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'Tis the season for sweaters, sparkles, good cheer, and, of course, gift-giving! Holiday shopping is about to be in full swing and should this year’s list of loved ones to shop for be long and diverse, there’s no need to fear! Our team has done the legwork to find the best gift ideas for every type of person in your life from the foodies to fan girls to art lovers, history buffs, and wine connoisseurs. Make your own unique, special memories this holiday season with a host of bucket list worthy experiences that you can give as a gift.
From high-end to budget friendly to somewhere in the middle, our ultimate holiday gift guide: Long Island edition, has it all – so read on to find your 2023 holiday gift inspiration.
For the Wine Enthusiast: Exclusive Subscriptions and Sip and Stay Experiences
Credit: Harbes Vineyard/Facebook
Long Island Wine Country is home to over 60 vineyards and world-class tasting rooms. 2023 has officially marked 50 years since the founding of the area’s wine region when Louisa and Alex Hargrave planted the first wine grapes in 1973 – so what better was to celebrate the anniversary than sharing your love for LIWC with someone else! From rich Cab Francs to versatile roses and legendary bubbly, regional-inspired brews, and top-shelf liquor, Long Island has grown award-winning, high-quality ingredients for wines and spirits in unmatched settings with winding farmlands and waterfront vineyards.
If you’re looking to gift more than a single bottle to the wine lovers in your life, consider joining a wine club on their behalf. Memberships have benefits such as discounted wine purchases and a certain number of bottles of wine shipped to you per month. East End vineyards offering memberships include Jamesport Vineyards, Channing Daughters Winery, Harbes Vineyard, Kontokosta Winery, Macari Vineyards, Sherwood House Vineyards, Wolffer Estate Vineyard, Paumanok Vineyards and more.
Other vineyards and wineries stay open through the winter with exclusive events that will have you booking an overnight trip for a North Fork sip and stay. Give the gift of Pindar Vineyards’ holiday 2023 paint & sip, enjoy RGNY’s cozy igloos, and sip on warmed spiced wine at Sannino Vineyard (or join their wine making experience), then stay overnight at their bed and breakfast.
For Those with More Luxurious Tastes
Credit: Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
Know someone with a taste for the finer things in life from self-care to lavish hotel stays? We know just the spots whether you’re looking to give the gift of staying at one of Long Island’s historic Gold Coast mansions, a self-indulgent spa day, or an extravagant yet elegant dinner treat.
Book dinner and an overnight stay at Oheka Castle, the new Northport Hotel, the Glen Cove Mansion (and check out their spa), or the Garden City Hotel. Give the gift of beauty and wellness with Gurney’s of Montauk’s one of a kind seawater spa, Alexandra Accardo Studio, and AIREM Modern Beauty Rituals for innovative treatments, and the Port Salt Cave for the ultimate holistic relaxing atmosphere.
For the Broadway Fanatics and Music Lovers
Long Island is home to dozens of performing arts centers where Broadway-caliber shows and actors grace the stage. And the best part is? They’re all close to home. All local theaters sell individual tickets and most have season ticket availability, so you can give the gift to that musical theater lover in your life a chance to see more than one show.
Some of Long Island’s year-round professional musical theaters include the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport, CM Performing Arts Center, and Studio Theatre Long Island.
Musicals aren’t the only shows you can gift – concert tickets and comedy shows also make great holiday presents. Long Island is blessed to have multiple state of the art concert venues from Nassau to Suffolk County including Landmark on Main Street, UBS Arena, Mulcahy’s, and the Paramount in Huntington. Find an artist or comedian you know your loved ones will go crazy about seeing and gift them tickets!
Also, new this year – check out the first ever exhibit dedicated exclusively to Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Inductee and Legendary Long Island Musician, Billy Joel. The exhibit, titled: Billy Joel – My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey, will open on Friday November 24th, 2023, at 12 noon at LIMEHOF’s Stony Brook museum, and will showcase more than 50 years of Billy Joel’s most cherished items. Secure tickets ahead of time for the Billy Joel fan in your life!
For Making Memories with the Kids
Credit: RPM Raceway/Facebook
We know kids love getting toys and gadgets for the holidays. Sure, electronics can be cool, but Long Island has so many unique attractions that can be gifted with memberships, lessons and more! If you want to get out more and explore all the children’s entertainment Long Island has to offer, these gift ideas are sure to inspire.
Give the gift of membership to create fun memories at the Long Island Children’s Museum where their 14 interactive exhibits provide hours of discovery for children of all ages including inside their live theater, art spaces, daily activities and Nunley’s Carousel. Check out the membership options at RPM Raceway and get in the competitive spirit with their Italian-made go-karts on European-style tracks. For the more adventurous types, give the gift of a shark dive at the Long Island Aquarium.
And for more unique family fun, secure tickets to Waterdrinker Family Farm’s Winter Wonderland where they have a synthetic ice-skating rink! Make it an entire weekday or weekend getaway with a hotel stay at the Preston House & Hotel or the Hyatt Place Long Island – East End.
