Louisiana Local Shopping Guide: Gifts, Makers & Holiday Markets

Louisiana's joie de vivre, or "joy of living," makes our culture downright legendary. So much so that once you get here, you won't want to leave. But when you do have to head back home, bring a piece of Louisiana with you. 

Shopping here is about celebrating heritage, supporting independent artists and sharing a bit of genuine bayou charm with the people you care about. Treat yourself to some Louisiana-made knickknacks or scoop up a quirky gift or two for the holidays. 

Here are our picks for gifts with a little something extra (or as we say in the Bayou State, lagniappe).

Apparel & Accessories

From bold Southern style to handmade pieces with Cajun flair, Louisiana’s fashion scene makes it easy to gift something wearable and wonderfully local.

Head to West Monroe's Pelican State Clothing for a laid-back boutique celebrating Louisiana style and state pride through soft tees, hats, hoodies and game-day gear — perfect for cheering on your favorite regional team from the stadium or a local sports bar. Parish Ink is Lafayette’s go-to for clothing that captures Louisiana spirit with wit and heart — from Cajun-culture tees, embroidered hats and cheeky sayings to playful accessories and festival-ready designs. Each piece is screen-printed in-house, celebrating local pride and creative community roots. 

While shopping in New Orleans, women will want to stop at Swoon Boutique NOLA for a curated mix of clothing and fresh daily arrivals ranging from holiday-themed sweaters and floral midi dresses to statement jewelry and functional bag styles. Then explore tongue-in-cheek New Orleans flair at Fleurty Girl, where cheeky tees, sequined jackets, kitchen goodies and Mardi Gras-inspired swag celebrate the playful side of Crescent City culture. Each piece mixes humor, bold colors and Southern charm you won’t find anywhere else.

Craving a special piece of jewelry? Mimosa Handcrafted in Baton Rouge specializes in handcrafted women’s jewelry, meaningful pendants and charms — including friendship, food-themed and birthstones. Each piece is inspired by the local landscape and culture and created using the ancient art of lost-wax casting. For head-turning headwear to don at your next holiday party, Bespoke Hat Co. in Lake Charles offers custom and classic artisan-made hats rooted in Louisiana culture and craftsmanship, plus genuine leather bags and shoes to spice up your winter wardrobe. For a gift that no one would expect, book Bespoke's Hat Bar Party, where you and a friend or partner can learn how to create your very own felt, straw or trucker hat.

Home Goods & Art  

Jazz up your a space back home or give a piece of Louisiana to someone you love — artists and makers throughout the state offer décor and home goods with true regional soul.

Elevate your space with hand-poured candles, linen sprays and reed diffusers from Wicks NOLA that capture the essence of New Orleans and its timeless elegance. You can even book a mobile or in-studio candle-making class as an experiential gift for a friend or loved one. At Red Stick Spice Co., get yourself or the cook in your life a handcrafted, wooden roux spoon — this makes for a a uniquely Louisianan kitchen keepsake or gift, blending culinary tradition with local artisanship. Buy online or at the original Baton Rouge retail shop. At Painted Bayou in Lafayette, you can shape clay on the wheel, paint bisque pottery or build Tiffany-style stained glass pieces for the holidays as a gift you won't be able to find in-store. Or if your gift recipient is the crafty one, treat them to a pottery class to learn the wheel themselves.

If you’re looking for a gift that’s as deeply rooted as the state's mossy oak trees, consider a piece from Roz LeCompte’s collection. Her abstract-folk artwork — from vibrant paper works and wood-canvas paintings to funky wallpaper — is infused with her Acadian heritage, personal mythology and Louisiana symbolism like lotus flowers, snakes, teacups and handwritten fans. Or adorn the walls of your office or home with inspiring Indigenous artwork. Bryant Benoit translates the fleur-de-lis, swamp scenes and historical jazz motifs into limited-edition prints, posters and mixed-media collages, which you can find at his Lafayette gallery. 

Music & Books

For stories told in ink or rhythm, Louisiana’s bookshops, music venues and record stores serve up gifts that celebrate the state’s heritage, humor and heartbeat.

It’s no secret that the state is home to some of the best toe-tapping music on earth. Tickets to see a Louisiana musician play blues, jazz or zydeco would make an awesome experience to gift for a birthday, anniversary or Christmas. Check out top Louisiana live music venues and start planning! You can also support Louisiana’s rich musical heritage with albums from regional jazz, blues or zydeco musicians — a soulful gift with genuine roots. Search local record stores such as Louisiana Music Factory and Euclid Records in New Orleans, Lagniappe Records in Lafayette and Capital City Records in Baton Rouge for Louisiana-made albums, authentic vinyl and CD finds.

For the young ones and bookworms who can't get enough of story time, Cajun Night Before Christmas is a festive, Louisiana-themed spin on the holiday classic. Find it online or search the shelves of independent bookstores throughout the state. For the chefs looking for ideas and recipes for a holiday dinner party, Bayou: Feasting Through the Seasons of a Cajun Life is a beautifully written and illustrated cookbook filled with seasonal recipes and heartwarming stories of the bayou.

Food & Drink

If flavor is your love language, Louisiana’s small-batch makers and culinary staples deliver edible gifts that taste like pure Pelican State pride. 

