Home
Limited Edition Matcha Candle
District Candle Lab · Union Market District
A 16 oz hand-poured soy candle in strawberry, mango or lavender matcha, made at the Union Market shop.
$34price checked Oct 30
Gift Guide · Holiday 2026
Washington DC Gifts 2026: Penn Quarter to Adams Morgan
12 Washington gifts from the National Archives Store, District Candle Lab and Because Science, each price checked on the shop's own site, from $18.95 up.
gifts · holiday · penn quarter
- Reading time
- 2 minabout 200 words
- Published
- October 302026
- In this guide
- 3 placesall on one map
- Category
- GiftHoliday 2026
The gifts
18 picks, shop by shop.
Buy any of them online straight from the shop or brand, or pick up the local ones in person. Every price was checked on the shop's own page; prices and stock change, so the shop's page has the final word.
Under $508 gifts
Home
Valencia Candle
District Candle Lab · Union Market District
A soy candle of bergamot and peppercorn, made in Washington, DC.
$32price checked Oct 30
Home
Patriotic Eagle Scene Ornament
National Archives Store · Penn Quarter & Chinatown
A solid antique-brass eagle ornament, made in the USA.
$29.95price checked Oct 30
Art
Declaration 250 Commemorative Challenge Coin
National Archives Store · Penn Quarter & Chinatown
An antique-copper coin marking the Declaration of Independence's 250th anniversary, from the museum that keeps it.
$34.95price checked Oct 30
Books & paper
The Flag Was Still There
National Archives Store · Penn Quarter & Chinatown
A hardcover history of the country seen every 50 years, from 1776 to 1976.
$32price checked Oct 30
Kids
Abraham Lincoln In The Darkest Hour Puzzle
National Archives Store · Penn Quarter & Chinatown
A 500-piece puzzle of Lincoln visiting Union troops after Antietam.
$18.95price checked Oct 30
Jewelry
Saturn Circuit Board Earrings
Because Science · Adams Morgan
Saturn-shaped earrings cut from recycled circuit boards, in eight colors.
$48price checked Oct 30
Jewelry
Cat Circuit Board Earrings
Because Science · Adams Morgan
Lightweight cat-shaped earrings cut from recycled circuit boards, on sterling silver earwires.
$48price checked Oct 30
$50 to $1502 gifts
Art
1897 Map of Washington, D.C. Poster
National Archives Store · Penn Quarter & Chinatown
An unframed reproduction of an 1897 street map of the city; ships in 10 to 15 business days.
$89.95price checked Oct 30
Art
Petri Dish Circuit Board Art, Mini
Because Science · Adams Morgan
A small framed petri dish made from recycled circuit boards, with a fold-out stand.
$78price checked Oct 30
The splurge2 gifts
Art
Framed 1871 Bird's Eye View of Washington, D.C.
National Archives Store · Penn Quarter & Chinatown
A framed, made-to-order reproduction of an 1871 aerial-style view of the city; ships in two to three weeks.
$595price checked Oct 30
Art
Space Shuttle Circuit Board Art, 11x14
Because Science · Adams Morgan
A framed, glass-covered space shuttle cut from recycled circuit boards.
$375price checked Oct 30
Made for Washington6 picks that ship anywhere
Not sold on a Washington shop shelf, but made for the way Washington lives: Metro to the office, long days, and the Acela or a flight out on short notice. Each one is bought straight from the brand's own site.
Style
Cashmere Trouser Sock, Black
Quince · Ships anywhere
A cashmere trouser sock to wear with loafers and work pants through a cold walk from the Metro.
$30price checked Nov 1
Style
Insider Packing Cubes (Set of 4), Navy Blue
Away · Ships anywhere
Four water-repellent nylon cubes in different sizes that keep a two-day work trip sorted, and store flat between trips.
$48price checked Nov 1
Style
Ultra-Stretch Ponte Single-Breasted Blazer, Navy
Quince · Ships anywhere
A wrinkle-resistant four-way-stretch ponte blazer that can sit through a train ride to New York and still look right for the meeting.
