The 25 Best Washington DC Gift Ideas For People Who Love The Capital

By Lara
Last update:
The White House at night

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Do you know a Washington DC local who just moved out of the city? Or someone who recently moved into the capital city? Then this list with 25 awesome Washington DC gift ideas is perfect for the next housewarming party! Or perhaps you need Christmas gifts from Washing DC for someone who is just obsessed with The District.

Whatever your case, you will find a fun gift idea on this list.

Are you short on time? Check out the editor’s top three gift ideas from Washington DC by budget.

Save these gifts from Washington DC

Don’t forget to save these gift ideas from Washington DC on Pinterest!

The 25 best Washington DC gift ideas

Washington DC gift ideas for large budgets

#1 Washington DC gifts for whiskey lovers

Bottle of Blue Label with Washington DC buildings etched
Photo courtesy of Drizly

Are you looking for gift ideas for someone who loves whiskey and the capital?

Then this special edition of Johnie Walker’s Blue Label is perfect!

Not only will you give a unique Blue Label whiskey (only one in every ten thousand casks receives this label), but the bottle is also decorated with cool Washington DC features, such as the White House and the Capitol.


#2 Washington skyline bookends

Bookends with the skyline of Washington DC
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods

This is one of the coolest Washington DC souvenirs for someone who recently moved out of or into the District!

Bookends with the typical DC skyline.

I must say that these bookends are my favorites (probably because I love books too), but you will find a few more cool home-related Washington DC gift ideas. Head over to #3, #4, #7,and #17 to check them out.


#3 Etched glasses

Beer glasses with the skyline of Washington DC
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods

These etched glasses are another example of great Washington DC gift ideas for someone’s home. They work great for housewarming gifts or a gift for a host.


#4 City skyline wooden wall art

Wooden board with Washington DC skyline
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods

This is my second favorite Washington DC gift for the home. A wooden artwork with the skyline of Washington DC. I guess I am just a big fan of city skylines. And I am pretty sure that people who love Washington DC are just as big of a fan of their city skyline as I am.

Both locals who moved out of DC and people who just moved into the city will love this piece of wood on their wall.


#5 Miniature White House DIY building

White House building
White House building

Did you know that building blocks like LEGO are not just for kids?

Many adults actually enjoy building models as well. Especially if it’s a building from their favorite city, such as this White House building!


#6 Georgetown University apparel

Georgetown shirt
Georgetown shirt

Are you looking for gift ideas from Washington DC for people who went to Georgetown University or people who are studying there now?

Then check out all Georgetown apparel on Amazon! Or go for this cute shirt they can wear to support their Uni and the Hoyas.


#7 Skyline tealight holder

Tealight holder with the Washington DC skyline
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods

Do you need more Washington DC gift ideas for a housewarming?

Then this cute tealight holder with the skyline is perfect.

Yes, I know, another gift with the skyline. But you know what, I’m not even going to apologize because the Washington DC skyline is really beautiful.


Washington DC gift ideas for mid-budgets

#8 DC-themed cutting board

Cutting board with a map of DC
Cutting board with a map of DC

Are you looking for gifts from Washington DC for people who love to cook?

Then this cutting board is the best option on this list.

It contains the city’s map. And what’s cooler than preparing food on a cutting board of your favorite city?


#9 Washington DC travel guides

Fodor's Washington DC book
Fodor’s Washington D.C.

Fodor’s Washington D.C.

Fodor’s Washington D.C. travel guide is one of the best gifts for people who a going to visit the capital city soon. It’s an in-depth guide with information about the city’s history, top sights, restaurants, and the best places to sleep. It is a great gift for travelers and visitors to the city. For residents of the city, check out the next travel guide.


Walking Washinton D.C. book
Walking Washinton D.C.

National Geographic’s Walking Washinton D.C.

National Geographic’s walking guide is a fun gift for locals as well as for visitors. It includes unique walking routes for visitors to experience the real city and for locals to see a different side of their city.


Top 10 Washington DC book
Top 10 Washington DC

Top 10 Washington DC

The last travel guide on this list is perfect for visitors who only have a few days in Washington and who just want to see the highlights, without being overwhelmed by a book as in-depth as Fodor’s. DK Eyewitness Top 10 series was developed for exactly those types of travelers. It’s super straightforward and provides the 10 must-sees of the city.


#10 Historic center jigsaw puzzle

Historic Washington DC jigsaw puzzle
Historic Washington DC jigsaw puzzle

Are you looking for Washington DC gift ideas for people who love puzzles?

Then this 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of the city’s historic center is perfect!

Even if they are not living in the city at the moment, they can still dream away and admire their favorite city when putting together this puzzle.


#11 Passport cover

Passport cover with row houses
Photo courtesy of Zazzle

Is the receiver someone who travels a lot?

Then a passport cover with a Washington DC theme is a good gift idea.

I loved this cover with typical DC row houses, but you can find 30 different designs on Zazzle.


#12 Cookbook

Washington DC Chef's table book
Washington DC Chef’s table

This is another great Washinton DC gift for people who love to cook. A cookbook with recipes from famous Washington D.C. chefs. It’s a cool gift to pair with the cutting board (#8), so the receiver can cook in Washington D.C. style!


#13 Washington-themed monopoly

Washington-opoly game
Washington-opoly

Are you looking for fun gift ideas from Washington DC for people who love board games?

