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  1. Midwest Living
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  3. Midwest Living Holiday Gift Guide 2020

Midwest Living Holiday Gift Guide 2020

By Midwest Living editors Updated October 09, 2020
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Holiday Gift Guide 2020

 Buying gifts from indie shops and artists in our communities is a win-win-win—and who doesn't want a small victory to cap off 2020? Here are our staff's picks. Pro tip: Shop early, as small makers sometimes sell out.

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Midwesty Tee

Holiday Gift Guide 2020

MARY-BETH ROUSE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Dubuque, Iowa Our whole staff (except, maybe, our lead copy editor, who is still wondering if Midwesty is a word) has become superfans of The Midwest Girl, a brand developed by two sisters, selling tees, snuggly sweatshirts, trucker caps and more. $28. shopthemidwestgirl.com

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Map Planter

Midwest Living Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

KYLEE KRIZMANIC, EDITOR IN CHIEF
St. Louis I love how the custom maps on Malaika Tolford's stoneware look almost abstract. And as a dedicated plant mama, I also appreciate that she offers a choice on drainage holes! From $45. etsy.com

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Single-Origin Chocolate Bars

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

NICK CROW, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Petoskey, Michigan The trifecta! First, the company name: Crow & Moss. How could I resist a namesake bar? (Wink.) Second, I love the colorfully modern packaging. And third, the quality. The bars are made in small batches, with very good, very dark chocolate. One square is the perfect treat to lift me from an afternoon slump. $9. crowandmoss.com

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Otrio

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

MADELAINE JEROUSEK-SMITH, COPY EDITOR
Highland Park, Illinois This tic-tac-toe-like game is one of my family's favorites. (Upholstery on a corporate cafeteria booth inspired this game!) We own the original multicolor version (available all over the Internet) but this luxe walnut Inventor's Edition? Drool. $100. otrio.com

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Entwined Necklace

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

KYLEE KRIZMANIC, EDITOR IN CHIEF
Eau Claire, Wisconsin I love Hello Adorn's delicate jewelry. Proceeds from the Entwined necklace benefit racial justice organizations. From $36. helloadorn.com

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Forged Skillet

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

HANNAH AGRAN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Logan, Ohio A Hocking Hills family forges 10-inch skillets that are naturally nonstick, thinner and lighter than most cast iron, and have long handles that stay cool longer. They're a big splurge. But these pans will last generations, and I love feeling the character and history that come with an ancient craft each time I grip the handle. $250. themakersofhandforgediron.com

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Sleep Masks

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

MARY BEAUMONT, DEPUTY EDITOR
Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin Light wakes me, and my husband gets up at 4 a.m., so I depend on sleep masks—and these are the best, with adjustable straps and, for $4 extra, silk backs. See you in the morning. From $20. houseoflanguor.com

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Teardrop Vases

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

EMILY BERGER, MWL PHOTOGRAPHER
Detroit Pewabic is a heritage ceramic studio (started in 1903 by a woman!), and their signature iridescent glazes are so unique. Each one is different, and they look as fetching today as a century ago. (Pewabic operates as a nonprofit and offers classes in its historic facility.) $150. pewabic.com

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Custom Football

Holiday Gift Guide 2020

CYNTHIA EARHART, MWL WRITER
Ada, Ohio At its rural headquarters, Wilson manufactures every single football used in the NFL. And they'll hand-stitch balls for ordinary folks, too, with a custom family name, player number or message printed on the leather. From $95. wilson.com

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Sea Salt Caramels

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Brie Passano

KARYN SPENCER, MWL WRITER
Omaha One reason to look forward to winter: The Perennial Homestead's caramels. Ali Yahnke makes luscious, buttery candy from her grandpa's recipe, but only October through February. From $15. theperennialhomestead.com

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The Bellfield Crossbody

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

KYLEE KRIZMANIC, EDITOR IN CHIEF
Cleveland This roomy leather bag is one of my most prized treasures and has developed a gorgeous patina over time. $380. fountleather.com

