Hometown Gift Guide 2025: Find these 21 last-minute gifts at local shops and conquer holiday shopping

Shopping days are dwindling — or maybe you already blew your deadline.

In either case, whether you need a last-minute gift or an “I’m sorry” gift, we are here to help.

Inside The Record’s Hometown Gift Guide (below) find 21 gift ideas that you can pick up today, or whenever, from a local and independent shop.

Online shopping may fulfill specific needs, but local shops give you the opportunity to find original gifts that cannot be found elsewhere. Check ’em out.

Writeups and photos by Joe Coughlin (Wilmette/Winnetka/Glencoe), Ann Meyer (Highland Park) and Samuel Lisec (Skokie).

Jump To: Wilmette | Kenilworth | Winnetka | Glencoe | Highland Park | Skokie

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WILMETTE

Holiday gift box: Pink Couch Books, 1161 Wilmette Ave.

Pink Couch is a romance-focused niche bookstore that opened earlier this year and is enjoying its first holiday-shopping season. Like a snack pack for book lovers, this $60 gift comes with a romance book (holiday, contemporary, young adult or your paperback pick), a candle, treat (chocolate or gummies) and stickers.

Moira Rose puzzle: Elizabeth Griffin Gifts, 1129 Central Ave.

Puzzles are in and in a big way. A 500-piece puzzle ($24.95) featuring beloved “Schitt’s Creek” character Moira Rose is one of numerous unique, clever and (at times) irreverent gifts you’ll find at this shop in downtown Wilmette. Co-owner Matt Lambrecht said other items flying off shelves include Terrapin Ridge Farms dips ($9.95), a hand-care set from Handmade Soap ($38) and family games like “Oh What Fun!” ($19.95).

Hometown drinkware: Yellow Bird Stationery and Gifts, 1199 Wilmette Ave. Unit B

It’s important never to forget where you’re from — an axiom supported by these gifts from Yellow Bird. The Wilmette shop (formerly of Plaza del Lago and now in downtown Wilmette) stocks Well Told rocks and wine glasses that feature maps of North Shore communities, including Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth and Evanston. Cheers!

Custom seasonings: Zier’s Prime Meats and Poultry, 813 Ridge Road

The gift of a flavor is never a bad idea. The barbecue czar or kitchen crusader in your life could surely use a seasoning mix and why not from your local independent butcher shop. Zier’s, which has served Wilmette for 40 years, offers a variety of seasonings, including the Gross Point Steak ($8.99), a mix of kosher salt, onion, garlic, black and red pepper, thyme, rosemary and coriander.

Imported panettone: Convito Cafe & Market, 1515 Sheridan Road #5

A holiday tradition awaits at Convito Cafe & Market, a mainstay in Plaza del Lago. This year’s collection of panettone — an Italian sweet bread made special for the holidays — includes flavors such as chocolate, espresso, pistachio, caramel, limoncello and Moscato. Choose the right fit at a price that ranges from $33 to $78.

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KENILWORTH

Skin-care products: The Fitz Aesthetic Club, 636 Green Bay Road

The Fitz brought to the North Shore in October its second location and offers a variety of wellness and skin-care treatments, such as anti-wrinkle injections and microneedling, on site. The club’s retail space offers top-of-the-line skin-care products, such as Elta MD’s UV Clear ($41) and Alastin gentle cleanser ($54). Gifts cards are also available, starting at $50.

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WINNETKA

Pride T-shirt: Hewn Bread, 894 Green Bay Road

Known for their array of delicious breads and pastries, Hubbard Woods newcomer Hewn also offers gifts that last a bit longer. Hewn has custom water bottles ($35), winter hats ($40) and shirts ($25-$40), including a pride T-shirt ($40) that comes with a contribution to The Center on Halstead, a nonprofit supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Customizable drinkware: Maze Home, 735 Elm St.

Just like Maze is tucked in a storefront just off Winnetka’s Lincoln Avenue drag, its customization station is tucked in the shop’s corner but has plenty to offer, including on-the-go drinkware. The options are plentiful at $25-$35 and you can add your own touch whether it’s for your “No. 1 Dad,” “World’s Best Mom” or “Coach of the Year.” Customizable coasters and glassware are also available.

‘Dasher and the Polar Bear’: The Book Stall, 811 Elm St.

Author Matt Tavares’ Dasher is making more magic this holiday season. The third in the series, “Dasher and the Polar Bear” ($18.99) was recently released and has Dasher trying hard to give George the polar bear a very special Christmas gift. The other two in the series — “Dasher” and “Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas” — are also available.

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GLENCOE

Hanukkah snow globe: Blacksheep General Store, 346 Park Ave.

Another one of the North Shore’s beloved independent gift shops, Blacksheep offers a comforting, funny or quirky gift to suit those on your list. Among those gifts is a unique selection of Hanukkah gifts to celebrate the season, such as a snow globe ($43) containing two friendly snowmen in front of a menorah. Also look for the Hanukkah house candles, baking set, socks and Jewish trivia game.

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HIGHLAND PARK

Nube chip-and-dip set: Adesso, 1813 St. John’s Ave.

