Chicago Based Gift Guide

A roundup of the best gifts by Chicago based brands and shops!

1. I Don’t Care Who Wins Sweatshirt | 2. Chicago Sweatshirt | 3. Equilibria Savor Gift Set (On sale for 30% off, plus use code LAKESHORELADY for an additional 15% off!) | 4. Dana Rebecca Designs Earrings | 5. Dana Rebecca Designs Necklace | 6. Abby Alley Mini Backpack | 7. Abby Alley Tote | 8. Monica & Andy Hospital Box | 9. Empoli Sweatshirt + Pasta Meal Kits | 10. Pareto Field Jacket (Use code LAKESHORELADY10 FOR 10% off until 11/24!) | 11. Foxtrot Chicago Foodie Gift Box (Ships ANYWHERE!) | 12. Chicago Skyline Art Print by Tegan Gebert | 13. Advanced Clinicals (Use code LAUREN30 for 30% off sitewide, excluding bundles.)

Gifts by Chicago Artists Companies

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 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 I wanted to mostly focus on brands that are based here, but ship everywhere. That way, even if the person you’re shopping for isn’t local, you can still get them something really awesome while supporting a business here!

Favorite Chicago Brands/Stores (From The Collage)

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 the cutest brick & mortar store, a beautiful online shop that ships nationally, and top notch social media content.

I will probably include her items in all of my gift guides if we’re being honest, but to get you started, you can’t go wrong with her gift section or Chicago collection. Also, I personally own this Chicago Sweatshirt and I just got this fun Christmas sweatshirt and Mad Hatter beanie!

Equilibria CBD 

I feel like Equilibria sometimes gets lumped in with much bigger brands because a lot of bloggers use their products and talk about them… but they’re really just a female founded small business based here in Chicago! I know most of you have already heard me rave about them a million times before, but for those who haven’t heard anything about them, you can read all about the benefits of CBD oil here, as well as an interview with Coco Meers, the CEO and co-founder, here.

They just launched a bunch of awesome gift sets, as well as a sale for 30% off sitewide! I am personally really excited about the Savor Gift Set which has their CBD gummies in 3 limited edition flavors (the gingered pear is my favorite!) and Winter Citrus Daily Drops. It is valued at $90 but you can get it for less than $50 right now with their 30% off sale + an extra 15% off with my code LAKESHORELADY!

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 love that she has so many timeless pieces that will never go out of style. 

Abby Alley

If you are looking for local brands that are also sustainable and ethical – meet Abby Alley! Abby creates the most beautiful bags and jewelry with artisans in East Africa. I first fell in love with her work when I got this handbag, but I love this new mini backpack and classic tote! She also makes beautiful jewelry, too!

Monica & Andy

Monica & Andy is a Chicago-based conscious clothing company that uses the softest and most trustworthy fabrics to create the best baby clothes. I’ve gotten this Hospital Box for a few of my friends, and this Cuddle Box looks like an even more goodies for a new baby! They also have some cute stuff for toddlers, kids, and even Moms, too!

Empoli

I know I included their hoodie in the collage, but if you’re shopping for someone local who doesn’t need more stuff, I love the idea of giving them a Meal Kit from Empoli! It includes fresh house made pasta for 2, your choice of sauce, romano cheese, fresh sage, and cooking instructions. How fun is that? They also sell a bunch of other gifts sets, jarred sauces, and more!

Pareto

Foxtrot

Whenever people ask me what to get for someone who is hard to buy gifts for, I always suggest a Foxtrot box if they are local – but now they have a curated selection that they can SHIP anywhere in the US!!! For example, their Chicago Foodie Box has Carol’s cookies, Monteverde’s pasta, Bang Bang Pie’s biscuit mix, Garrett’s popcorn, and more. Definitely sending this to some Aunts and Uncles on my list!

Art Prints by Tegan Gebert

If you’ve been looking for some beautiful Chicago prints to add to your home, look no further. I actually went to high school with Tegan, which makes it even more fun to swoon over her gorgeous work!

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! Their gift bundles range from $16 to $85, but all of their individual products are under $20 AND you can get an additional 30% off with code LAUREN30. I personally love to gift the Hello Hydration Bundle and the Moisture Bundle. I also highly recommend their Tea Tree Oil (all time favorite skincare product!), Tea Tree Face Cleanser, Dark Circle Eye Serum, Hemp Seed Oil Cream! (Discount code applies sitewide, with the exception of the gift bundles.)

Other Favorite Chicago Brands/Stores for Gifts

One/Third

Do any of you follow @seeannnajane? One/Third is her jacket company!! Surprising no one, every drop is just as chic as she is. Even if they aren’t right for anyone on your list, snag one for yourself!!

Vo Jewelry

I met Amy, the designer behind VO Jewelry through Ali from Alice & Wonder – and it’s impossible not to love these women. I love my Ollie Hoops so much that I bought them as a bridesmaids gift for all of my girls! I also think this heart bracelet, this masklace (just got this and it’s so cute!), and this custom letter necklace would be such great gifts this year.

Pretty And All

Pretty And All is a woman-owned and size-inclusive boutique based out of Chicago. They normally just sell their clothes online, but from December 3rd to December 5th, you will be able to shop at their pop-up shop at 100 E Walton Street! So exciting!

Kampus Kustoms

After we watched The Last Dance documentary, I posted something about how I wanted to get some Bulls/Michael Jordan gear. I was about to search the internet for something cute, when Kristina reached out to me and asked if she could make something custom for me. Umm…. YES PLEASE! She ended up finding an awesome vintage sweatshirt that she tie dyed and cut to make it perfect for me. If you have any sports fans on your list anywhere in the country, reach out to her!

Surhilo

There are a million companies making warm knit hats, but Surhilo is particularly special. It was founded by a couple (the girl grew up in my hometown!) who met in South America. During one of their trips in the region, they joined a co-op of women artisans in Peru. Since coming back to Chicago, Eileen designs all of Surhilo’s products, and the talented ladies in Peru bring them to life, by hand. By doing it this way, they are promoting the use of organic, sustainable materials, while also supporting female artisans in South America. So cool, right?

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 incredible facials, 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. They have a bunch of curated gift guides on their site already – but my personal favorites are Nest Candles and this Skin Food Duo!

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.

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!

Bow & Arrow

Bow & Arrow is an adorable gift shop in Bucktown that is temporarily closed due to COVID – but you can still shop online for pickup or delivery! They have the cutest cards, lots of affordable gifts, and my favorite masks!

Baobei Studio

Looking for something really unique? If you send Susan a photo of a home or a place that is special to you, she will paint a custom piece for you in one of 3 sizes. I love the idea of getting an illustration of your childhood home as a gift for your parents!

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!

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 by Chicago 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! 

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