Chicago Gift Guide: 8 Best Chicago Based Companies For Gifts
A roundup of the best gifts by Chicago based companies and shops!
Chicago Gift Guide
It’s no secret that I have a lot of Chicago pride, so it makes me SO happy whenever you guys get excited about purchasing gifts from my Chicago gift guide that includes local shops and Chicago-based businesses!
Obviously this barely scratches the surface when it comes to all of the amazing shops you can visit if you live in the Chicago-land area, but it’s a start! Also, while a lot of these brands are local, a lot of them ship nationwide. So even if the person you’re shopping for isn’t local, you can still get them something really awesome while supporting a business here!
Chicago Gifts from Chicago Based Companies!
Alice & Wonder
Let’s start with my FAVORITE, Alice & Wonder! I first met the owner, Ali, back when she only had a small online boutique – we shot photos of new arrivals on the streets of the West Loop and instantly hit it off. Now she has multiple storefronts, a beautiful online shop that ships nationally, and top notch social media content. While they have a ton of cute clothing and gifts, I personally always recommend their Chicago collection. So many goodies.
Everything she carries is adorable AND she now has a Mini Wonder store with the cutest collection of gifts for the babies and toddlers in your life!
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Dana Rebecca Designs
If you are looking to splurge on a piece of jewelry this holiday season, everything that Dana Rebecca Designs makes is GORGEOUS. I own this necklace and I wear it all the time – it’s so classic and timeless!
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VO JEWELRY
Abby Alley
If you are looking for local brands that are also sustainable and ethical – meet Abby Alley! I met Abby years ago and it’s been so fun to watch her brand grow into what it is today! She works with artisans in East Africa to create the most beautiful sustainable and ethically made bags and jewelry. Her sling bags are super popular, but I’m also swooning over this tote. So beautiful!
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This is a new-to-me store on Southport and the owner could not be more lovely. They have a wide variety of women’s clothing (LOVE this dress and this dress for the holidays), a new baby section (how darling is this stuffed animal?), and gifts like this fun ornament and CHAPPYWRAP BLANKETS! If you know me, you know that these are our favorite blankets by far – and I love that you can now get them from a local Chicago business! I mean who doesn’t love a super cozy, high quality, and machine washable blanket?!
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Lapiel Laser Center
If you’re shopping for someone who loves a good facial or is looking to get laser hair removal and/or botox, Lapiel is THE PLACE. First of all, it is the coziest and most welcoming neighborhood space. I feel like some spas/medspas can feel either sterile or bougie – and this feels like Chicago. Everyone who works there is beyond lovely, and you feel at ease as soon as you walk in. I’ve gotten a Diamond Glow facial and laser hair removal there and both experiences have been wonderful. You can also mention “Lake Shore Lady” for 10% off your first service – and that applies to gift cards too!!!
Equilibria Sleep Gummies
Before we started trying for a baby, I was a big fan of Equilibria. They have changed their offerings a bit since I was a loyal customer, but they still have their sleep gummies which are really nice for anyone who has trouble winding down at the end of the day.
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Pareto
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A few more Chicago based companies with great gifts!
Jayson Home
Jayson Home is what interior design dreams are made of. While they have a lot of really gorgeous furniture that would be a little too pricey for holiday gifts, they also have a ton of home decor items for a lot of people on your list!
Christie E Print Shop
Christie has been an incredibly supportive follower of mine for years, and her city art prints are INCREDIBLE. I obviously LOVE the Chicago print, but she also has them for Madison, Denver, Boston, San Diego, and more!
Semicolon Bookstore
Semicolon is exactly the kind of bookstore all of us want to support. It is the ONLY Black female owned bookstore in Chicago, and within their first year in business, they gave over $175,000 in books and direct donations to CPS students. They even evolved their #ClearTheShelves initiative into a nonprofit called Paran(t)hesis. If you aren’t in Chicago, you can still shop their books online here.
Advanced Clinicals
Looking for a gift for a skincare junkie? Advanced Clinicals is a Chicago-based company with incredible prices… in other words, you can really spoil them! My favorite products are the Tea Tree Oil, Cracked Heel Cream, and Hemp Seed Oil Cream.
Lost Girls Vintage
Lost Girls Vintage is an extremely popular vintage shop here in Chicago with locations in both West Town and Logan Square. They also have an online shop that ships to anywhere in North America.
Lena Rose
Lena Rose is a green and clean spa and shop in Lincoln Square. In addition to facials and nails, they also have a shop with some of her favorite clean brands, and her own house line!
Merz Apothecary
Merz Apothocary is another Lincoln Square gem. In fact, it’s been family owned and operated since it was opened by pharmacist Peter Merz in 1875. If you aren’t local to Chicago, you can also shop their products online at smallflower.com.
Slow-Made
These slow made renewable, vegan coconut wax candles are made in small batches right in Logan Square. I found out about them thanks to a reader, and all of their scents sound incredible!
Foursided
If you are shopping for someone who loves our city, Foursided has some of the best Chicago gifts around. They also have an incredible assortment of ornaments and greeting cards!
Neighborly
Neighborly is another shop that has great Chicago gifts – most of which are also made in Chicago! They also have kitchen items, home decor, and even gifts for the kiddos.
Flowers For Dreams
Their delivery zone actually includes a bigger portion of the midwest now, so you don’t have to be IN Chicago to order a bouquet for your loved ones this holiday season! Flowers For Dreams is really special because along with creating beautiful arrangements, they also donate 25% of their net profits to local charities. So awesome.
Scratch Goods
Scratch Goods is a homemade skincare company based in Chicago. All of their products use food-grade ingredients that are safe enough to eat, fragrance from pure essential oils only, and zero water, which eliminates the need for synthetic preservatives. In addition to their mask bar and shop, they also have an online shop where you can reserve items for pickup. Unfortunately they do not ship.
Dine-It-4Ward Culinary Guide
This culinary guide has BOGO offers for carry out and dine-in (when we can do that again!) for more than 75 restaurants in the city, including Le Colonial, Firecakes Donuts, Formento’s, The Bristol, and more. You can see more of the participants here!!
Gift Cards to Restaurants
If none of these appeal to you, you can also just get a gift card to their favorite restaurant!
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Are you going to buy any of these gifts in my Chicago based gift guide including artists, companies, and shops?
Let us know which ones in the comments!
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PS. Don’t forget to check out my other gift guides, too!
December 8, 2017 @ 1:55 pm
I love so many of these local businesses and artists! Great roundup :)
December 10, 2017 @ 1:19 pm
Thanks for reading, Audrey!
December 10, 2017 @ 9:30 pm
This is so awesome! Thank you!
December 11, 2017 @ 8:43 am
So glad you liked it, Alison! Thanks for reading :)
December 11, 2017 @ 10:36 am
Thank you so much for including my granola Lauren – I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it! And PLEASE let me know if I can send you a bag <3