Louisiana cuisine is known worldwide for its exceptional ingredients and hint of spice. Gift someone with a subscription box from Red Stick Spice or a gift box from Cajun Grocer, which often includes local delicacies such as Café du Monde beignet mix, pralines, TABASCO® hot sauce and more. Shop the TABASCO® Factory’s Country Store for a more in-depth look at a world-famous product, or gather a group for a delicious lunch or dinner at Restaurant 1868!, which serves Cajun classics served with their signature spice. You could even plan a special road trip and grab tasty treats from each region.

Louisiana Crawfish Co. in Natchitoches is the place to stock up on real-deal crawfish boil seasoning or ready-to-cook crawfish. You can also ship beloved Cajun meats such as boudin, sausage and turducken to make a flavorful and fun edible gift for someone. Similarly, Slap Ya Mama Seasoning Blend is a have-to-have spice staple in Louisiana kitchens. This zesty Cajun blend gives any dish a kick of authentic bayou flavor and makes for a funny gag gift or useful stocking stuffer!

What pairs better with a culinary gift than a bottle of wine or made-in-Louisiana spirit? Check out one of our local wineries or distilleries. Some may offer the option to order online, but we recommend making a trip to pick up your beverages, taking a tour or enjoying live music while you’re there. For a cocktail-ready mix, Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane Mix brings the spirit of New Orleans to home bars everywhere — inspired by the city’s iconic French Quarter bar. If you or someone in your life is more of a beer drinker, pick up a growler or crowler from a Louisiana craft brewery — a thoughtful gift for craft-beer enthusiasts or just someone who loves a good time. One of the state's best-known and iconic breweries remains Abita Brewing Co. in Covington, where the gift shop is full of branded merch like beer huggies, sweatshirts, tees, stylish flat-bill hats, bottle-cap art, LED signs, pint glasses, pet collars and more.  

For the Kids

From hands-on experiences to fun keepsakes, Louisiana has plenty of kid-approved gifts that spark imagination and celebrate local culture.

Start 'em young with a mini lobster, crab, shrimp or crawfish boil set to learn a Cajun delicacy! Lil' Bit Boiling Co. has a selection of kid-friendly toy sets that mimic the classic Louisiana seafood boil — complete with a pot, play seafood and playful accessories. You can find a kids boil set online or by shopping local boutiques such as Dirty Coast French Quarter Shop, where other clever kids items include a NOLA ABCs coloring book, puzzles, storybooks and fun alligator-themed gifts — including a cute hooded towel and plush stuffed animals. The American alligator is a significant cultural symbol of the state, designated Louisiana's state reptile and representing the bayou ecosystems, folklore and cuisine. If your child prefers more of an immersive experience to unwrap, how about surprising them with tickets to an exciting swamp tour to see the gators — with trained wildlife professionals and from a safe distance, of course! 

Another gift idea for the kids is a museum membership for endless hands-on learning, creativity and family adventures. Some great options for the little ones include Louisiana Children's Museum or Museum of Illusions in New Orleans, Louisiana Children's Discovery Center in Hammond, Knock Knock Children's Museum in Baton Rouge, Children's Museum of Acadiana in Lafayette and Bayou Country Children's Museum in Thibodaux. Is your child more fascinated with animals, bugs and marine life? There are also memberships and gift options to the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium — each nature park and museum is full of exciting wildlife encounters and interactive exhibits that'll stay with your child long after your trip to New Orleans. 

Lagniappe: Louisiana's Top Places for Holiday Shopping

In Louisiana, the best gifts come wrapped in local flavor, made by the creators who call the Bayou State home. Our many farmers markets and downtown districts are where you'll find charming Louisiana-isms year-round, with merchandise featuring lagniappe (a little something extra).

You can count on finding "Made in Louisiana" items in New Orleans' French Market — open daily for shoppers to stroll six blocks of the French Quarter's historic market stalls, boutique art shops and regional treasures in the heart of the Crescent City. Nearby, Magazine Street offers another premier shopping district with no shortage of art galleries, designer labels and independent boutiques to get your retail fill.

Over in downtown West Monroe, also known as Antique Alley, check out a treasure trove of vintage finds and nostalgic Louisiana goods. The main drag is filled with over 40 antiques shops and even more boutiques and specialty shops displaying everything from coffee beans and bridal wear to comics and quirky collectibles. Are you intrigued by the Cajun culture of South Louisiana? Head to Sorrento's Cajun Village for a charming roadside market featuring local crafts, Cajun fare and handmade clothing, pottery and photography.

Come the holiday season, explore festive pop-up craft fairs, holiday bazaars and artisan markets across Louisiana for original gifts made by hand. Holiday Market at the Mill is a multi-day shopping event held at a refurbished Cotton Mill in downtown New Roads. Expect to find a variety of vendors selling decorative items, plants and garden items, jewelry, glassware and clothing. If you miss this annual event, you can still kick off your holiday shopping here since Market at the Mill's indoor market happens weekly, Wednesday–Saturday. A twice-a-year treasure hunt for vintage lovers can be found in Amite at Vintage Market Days of Southeast Louisiana, an upscale flea market where hundreds of curated vendors gather under one roof to sell retro décor, handmade jewelry, yummy snacks and timeless home furnishings. 

For more opportunities to shop for the holidays —or any special occasion, for that matter —Baton Rouge's MidCity Makers Market hosts seasonal outdoor night markets showcasing tents full of the state's best artists under starry-night skies, plus makers, bakers, painters and crafters of all different mediums and styles. In case you miss one of these annual events, plan your visit for the first Saturday of the month to line up with the Baton Rouge Arts Market — a monthly open-air market to acquire one-of-a-kind works, treats, souvenirs and statement pieces.

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