It's that time of year again. Outdoor lights decorate the trees and storefronts, creating picture post-card scenes. Shoppers line the streets, carrying their finds for the day.
If you are still looking for great gift ideas, here are some of our favorites for the holidays from local stores and local designers.
Gifts for Her
Gifts for Him
Hostess Gifts / Gifts for the Home
Whimsical Gifts
Gifts for Pets & Those Who Love Them
Gifts for Her
Lush Bath Bombs for Christmas ($4-$6)
Deliciously fragrant, Lush's all-natural, hand-crafted bath bombs fizz when plopped into your bath. Makes a great stocking stuffer.
Lush Fresh Cosmetics
(Lincoln Park and at Macy's Downtown Chicago)
www.lush.com
Vintage Button Rings from Grandmother's Buttons ($48)
These rings caught our eye right away. From Grandmother's Buttons, these unique designs were created with vintage buttons. No two rings are alike. Sizes 6-8 are available.
Art Effect (Lincoln Park)
www.arteffectchicago.com
Halo Necklace from Objets d'Envy ($68)
One of our favorites for the holidays is Objets d'Envy's Halo Swarovski necklace, with clear crystals on a silver link chain, from local designer Kirsten Goede. You'll sparkle for any occasion, dressy or casual. Length is 16 inches.
www.ObjetsdEnvy.com
To place an order, call or email owner Kirsten Goede at 773.525.1047, or Kirsten@objetsdenvy.com.
Local Designer Merchandise at Mint Boutique
Mint Boutique is a perfect stop for hand-crafted clothing, accessories and gifts from talented local designers.
Just some of the items to check out: Owner Melissa Tierney's line of Melissa Brit and Grateful Not Greedy long sleeve tees and sweatshirts ($48-$74), Crash's line of Snow & Graham soy wax candles ($22), Couture Cuffs' faux sleeves ($37), jewelry by Rapt in Maille ($20-$80 ), Deanna Rose ($24-$60), and ZH Creative Arts ($40-$98). (Jewelry not shown).
Mint Boutique (Lincoln Park)
www.mintboutique.com
Tokyo Bay Women's Watches ($50-$70)
You will never be late to your holiday party with these watches from Tokyo Bay. These modern watches are funky with a classic twist. No two styles are exactly alike. Available in a variety of styles and colors.
Hazel (Ravenswood and Little Italy)
www.hazelchicago.com
Winter Scarves by Local Designer Elyse Bec ($78)
Incredibly soft, these stylish hand-knit wool scarves will keep you warm. These classic designs are available in green, pink, red and gray.
100% Alpaca wool.
Cinnamon Boutique (Roscoe Village)
Honey Handbag by Le Chic Accessories USA ($86)
A perfect shoulder bag for everyday wear. Soft and comfortable, this casual style comes in tan suede with brown accents.
Glam to Go (Roscoe Village)
www.glamtogo.com
Holiday Separates from Local Designer
Cyndi Chan ($99)
Perfect for your holiday party or New Year's Eve celebration - dress up in one of Cyndi Chan's Ori'en designs. Elegantly feminine, stylish, and wearable for many seasons. Custom fittings and other styles available.
Call Cyndi Chan at 773.252.9055 to arrange an appt. at her studio located at Casa de Soul (Wicker Park). Stop by to see her entire collection.
www.e-intime.com
Jacket by Tulle ($84)
Stylish and affordable, this black velvet jacket with brushed gold buttons is perfect for pairing with jeans, or dressing up for any night on the town.
Cinnamon Boutique (Roscoe Village)
Winter Pajama Sets by Scanty ($72-$82)
Spend your holidays, or snow days, lounging in these soft, comfortable winter pajamas. 100% cotton.
Available in Winter Wonderland, Dragon, Owls and Coca Cola designs.
Cinnamon Boutique (Roscoe Village)
Gifts for Him
Shoe Shine Kit for Men ($36)
Don't know what to get for the man in your life? This shoeshine kit has everything you need for on-the-go fixes. Includes polish, two different kinds of brushes, towels, and shoe horn. Comes in a small leather case that travels easily.
Multiple Choices (Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Winnetka)
www.shopmultiplechoices.com
Contemporary Men's Accessories
The Frost Watch by Axcent of Scandinavia ($95)
The contemporary design of this unusual timepiece is sure to attract attention. All-leather band, stainless steel back and water resistant.
Cufflinks by Steelx ($45)
With brushed stainless steel, these cufflinks have a great modern style. Casual enough for day, or dressy enough for business or evening wear.
Business Card Case by Phillippi ($22)
Impress your associates with this sleek, affordable card case perfect for keeping business cards organized.
