Midwest Living Holiday Gift Guide 2020

Midwesty Tee

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

Map Planter

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

Single-Origin Chocolate Bars

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

Otrio

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

Entwined Necklace

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

Forged Skillet

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

Sleep Masks

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

Teardrop Vases

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

Custom Football

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

Sea Salt Caramels

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

The Bellfield Crossbody

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

Maple Syrup

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

Bath Bombs

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

Creatures of the Order Prints

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

Faceted Mugs

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

Cedar Trays

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

Tea Towels

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

Frankie Oil Bottle

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

Fair-Trade Hats

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

Wall Clock

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

Ceramic Tea Set

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

Australian-Style Licorice

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

Sea Salt Scrub

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

Weaving Kits

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

Peppermint Fudge Sauce

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

Soy Candles

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

Pottery Dishes

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

Custom Stationery

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

Peach Black Tea

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

Click & Done: Gifts You Can't Wrap

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.