Holiday Gift Ideas 2022 from Puerto Rico

Here are great and unique gift ideas for the holiday season that are either stores from Puerto Rico or designers/owners that are Puerto Rican. The list of stores, brands, and designers vary from in-store purchases to online order options as well.

Culefirulais, online orders available

This is a truly awesome gift idea if your loved ones that are obsessed with their pets! Culefirulais renders watercolor paintings and digital prints of the pictures you send of your fur friends. If you have different separate pictures of your pets, they can still create one cool image with all your animals. They have delivery options within Puerto Rico and to the states. Contact them via their Instagram page @culefirulais. 

Hectours

This would be kind of a wild gift and would involve more planning and logistics. Hectours is a Puerto Rico-based tourism company that creates awesome travel packages to some of the most amazing destinations. This is a great option to consider if you’ve been looking to plan a group trip, a couple’s trip, or even treat your parents to a weekend somewhere as thanks! In summary, this is a great idea for people that prefer experiences over traditional gifts.

Nouvelle D’Spa

Is your family member or loved one a fan of self-care? Treat them to a spa day or to one of the many services Nouvelle D’Spa offers. They are located in Mall of San Juan, Dorado, and San Juan metro area. They offer a multi-sensorial experience that includes aromatherapy, relaxing sounds, massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, body wraps and more. They have waxing and laser options for undesired hair in all areas you can think of. Apart from standard facials they have laser treatments for sun stains and for wrinkles. They have body treatments as well for cellulite, contouring, post-op therapy, among others.

Pecadough, online orders available

Nothing like the holiday season as the perfect time to eat delicious sweets! Pecadough accepts online orders, all homemade, and all made after placing your order. They offer all types of cookies, cupcakes, cakes, brownies, breads, cake pops, and more. This is a cute gift idea for a dessert lover or, since it is the season of events, to place your order with them as your dessert options for the night.

MUMAS, online orders available

This underwear and interior clothing brand from Puerto Rico is both diverse and has a positive mission. Not only do they design for all body types, they also use funds to help disadvantaged women in Puerto Rico find employment. This, in turn, helps their families have a better quality of life. With MUMAS you support a local brand with a great mission. Their price points are comparable to any other major interior clothing brand with the best part being they are handmade by women participating in the program. They offer shipping within Puerto Rico and to the states. 

Coquí el Original®, online orders available

All the items from this fine jewelry store’s collections are designed in Puerto Rico. Crafted from solid 14k gold or sterling silver .925, browse items inspired by the Caribbean island. The Collections are: the Coquí (Tree Frog), the Sun with Diamonds, Leatherback Sea-Turtle, Puerto Rico Map and Flag, and Salsa Dancers. Shop charms, pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, and cufflinks. The brand has a rich family business tradition starting in Old San Juan since 1965. Visit the store at 200 Calle de la Fortaleza or order online by clicking the following link: coquieloriginal.com.

Vivalia, online orders available

Vivalia specializes in 100% handmade shoes from Puerto Rico. The style the brand focuses on is creating “alpargatas” (espadrilles). They offer wedges, flats, open and closed-toed variations with cool colors, patterns, and printed designs. One of their most popular styles come with ballerina-like laces to wrap around your ankles. These shoes are both comfortable and cute!

Olivia Boutique, online orders available

Olivia Boutique is great if you’re looking for high-end, designer pieces. The store has exclusivity of over 35 luxury designers. While these can have online purchasing options, Olivia is great if you’d like to try expensive pieces in person first before purchasing. The boutique offers popular designers and brands like Cult Gaia, Gia Borghini, Nili Lotan, and Simon Miller. If you’re friend or family member is all about couture and Vogue-esque fashion, you can find beautiful pieces at Olivia Boutique.

Fit Soul Active Wear by Fabiola Serrano, online orders available

This active wear online store by Fabiola Serrano has cute options for gym clothes. She offers shorts, leggings, bras, and crop tops. This is a great gift idea for your gym lovers! The best part about this brand is items are pretty affordable. She offers sets (tops and bottoms) in the 40 dollar range, a bit uncommon in this clothing line industry. Another great part is that she offers shipment worldwide! So whether in the US or not, you’ll receive any item with free shipping with a purchase of over $100.

Cira’s Cookies

A local favorite, Cira’s Cookies has a delicious selection of well, cookies, cakes, and pastries. The extra perk with this store is that you can have special orders that are then decorated with party favors depending on the event. The image shows Halloween decorations, but of course you can do orders for birthdays and other holidays and occasions with a desired theme. Dinosaurs, Father’s Day, My Little Pony, Valentines… anything you can think of! The store also offers pre-packed and decorated little bags of cookies you can choose as your gift this holiday season.

Pe erre Swim

Pe erre Swim is a great brand that locally makes their items. The cool part is that you can select from their available fabrics and custom-order the bathing suit you’d like to give as a gift (or as a treat for yourself). Otherwise, they have a selection of swimwear ready to ship as well. In addition to their swimwear they offer outerwear, rash guards, and accessories.

Guajibaro

While we have covered several treats stores, what is singular about Giajibaro is that it has a great selection of traditional Puerto Rican sweets! This is really an authentic gift you can give from Puerto Rico. Guava treats, “polvorones,” “pilones,” and “dulces de coco.” Trust me, these all taste delicious! They also offer cute boxes and baskets with treats, coffee mugs, honey, mason jars with cookies, and any other combo you want to give as a gift.

Carla Carballo Designs

Carla Carballo is a talented jewelry designer and crafter based in Chicago, IL. The expert jeweler creates tailored designs to make couples’ dreams come true. Since this is also a hot season for popping the question, or going all out on gifts, Carla’s wedding and ring designs are a great way to support an expert artist at her craft. The made-to-order process is as professional as any other. The clients choose their stone following the 4 Cs process. All diamonds are GIA certified and you are provided with the certification. Carla then begins the complex process of 3D modelling the design that renders incredibly realistic images of the ring. From there and after approval, the design is printed in wax, casted in metal with stones set by hand at the end. The tailored process takes 1-2 months, so make sure to contact her ahead of time!

Craftaholic by Nany

Mugs, coffee cups, glasses, mason jars, tree ornaments, and more! The brand offers customizable art and home décor items. Currently only operating from their IG DM, message Nany for orders within Puerto Rico and states.

Living Boho

We love art and things handmade in Puerto Rico! Yes we do. Living Boho creates custom design wall art from cotton and wool materials. The artists offers different lengths, widths, and colors, so you can style your home the way you have envisioned.

Jardín el Patio

Lastly, but not least, Jardín el Patio can be a great place to shop plants and flowers for your plant-lover friends and family! They have all types of plant inventory. Big exterior ones like palm trees and small interior ones like cacti and orchids (but we know these are interchangeable depending on the space!).

I hope this list helped you to get cool and different ideas for gifts either this holiday season or for other special occasions.

¡Salud y Exito!

Daniela Barquet