I might be biased, but I think Wisconsin is the best state. One of the things I Iove most about this midwest gem is how many amazing businesses are based here! Curating gift guides is one of my favorite projects each year, so this year I decided to make a gift guide dedicated this great state so many of us call home. I scoured the state to find the best of the best businesses to share here with you!
Now more than ever, it’s so important to shop small and support local businesses. The pandemic has made an already hard job even harder for small business owners, and they need our support. Whether it’s for Christmas or any other occasion, trust me when I say you’re going to want to keep your wallet close and get cozy while you dive into this post. Here we go; the first gift guide of 2021 – my favorite Wisconsin businesses!
[1] KT HOLIDAY SWEATER + HAT
KWIK TRIP
Kwik Trip is an icon of Wisconsin, so who wouldn’t want to show off a KT Christmas sweater and matching hat?! They’re exactly what you (and everyone on your Christmas list) needs to survive frigid Wisconsin winters. The sweater and hat sold out almost immediately, but good news – they are currently available for pre-order! Trust me, they are worth the wait. Both the sweater and hat are really high quality and cozy. I’m going to be living in mine this holiday season! Order the sweater here and the hat here.
[2] STAMPED LEATHER KEYCHAIN + BOTTLE OPENER
BLU MOUNTAIN CO.
There’s just something about leather accessories – they are a timeless gift that is perfect for anyone! Blu Mountain Co. is a Milwaukee-based small business that offers beautiful leather keychains and bottle openers. One of my favorite designs available is the stamped outline of Wisconsin. If you’re looking for something different, you can personalize any Blu Mountain Co. keychains with a name, word, or phrase! Shop Blu Mountain Co. here.
[3] CHEESEBOARD
BAUER BOARDS
Cheeseboards are the quintessential adult gift – pretty much everyone over 20 dreams of getting one for Christmas. The only thing better than a beautiful cheeseboard is a cheeseboard handmade right here in Wisconsin by Bauer Boards! Bauer Boards is a father/daughter run business – each item is completely unique and made with locally sourced wood and reclaimed wood from old Wisconsin barns. How cool is it to know that your new cheeseboard was once an old barn that was given a new life?! They also make custom furniture pieces and are able to wood burn personalization into any of their cheeseboards. Shop Bauer Boards here!
[4] BLACK GLITTER COW TUMBLER + BRONZE CHEETAH TUMBLER
MADE BY J
We all know someone who always carries a cute cup around with them sipping their favorite drink. What better gift to give that person than a fun new tumbler (or two) from Made By J?! There’s just something about drinking an iced coffee out of a cute cup that makes everyone feel a little more put together. My two cups (pictured above) are the Black Glitter Cow Tumbler and Bronze Cheetah Tumbler; I have personally put my tumblers to the test by hand washing them several times and they still look brand new. Made By J tumblers are the perfect affordable gift for your bff, sister, or co-worker! Shop Made By J here.
[5] MIDWEST MINDSET SEED SNAPBACK
GILTEE
You can never have too many hats, especially when they’re hats that show off your midwest pride! This mesh lid was designed by Giltee with Wisconsinites in mind. It’s the perfect way to finish off any look and the hat-loving friend on your list would love to receive it as a gift! Shop Giltee’s Midwest Mindset Seed Snapback here.
[6] “MIDWEST IS BEST” ART PRINT + “LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE” ART PRINT
NAOMI PAPER CO.
Naomi Paper Co. is a beautiful shop filled with hand lettered goods. I love that there is a selection of both Wisconsin-themed products and non-Wisconsin-themed products! Art prints are a great gift for anyone living in a dorm or an apartment who needs decor that doesn’t damage the walls. They can be propped up on a dresser, popped into an existing picture frame, or even taped up on the wall with washi tape! The possibilities are endless. My two favorites from Naomi Paper Co. are the “Midwest is Best” and “You Don’t Have to Be Like Everybody Else” art prints. Shop these prints and more here!
[7] VINYL STICKERS
MOLLY LEW STICKERS
A person can never have too many stickers! Perfect for layering on your laptop, water bottle, notebook, or coffee tumbler, the fun vinyl stickers from Molly Lew Stickers are an awesome way to show off your Wisconsin pride (and your love for coffee). The stickers are made from high-quality outdoor vinyl so they will stay put and last for years to come. A few of my favorites from Molly Lew Stickers are: “Ice Coffee”, “WI License Plate”, and “Wiscow”. They’re affordable enough that you can get two of each – one to give to a friend and one to keep for yourself! Shop Molly Lew Stickers here.
