If the holiday-season buying situation feels dire, a 2023 gift guide from small-business organization Cambridge Local First can help.

It has 17 categories searchable categories useful for lovers of books, pet owners and vegans, among others, with businesses offering private shopping time slots for lingerie, restaurant gift cards, portrait sitting for $150 and 20 percent off deals for first-time buyers at Nussli118°, a vegan food shop in North Cambridge, and 20 percent off at checkout when buying at Carla Shaw Sustainable Fashion – a jewelry line made with real plants that are dehydrated and coated in gold or silver.

In-person visits are recommended, or an in-store pickup depending on the last fulfillment date for some items before Christmas, Cambridge Local First said.

The guide was developed with support from the Cambridge Office of Tourism, according to Cambridge Local First. Cambridge Day is a CLF member and has representation on its board of advisers.