We asked our resident New Orleans native, Taylor Zimmermann, to be our second curator of shop local greatness. After a survey of a few of her favorite shop owners, here are 10 of her suggestions. If you missed last week’s look at Austin shop-local suggestions, be sure to check it out, too.

My hometown, New Orleans, is a city unlike any other in America. You can be sure that the Big Easy offers a wide array of shops, products and activities perfect for celebrating the holidays. Indeed, when it comes to celebrating, we’re experts.

1. Dirty Coast

(Photo: via Dirty Coast on Facebook)

It started out as a small print design business catering to locals while perplexing tourists, but after Hurricane Katrina, the Dirty Coast became a beckon of local spirit with its popular bumper sticker, “Be a New Orleanian, Wherever You Are.”  Today, they continue to bear the torch of Big Easy pride for locals and visitors alike offering funny, quirky and cultural prints for the holidays.

 2. Rare Cuts

(Photo: via Rare Cuts on Facebook)

Rare Cuts is a local meat purveyor that believes people deserve to know where their meat comes from, how it was raised and why it tastes the way it does. Since 2010, they have offered some of the best quality meat in the South and can provide the rarest cuts for you and your family at feast time.

 3. Krewe du Optic 

(Photo: via Krewe du Optic via Facebook)

Krewe du Optic is a creative group of designers who believe optic design in the Big Easy is best seen through the lens of improvisation. The Krewe or “the many” have worked with musicians, artists and other designers to express their unique style of lens design through every color, line and curve available. This is the perfect gift for the optic-centric family member or friend.

4. Ellen L Jewelry

(Photo: via EllenL on Facebook)

EllenL has made jewelry design a second nature studying design at UCLA while apprenticing in L.A. and later South Carolina. Ellen moved back home to New Orleans to start EllenL Jewelry. Ellen’s jewelry exudes fun, fashion, friendship and, at this time of year, a little Christmas cheer.

5. Goodeggs.com

(Photo: via Goodeggs on Facebook)

Goodeggs.com brings farm-raised meat, dairy and produce right to your door. You just order exactly what you want online and they take care of the rest. The farm can deliver while you are busy decorating the christmas tree.

6. Haute Boutique

(Photos: via hautenola)

Haute is the product of Sanja Alickovic’s refreshing vision of designer-quality fashion in clothing and jewelry. If you walk by Haute Boutique on Magazine street you’ll notice shiny mannequins posing in the window garbed in New Orleans’ most bold designer apparel. If you are trying to strike a bold and chic pose this season, Haute will have something for you.

7. Dough Whatcha Wanna

(Photo: via Dough Watcha Wanna on Facebook)

Dough Whatcha Wanna is a local New Orleans cookie company that bakes any kind of cookie requested for any occasion. It’s no surprise that they specialize in black and gold New Orleans’s Saints cookies and purple and green treats for Mardi Gras, but around this time of year they have plenty of gingerbread men and reindeer.

8. Sew Fabulous

(Photo: via Sew Fabulous on Facebook)

Sew Fabulous is a New Orleans sewing school passionate about preserving domestic arts while innovating designs with new generations. They offer a range of classes for beginners to experts and are dedicated to teaching their craft. Sewing isn’t a bad craft to learn when you’re low on cash or want to give something personal.

9. Gentry 

(Photos: by Cheryl Gerber on bestofneworleans.com)

If you haven’t really decided what to get your family, you’ll find some inspiration at Gentry. Gentry has been owned by Marilyn Kullman and her husband since 1966. The store specializes in ornate design and gifts bringing stationery, jewelry and more from markets as far away as New York.

10. Judy at the Rink

(Photo: via Judy At The Rink on Facebook)

For more than thirty years, Judy at the Rink has sought objects of practical eleganace and reasonable price that blend New Orleans lifestyle, culture and architecture into a distinctive style. Judy at the rink offers local artwork, ceramics, glass tableware items, lamps, photo frames, jewelry and purses for home decoration and fashion accessory gifts during the holidays.

(Featured photo via Ed Schipol on Flickr)