[8] SCRUNCHIES
MAPLE + SPADE
Scrunchies are another accessory that a girl can never have too many of. Maple + Spade is based in Madison and the owner Alexandra makes the cutest scrunchies ever! The best part is that they are under $10 each. Three of my favorites (pictured above) are the November Scrunchie of the Month (a green/dark turquoise color), the Hot Toddy Scrunchie, and the Blush Scrunchie. They are really high quality and I love how many textures and patterns are available. I won’t leave home without one – I constantly have a Maple + Spade scrunchie either in my hair or around my wrist. Shop Maple + Spade here!
[9] FROSTY CANDLE + COZY CABIN CANDLE
BENEATH THE PINES CANDLE CO.
Based in Slinger Wisconsin, Beneath the Pines Candle Co. makes luxurious hand-poured soy candles. The packaging is to die for – I’m obsessed with the walnut-stained wooden candle lids! Beneath the Pines Candle Co. offers several different sized candles in both regular wick and wood wick. My current winter favorites are “Frosty” and “Cozy Cabin”. Both candles make me feel that winter excitement that we all know and love. Fun fact – the owner Kristi runs this business as a side-hustle while working full time and being a full time mom! Shop Beneath the Pines Candle Co. here.
[10] “WISCONSIN ESSENTIALS” GIFT BOX
DRINK WISCONSINBLY
Drinking and Wisconsin go hand in hand. We all have heard of the iconic brand Drink Wisconsinbly and their awesome apparel, but did you know they have gift sets too? Sets are such an easy gift to buy when you don’t know what to give someone. They are especially great for host/hostess gifts! I’m quite confident that anyone from Wisconsin would love to receive a gift from Drink Wisconsinbly, and each of their gift boxes is packed full of fan favorites. The box pictured above is their “Wisconsin Essentials” Gift Box in the “Bigger” size. It includes two pint glasses that say “Wisconsin Shot Glass”, a bottle opener, two sticker sheets, an enamel pin, two can coozies, a snapback hat, and two t-shirts. I bet you have already thought of someone who needs this! Shop Drink Wisconsinbly gift sets here.
[11] SUNSET CRESCENT BEANIE + SUN GRID TEE
LAKE EFFECT CO.
Lake Effect Co. is one of my favorite Wisconsin brands! The lifestyle brand has a shop in Milwaukee and also an online store. It’s a consciously-curated brand and their products are centered around the water to remind people of their great memories on Wisconsin lakes. You can never have too many beanies when you live in Wisconsin, and the Sunset Crescent Beanie is the perfect one to add to any collection. The new Sun Grid Tee by Lake Effect Co. is another favorite – it’s a comfy, vintage-washed tee screen printed with a grid of sunshine “to anchor the light in darker days”. Each tee is uniquely one of a kind; they are actually thrifted tees that were given a new life! Shop Lake Effect Co. here.
[12] “DIVE BAR SUPERSTAR” TEE
GILTEE
Nick and I recently got these “Dive Bar Superstar” tees from Giltee and they are our new favorites. The design/saying is perfect for so many Wisconsinites (including Nick), and aside from that, the material the tee is made from is super comfortable. If you live in Wisconsin, you might be a self-proclaimed dive bar superstar (or know one) that crushes darts every time you go out to your local dive bar. It’s safe to say that the dart-loving person on your gift list needs this tee! Shop Giltee’s “Dive Bar Superstar” tee here.
[13] BALSAM FIR + DOOR COUNTY CHRISTMAS SOY CANDLES
DOOR COUNTY CANDLE COMPANY
Candles are one of my favorite gifts to give (and receive) because they double as a decor item and everyone loves them! I personally have never met a candle I didn’t like. I have fallen in love with Door County every time I’ve visited, and the soy candles from Door County Candle Company bring me right back. My holiday favorites are Balsam Fir and Door County Christmas, and I love lighting them to fill my home with holiday cheer. Shop Door County Candle Company here!
[14] “BLOODY MARYS AND CHEESE CURDS” TEE
GREENLEAF DESIGNS
Who doesn’t love bloody marys and cheese curds?! It’s every Wisconsinite’s favorite combo. This fun “Bloody Marys and Cheese Curds” tee is the perfect way to show off two Wisconsin favorites. A person can never have too many comfy tees, and this one will quickly become a staple for anyone who adds it to their closet. Shop Greenleaf Design’s “Bloody Marys and Cheese Curds” tee here!
