When searching for gifts this holiday season, it’s easy to pick up the thoughtless Starbucks gift card or a banal pair of fuzzy socks from Target.

Don’t.

The Twin Cities are full of quirky businesses that are owned by local creators, artists and entrepreneurs. There’s no better time to take advantage of the creative talent in the area.

Support independent business owners and pick up unique holiday gifts — it’s a win-win situation.

Daybreak Press Global Bookshop

Gifting your favorite book allows you to share something special with people in your life.

Daybreak Bookshop is a small but mighty bookstore located on Washington Avenue in Stadium Village.

Given that it’s surrounded by fast food restaurants and new apartments, it’s easy to pass by the shop without notice. But within the curated selection of books there’s a wealth of options — varying from memoirs to contemporary fiction and religious texts.

The bookstore opened in 2015 in connection with Rabata, an organization dedicated to the empowerment of women. Picking up a book or two will support a worthy cause, as well.

Bloom Sugar Bloom

Need a super quick gift? Bloom Sugar Bloom specializes in candy, flowers and cards. What could be better when you’re in a gift-giving crunch?

In the shop, hand-arranged bouquets start at $45. Their candy section stocks treats that’ll satisfy any sweet tooth.

Bloom Sugar Bloom is also located on Washington Avenue in Stadium Village. Though you might not normally stop in, around the holidays, the shop is more than worth a peek.

Expand your gift-giving horizons.

Local artist markets

One of the easiest ways to support local artists is by attending the multitude of craft and art markets around the Twin Cities.

While niche gift-market artists are able to sell their products on websites like Etsy, there’s something particularly special about seeing the products in-person.

“When people go to sales, they can talk to artists about where they get their materials and where the money goes to,” Alanah Luger-Guillaume, one of the founders of local gallery The White Page, said.

And, what’s best? These artisanal goods are one-of-a-kind.

“They take up more special places in your home or your wardrobe … because they’re not duplicated a million times and sold at Target,” Luger-Guillaume said. “It does set a good precedent when you choose to pay a decent amount of money for something when there are people working with their hands.”