Every year has its most popular gifts, along with the usual holiday staples. But it isn't terribly special to give or receive the latest tech gadget or stereotypical sweater.
If you are looking for something special, Yelp's community managers compiled this list of the most unique, local gifts from across the United States. To get the full effect, visit these stores in person -- but many sell their goods online if you aren't lucky enough to be in the immediate vicinity.
The community managers represent different cities around the U.S., and the company is proud of their local expertise. Take a look at the list and see if you think they did a good job.
Sugar Skull Heisenberg II T-Shirt -- $18
The people of Albuquerque, New Mexico, are big Breaking Bad fans -- not just because they like the show, but because of the economic boost that Heisenberg-inspired tourism has given the region.
Guerilla Graphics sells the Sugar Skull Heisenberg II T-Shirt.
Yellow bird sauce -- $20
Yellow Bird Sauce from Tears of Joy Hot Sauce Shop in Austin, Texas, is an all-natural gift for the person who loves spice.
Fresh Christmas vibes for y'all... Raise your hand if you're ready for the holidays!! #christmasiscoming #yellowbirdsauce A photo posted by Yellowbird Sauce (@yellowbirdsauce) on Dec 5, 2015 at 6:30am PST
The gift box includes three flavors of spicy sauce, a holiday card and stickers.
Baltimore Blend Coffee & Tea -- $14
Baltimore Blend Coffee & Tea gift set from Baltimore Coffee and Tea in Maryland.
Louisiana Roux Spoon -- $20
To make the perfect roux, according to Red Stick Spice Co., the trick is to never stop stirring.
The Louisiana Roux Spoon can help make that happen, as it's designed both to get to every corner of the pot, and comes in right- and left-handed versions.
Live lobster -- Market price
There's nothing like a live lobster from Boston's Yankee Lobster Fish Market to say, "I care."
Chocolate Lover's Gift Box -- $50
The Chocolate Lover’s Gift Box from By Brooklyn, in -- where else -- Brooklyn, New York, includes a Raaka Vanilla Rooibos Bar, a Rescue Chocolate Peanut Butter Pitbull Bar, Liddabit Chocolate Dipped Sea Salt Caramels and Granola Lab Activation Energy Granola.
Blueberry Cobbler Ale -- Varies
Beer that tastes like cobbler? OK, we're in. The Funky Buddha Brewery makes this ale, in Broward-Palm Beach, Florida.
Black Squirrel Aged Spirit -- Varies
The new #BlackFriday pic.twitter.com/qkdBXElsAs— Black Squirrel (@blacksqrl) November 27, 2015
Black Squirrel Aged Spirit, from Black Squirrel Distillery in Buffalo, New York, starts with "dark yet delicate New York State maple syrup, a treasure that yields the most perfect sugars — nuanced, mineral-rich, aromatic, and hearty." The description goes on but we're already convinced.
Candle-making classes -- $45
For crafty individuals in Charleston, South Carolina, the candle-making classes at Candlefish are a local gift that's also an experience.
Cloister Honey -- Starting at $9
A photo posted by karin (@thisiskarinpatricia) on Oct 15, 2015 at 5:07pm PDT
North Carolina's Cloister Honey is sold at a variety of local shops in Charlotte, including Savory Spice Shop.
Chicago pizza tour -- $60
Is Chicago pizza the best? Give the gift of finding out with a tour from Chicago Pizza Tours.
Few Spirits rye whiskey -- Varies
Few Spirits Rye Whiskey from Few Spirits, on Chicago's North Shore, is a "a genteel interpretation of the venerable spirit."
Cincy Shirts T-shirt -- $25
Cincy Shirts has every Cincinnati-themed shirt you never knew your Cincinnati-loving friends and family needed.
Cleveland in a Box -- $30
It's like a customized Cleveland time capsule circa 2015, except for enjoying now instead of in a decade -- or three.
Ohio mini wood map -- $125
Proud to be a part of @Green_Columbus' CBus Earth Day kick-off party - great cause! pic.twitter.com/F2TZOOGbbL— Cut Maps (@cutmaps) March 18, 2015
Ohio, man. This state has some serious hometown pride.
Bozz Print poster -- $30
Bozz Print poster from Bozz Prints is sold in local Des Moines shops, including Domestica.
Dallas-themed graphic tees -- $23
Dallas-themed graphic tees from Bullzerk.
Glass Action stained glass -- Starting at $20
Glass Action Stained Glass is available at the Rust Belt Market in Detroit, Michigan.
Glass blowing classes -- $100
Glass blowing classes in Fort Worth, Texas, start at $100 for the intro workshop at SiNaCa Studios.
Onyx moonshine -- Varies
Onyx Moonshine, from Spiritus Wines in Hartford, Connecticut, is "a modern take on traditional New England-style moonshine, based on an age-old secret recipe."
Manoa Chocolate bars -- $10
How does your #chocolate maker stay fit? Eats and hand grinds own dark chocolate. #chocolatefitness pic.twitter.com/NQt4LOUDbf— ManoaChocolate (@ManoaChocolate) April 27, 2013
Locally grown and made chocolate bars from Manoa Chocolate, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Space Montrose jewelry -- Varies
Space Montrose has a curated selection of trinkets and gifts, in Houston, Texas.
Hand-carved wooden razors -- $30
Hand-carved wooden razors, from Brick & Mortar Barber Shop in Indianapolis, Indiana, take a standard gift -- razors -- and kick it up a few notches.
Bold Bean coffee beans -- Starting at $16
Bold Bean Coffee Beans from Bold Bean Coffee Roasters, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Departed Soles takeaway growlers -- Varies
Jersey City, New Jersey, is home to Departed Soles Brewing Co.
Compartés chocolate bars -- $10
Los Angeles may in fact be the city where dreams come true, if your dream is to have a Lucky Charms white chocolate bar, an animal cookies dark chocolate bar or a donuts and coffee milk chocolate bar. That's right: donuts and coffee. IN A CHOCOLATE BAR.
A photo posted by Compartes Chocolatier (@compartes) on Nov 5, 2015 at 7:33pm PST
Want.
Sherwood House X.O. Brandy -- $45
"The first artisanal aged brandy produced on Long Island, Chardonnay was used as the base, double-distilled, and then aged for 3 years in new French oak," according to Sherwood House Vineyards in New York.
Madison Lakes Prints -- $14-$70
Madison Lakes Prints, in Madison, Wisconsin, are available from Zip-Dang.
Artisan Bourbon Chocolates -- Starting at $10
Kentucky is known for bourbon, and you can do more than just drink it. Artisan bourbon chocolates from Art Eatables, in Louisville.
Five In One Social Club Workshop -- Varies
The workshop calendar at Five In One Social Club, in Memphis, Tennessee, has a variety of activities, mostly for 16+ (some for 21+).
GuaVino -- $19
Schnebly Redland's Winery in Miami, Florida, makes GuaVino, a wine with serious fruit notes.
Tactile Craftworks Leather Goods -- Starting at $20
Handcrafted leather goods from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, available at The Waxwing.
We did a series of these custom Havasupai flasks, with a topographical map of a stunning part of the Grand Canyon. pic.twitter.com/y0bR1PFsex— Tactile Craftworks (@TactileCraft) November 25, 2015
Hatch Show Print Posters -- $5-$20
Nashville, Tennessee's Hatch Show Print sells these retro music posters.
Wild Ritual Soap -- $8-$20
In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Design Archives Emporium sells the unusual Wild Ritual Soap.
Distillery Tour -- $20
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is home to the TOPO Distillery, which offers tours.
Beadzza Mardi Gras mosaic art kit -- Varies
Linda Barbor recycles Mardi Gras beads into mosaic art; sold at Zèle NOLA.
Stick with Me truffles -- Varies
Some beautiful bon bons for your sweetie? Perfect. Available in New York City, and the online store is coming soon.
Hand-painted mermaid -- $12-$65
The Mermaid Factory in Norfolk, Virginia, lets you give a custom gift -- because it lets you hand paint a mermaid yourself.
Chocolate Wine Bottles -- $53
Yep, right! #MondayMotivation #Chocolate pic.twitter.com/vXfvwiUuxo— Vintage Sweet Shoppe (@VintageSweetSho) August 31, 2015
For people with the ultimate sweet tooth, from Vintage Sweet Shoppe, in Napa, California.
Mother Earth Brewing Beer Kit -- Varies
Mother Earth Brewing Co. in Vista, California.
Whiskey Soap -- Varies
Available at Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, in Purcellville, Virginia.
Diving Dog Brewhouse brew session -- $300
Oakland, California.
The Day Designer -- $49-$59
"The original daily agenda for living a well-designed life," in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, from Whitney English.
Tool & Garden Tote -- $175
Omaha, Nebraska's Artifact Bag Company.
Noble Ale Works Growlers -- Varies
Gear from Noble Ale Works is available at the tasting room in Anaheim, California.
Taste Adventure Club Marshmallows -- $40
There's such a thing as weekly, artisanal, surprise-flavored marshmallow delivery. Yeah.
From Wondermade, in Orlando, Florida.
Graphic Onesies -- Varies
At Nice Things Handmade, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Olivewood Designs -- Varies
At Junk in the Trunk vintage market, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Three Little Figs Jam -- $12.50
Come see us Sunday for the #popupmarket at @holoceneportland. We'll be bringing our brand new Watermelon Rind Pickles and Watermelon Sriracha Chili jam. Lots of holiday specials for the ones you love A photo posted by Three Little Figs (@threelittlefigsjam) on Dec 4, 2015 at 4:36pm PST
Portland, Oregon.
Artisan Wooden Oyster Platters -- $136-$162
Up someone's oyster game with these beautiful carved wooden platters, from Portland Trading Co. in Maine.
Fox Point Pickles -- Starting at $9
Available at Edgewood Cheese Shop and Eatery in Providence, Rhode Island.
Carrier Pigeon Art -- Varies
From Ridgewood Market, in Queens, New York.
Tahoe Timber sunglasses -- $90-$105
Reno, Nevada. From Tahoe Timber -- sold at Larkellen.
Dulce De Leche Truffles -- $18-$75
Richmond, Virginia: Dulce De Leche Truffles from Chocolates By Kelly.
Fee Brothers Bitters -- Varies
Rochester, New York.
Preservation Bloody Mary Mix -- $9
Sacramento, California.
Olio Beard and Face Oil -- $19-$59
Salt Lake City, Utah, at Blake’s Barbershop.
Digital Art Studio Session -- Starting at $40
San Antonio, Texas.
Skating By The Sea -- $25
Coronado has a perfect southern California climate, but that doesn't mean the locals don't love Christmas. The ice skating rink -- right next to the famous Coronado beach and the Hotel Del, is West Coast at its best.
Magnetic Vase -- $27
San Francisco, California.
Careful it Bites -- $20-$48
Sold at a variety of local Seattle shops, including Portage Bay Goods.
Mr. California Men’s Apparel Lightweight Jackets -- $68-$149
Gooey Butter Cake Mix -- $16
The richest gift you can get for $16. From Park Avenue Coffee, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Start a new tradition this year, Gooey Butter Cake for the friends & family - may we suggest Pumpkin Caramel Pecan! pic.twitter.com/NgJ7edg8NZ— Park Avenue Coffee (@ParkAveCoffee) November 25, 2014
Strawberry Salsa -- $18
Strawberry Salsa from Parkesdale Farm Market, in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Small batch beer -- Starting at $10
Tucson, Arizona: Small batch beer from Iron John’s Brewing Company.
Handmade candles -- Varies
Handmade candles from The Nest Interiors & Gifts, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Isabel Street Heat Hot Sauce -- $25
Twin Cities, Minnesota: Isabel Street Heat Hot Sauce from The Wedge Community Co-op.
Twin Valley Distillers Bourbon -- Varies
Twin Valley Distillers Bourbon from Twin Valley Distillers, in Washington, D.C.