Holidays & Entertaining Shop Local with Our 2023 Midwest Gift Guide By Midwest Living editors Midwest Living editors Midwest Living's experienced editors create best-in-class travel, lifestyle, food, home and garden content you won't find anywhere else. We're loudly, proudly Midwestern, and we're passionate about helping our audience explore and create through award-winning storytelling. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 21, 2023 Trending Videos Photo: Brie Goldman Our staff and contributors have spent the past year flagging our favorite Midwest finds. All you have to do is add the bow. 01 of 27 Pickle Ball Gear Brie Goldman Cincinnati Step aside, cornhole. Pickleball has taken over, and I'm not mad about it. Nettie applies zippy '70s-style patterns to premium-quality youth and adult paddles, available a la carte or in sets with balls (and rad sweatbands). Let the dink shots and dillballs fly. From $55; sets from $93. —Sarah McCosham, MWL Writer 02 of 27 Playing Cards Brie Goldman Fulton, Missouri I'm a sucker for anything hand-illustrated, so naturally, I'm totally charmed by the line-drawn vibe of 1Canoe2's Feathered Friends cards. Anyone up for cribbage? $13. —Erin Keefer, Assistant Art Director 03 of 27 Pasta Jewelry Brie Goldman St. Paul Delicacies Jewelry makes food-themed accessories that are actually trendy, and they donate a portion of their proceeds to feeding the hungry. I love the Al Dente collection, but they also have dumplings, donuts and more. Carb-loading never looked so good. From $50. —Julia Sayers Gokhale, Travel Editor 04 of 27 Beaded Earrings Brie Goldman Minneapolis Named for her paternal grandmother, Holly Nolan's company, Lillie Nell, is a bridge between generations. She found her family—and her Choctaw heritage—through social media and began beading to connect with her roots. Each pair of earrings takes hours to make, using a needle, thread and up to 1,200 gorgeous Japanese glass beads. From $45. —Stacy Brooks, MWL Writer 05 of 27 Claw Clips Brie Goldman Fishers, Indiana Spiffy and Splendid fabricates the most stylish claw clips (and also barrettes and chunky earrings) from plant-based acetate acrylic. The business staff s women who—like founder Emily Spencer—need to earn income while staying home with their families. From $12. —Hilary Braaksma, Custom Projects Editor 06 of 27 Wax Melts Brie Goldman Ellinwood, Kansas My seventh-grader loves creating a cozy mood with wax melts. (What can I say? She's an old soul!) Kansas Earth and Sky offers scents cleverly inspired by the rural landscape, like sweet clover and alfalfa, sunflower, and shelter belt—a piney aroma perfect for the holidays. $13. —Mary-Beth Rouse, Creative Director 07 of 27 Athletic Club Shirts Brie Goldman Sioux Falls, South Dakota I'm an avid walker and cyclist, so I definitely think I've earned my pass to this (utterly imaginary) Midwest Athletic Club from Press Screen Printing and Embroidery. The collection includes crewneck sweatshirts too. From $28. —Kristin Bienert, Editorial Content Manager 08 of 27 Glasses Cases Brie Goldman Iowa City, Iowa Bob Gassman of Longfellow Leather is, simply, a great guy with great taste. He sources only Midwest leather, and his made-to-order glasses cases—available in eight rich colors—are one of my go-to gifts. $45. —Ceil Miller Bouchet, MWL Writer 09 of 27 Fanny Packs Brie Goldman Milwaukee I have fully embraced the fanny pack lifestyle, and I appreciate some sassy branding. Enter Dope Fanny, whose durable bags have lots of pockets, a comfy strap and fun prints like Go Fish. $25. —Lauren Sieben, MWL Writer 10 of 27 Skin Care Products Brie Goldman Minneapolis Guy Lively sells soaps, serums, lotions and other potions in tasteful scents like Cedarwood Citrus and Roasted Ale. My partner and I are fans—but I've heard tell that so are some women on our staff. (The bars lather up great.) From $9; gift sets from $30. —Brain Kramer, Executive Editor 11 of 27 Custom Mix Records Brie Goldman Chicago One of the best gifts I've received was a personalized record. Just send a playlist or audio fi les (and, if you like, art for the sleeve), and Freestyle Vinyl presses a 7-, 10- or 12-inch album. It's a splurge, but awe upon opening comes practically guaranteed. From $30 for a single; from $119 for 10 songs. —Jen Crystal, Editorial Assistant 12 of 27 Marshmallow Bourbon Brie Goldman Indianapolis Not too sweet, and not too smoky, 'Shmallow is just right for nipping winter's chill. Hotel Tango Distillery's decadent toasted marshmallow bourbon comes in an irresistible flask-style bottle. Sip it neat or add a splash to a cup of cocoa. $30 for 750 ml. —Amy Lynch, MWL Writer 13 of 27 Silk-Cotton Socks Brie Goldman Minneapolis Last December, I visited Umei, a lovely Japanese shop, and bought these socks for