For the One that’s Wild About Animals
We’ve all been or known the kid who begged mom and dad for a puppy or reptile friend for their birthday or the holidays or was obsessed with visiting petting zoos to spend time with their favorite animals.
Jungle Bob's Reptile World is New York’s biggest reptile only pet shop where you can gift the gift of a reptile like a lizard or turtle! And for supplies for your reptile, Jungle Bob’s offers same-day local delivery by Trellus so you can order your pet food, get it delivered fast, and support small businesses. For East Enders, Harbor Pet also has same day delivery on many pet food items.
Missed seeing Savanna, the first giraffe born on Long Island at White Post Farms last fall? Have no fear, visit with Santa in the Giraffe Barn at White Post Farms this holiday season and give the animal lover in your life the chance to say hi to Savanna, and all the other animals, in person. And for a private behind the scenes tour with some amazing animal attractions, the Long Island Game Farm offers a VIP tour that’s the perfect gift for any animal-enthusiast.
For Gamers and Those Waiting to Tee-Off in Spring
With the 2025 Ryder Cup coming to Long Island, everyone knows that the region is a golfer’s paradise. For the golf-fanatics in your life looking to keep their game in check year-round, there’s plenty of options to help them do so instead of having them wait until the spring season to get out and tee-off.
Check out the memberships available at X-Golf in Commack, the brand-new PGA Tour Superstore also in Commack, and TopGolf in Holtsville. For more fun, give the gift of membership to Jake’s 58 Player’s Club for access to more rewards, discounts, and perks at Long Island’s elite casino and gaming hub. And for a Long Island-themed game, the Hamptons Monopoly Board Game is sure to entertain with iconic locations including Shelter Island and Shadmoor State Park.
For the Arts and Culture Enthusiast
Credit: Parrish Art Museum via @gurl_on_the_go
Exploring a dazzling array of attractions that showcases the work of legendary 19th, 20th, and 21st-century artists who called Long Island their home? Sign us up! From collections including works by European Old Masters such as Lucas Cranach and important American painters Edward and Thomas Moran, Long Island art exhibits have it all.
Give a gift membership to the Heckscher Museum of Art, the Parrish Art Museum and their over 3,000 pieces, the LongHouse Reserve, and the Church at Sag Harbor. Memberships not only provide essential support for the extraordinary collections available at museums but gives membership holders free admission!
For the History Buff
Credit: Southampton History Museum via Jeff Heatley
Everyone knows that Long Island has a rich history from the Native American tribes that inhabited the land to the European settlers in the 17th century to the Revolutionary War and George Washington’s spy ring. In fact, Southold is considered one of Long Island’s oldest towns and many of Washington’s spies lived in historical villages and towns such as Stony Brook and Huntington. And, did you know that employees at the Long Island-based Grumman Corporation in Bethpage played a significant part in the Apollo 11 mission and landing man on the moon?
Look into these museums for the gift of membership this holiday season: Cradle of Aviation, Long Island Maritime Museum, Raynham Hall Museum, Southampton History Museum, Southold Historical Museum, and the Long Island Museum. Plus, Old Bethpage Village Restoration has New York’s largest collection of World War II tanks with 30+ operational vehicles inside the Museum of American Armor.
For Foodies & Those with a Sweet Tooth
Credit: Disset Chocolate
Mouthwatering chocolate that melts in your mouth and expertly crafted baked goods are a unique holiday gift perfect for any foodie. Handcrafted by local Long Island businesses, The Biscotti Company offers a range of flavors from classic almond biscotti to more unique options like cranberry pistachio and chocolate pecan & salted caramel. Looking for more traditional treats like mouth-watering cupcakes, cheesecakes, or cake-pops? Check out Celestial Treats LLC for the perfect gift for any dessert lover.
And while a box of chocolate from Disset Chocolate would brighten anyone’s day, did you know that they have their own Chocolate Club membership AND chocolate workshops including chocolate pairing experiences and painting on chocolates classes? Treat your loved ones this holiday season!
For the Expat, Homesick College Kid or Those That Love Long Island as Much as We Do
Credit: Discover Long Island
Discover Long Island merch! Check out our full collection and pay special attention to our Long Island beanie hat, our “Where I BeLong” hooded sweatshirt, our "How You Doin'" Long Island Tea podcast mug, sunglasses, and so many other amazing Long Island products in our shop. Represent Long Island wherever you go whether it’s throughout your Long Island adventures or back in your hometown or college. And stay tuned for new 2024 merchandise coming soon!
Can't Decide? Giftmix Can Make The Perfect Gift For Anyone
Credit: Giftmix
Still not sure what to give this holiday season? Giftmix is here to help! Build your own custom gift box or choose from the featured boxes for the perfect personalized present. Great for everyone from that special someone, to family members, and even your boss or coworkers! Each little box is filled with unique yet practical gifts – with options from personalized items to everyday essentials.