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Maple Syrup

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

KRISTIN BIENERT, EDITORIAL CONTENT MANAGER
Thompsonville, Michigan The fifth-generation Griner family taps maple trees along the Betsie River, and the syrup ages in Iron Fish Distillery barrels, for hints of oak and bourbon. Tastes greats on pancakes or late-night ice cream. $20. ironfishdistillery.com

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Bath Bombs

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

AMANDA DOYLE, MWL WRITER
I have never, ever used a better bath bomb than the ones from Provenance Soapworks in Saint Charles,Missouri. (And I've tried a lot!) They are beautifully packaged, super-moisturizing and the scent lasts. From $4. provenancesoaps.com

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Creatures of the Order Prints

Holiday Gift Guide 2020

HANNAH AGRAN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Minneapolis I have coveted illustrator Kelsey Oseid's zoology posters for years—but, oh, the choices! Do I go for the one of all the penguins? The butterflies? Maybe the rabbits. Or that funky new one with the squids and octopi? I might just need to give in to a gallery wall. From $20. kelzuki.com

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Faceted Mugs

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Carson Downing

KYLEE KRIZMANIC, EDITOR IN CHIEF
Glenwood, Iowa Danielle Whigham's work sells fast. I can't wait to snag a pair of these mugs. $38. dwhighamceramics.etsy.com

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Cedar Trays

Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

MARY-BETH ROUSE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
St. Cloud, Minnesota Pair one of these slatted handmade gardening trays with packages of microgreen seeds, like radish, kale or broccoli. It's a nutritious, fun gift that will keep giving all winter long. (Johnny's Selected Seeds has a huge assortment, with growing tips.) Wood seed trays are a green alternative to plastic. This one's about 1 foot long. $40. prettysimpleshoppe.etsy.com

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Tea Towels

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

ALLISON VANCURA, CONTENT EDITOR
Berkley, Michigan Colorful, vintage-style botanicals matched with soft, absorbent cotton: precisely what one needs and wants in a kitchen towel. A husband-wife team runs the shop; she designs the prints, and there are dozens to choose from. (If you like these towels, you'll also love June and December's notepads and stationery.) $16. junedecember.com

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Frankie Oil Bottle

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

ALLISON ZELLE, ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Prairie Village, Kansas Golden and Pine, located near my house, is my one-stop shop for handmade gifts. I'm especially smitten by their pottery pieces, like this oil dispenser, made right here in Kansas City by artist Sarah Veak. (Olive oil should be kept away from light, so this is good on your food and your eyes.) From $62. goldenandpine.com

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Fair-Trade Hats

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Brie Passano

MARY-BETH ROUSE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Designed in Lafayette, Indiana, and knit by women in Nepal, these fair-trade hats are made of wool or mohair, with a fleece lining. They come in a rainbow of hues and patterns. From $42. frenchknot.com

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Wall Clock

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Brie Passano

KYLEE KRIZMANIC, EDITOR IN CHIEF
Detroit Tait clocks are impeccably designed and assembled in Michigan of solid maple and all-American parts. They come in five juicy colors. I imagine placing this one in my kitchen above the pantry door—our own private sunshine as we're milling about in the morning. (If a 14-inch wall clock is too big, Tait makes a mini desktop version.) $185. taitdesignco.com

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Ceramic Tea Set

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

SHAUNA SEVER, MWL RECIPE CONTRIBUTOR
Chicago Angela Venarchik's gorgeous, sturdy ceramics have turned me from vintage shopper into artsy ceramics obsessive. She does sell smaller pieces, but this Great Lakes Collection tea set, inspired by cracked ice? Sigh. $178. angelavenarchik.com

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Australian-Style Licorice

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Brie Passano

JESS HOFFERT, PROJECTS EDITOR
Perham, Minnesota Wiley Wallaby's big, addictive hunks of licorice are soft, flavorful and have less sugar than most. Plus, who could resist that name? Huckleberry and Classic Red are my faves. From $4.50. wileywallaby.com

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Sea Salt Scrub

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

KYLEE KRIZMANIC, EDITOR IN CHIEF
Traverse City, Michigan I already tried Thistle + Grey soap; now I'm jonesing for this rosemary-lavender scrub. $18. thistleandgreyshop.etsy.com