Then this Washington DC version of Monopoly is perfect! It includes famous streets and buildings of the city, as well as typical DC annoyances such as traffic jams, parking tickets, and taxes.


#14 Bracelet

Washington DC-themed bracelet
Washington DC-themed bracelet

Are you looking for Washington DC gift ideas for women?

Then this bracelet with cute DC charms is perfect!


#15 Washington sports gifts

Washington sports trivia game
Washington sports trivia game

Are you looking for unique Washington DC gift ideas for someone who is into sports? Then this Trivia game is perfect, it contains 500 questions about sports in Washington DC, so the receiver can show off his sports knowledge with this fun Trivia game.

Alternatively, you can go for gifts related to a Washington DC sports team.


#16 Books about the city

Empire of mud book
Empire of mud

Empire of mud: The secret history of Washington D.C.

Are you looking for gifts from Washington DC for people who love history? Then this book is the perfect gift for you. It covers the not-so-glamorous past of the capital city, and how it affects the current city.


Secret Washington DC book
Secret Washington DC

Secret Washington DC: A guide to the weird, wonderful, and obscure

If you are looking for Washington DC gift ideas for someone who is interested in the city’s dark past, but for whom a complete history book seems a bit too much, this is the perfect book. It contains weird, yet true stories about Washington DC that are fun and easy to read, even for people who are not particularly interested in history.


The hopefuls book
The hopefuls

The hopefuls: a novel

This romantic novel covers the story of a couple who moves to Washington D.C. for the husband’s political career. It’s filled with your typical political and romantic dramas, such as jealousy, competition, and relationship issues.


#17 Map of the city

Washington DC map poster
Washington DC map

I told you you would find quite a few gifts from Washington DC for the home, and here is another one; a poster of the map of the city.

Again, I think this poster works great for people who currently live in Washington DC as well as for locals who just moved out and who miss their homes.


#18 Washington DC-themed travel mug

Travel mug with the skyline of Washington DC
Photo courtesy of Zazzle

Are you looking for Washington DC gift ideas for people who love coffee to go?

Then a travel mug with a Washington DC theme is perfect! Check out Zazzle to find all 165 options. Or go for one of my personal favorites, a travel mug with a colorful skyline of the city (I guess I just really love skylines).


Washington DC gift ideas for small budgets

#19 Keychain

Washington DC keychain
Washington DC keychain

Are you looking for small Washington DC souvenirs?

Then this keychain with the city’s historic sights is perfect!


#20 Fun socks

Washington DC socks
Washington DC socks

I absolutely love happy and colorful socks, and I think they are awesome small gifts. Especially if you buy socks in the recipient’s favorite theme, such as these Washington DC socks!

Now, I know that not everyone shares my love for happy socks, so just make sure your recipient is as crazy about them as I am.

How do you know they are?

Easy, next time you see them, just have a look at what kind of socks they are wearing. Are they plain? Then perhaps this is not the best gift. Are they colorful? Then I guarantee that these Washington DC gifts will be highly appreciated!


#21 Luggage tags

Lugagge tag with Washington DC
Photo courtesy of Zazzle

Do you need Washington gift ideas for people who travel often?

Then a luggage tag with a DC theme is a fun and practical idea.

You can find nearly 200 different options on Zazzle. Or if you want to skip the hassle of choosing between all options, go for the cute one I selected.


#22 Washington DC coloring book for adults

Iconic Washington coloring book
Iconic Washington coloring book

Several studies have shown that coloring books for adults can help to reduce stress and anxiety. And ever since I discovered that I always try to add coloring books to my gift guide. And for Washington D.C., I was not disappointed.

This coloring book includes 24 iconic sights from the city, such as The White House, The Capitol, and The Jefferson Memorial. It’s a very satisfying way to wind down for people who love Washington DC.


#23 Christmas ornament

Christmas ornament of the White House
Christmas ornament

I know this is probably one of the most cheesy Washington DC souvenirs, but truth be told, it’s also one of the best gifts for Christmas.

So if you are looking for cute gifts from Washington DC for Christmas, this White House ornament is perfect!


#24 Travel journal

Travel journal for Washington DC
Travel journal for Washington DC

Are you looking for Washington DC gift ideas for someone who will visit the city soon?

Then a travel journal specific for DC visitors is perfect.

They can keep track of their itinerary and all the fun and interesting things they will see, learn and do in the city.


#25 Washington DC-themed tote bags

Tote bag with letters DC
Photo courtesy of Zazzle

Tote bags with a DC-themed design are perfect gifts for people who care about the environment. It’s a better alternative to plastic bags, plus it comes with a design that is related to their favorite city.

Can you think of a better gift?

I know I don’t. So check out Zazzle to find over 400 different options, or go for this relatively simple but cute one with “DC”.


Save these gifts from Washington DC

Did you save these gifts from Washington DC on Pinterest yet?

25 Unique gifts from Washington DC

Final note on gift ideas from Washington DC

Alright, these were the 25 best Washington DC souvenirs and gifts for people who are obsessed with the district!

Do you need more help picking the best gift? Have a look at the editor’s top three.

AUTHOR

Hi, I’m Lara, a 29-year-old travel-lover (but who’s not these days?). I love reading, puzzling, world-heritage sites, researching, and making lists, which comes in quite handy when you’re making lists of travel gift ideas!

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