Christmas is hurtling towards us…a blink or two and it will be here. I did a bit of shopping around town to find some nice gifts that you can purchase – for yourself or a loved one – for $100bzd or less.
I think I found a few good things. Let me show you. AND how cute San Pedro is looking…
It’s nice to see Orange Gift Store open again in town. They are located just north of Fido’s on the Front Street and I found some really cute gifts there. And while some of their stuff is very high end and pricey…these items are quite reasonable I think.
Rosewood is beautiful but the rosewood burl – the big spiky knot you would sometimes see on the side of the huge tree is rare and gorgeous. The grain swirls and dots the wood…
For $28bzd. These beautiful earrings with natural pearls and silver.
And then this gorgeous carved Christmas ornament that I’m pretty sure no one would put away after Christmas. $92bzd.
What drew me into the store initially were the hand beaded Christmas ornaments. The Belize ones are very cute – and this photo does them no justice. $50bzd
I found some beautiful brass and embroidery thread necklaces at Belizean Arts. They have some great jewelry and art in the shop…check them out inside Fido’s. $35bzd.
On my way out, this caught my eye. Love it. Sparkly and available in tons of colors but on a simple cord. Gorgeous with just a t-shirt.
How about using your Christmas budget for this beautiful cause – pick up a bear and buy a gift for a local child who might not get one otherwise. Pop into Crazy Canuck’s Bar or Sandbar and choose a bear from their Christmas trees.
Each bear comes with a Christmas wish from a child. Some kids want dolls or school books…let’s just hope you don’t pick the one who wants a golf cart. That’s my bear.
I kid.
Buy the gift (Caye Supplies will give you a 15% discount if you present the bear), wrap it and drop it off. Britney from SandBar and Kaitlin from Projects Abroad will make sure these kids get their gifts. And you can feel FANTASTIC knowing that Santa hasn’t passed a child by.
There are some cute t-shirts around town if you look…
Blue Water Grill (along with tons of cool stuff like hats, fishing shirts, running wear) has these new “I LOVE BELIZE” tees. $40bzd. And super cute.
The Rum, Cigar and Coffee Shop has these fun shirts with Belize’s unofficial national drink featured…and the Coppertone girl all grown up. $35bzd.
Stop by Graniel’s Dreamland for lots of cute stuff. Here, by the way, is a rosewood burl carved into a bowl.
I love all the wood bowls – made of trees that range from light grey to rose to black. It’s a great spot to learn about the amazing Belizean hardwoods.
My choices in the price range? From about $50bzd to $70bzd – these beautiful zericote shells.
And I always like these flip flops…for about $50bzd.
I passed by a manger in front of Nellie’s Laundromat.
And stopped into Papo’s Art store. He is the artist that did the FABULOUS mural at the Truck Stop…
(And if you are there…you can pick up one of the super cool Truck Stop hats for $40bzd.)
Papo has a great shop on Middle Street. And while the larger pieces are out of my assigned price range…
…I’m going to squeeze these sailboat paintings in. You can choose your colors, you can pick the names on the sailboats. And for $125bzd? You have one gorgeous souvenir or gift.
The Belize Chocolate Company is filled with great stuff…but you cannot go wrong with Chocolate Tea…$12bzd.
And NO ONE will be unhappy with a box of chocolates…or any of these beautiful products. The cocoa powder is dark and rich and gorgeous – absolutely amazing for baking. Or adding to your coffee as you brew it.
And have a cookie or a brownie or a muffin while you are there…you are working hard! And just inhale the overwhelming smell of good chocolate.
Rubimoon (I just posted about a bunch of their beautiful new items) has treasures galore. Or, if your taste is…questionable, gift certificates!
They have some super versatile, super soft scarves that dress up anything for $35bzd.
I LOVE their sarongs…beautiful colors, beautiful fabric. I promise you – if you are shopping for a woman, you can find something great in here.