all the men in my family. (They've got women's sizes too.) The rich red is festive, but the extra-fine cotton-silk blend makes them wearable year-round. They're made by Nishiguchi Kutsushita, a heritage brand stitching socks since 950. $20. —Kelly Kegans, MWL Writer 14 of 27 Paint Markers Brie Goldman Fargo, North Dakota The Scribble Lady (aka Hannah Stelter) posts TikTok tutorials for doodling adults and sells fancy art supplies, like hyper-pigmented paint markers or sleek glass pens to dip in pots of ink, quill-style. From $5. —Alicia Underlee Nelson, MWL Writer 15 of 27 Custom Pet Prints Brie Goldman Columbus, Ohio Upload a photo of your pet, and Perkie Prints turns it into a classy black-and-white portrait on—well, anything! I have one of their T-shirts with my dog peeping out of the pocket, and it's insanely soft and comfy, but there are also bags, pillow cases, mugs, you name it. From $6, plus a $20 one-time photo editing fee. —Sarah McCosham, MWL Writer 16 of 27 Loose-Leaf Tea Omaha Artemis Tea and Botanicals is steeped in knowledge about plants and wellness, and off ers enticing collections like Rest, a set of four blends to aid relaxation and reduce anxiety. Handcrafted from thoughtfully sourced teas and botanicals, they're almost too pretty to brew. From $18; collections from $45. —Katy Spratte Joyce, MWL Writer 17 of 27 Company Cookbook Carson Downing Park Rapids, Minnesota Years ago, I visited award-winning writer Amy Thielen at her cabin in the woods to shoot a story about her first cookbook. (The snow was thigh-deep. We ate a lot of potato donuts.) Fittingly, her new project, Company, celebrates inviting people into your home and feeding them well—and without pretension (Norton, $40). —Hannah Agran, Executive Editor 18 of 27 Board Holder Carson Downing Indianapolis Fashioned from white concrete, this chic home for cutting boards from Cream & Concrete can also hold a book or tablet while you're cooking. It's heavy in the best way—no tipping or sliding—and available in two sizes. (Or choose a tiny one to prop up a smartphone.) From $63; $23 for phone stand. —Joie Probst, Social Media Editor 19 of 27 Bottom-Curve Mugs Brie Goldman Saline, Michigan I love the glossy pastels and unique lines of Emily LoPresto's ceramics. The shapes of her mugs, plates and creamers are precise, and the effect is subtle, like circles that have been gently nudged into rounded triangles. Available in three sizes; from $36. —Kylee Krizmanic, Editor in Chief 20 of 27 Alfajores Chicago Discovering new foods and drinks in Chicago is one of my favorite pastimes. One recent find: Lucila's Alfajores, soft, crumbly Argentinian butter cookies sandwiching a plush layer of dulce de leche. Try coconut, guava or the orange-kissed dark chocolate. Heck, try them all. From $24. —Diane Penningroth, Copy Editor 21 of 27 Pizza Paddles Brie Goldman Moline, Illinois Woodworker Tim McGuire of Wild Cherry Spoon Company crafts kitchenware from ethically harvested lumber. Pizza peels available in three sizes, from $35. —Kylee Krizmanic, Editor in Chief 22 of 27 Designing Rooms with Joie De Vivre Brie Goldman Des Moines We've featured interior designer Amanda Reynal's home in Midwest Living. Her new book offers great advice for making your home stylish, colorful and liveable (Abrams, $40). —Kylee Krizmanic, Editor in Chief 23 of 27 Customizable Vintage Wood Cassette Wall Art Brie Goldman Kansas City The retro vibe of this wood cassette wall art from Wee Woodworks is a smash hit for friends and family. Customize with a sweet message, your favorite song, or leave blank for hangable '80s wall decor! $42 for blank; $52 for customized. —Ruby Pierce, Assistant Art Director 24 of 27 Nail Polish Brie Goldman Bloomington, Indiana Locally made nail polish? Yes! All of Blush Lacquers colors are "5-free," made without five of the chemicals commonly found in nail polish. From $11. —Kylee Krizmanic, Editor in Chief 25 of 27 Puffy Blanket Brie Goldman Suttons Bay, Michigan Available in myriad patterns, these blankets from Wild Lettie are made of durable, water-repellent ripstop nylon and stuff in a sack like a sleeping bag. $99. —Kylee Krizmanic, Editor in Chief 26 of 27 Whipped Soap Brie Goldman Sioux Falls, South Dakota I discovered the charming Juniper Apothecary on a recent trip to Sioux Falls. Their handmade whipped soap with essential oils is now a staple in my shower routine. It lathers well and leaves my skin feeling luxurious. Plus, the Magnolia scent is so fresh! $17 for 8 fluid ounces. —Julia Sayers Gokhale, Travel Editor 27 of 27 Chocolates Brie Goldman Detroit No more guesswork. Adorable (and clearly labeled!) packaging makes Bon Bon Bon's chocolates all the sweeter. From $21 for six. —Kylee Krizmanic, Editor in Chief Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit