This holiday season, get ready to give the best gift of all: something totally unique for your loved ones! From meaningful experiences to special retail finds, Ypsilanti has that ultimate gift you're seeking.
Your Shopping Inspiration
Explore this guide for creative gift-giving inspiration. Remember to pick up something for yourself. You deserve it!
Jump to a section or keep browsing the gift guide:
Ypsi Experiences & Gift Suggestions
- Gift Cards: Ypsi restaurants, coffee shops, and some retail shops sell gift cards, always a win for gift-giving!
- Breweries & Distilleries: Craft beer and spirits made just for Ypsi. Visit Ypsi Cocktail Club for themed bottles and Water Tower Distilling for made-in-Ypsi spirits.
- Escape Room: Ypsilanti is home to one of the top three best escape rooms in the USA. Plan a day to visit Decode Ypsilanti and treat someone to a fun activity.
- Workshops & Events: Creative spaces like Riverside Arts Center, Tipsy Ypsi, and Michigan Folk School host workshops of all kinds. Surprise friends by creating something new together.
- Health & Wellness: Zion Well hosts yoga and meditation with views of Ford Lake. Mix Fitness Studios offers fun classes to keep active. Rhizome Roots hosts dancing lessons, yoga, and special events.
- Live Theatre: Tickets to a show make great gifts. See what Neighborhood Theatre Group has scheduled, and browse performances from Horizon Performing Arts, Whatabout Theatre, PTD Productions, and Eastern Michigan University Theatre.
Ypsi-Themed Gifts & Unique Retail
- World of Rocks: Popular gem and rock shop carrying rare gems, fossils, and crystals. Help design and create custom jewelry with your choice of gems.
- Bloodroot Herb Shop: Bulk herbs & teas, plants, zines, and herbal ware in a beautiful historic building downtown. You'll feel welcome in this Ypsi space.
- Blackstone Bookstore & Cultural Center: Your ultimate stop for books, specializing in African American literature. It's easy to find what you're looking for with their connection to the industry’s largest active book inventory.
- The Rocket: Thousands of super cool gifts including Rosie the Riveter items and Ypsi T-shirts. Find stocking stuffers like ornaments, Pop! Figures, and prepackaged candy.
- View Ypsilanti shops here.
Antique & Vintage
- Salt City Antiques: Two stories of Mid-Century furniture and antiques with a selection of retro holiday decorations and gifts that will take you back in time.
- A2 Vintage: Must-visit downtown shop for vintage gifts. Discover nostalgic collectibles, clothing, records and more at this Ypsi gem.
- Find and Shine Vintage: Carrying an eclectic collection of vintage items ranging from clothing, signs, and figurines.
- Jim MacDonald’s & Apple Annie’s Vintage: Depot Town storefront carrying silver goods, apparel, a selection of old and new toys, Kit-Kat clocks, and all things vintage.
- Lucky Haskins: Nostalgic treasures to rediscover like toys, games, posters, and more from your childhood.
- View more antique & vintage shops here.
Love of Music
- Ziggy’s: Support area musicians and artists by buying comic books, CDs, cassettes, and other swag.
- Grove Studios: 24/7 recording studio and creative space offering gift cards for self-service music, DJ, podcast, photography and video, and merchandise.
- Wyrd Byrd: Unique shop displaying everything from zines to rare music finds. Catch a movie and special events hear year-round.
- Records & more: Search a large selection of vinyl records at A2 Vintage in downtown Ypsilanti. The thrift shops also carry a number of records.
Coolest Clothing
- Puffer Reds:This Ypsi destination carries the latest apparel exclusives, rare sneakers, and premium brands. The family-owned business prioritizes community year-round.
- Love at First Try: Pick up new arrivals and seasonal top picks at this boutique carrying curvy love apparel and the latest fly, fun, feminine fashion.
- Thrift Shops: Thrift shops in Ypsi offer toys, clothing, shoes, decorations, and all kinds of goods. Visit the Ypsilanti Thrift Shop downtown, and the Thrift Depot in Depot Town.
For Artists & Art Lovers
- This, That & the ODDer Things: Pick out stocking stuffers and mystery pre-made gift boxes. Find artwork, tarot decks, spell kits, and one-of-a-kind finds here.
- Twisted Things: Carrying work of 50+ area artists, shop organic apothecary and curious goods including oddities, plus ethically and sustainably sourced animal and plant items.
- Nelson Amos Studio: Give the gift of creative artist services including custom cards, framing for all sizes, oil portraits, and images of Ypsilanti to share the Ypsi love.
- Ypsi Art Supply: Find professional artist items, high-quality products, and several accessories and chat to the expert shop owners.
- Art Galleries: Gift a unique art piece from Michigan Art Gallery. Visit 22 North for expressive and visual artwork and Luna Gallery sells pieces from local artists.
- Vendor Markets: Purchase artwork from talented artists at vendor showcases including the Riverside Holiday Art Fair.
Hobbies & Special Interests
- Best In Games: An entertainment epicenter, Best In Games provides 3 stories attractions including go-karts, a full arcade, laser tag, restaurants and much more.
- Schultz Outfitters: Fly-fishing shop & guide service specializing in angling, instruction, and fishing trips. Schultz carries everything a fly-fisher needs.
- ModelCave: Carrying model cars, planes, boats, and figures with new and vintage kits, tools and paint supplies.
- Comics and Board Games: Visit Fun 4 All Comics & Games for new comics. Golden Rhino Games serves the tabletop gamers, and browse pre-owned games and consoles at Gamepawn Ypsi.
- Give Back: Groups like the Secret Santa Society of Ypsilanti are giving back by supporting local families by collecting, wrapping, and delivering gifted donations.
Holiday Markets in Ypsilanti to Visit This Season
- 2 min read
Ypsilanti is your go-to for one-of-a-kind treasures and meaningful gifts! Find the perfect present…
Destination Ann Arbor Holiday Gift Guide 2025
- 4 min read
This holiday season, experiences are the vibe. And we've got the perfect place for you to…
6 Ways to Stay Cozy this Winter in Ypsilanti
- 3 min read
Seek out the coziest ways to experience Ypsilanti this winter with our warm and welcoming…