Off the beaten path online shopping options for the holidays

Photo by Julie Coren

It is fun, yet sometimes challenging to find that special gift.

As we approach the holiday shopping season, thought you might enjoy some online shopping options that are a bit off the beaten path.

Added plus is by shopping at these online locations, you are often supporting museums and other community institutions that were hit hard by the pandemic.

When we lived a couple blocks north of the National Mall we found that some of the best holiday gifts were found at the gift shops that surrounded us.

You can find an extraordinarily eclectic variety of gifts for both adults and kids at the following gift shops:

• National Archives

• Library of Congress

• Kennedy Center

• The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

• Yiddish Book Center

• National Museum of Women in the Arts

• National Gallery of Art

• Berea College’s superb student craft work

  • Some of this student craft work was previously highlighted in our article Broomcraft, but their amazing craft work goes well beyond brooms

  • Worth window shopping just to savor the craftmanship

• National Building Museum