Hi all!
It’s time for a Chicagoan gift guide for all my locals out there (read the other guides here if you missed them). I loved when someone suggested this as an idea – always love supporting local shops 🙂
1: Alice and Wonder Windy City Tee
I bought a banner with the same font from them last year and now I think I might just need this tee too. Super fresh design to rep your city without looking touristy 🤣 Also, this shop always has great events too!
2: Vintage Clothing from Lost Girls Vintage
Another boutique that has great events, Lost Girls Vintage is such a hidden gem in Chicago. Though I linked their Etsy shop, it’s better to visit in person in their West Town store, or visit their new pop-up in Water Tower Place if you’re in the area!
3: Funky Decor or Vintage Clothing from Festive Collective
One of my favorite shops to visit during holiday time, Festive Collective has great unique + nostalgic items like vintage ornaments or a cute santa mug. They also have vintage clothing as well as a balloon shop, Luft Balloon, for all your party needs.
You know I love my pins, so I had to add in a local pin brand, Reppin, offering city-centric options to rep Chicago wherever you go. I linked the deep dish pizza slice above, but there’s also tavern cut (square) pizza and regular triangle if that’s not your style. They also have Chicago area codes, hot dogs, the Bulls, a city flag, a Chicago star, and they even have an exclusive pin at The Hoxton hotel in the West Loop featuring The Bean.
5: Local Restaurant Gift Cards
Chicago is known for some of the best food in the world. Give the gift of an amazing meal with gift cards from local restaurant groups like one of my favorites, Dineamic, which includes standouts like BomboBar and Siena Tavern. A few of the older, classic groups are also doing deals where you get a $25 lunch card for you with every $100 gift card purchased. Lettuce Entertain You is doing that deal here. Gibson’s version is listed above. I did the Gibson’s one last year for my parents and it was a hit…plus I then got to treat myself later!
6: Sports Game Tickets
We have some of the best sports teams around, so why not show them off by gifting a future game? A great way to hang with people you love once fans are allowed back at the stadiums.
I’ve visited this spot a few times and love the energy! With their main hub in West Loop, you get access to as many wine tastings as you want by bringing people in, member-only events, and wine delivered to your door. The gift that keeps on giving!
An easy way to check off a skill you want to learn in the upcoming new year! There are classes on just about everything here in the city, but one I know I want to try is pasta-making at Eataly (linked above). I did classes at Eataly in Florence and they were great, so I’m sure the ones here are wonderful as well. Other classes I’d like to try is cheese classes from Beautiful Rind and/or a camera class so I can finally learn manual mode (what the pros use).
Hope you enjoyed this Chicagoan gift guide and that you found everything you need for the holidays. If there’s anything I missed, let me know!
See you in the next post!