Lighters from Design TPL ($18)
Take the top off to discover these sleek, slim lighters by Design TPL. They'll look very cool on any tabletop. Refillable.
Hazel (Ravenswood and Little Italy)
www.hazelchicago.com
Vintage-Inspired T-Shirts, Jerseys and Sweatshirts ($32-$110)
Pictured: White Sox jersey ($45), Detroit Tigers t-shirt ($32) and Chicago Cubs sweatshirt ($80)
These vintage-inspired shirts come in a variety of teams. Surprise your father, brother, or boyfriend with a vintage tee of his favorate team. Supersoft and comfortable!
For Book Lovers: Advertising Through the Decades ($60 each) and The Classics - Springsteen, BB King, The Doors ($40-45)
Want a little nostalgia? These books are perfect for the coffee table and pop culture junkie. Many more book titles available in-store.
Moonlight Graham (Lincoln Park)
Hostess Gifts / For The Home
Note Cards and All-Occasion Cards
Sophisticated or whimsical, note cards are perfect for gift giving.
Anjénu carries adorable notecards from Philosophies™ ($18 for 9 notecards), hand-crafted cards from Dina's Ideas ($5 card), and elegant neighborhood-inspired cards from owner Kristie Wagner ($8).
Anjénu (Wicker Park)
www.anjenu.com
Tea Forté Tea Infusers and
Serving Trays
This premium tea line not only tastes great, but the packaging is adorably feminine. Silken infusers are filled with green, black or exotic teas.
Teas can be purchased individually ($1 each), in a 6-pack of exotic blends ($10), or a tin of 15 infusers ($20). The green ceramic serving trays ($5 for 2 trays) make for a unique presentation. (Not shown is a covered white tea cup ($20) with a hole on top for infusers to peek through).
Art Effect (Lincoln Park)
www.arteffectchicago.com
Baker's Deluxe
Spice Gift Set ($40)
Treat any baker to this wonderful gift set of freshly ground spices, perfect for creating holiday desserts. Set has 8 different spices including: Saigon Cassia Cinnamon, East Indies Nutmeg, Double-Strength Pure Vanilla Extract, and ground Jamaican Allspice.
Many other spice gift sets available.
Spice House (Chicago & Evanston)
www.thespicehouse.com
Elegantly Packaged Toffee Selection ($55)
Your guests will love this delectable assortment of Terry's Toffees, presented in an imported bamboo box inlaid with silver leaf. Each colorful one-pound box contains a different selection of four tempting varieties of toffee from this Chicago-based candy company.
Individual Toffee Selections
Create your own assortment of toffee in mouth-watering flavors. Varieties include dark chocolate, hazelnut, peanut butter, orange and coffee. And try Terry's recently-introduced assortment of toffee and chocolate-coated biscotti.
Available in 1/4 lb. ($8), 1/2 lb. ($15), and 1 lb. ($28)
Biscotti (3 pc. variety pack - $9)
Terry's Toffees (West Town)
www.terrystoffee.com
Caldrea Soap and Lotion Sink Set ($44)
A great hostess gift from Caldrea, this all-natural dish soap, liquid hand soap and hand lotion is perfect next to your sink for easy clean-up and hand care. Water resistant stainless steel caddy.
Available in Basil Blue Sage, Lavender Pine, Citrus Mint Ylang Ylang, and Green Tea Patchouli.
Millefiori Fragrance Diffuser ($46)
A product of Milan, Italy, these creative diffusers are infused with Italian oils that travel slowly up the lightweight wooden sticks to enhance your room with subtle scents that don't overwhelm your senses.
Available in fig, wood, cedar and wheat germ scents.
Plush Living (Wicker Park)
www.plushlivinginc.com
Voluspa Candle Gift Set ($48)
A beautiful assortment of candles is a perfect gift for the holidays. This assortment of deliciously exotic scents includes 10 different varieties including Pink Magnolia, Aqua Deluxe, Red Amber Incense, Italian Tangelo, Sake Lemon Flower, and Crisp Champagne. Each has a 25-hour burn time.
Spa Space (West Loop)
www.spaspace.com
Festive Tableware from Asiaphile ($10-48)
A modern design hand-crafted with capiz shells, then given a high-gloss coating, these plates, bowls and platters are safe for food, and a wow for holiday entertaining. Choose from multiple colors including red, green, white, and gold.
Tabula Tua (Lincoln Park)
www.tabulatua.com
Modern Tableware from Chiasso
Cubist platter ($38), morph napkin rings ($38), arc tealight holders (set of 2-$48), and disc salt and pepper shakers ($28)
A great gift for friends who love to entertain in style. These modern, sleek designs, from Chiasso are attractively affordable too.
