By Published On: November 19th, 20194.5 min readLast Updated: May 22nd, 2023
A bright yellow banner with "mills 50" in large black letters, hung on a street pole under a clear blue sky, showcasing the mills 50 district. link (mills50.org) at the bottom.

With the most wonderful time of year right around the corner (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc.), it’s important to remember to support your community in this season of goodwill. As such, keep in mind those local small businesses that could very easily have exactly the gift you’re searching for, right under your nose. Not sure where to start? Luckily for you, I’ve broken it down so that you can find a gift for every person on your list, all within the Mills50 District; no circling the mall parking lot necessary.

For The Foodie

Winnie the pooh in a red shirt, tying a large white napkin around his neck while sitting at a small table, preparing to eat from a blue bowl.

This one is a given; there are so many great restaurants in the Mills50 District that anyone who loves good food would be thrilled to receive a gift card to. Hawkers, Pig Floyd’s, Santiago’s Bodega, Firebird’s, and Tako Cheena are a few that I think would make great stocking stuffers.

For The Plant-Based Foodie

An illustration of a purple-skinned pilgrim playing a guitar surrounded by animated turkeys, one holding a can, on an orange background.

While many of the restaurants around Mills50 offer plant-based options, The District Market @ Mills50 offers an ever-growing selection of vegan grocery items (like vegan versions of holiday favorites) that you might not find at a regular supermarket. Additionally, The District serves as a co-op for local artists and artisans, with items ranging from handmade jewelry and clothing to cards and stationary. Whether the recipient is an herbivore or not, they’ll appreciate a unique gift from the quirky little bodega up the street.

For Vintage Lovers

A vintage portable record player in a brown suitcase, playing a vinyl record. nearby, a glass bottle and scattered trinkets add to the old-fashioned ambiance.

If the person you picked for Secret Santa feels like they were born in the wrong generation, there are a couple of great Mills spots to shop for them.

Retromended is a goldmine for any fashionista who likes unique pieces, and their curated collection is sure to have something worth putting a bow on.

While Remix Record Shop carries vinyl both new and old, there are some vintage classics and gems living on these shelves. For the sentimental music lover in your life, check this place out.

For Someone Who Should Treat Themself

A person opens a pink box filled with colorful doughnuts, each decorated with bold words like "toxic," "no," and "self," while sitting at a cluttered office desk.

Self-care is important, and we all know someone who deserves to treat themselves more. For this person, I obviously recommend visiting J. Bauman Salon. With top-rated stylists and a variety of products for every hair type, there’s no way for this gift to go unappreciated.

To make this gift extra sweet, J. Bauman is offering doorbuster deals for the first time ever this Black Friday, and a FREE gift with purchase for Small Business Saturday!

Self-care is important, and we all know someone who deserves to treat themselves more. For this person, I obviously recommend visiting J. Bauman Salon. With top-rated stylists and a variety of products for every hair type, there’s no way for this gift to go unappreciated.

To make this gift extra sweet, J. Bauman is offering doorbuster deals for the first time ever this Black Friday, and a FREE gift with purchase for Small Business Saturday!

For Someone Who Should Treat Themself

Self-care is important, and we all know someone who deserves to treat themselves more. For this person, I obviously recommend visiting J. Bauman Salon. With top-rated stylists and a variety of products for every hair type, there’s no way for this gift to go unappreciated.

To make this gift extra sweet, J. Bauman is offering doorbuster deals for the first time ever this Black Friday, and a FREE gift with purchase for Small Business Saturday!

A person opens a pink box filled with colorful doughnuts, each decorated with bold words like "toxic," "no," and "self," while sitting at a cluttered office desk.

Black Friday

  • $25 Gift Cards To The First 5 Clients

There are five available 11AM appointments on Black Friday (November 29th), and the people that book them will each receive a $25 gift card to use at their next appointment, or to stuff a stocking with!

Book Here

  • 20% Off Of All Products

Including gift sets! This is a great opportunity to get yourself a little something, too *wink, wink*.

Learn how hair products can earn you more discounts HERE.

  • $20 Added To Every $100 spent on Gift Cards

To give the gift of a new look for the New Year is to be revered as the most thoughtful gift giver, maybe even more than Saint Nick himself. On Black Friday, we’ll add an additional $20 to every $100 you put on a gift card, so you can give even more.

Small Business Saturday

  • FREE Gift With Purchase

With every purchase of $55 or more this Saturday, you’ll receive a FREE Bumble & Bumble Deluxe Travel Set, which includes 3 deluxe travel size products and a cute travel makeup bag, pictured below:

Four bumble and bumble hair products displayed on colorful tinsel, with a branded black and white gift box in the background, set in a festive, holiday-themed arrangement.

For The Runner

A woman in a blue athletic outfit and a white visor happily runs past the finish line, surrounded by trees in a sunny park.

Track Shack is an Orlando staple, and any fitness enthusiast would be grateful for a gift that supports their hobby. Whether it be new running shoes, the latest in runner’s tech gear, or simply a gift card to choose for themselves, this gift will go the distance; literally.

For Culture Connoisseurs

Three paintings displayed on a gallery wall: a classical portrait on the left, a surrealist artwork in the center, and a modern abstract piece on the right.

Mills50 is home to both the Orlando Museum of Art and the Orlando Science Center, two fantastic museums that both offer memberships, which make a thoughtful and much-appreciated gift for anyone who loves to immerse themselves in intellectually stimulating experiences.

Final Thoughts

This list barely scrapes the surface of all of the unique places in The Mills50 District that reflect the diverse community we live in. I hope this will inspire you to skip the department stores and hold off on the Amazon orders until you’ve explored what treasures the places close to home have to offer.

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