For the fisherman in your life or just someone who LOVES Belize – this gorgeous book is a series of love letters to the country (and to Belikin). The pictures are SPECTACULAR. You can stop in Tres Pescados Fly Fishing Shop on Front Street (across from Fido’s Courtyard) to see and buy the book – or order it online.
It is JUST above my price range (again) but it’s a piece of art. Really. Take a look here at some of his photos of Belize.
For those who like rum (or spirits of any kind), Tiburon is a premium blend and is winning awards left and right. Stop in the Traveller’s Liquor Store on Middle Street for tastings and a bottle of Tiburon. $60bzd.
Hopefully that gives you some ideas. Don’t forget the basics for stocking stuffers – Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce…
If you haven’t tried the Smoked Special addition…you must. It’s my favorite.
And check out some of the Mayan vendors on the beach – they have great little toys – and now even stuffed Santas – for the holidays.
Oh! And Heather at Pampered Paws is making these DARLING ornaments – you can pick one from her collection or order one that looks like your dog. I know she is working overtime! $15bzd – $5bzd of which goes to SAGA Humane Society.
If you found anything special, let me know! I’d love to add it to the list.
I had my first trip to Ambergris last month (lovely!) and was surprised that other than paintings and rosewood there didn’t seem to be any local Belizian crafts to buy. Heavy textiles were plentiful but just did not fit with a beach vibe – from colder Mayan places evidently. I got the impression I was in Guatemala when I shopped. Most tourists fly in and probably want some suitcase friendly local crafts. Maybe it was just me … or maybe someone could come up with something cute and unique made from coconuts that would make shopping more exciting.
India baubles are lovely, but just emphasized to me: hey, is there nothing local and cute?
I agree. I wrote a post about local souvenirs you can buy…but I’ve always liked art the best. It can be tough. And NO ONE wants 1 million magnets and shot glasses.
it has been my experience, that most of the tourist trinket shops in town , sell mostly items made in other countries…it seems to be the street vendors mostly,that are selling hand made, in belize, products.
Agree. You really have to search.
The airport has beautiful black wood cross earrings made in Belize and gorgeous painted coconut-shell earrings that always get great compliments at church in Portland. This is Goldson airport in Belize City. The vendors there know how to find great Belize stuff, locally made.
Also, you can find books by Rosita Arvigo, all about foods and medicines of Belize. I totally love these books.
you wanna pay airport prices….oooooh-k…!!!
in san pedro…
for wood carvings …i buy directly from the artist…
go to denis….on the beach…in front of the alley…by estelle’s…….[i do hope he wasnt forced to move] ….the man couldnt be more honest.
and another man i know..named joseph…he walks around town selling carvings.
and there is lionel…rides a bike, carries a carving.
all 3 are parents supporting their families…
and there are so many others around town,not in hi-priced shops.
These were wooden earrings, and they were not that expensive. I didn’t buy anything big there.
Hmmmm…I know a few of those guys and…hmmmm. Nothing wrong with local artist who have shops…Graniels makes beautiful things…as do all of these stores…Saul at Rum, Cigar Store is fantastic…that’s a MUST-STOP-INTO.
every time i walk into graniels shop, [on middle st.]…
it’s almost a sexual experience.
the stuff is just, mind boggling…. in it;s….craft-beauty….!!
all of it just ,blows my mind.
everything in there is, local ,wood-art.
also……
if you need a quality condo/house built ,by a quality belizean family with decades of experience…
choose ”GRANIELS” . ”you dream it, armando will built it”
Join an art class with Belizean Melody, do your own painting, you have instant memories forever!
Totally great idea.
Love Heather’s doggie ornaments. Smart, cute, and for a great cause! Hope she sells LOTS!
We bought beautiful big Conch Shells from some divers that we brought home , cleaned and shelacked. Wrapped them in Belize T-shirts, and mailed them off to our grandkids in Idaho.
LOVE that idea! Conch shells…and that pink/coral color inside…are absolutely gorgeous.