$72price checked Nov 1
Style
Large Toiletry Bag, Jet Black
Away · Ships anywhere
A clamshell toiletry bag with a wipeable interior and a retractable handle, kept packed for overnight trips out of Union Station or DCA.
$85price checked Nov 1
Style
Passport Cover, Dark Chestnut
Cuyana · Ships anywhere
A pebbled Italian leather cover that holds a passport, boarding pass and two cards, for the trip through security at Dulles.
$98price checked Nov 1
Style
Classic Easy Tote, Dove Grey
Cuyana · Ships anywhere
A pebbled Italian leather tote that fits up to a 16-inch laptop, with snaps inside for an insert, for the bag that goes to work every day.
$298price checked Nov 1
How this list works
Every gift above is something you can buy from a Washington shop in this guide. Each price was checked on the shop's own site on October 30, 2026, and we left out anything sold out. Prices and stock change through the season, so the shop's page always has the final word.
The picks are grouped by budget, under $50, $50 to $150, and a few splurges, and you can filter them by who you're shopping for.
Penn Quarter: maps and history from the National Archives
The National Archives Store (701 Constitution Ave NW) sells reproductions and history gifts. Our picks: an 1897 street map of Washington, a framed 1871 bird's-eye view of the city, a Declaration 250 challenge coin, a brass eagle ornament, a Lincoln puzzle and The Flag Was Still There.
Union Market: candles made in DC
District Candle Lab (1325 5th St NE, Suite F) pours its soy candles in Washington, including a limited matcha candle made at the Union Market shop.
Adams Morgan: science from circuit boards
Because Science (1759 Columbia Rd NW) sells earrings and framed art cut from recycled circuit boards, from $48 Saturn and cat earrings to a framed space shuttle.
For more ideas, see our Penn Quarter, Union Market and Adams Morgan pages.
Good to know
Questions, answered.
Where can I buy a historic map of Washington, DC?
The National Archives Store (701 Constitution Ave NW) sells an 1897 street map of Washington for $89.95 and a framed 1871 bird's-eye view for $595, as checked on October 30, 2026.
Are there candles made in DC?
District Candle Lab (1325 5th St NE, Suite F) pours its soy candles in Washington; its Valencia candle is $32.
Are these prices current?
Every price was checked on the shop's own site on October 30, 2026. Prices and stock change, so check the shop's page before you go.
The places
Everywhere in this guide, on one map.
Tap a place or a dot to see it.
-
Store inside the National Archives Museum with more than 4,800 items tied to U.S. history and DC, including document reproductions, prints, books and its 'government red tape' jewelry.
-
Woman-owned make-your-own candle shop where staff help you pick a scent and pour a candle; shares space with sister brand Fawne's custom charm-jewelry bar.
-
STEM-themed shop selling science-inspired apparel, accessories and gifts, many made by its own design lab, with The Craft Lab running demos, crafts and classes for adults and kids.
Nothing in that category here.
Keep reading
More guides.
Gift Guide
Washington Holiday Markets 2026
Dates, hours and locations for the 2026 holiday markets in and around DC, from the DowntownDC Holiday Market on F Street to Heurich House's Christmas Markt and Old Town Alexandria's parade weekend, plus the events that haven't posted dates yet.
Read guide →Seasonal Guide
DC Area Mall Holiday Hours 2026: Black Friday & Christmas
DC-area malls that have posted are closed Thanksgiving. Tysons Corner, Potomac Mills and Leesburg Corner open at 6am on Black Friday; Pentagon City at 8am. All hours from each mall's own site.
Read guide →Style Guide
New Stores in Washington DC: Fall 2026
DC's 2026 store openings: Uniqlo and Bombas in Georgetown, Tuckernuck and Barbour on Wisconsin Ave, Le Labo at Union Market, plus Bethesda and Tysons.
Read guide →Stay in the loop
DC Shopping, weekly.
New openings, sales, market events, and hidden gems, straight to your inbox.