Chiasso (Lincoln Park)
www.chiasso.com
Whimsical Gifts
Assorted Christmas Ornaments
($5 and up)
This little piggy is the cutest ornament to celebrate a baby's first Christmas. Blue and pink faux piggy banks ($5 each), baby booties, Mother Goose, and Noah's Ark are just some of the adorable ornaments you'll find at this holiday-filled gift shop.
Most prices range from $5-$15. Christopher Radko ornaments are $40 and up. The many trees in this shop are decorated with a variety of ornaments to suit every taste - from whimsical to worshipful.
Findables (Bucktown/Wicker Park)
www.findables.com
Chicago Bears Musical Bottle Opener ($10)
What? You don't have one yet? And you call yourself a Bears fan.
Join along and sing the Chicago Bears fight song every time you open your Chicago brewsky.
Original Expressions (Lincoln Park & Roscoe Village)
www.originalexpressions.com
Snowman in a Box by Two's Company ($14)
This decorating kit is great for kids of all ages who want to button up their snowman with a red scarf and a top hat. All they need now is snow.
Hazel (Ravenswood and Little Italy)
www.hazelchicago.com
Holiday-Themed Serving Ware (Plate $22, Bowl $16)
Perfect for Santa's cookies, a candy dish, or other holiday treats. This inviting gift shop carries serving ware designs for every holiday occasion. Christmas, Hanukkah, or Winter Wonderland designs are available.
Multiple Choices (Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Winnetka)
www.shopmultiplechoices.com
Dinnerware by Vintage Kellogg's ($8-$60)
Rice Krispies Serving & Storage Pieces ($45-$60)
Big and little kids will love this assortment of dinnerware and kitchen accessories decorated witth vintage artwork. Designed in celebration of Kellogg's 100th anniversary, the plates, bowls and cups cost $8 each, if purchased in-store.
A set of 12 pieces (4 plates, 4 bowls, and 4 mugs), in your choice of green, blue, yellow, orange, or a mixed assortment, can be purchased online for $96.
Tabula Tua (Lincoln Park)
www.tabulatua.com
For Pets (and Those Who Love Them)
Doggie Neckties ($23)
It's party time, and now the entire family can dress up for the holidays. Perfect for greeting guests at the door.
Neckties have a blue oxford cloth collar, and come in assorted holiday or everyday designs. Adjustable velcro closure.
Chicago Bears-Inspired
Every dog's a Bear with this bandana ($10-14), collar ($13-15), and helmet cookies ($2).
Now your pet can show your colors while strutting the streets of Chicago.
Limited-Edition Organic Gift Packs from Simply Fido ($27)
Feel good about giving this all-natural, healthy gift to your pet. Includes organic toy and a box of organic treats.
Organic Doggy Tees by Simply Fido ($23)
Now the entire neighborhood can see your pet's nickname on these adorable organic tees. Not shown: "Cupcake."
Dog-A-Holics (Lincoln Park)
www.dog-a-holics.com
Dog Leash ($36) and Matching Collar ($20) by Pylones Paris
Retractable leashes let doggy feel footloose and fancy-free... till you pull in the reins. Glow-in-the-dark "Bones" makes night walks safer, too. Don't forget the matching collar.
Original Expressions (Lincoln Park & Roscoe Village)
www.originalexpressions.com
Assorted Team Soccer Jerseys ($36), Yarmulke ($10), and I love Matzah Balls Tank ($24)
Celebrate the holidays in style, or cheer on your favorite team, by dressing your pup in one of these adorable outfits.
Pawprints Ornaments ($16)
You'll always remember the holiday your pet helped decorate the tree!
Cool Pooch Water Bottles by Pearhead ($9)
Never leave your dog thirsty with these water bottles by Chicago-based Pearhead. With two separate containers for both dog and owner, this water bottle is great for a run with your pet, the beach, or any outdoor activities.
Catnip Cigars ($6)
Try getting these in the house without your kitty smelling the goods. Cats love Christmas too, especially when it's celebrated with these catnip candy canes.
Barker & Meowsky (Lincoln Park)
www.barkerandmeowsky.com
We recommend checking with stores for product availability. Suggested prices may change without notice. SeeMore Shopping strives for accuracy, but is not responsible for errors or omissions.
Photos courtesy of: Anjénu, Art Effect, Barker & Meowsky, Chiasso, Dog-A-Holics, Lush, Objets d'Envy, Plush Living, Spa Space, The Spice House, Tabula Tua, and Terry's Toffees.
SeeMore Shopping Contributors: E. Engquist, J. Holtzman.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews. Publ. 12/16/06.
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