This simple but elegant matte white nube chip and dip set by designer Beatriz Ball is $82 for both pieces. The wavy rims are somehow reminiscent of the shoreline; though nube means cloud in Spanish. Nube bowls in various sizes and price points are available along with other original gift items at Adesso.

Monogrammed sweaters: Baby Dreams, 448 Central Ave.

Local moms do the custom monogram embroidery with a choice of background on these warm baby sweaters priced at $48 plain and $68 with the child’s name. Baby Dreams in Highland Park also offers a house brand of leggings and comfy apparel for young ones. It also takes orders for delivery.

Menorah: Ravinia Books, Antiques, Etc., 469 Roger Williams Ave.

Ravinia Books, Antiques Etc. offers an impressive collection of menorahs at prices starting around $16. Owners Carol and Elliott Miller said most were rescued from area estate sales. While there, check out the shop’s antiques and children’s books with colorful illustrations for other original gifts.

‘Look’: Matchmaker Bookshop, 1891 2nd St.

Matchmaker Bookshop is recommending former First Lady Michelle Obama’s stunning new hardcover coffee table book, “Look.” The focus is on fashion and style with rich photos of President Barack Obama’s days in the White House. The $50, 304-page book, published in November, was still in stock on Dec. 11, but don’t wait too long to pick up a copy. The store’s curated collection also includes suggested titles for book groups.

Azul: Secret World Books & Comics, 1774 Second St.

The Azul tile game hails from Portugal and combines the artistry of decorative tiles with the strategy of gameplay. One aspect of the game involves decorating a palace with patterns of Portuguese tiles called azulejos to win points. It’s suitable for two to four players ages 8 and up. The game, which has racked up international awards since 2017, was a People’s Choice winner at the 2019 UK Games Expo and a 2018 Origins Awards Best Family Game winner.

Amaro or mezcal: The Merchant, 122 North Ave., Highwood

For those on your list who appreciate fine specialty spirits, order a beautifully boxed Amaro or bottle of Mezcal starting at $75 at The Merchant in Highwood. For a few bucks more, small-batched Fortaleza tequila in blanco or reposado comes in hand-blown glass bottles and contains no additives. Fine bourbon and gin, carefully selected for its special flavors, also are available on their website.

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SKOKIE

Guatemala beaded earrings: See Jane Sparkle, 5117 Brown St.

Fans of Sara Jane Abbot’s boutique goods store may notice it recently relocated inside FLX Move’s Brown Street fitness studio. While she has lots of custom jewelry, candles, purses and bags in stock, Abbot highlighted a rack of handmade Guatemala beaded earrings ($36-48) she picked up after visiting the country in 2022. The items are fair-trade, which means in-art that the artisans named their price. See Jane Sparkle is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, or customers can “shop by appointment” by reaching out to Abbot via Facebook or the store’s website.

‘Transformers’ comic books: Aw Yeah Comics, 7925 Lincoln Ave.

Whether you’re looking for the latest volume of your reader’s favorite series or a brand new title for their collection, Skokie’s sole locally owned comic book store has you covered. A couple options store owner Joe Crohn recommends are picking up a compendium reprint of all the original “Transformers” comics ($65) issued by Marvel starting in the 1980s, or the first volume of the latest “Transformers” series ($50) written by the Chicago-based, award-winning author and illustrator Daniel Warren Johnson. Even better: the 2013 winner of the Skokie Business of the Year award is hosting a 25% storewide discount through the month of December.

Desk plant: Botanik Culture, 8112 Lincoln Ave.

Gifters looking to share something green and alive this frigid winter season ought to step into Botanik Culture, which just celebrated its first full year in business on Dec. 8. Owner Amy Esquibel can assemble unique flower arrangements, and the store has a range of potted plants in almost every shape and size perfect for sprucing up any desk and living room space. Some recommendations include the popular Tillandsia Cyanea flower plant ($40 with pot) or the Fairy Castle cactus ($40-45 with pot). Customers can call ahead or come in to create their own personalized bouquets from a flower bar that offers perennials sold by the stem. 

Tea/coffee bundle: Soul Good Coffee, 4022 Main St.

What started as a food truck in 2022 — and became a winner of the Skokie Business of the Year award in 2023 — opened a brick-and-mortar location this fall. Now, the community-focused coffee shop is offering Cozy Tea Bundles ($32), which include a box of chamomile tea and jar of clover honey, or Coffee Lover Bundles ($42), which include a ceramic Soul Good-branded mug and bag of “limited edition” holiday coffee blend. Both sets include a sticker. 

A live show: Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave.

Wendy Kaplan, an executive of Skokie Theatre’s resident MadKap Productions company, said gift certificates are a popular item the local theater’s box office dispenses every year. Later this month, the historian Charles Troy will hold a multimedia presentation on Dec. 26 about the creation of Stephen Sondheim’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” Folk singer Megon McDonough will perform on Dec. 27, and Daryl Nitz Entertainment perform interpretations of classic Beatles hits at the theater on Dec. 28. Nitz and George Howe will put on a live performance on New Year’s Eve and more shows will soon be scheduled for January. 

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