KEY: [*] MADE IN CHICAGO [¢] LESS THAN $50 [♥] GIVES BACK
For Foodies
Winsome kitchen papers, which stand in for plates or perk up serving dishes, could inspire baking enthusiasts to share the goods. From $15 a set at Classic Remix Chicago, classicremixchicago.com [¢]
Surprise your holiday host: Offer to bring dessert, and let Sweet Ride’s food truck deliver on the promise. $75 an hour, plus the cost of treats, at sweetridesf.com. Location restrictions apply. (Chicago magazine readers receive free coffee.) [*]
Chicago magazine exclusive! The Good Food Project, which brings produce to Chicago-area classrooms, receives 10 percent of the profits from this chocolate and cheese collection. $60 at Pastoral, pastoralartisan.com [♥]
Beer doesn’t go out of season. Neither should this iced coffee by La Colombe (the coffee supplier to The Pump Room—and several other hot spots). $4.50 at La Colombe, lacolombe.com [¢]
Locally made tea towels in graphic patterns that pop will bring cheer to design-savvy cooks. $24 each at Shapes & Colors Textiles, etsy.com/shop/shapescolors [*] [¢]
For the dinner party impresario: Melamine coffee cups pay tribute to Pan Am–style service. $30 for set of four at I.D., idchicago.com [¢]
Know a foodie who’s new to Chicago? Introduce her to some of the city’s artisanal snacks, condiments, and coffees with this food basket of locally made goods. $75 at southportgrocery.com.
Photography: (kitchen papers, iced coffee, tea towels) Michael Boone; (food truck) Megan Lovejoy; (all others) courtesy of vendors
KEY: [*] MADE IN CHICAGO [¢] LESS THAN $50 [♥] GIVES BACK
For Women
A Proenza Schouler clutch is a fashionista’s keepsake. $975 by special order at Ikram, ikram.com
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Wondering what to buy the fan of vintage? These leather cuffs decked out with antique buckles are the answer. $195 each at Post 27, post27store.com [*]
With & Wessel’s new merino wool camisole and high-waisted leggings are the softer, chicer alternative to thermal undies. $89 (camisole) and $150 (leggings) at p.45, p45.com
The first book on Vivian Maier, a North Shore nanny whose street photos were decades before their time. $40 at powerhousebooks.com [¢]
RELATED: Read our story about Maier
Chanel’s luxe limited-edition perfume gives new meaning to “Jersey girl.” $210 for 6.8 oz at Chanel, chanel.com
The motto printed in this dish has an ironic ring when you use it to keep diamonds and other bling. $22 at Classic Remix, classicremixchicago.com.
Proceeds from this gold-plated charm help support Chicago native Amy Lehman’s floating health clinic on Africa’s Lake Tanganyika. $125 (necklace, $145) at altruette.com [♥]
Practical as well as luxurious, this jewelry pouch makes packing gems a treat. $385 at Barneys New York, barneys.com
The Sony NEX-5NKB digital camera (for pictures and high-quality video) packs in more than meets the eye—including a touch-screen user interface. $700 at Abt, abt.com
This printed silk scarf brings a bright pop of springy color to the darkest days of winter. $310 at Neapolitan Collection, neapolitanonline.com.
Photography: (cuffs) Michael Boone; (book) Megan Lovejoy; (all others) courtesy of vendors
KEY: [*] MADE IN CHICAGO [¢] LESS THAN $50 [♥] GIVES BACK
For Men
Made with high-grade badger hair, this shaving brush has old-school utility and a trippy ’tude. $69 at Truefitt & Hill, truefittchicago.com
Sturdy USA-crafted card cases get better with every scuff. $56 each at corterleather.bigcartel.com
A bow tie is the dandy’s defense against the winter blues. $75 at Shrine Haberdashers, shrinestyle.com
A made-to-measure bicycle frame—handcrafted in Chicago—is the ultimate gift for a serious cyclist. $7,900 for a similar model at Method Bicycle, methodbicycle.com [*]
A cologne with a name that will make him chuckle—and its crisp woodsy scent will make him smell terrific. $220 at Barneys New York, barneys.com
A dip-dyed shirt by Comme des Garçons BLACK befits a dude who is ahead of the fashion pack. $280 at RSVP Gallery, rsvpgallery.com
This American-made weekend bag will last generations—and will only look better with age. $640 at jwhulmeco.com
This sleek, made-in-America wool vest delivers three layers of insulation (all of the warmth, none of the puffy, marshmallow-man side effects). $225 at shop.outlier.cc
Its long, slim design helps this handmade, Colorado-crafted backpack keep gear closer to the body (a definite plus on a packed CTA train). $98 at topodesigns.com
