrs

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend…or some people say so. But what we think they mean is that any sort of jewelry could make someone a very happy lady. Consider the Wildflowrs, located in Nashville, does their best to capture all that sparkles in the form of rings, bracelets, necklaces and more intricate baubles. Adding the simplest of accessories from this minimalistic boutique could make even the classiest of folks ogle with awe at any holiday gathering.

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery whiskey, greenbrierdistillery.com/home

Belle Meade Bourbon 75-mL, Photo courtesy Nelson's Greenbriar Distillery

Belle Meade Bourbon 750-mL, Photo courtesy Nelson’s Greenbriar Distillery

Tennesseans sure do love themselves a shot of whiskey on the rocks. Heck, country music is all about that hard liquor as anyone from Blake Shelton to Chris Stapleton sing about the liquor cabinet staple. Keeping it all in the local scheme of things, Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery makes their whiskey strong and smooth to ease over any Christmas get-together. Unfortunately, you can’t purchase the Belle Meade Bourbon directly from the distillery online, but they do have several online retailers that’ll whet your whistle with a special delivery.