Updated July 2026
Unique gifts from Mississippi small shops & artisans
Mississippi's best gifts come from its makers: Delta pottery from McCarty's and Peter's, Jackson pralines from Nandy's Candy, Thimblepress letterpress art, and books from two of the South's legendary independents — Square Books and Lemuria. Every shop in this guide is verified and independently owned, with online-ordering noted where the business's own site confirms it. No chains, no filler.
A quick honesty note: none of these makers or shops are Good Circles participants — this is a genuine gift guide, each entry sourced to an official site or authoritative directory. Buying from them directly keeps roughly $53 of every $100 working in Mississippi.
Pottery & ceramics
McCarty's Pottery Merigold (the Delta)
Mississippi’s legendary pottery — made in Merigold since 1948, with the signature Delta-river squiggle. A wedding-gift institution across the South.
Online ordering: Ordering info on their site; many pieces sell through Mississippi retailers.
Peter's Pottery Mound Bayou (the Delta)
Founded by the Woods brothers — McCarty’s alumni — in historic Mound Bayou; beloved bonsai-glazed pieces with deep Mississippi roots.
Online ordering: Sells by mail order and through Mississippi shops that ship.
Food & candy
Nandy's Candy Jackson (Maywood Mart)
Handcrafted pralines, chocolates, and Mississippi-made confections behind the red doors since 1980 — second-generation family owned.
Online ordering: Online shop on their site ships gift boxes.
The Mississippi Gift Company Greenwood
The one-stop curator of Mississippi-made food and gifts — cheese straws, sauces, pottery, and gift baskets assembled entirely from state makers.
Online ordering: Full e-commerce store; ships nationwide.
Art, prints & paper
Thimblepress Jackson
Kristin Ley’s letterpress and design studio — Mississippi-landmark prints (including a Square Books print), cards, and confetti-bright gifts.
Online ordering: Online store ships everywhere.
The MAX Store Meridian (downtown)
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience museum’s store — Mississippi-made art, music, and maker goods in the heart of downtown Meridian.
Online ordering: Shop in person downtown; call for availability.
Independent bookstores in Mississippi
Lemuria Books Jackson (Banner Hall)
One of the South’s great independents — famous for signed first editions, a serious Mississippi-writers section, and author events.
Online ordering: Orders and signed editions available through their site.
Square Books Oxford (Courthouse Square)
The legendary family of bookstores on the Oxford Square since 1979 — flagship, Square Books Jr., and more; a literary landmark of the entire South.
Online ordering: Orders online, including via their Bookshop.org storefront.
Apparel & Mississippi-made goods
Crooked Letter Meridian (downtown)
Mississippi makers and goods — state-proud apparel and gifts in downtown Meridian’s historic core.
Online ordering: Shop in person downtown; check their pages for current online options.
Swell-o-Phonic Jackson (Fondren)
Fondren’s longtime sneaker-and-streetwear shop — Jackson identity you can wear.
Online ordering: Shop in person in Fondren.
Gift-shopping local, beyond this list
Farmers markets are gift mines in season — preserves, candles, soaps, and cut flowers straight from the maker (our verified market guide). In the capital, start with Jackson's best local businesses; statewide, every one of our Mississippi city pages points to the districts where local makers cluster. This guide gets a seasonal refresh — the Updated date above tells you the last pass.
Questions
Mississippi gifts & artisans FAQ
How can I support local artisans through online purchases?
Buy directly from the maker’s own website first — Mississippi artisans like Thimblepress, Nandy’s Candy, and The Mississippi Gift Company all run their own online stores, and direct orders avoid marketplace fees entirely. Second-best: curated regional shops (The Mississippi Gift Company aggregates dozens of state makers and ships nationwide) and independent bookstores’ online storefronts. Each entry in this guide links the verified source.
Which local businesses offer online ordering?
In this guide, verified online ordering includes The Mississippi Gift Company (full e-commerce, nationwide shipping), Nandy’s Candy (gift boxes), Thimblepress (prints and paper goods), Square Books and Lemuria Books (online orders, including signed editions). Where a shop is in-person only, we say so — always check the linked site for current options.
What are the best independent bookstores in Mississippi?
Two nationally famous anchors: Square Books in Oxford (on the Courthouse Square since 1979, a literary landmark) and Lemuria Books in Jackson (signed first editions, Mississippi writers). Both are independently owned and take online orders.
Are these shops part of Good Circles?
No — none of the makers or shops in this guide are Good Circles participants; they’re listed because they’re genuinely excellent and verifiable. Good Circles launches September 2026 in the Jackson metro, so purchases like these can also fund a Mississippi nonprofit you choose.
Local gifts, local giving — automatically
When Good Circles opens, local purchases carry ~10% savings and fund a Mississippi nonprofit you choose. Early access in Meridian.