Holiday gift guide: picks from 10 Alabama museum gift shops

With the holiday season around the corner, it’s time to start shopping. If you’re not sure where to begin, we’ve got you covered with a curated list of top gifts from 10 Alabama museum shops that highlight our state’s creativity and support for local artists.

One part nursery and one part store, Leaf & Petal’s location at Birmingham Botanical Gardens is an ideal place to snag a gift for the green thumb in your life. Bonus for Birmingham Botanical Gardens members: Whether you pick up a wax amaryllis bulb or choose the iconic poinsettia, you’ll get 10% off your purchases with a current membership card. Prices vary.

The Roaring Twenties are synonymous with Alabama power couple F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. The duo made Old Cloverdale in Montgomery their home, and today that site serves as The Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum.

The small gift shop features books, stickers, pins, and other items—but for a unique historical treasure, you can buy small preserved pieces of wallpaper that once adorned the Fitzgeralds’ home. The octagonal remnants ($24) are mounted on acid-free watercolor paper and include a certificate of authenticity.

By showcasing and selling fine arts and heritage crafts, the nonprofit organization Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center is dedicated to revitalizing the Black Belt region. This gallery, museum, and shop represents more than 450 artists, including Betty Anderson, a Wilcox County native whose family members made important contributions to the Camden and Gee’s Bend communities.

Anderson uses pipe cleaners to create small dolls ($14.50) dressed in brightly colored skirts handmade with heritage fabrics that reflect the women of Gee’s Bend and their quilting culture.

Candles are a great go-to gift for holiday soiree hosts. Stop by the shop at the Huntsville Museum of Art for a selection of locally made candles and diffusers—our pick is the resort scent (prices start at $19) from Madison-based brand South & Pine.

The Mobile Carnival Museum gift shop, operated by local Mardi Gras experts Toomey’s, offers a treasure trove of carnival-themed delights. With colorful souvenirs including Mardi Gras–themed tea towels, artwork featuring Mobile’s floats, and authentic parade throws, this museum store has something for every Mardi Gras enthusiast. Prices vary.

Inspired by the captivating ceilings of the Alabama Department of Archives and History building, designer and illustrator Maizie Clarke created the Alabama Archives Ceiling Scarf in shades of blue, gray, and gold. Shoppers can find this wearable piece of history, featuring gold starburst motifs ($39), at the on-site gift store, Alabama Original.

Montgomery’s Legacy Museum offers a look into the country’s complex history of racial inequality. Adults and children alike can learn from the museum’s somber exhibits that serve as a powerful reminder of resilience.

The gift shop features literature for all, including the Gaither Sisters Trilogy, with titles such as the award-winning One Crazy Summer, P.S. Be Eleven, and Gone Crazy in Alabama (books start at $7.99).

Zkano socks (prices start at $18) from the Birmingham Museum of Art gift shop blend sustainable practices, expert craftsmanship, and innovative designs to create the ultimate cold-weather accessory. Even better? They’re made in Fort Payne, so shopping for cozy goods here means you’re supporting small businesses in your community.

Whether the budding astronauts or space aficionados on your list want to launch a rocket scale model or experiment with science kits, you’re bound to find something for them at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. Our pick? The Space Adventure Rocket Launch Center Construction Toy ($49.95).

Part baseball stadium and part museum, Rickwood Field is an iconic Birmingham haunt, where legends such as Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb once ran the bases. The stadium is especially known for drawing crowds to see the Black Barons, Birmingham’s Negro League team, whose players have included Satchel Paige and Willie Mays.

The twill adjustable hat ($35) comes in three colors and features the stadium’s trademark field lights—a perfect fit for baseball fans of all ages.

Travel writer and author Nicole Letts is making her list, checking it twice, and planning a purchasing spree to fill her sack. Follow her journeys of shopping and beyond @nicolemelv.