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Weaving Kits

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Brie Passano

KELSEY OGLETREE, MWL WRITER
Minneapolis Do I weave? Nope. Do these lovely kits make my fingers twitch? 100 percent. Available in three sizes, they include all the supplies for a trendy wall hanging. And when I become the textile artist I'm sure I am inside, I can buy more yarn to start again. From $87. oakeandashe.com

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Peppermint Fudge Sauce

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

ERIN KEEFFER, SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Galena, Illinois This go-to gift from my hometown is incredible on ice cream, but to be completely honest, the sauce doesn't usually make it that far. Straight from the jar is my preferred method of enjoyment. $7. galenacanning.com

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Soy Candles

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

KYLEE KRIZMANIC, EDITOR IN CHIEF
Leelanau County, Michigan A scent called Woodsmoke + Apple? Color me cozy. $18. farmhousecandlecompany.com

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Pottery Dishes

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly

GINGER CRICHTON, SENIOR EDITOR
Minneapolis artist Kerry Brooks' mini dishes are sobeautiful and sparkly! I bought coasters from her as a road trip souvenir this summer. $12 each. dock6pottery.com

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Custom Stationery

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Jason Donnelly and Brie Passano

HANNAH AGRAN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Walhalla, North Dakota Lacee Swan illustrates whimsical stationery for all ages. Choose a setting, then customize skin color, hair style and extras, like coffee or glasses. I had such fun ordering notecards for the tween in my life. From $25. laceeswan.com

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Peach Black Tea

Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Credit: Brie Passano

KYLEE KRIZMANIC, EDITOR IN CHIEF
Des Moines Five percent of Blk and Bold's coffee and tea sales support youth programming, work development and eradicating homelessness. $12. blkandbold.com

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Click & Done: Gifts You Can't Wrap

Holiday Gift Guide 2020

Check out these outside-the-box presents that keep dollars local when our communities need us most.

DEBBIE MILLER, MWL WRITER
CSA SHARES A community-supported agriculture share is a weekly or biweekly box of fresh produce, picked up from a farmer, spring through fall. It's pricey (usually several hundred dollars), but how about offering to chip in on one for a relative who loves to cook?

GARY THOMPSON, SENIOR STAFF WRITER
GIFT CARDS You're not being lazy or giving up. With gift cards, you're giving people permission to splurge on themselves. Sleuth out favorite restaurants, breweries or boutiques of friends and relatives, so they can have fun and support a small business.

BRENDA KIENAST, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
MEMBERSHIPS I've often given zoo and museum memberships to my daughter's family. It might feel weird this year, but think of it as giving a charitable gift in the recipient's name, for a resource they love and want to keep alive—and may enjoy later in 2021.

DIANE PENNINGROTH, LEAD COPY EDITOR
FOOD SUBSCRIPTIONS Cheese. Bacon. Chocolate. You name it, someone will ship it to you regularly. My own monthly treat: Chicago's Dark Matter Coffee. The labels are works of art, and the beans are some of the best around.

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    1 of 30 Midwesty Tee
    2 of 30 Map Planter
    3 of 30 Single-Origin Chocolate Bars
    4 of 30 Otrio
    5 of 30 Entwined Necklace
    6 of 30 Forged Skillet
    7 of 30 Sleep Masks
    8 of 30 Teardrop Vases
    9 of 30 Custom Football
    10 of 30 Sea Salt Caramels
    11 of 30 The Bellfield Crossbody
    12 of 30 Maple Syrup
    13 of 30 Bath Bombs
    14 of 30 Creatures of the Order Prints
    15 of 30 Faceted Mugs
    16 of 30 Cedar Trays
    17 of 30 Tea Towels
    18 of 30 Frankie Oil Bottle
    19 of 30 Fair-Trade Hats
    20 of 30 Wall Clock
    21 of 30 Ceramic Tea Set
    22 of 30 Australian-Style Licorice
    23 of 30 Sea Salt Scrub
    24 of 30 Weaving Kits
    25 of 30 Peppermint Fudge Sauce
    26 of 30 Soy Candles
    27 of 30 Pottery Dishes
    28 of 30 Custom Stationery
    29 of 30 Peach Black Tea
    30 of 30 Click & Done: Gifts You Can't Wrap

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