[15] “DEER CAMP” HAT + BADGER TAILGATE LONG SLEEVE + “DRINKING COORDINATOR” TEE + “SATURDAYS ARE FOR THE BADGERS” CREWNECK
WISCONSIN CLOTHING COMPANY
There are so many great apparel items at Wisconsin Clothing Company. Whether you want some Badger themed gear or a shirt to show off your love for tailgating, this is the place to find it! Wisconsin Clothing Company makes apparel for the Wisconsin Midwesterner: “sincere, friendly, unboastful, and subtle people who drink beer, eat brats and cheese curds, have bonfires every night in the summer while launching fireworks.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a more perfect way to describe Wisconsinites! It’s impossible for me to narrow down my favorites from Wisconsin Clothing Company, but some of my top choices are their “Drinking Coordinator” tee, “Saturdays are for the Badgers” crewneck, Badger Tailgate long sleeve, and “Deer Camp” hat. Shop all of these items and more here!
[16] GREAT LAKES GIFT BAG SET
THE BADGER MARKET
Gift sets are a godsend – they are carefully curated and look so thoughtful but take little effort to pick out. The Badger Market is an online lifestyle boutique that has really fun Wisconsin-y products AND loves to give back. Five percent of all sales are donated to the Alliance for the Great Lakes, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Great Lakes. How amazing is that?! The Great Lakes Gift Bag Set (pictured above) is the perfect gift for your water-loving friend, sibling or parent. It includes a thick canvas tote with a WI canoe paddle logo on the front, a Great Lakes candle, a Great Lakes necklace, and a Great Lakes sticker. It’s the perfect all-in-one gift for anyone! Shop the Badger Market here.
[17] “FRIDAY ARE FOR FISH FRYS & OLD FASHIONEDS” TEE
GREENLEAF DESIGNS
Friday fish frys are another Wisconsinite staple. It’s one of those weekly traditions that make this state so great! Fish frys bring the whole family together to support local bars and restaurants while eating some yummy fried fish and sipping on an old fashioned. What better to wear for Friday night dinner than this “Fridays are for fish frys & old fashioneds” tee by Greenleaf Designs?! Shop this tee and more here.
[18] HARDCOVER PHOTOBOOK + 5″ SQUARE PRINTS
PARABO PRESS
If you’ve been around for awhile, you know that I’m a big proponent of printing off your photos. I’m guilty of forgetting this occasionally, but Parabo Press makes it a breeze to order prints and gifts! There are so many different places to order photos from, but the quality of Parabo Press is second to none and ordering from them supports a Wisconsin-based business. There’s a variety of products available including square prints, calendars, cards, softcover photobooks and hardcover photobooks to name a few! The entire ordering process is so easy that you only need an hour or two to make custom photo gifts for your whole family. Shop Parabo Press here!
[19] WANDER WISCONSIN MUG + ART PRINT
ASHLEY RHYNER COLLECTIVE
If you haven’t figured it out already, I’m a big fan of coffee mugs and art prints. This fun Wisconsin design by Ashley Rhyner Collective is an outline of the state filled with phrases that describe it so well. Wisconsin is packed full of state parks and natural areas that make it so easy to get outside to explore. The design comes on a mug and art print (and apparel), so you can choose one (or both) for your friend, mom, or sister! Individually, the Wander Wisconsin Mug and Wander Wisconsin art print make perfect inexpensive gifts that are under $20. Shop Ashley Rhyner Collective here!
[20] “LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE” MUG
PILLOWS OF GRACE
This bright Wisconsin-red ceramic mug is the perfect cup for your morning coffee. This is a must-have for anyone’s mug collection! The simple design reminds you to love where you live – some days it’s easy to forget how great life in Wisconsin can be. An added bonus is that the mug is also dishwasher and microwave safe. Shop the “Love Where You Live” Mug by Pillows of Grace here!
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To wrap things up, I wanted to mention a really cool resource I found when looking for places to shop locally – Main Street Wisconsin. This directory lists practically every small business in Wisconsin with links to their sites so you can easily shop. Between this gift guide and the Main Street Wisconsin website, there’s no excuse not to shop small this holiday season!
I hope you enjoyed this post and discovered some new places to shop. Even if it’s not Christmastime when you’re reading this, these businesses make amazing products that are the perfect way to treat yourself or someone you love any time of the year. I’m sure there are some amazing Wisconsin businesses that I missed, so leave a comment if you have any other suggestions. On Wisconsin!
Be sure to check out my “2021 Holiday Gift Guide: for Her” and “2021 Holiday Gift Guide: for Him” posts for more ideas! You can also scroll through gift guides from previous years here for even more inspiration.
*This post is sponsored by: Kwik Trip, Blu Mountain Co., Bauer Boards, Made by J, Giltee, Naomi Paper Co., Molly Lew Stickers, Maple + Spade, Beneath the Pines Candle Co., Drink Wisconsinbly, Lake Effect Co., Door County Candle Company, The Badger Market, Parabo Press, Ashley Rhyner Collective, Wisconsin Clothing Company, Greenleaf Designs, and Pillows of Grace. All opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links from which I earn a few pennies when you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you).