Sunglasses with a conscience: For every pair of shades purchased, 4Sight donates a pair of eyeglasses to a person in need. $49 at 4sightsunglasses.com
Photography: (shaving brush) Michael Boone; (all others) courtesy of vendors
KEY: [*] MADE IN CHICAGO [¢] LESS THAN $50 [♥] GIVES BACK
For Kids
Embossed wooden blocks make play time of presidential history (and are worth passing down). $98 for set of 45 at Hazel, hazelchicago.com
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Neon leather satchels are cool places for bright students to stow gear. From $170 each at RSVP Gallery, rsvpgallery.com
Here’s a stocking stuffer that rocks: pebble-shaped crayons made from all-natural materials. $6.50 for set of 16 at crayonrocks.net [¢]
This CTA-inspired toy train car runs on most wooden tracks—perfect for a young conductor. $28 for set of three (or $10 each) at ctagifts.com [¢]
Local designer Laura Jastram’s chunky friendship bracelets are one of a kind. $50 each at etsy.com/people/latchcollection [*]
Adopt an animal for a year at Lincoln Park Zoo and this furry friend comes home for keeps. $46 at lpzoo.org/support [♥] [¢]
A playhouse parents will love as much as their kids do, thanks to its fun stepping-into-a-cartoon design. $306 at Orange Skin, orangeskin.com
Chicago author Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s latest kids’ book is the follow-up to her beloved Spoon. $12 for preorder at amazon.com [¢]
Book a graffiti party—including custom shirt decorating and airbrushing—for kids who have style that’s all their own. From $25 per person at Frankie’s on the Park, frankiesonthepark.com.
Future architects can build a mini version of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House with this recently released Lego set. $199 at shopwright.org
This Limoges porcelain box is a gift that will be treasured especially after a baby grows up. $215 at Tiffany & Co., tiffany.com
Photography: (crayons, blocks) Michael Boone; (all others) courtesy of vendors
KEY: [*] MADE IN CHICAGO [¢] LESS THAN $50 [♥] GIVES BACK
For Homebodies
Lovers of midcentury modern are tough customers, but they’re sure to find this wall sculpture—a recent reissue of an iconic C. Jeré design—a showstopper. $1,200 at Jonathan Adler, jonathanadler.com
Chicago Home + Garden’s new book of stunning local abodes will delight domestic design hounds. $45 at chicagohomemag.com/chicagospaces [¢]
Give glam-tinged Lucite antlers to the recovering taxidermy addict. From $175 each at Jayson Home, jaysonhome.com
Jessica Murnane’s made-in-Chicago cards are an elegant addition to the letter writer’s desk. $35 for set of 12 at suitorlife.com [*] [¢]
What do you get the friend who has it all? Fresh flowers, delivered weekly. From $29 a week for subscription at hbloom.com
This chalkboard gift tag is an endlessly useful label even after the holidays. $10 at Tabula Tua, tabulatua.com [¢]
Cozy up to an ideal gift for Americana enthusiasts: winter blankets made at Iowa’s oldest woolen mill. From $70 each at amanawoolenmill.com
A new line of candles comes in three botanical scents—all with near-universal appeal. $65 each at Barneys New York, barneys.com
Photography: (book, antlers, cards, blankets) Michael Boone; (all others) courtesy of vendors; Styling: (blankets) Lorraine Rudin
KEY: [*] MADE IN CHICAGO [¢] LESS THAN $50 [♥] GIVES BACK
For Gadget Lovers
A clock, timer, and alarm in one, this touchscreen watch was made for modern multitaskers. $259 at the MCA Store, mcachicagostore.org
This clever iPhone dock evokes the analog age while covering up cords—and has an earthy vibe. $42 at Stitch, stitchchicago.com [¢]
The Optoma PKA31 Pico palm-size digital projector plugs into smartphones for impromptu slide shows or video screenings. $400 at store.apple.com
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Play Button is an MP3 player (for a single album) and lapel pin combined. $24 at playbutton.com [¢]
Brand-new, seriously cool technology for photo buffs: The Lytro camera makes it possible to play with a picture’s focus after it’s taken. From $400 for preorder at lytro.com
Gamers with Pac-Man fever will love iCade, a gizmo that turns an iPad into an arcade machine. $100 at ionaudio.com
Made in Pilsen, this mash-up of vintage luggage and modern stereo speakers would be at home in a Luddite’s living room. From $350 at Artpentry, artpentry.com [*]
Photography: (suitcase speaker) Michael Boone; (play button) Megan Lovejoy; (all others) courtesy of vendors