Wisconsin gift guide: Local goods to give this holiday season

This gift guide from small Wisconsin businesses has everything you need to nail your holiday shopping list this year.

Holiday gift-giving is fun, sentimental, and most assuredly even sweeter when done by shopping locally. Yes, Amazon will always be there for last-minute grabs, and Target is every wine mom’s favorite decor store. And while there’s nothing wrong with shopping at these retailers (we get it—we do, too!), putting some money into local businesses helps not only bolster your community’s economy but also the ability of your town’s entrepreneurs to provide for their families and friends. After all, wouldn’t you want your favorite local cheesemonger or chocolatier to be able to give their loved ones an extra special holiday season, too?

Essentially, we all know the holidays can be hard for many people for many reasons, and this includes small business owners, so consider the following shops and items when crossing your loved ones off your to-buy-for list this holiday season.

1. For the cheesehead in your life

Address: W1668 Hwy. F, Brodhead, WI 53520

We all love cheese, and there’s something extra special to be said about local cheese created by the members of your community. That’s where Decatur Dairy comes in. This small business has been in the cheese game since the ‘40s, and the best part is that you can order its products online or shop in person at its Brodhead storefront.

Decatur Dairy sells many cheeses, but it really specializes in havarti and muenster. One look at its website will make any cheesehead fall in love—they’ll instantly see many varieties of the two cheeses, including Herb Havarti, Dill Havarti, Pepper Havarti, Jalapeno Muenster, Muenster Curd, and more. In addition to these, you can find more classic cheddar cheese and the big-ticket item Wisconsin’s known for: bouncy, slightly briny cheese curds. These make the perfect snack on any holiday, and anyone would love receiving them, especially since they’re so fresh. Local simply tastes better!

2. For your special someone

Address: 123 W Cook St, Portage, WI 53901

Giving someone jewelry means something; it’s not something you give to just anyone. Because of that, your jewelry needs to be high quality, but did you know that you can get the perfect piece from a small business in Portage?

Enter Forever Yours Jewelry, which has been bringing lasting memories to the area since 2002. Here, you can scope out everything from engagement rings and earrings to charms and necklaces. There is truly something for every one of your close friends and family members. For example, consider the 14K Yellow .02 CT Natural Diamond Engraved MOM Heart Charm/Pendant for the motherly figure in your life or the Sapphire 14K Gold Ring with Diamond Accent for your partner if you’re really looking to spoil them this year. Your options are nearly endless here, though, and you won’t find nicer jewelry work in the area.

3. For the Green Bay Packers fan

Address: 137 S Main St, Shawano, WI 54166

Nothing unites Wisconsinites quite like the Green Bay Packers, and if you’d like to indulge in some licensed merch while supporting a small business this holiday season, you can do so at Generations Clothing. This family-run store has been bringing Packers fans the highest-quality merch since 1996, and whether you shop online or in the company’s Shawano storefront, you’re nearly guaranteed to love what you get.

The best part? Generations Clothing has items for the whole family. The Packers Baby Dazzle Dress and Diaper Cover will have the baby in your life game-day ready, while the Packers Men’s Iconic Embossed Defender Full Zip Hoodie will keep anyone warm all winter long. Generations Clothing even has accessories and novelty items, like the Packers Chef Hat and Apron Set.

Not into the Packers? Don’t worry; this store also sells licensed merch for other sports teams, so there’s something for every sports fan in your life (even if they might get a few side-eyes for not supporting the Packers).

4. For your bookworm

Address: 102 E. Main Street, Waterford, Wisconsin 53185

Bookstores are some of the small businesses we should be supporting the most, as they have been increasingly going out of business over the last couple of decades. However, Wisconsin still has some that are going strong, many of which support local authors by selling their books in their stores. One example is Reads by the River Bookstore.

Located in Waterford, Reads by the River Bookstore also holds events to showcase local authors and help them directly connect to new readers, in addition to selling books by many local authors in its store. And don’t worry if you can’t make it to Waterford—the bookstore has an online storefront as well, making supporting local bookstores that much easier. Supporting local writers is important as it is, but think about it this way: You might just be introducing your loved one to their next favorite author.

We’re also into the idea of gifting books themed around Wisconsin, like Jeanette Hurt’s “Wisconsin Cocktails” and “Wildflowers of Wisconsin Field Guide,” as they come with extra fun (sampling drinks and exploring nature, in this case). So, who’s ready to head to Reads by the River Bookstore and spend an afternoon combing through some bookstacks? 

5. For the chocoholic 

Address: 1815 E Washington Ave, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53704

We’ve established the best cheese gift in Wisconsin, but it’s time we turn to another delicious holiday snack: chocolate. And if you’re looking for some of the best in the state, you need to visit CocoVaa Chocolatier in Madison.

This award-winning chocolate shop has been hand-crafting a variety of treats, including vegan and nut-free options so everyone can enjoy a sumptuous bite or two (or three), since 2018. Some decadent-sounding flavors here include Passionfruit Mango Caramel, Turkish Coffee, Blackberry Sage, and Hazelnut Praline, though this barely scratches the surface.

At the time of writing, you can only pick up CocoVaa Chocolatier’s items in-store (not online), but according to reviewers, it’s worth the trip. “Spectacular chocolates right here!! What a fantastic assortment and quality of chocolates. They make great gifts … For the kind of quality craft chocolates the prices are reasonable and affordable,” one Google reviewer wrote of the small business. 

6. For the Swiftie

Address: 408 E Grand Ave, Beloit, WI 53511

Look what you made us do. Yes, every gift guide has to have a Swiftie section because Taylor Swift has reached unprecedented levels of success. Oh, and Wisconsin loves her—so much so that voter registration in the state soared ahead of the 2024 presidential election once the “Anti-Hero” singer posted a registration link on her Instagram Story.

With sway like this, Swiftie gifts are as essential as chocolate and—spoiler alert—coffee, and we’re lucky that Walnut Creek Apparel & Gifts is giving the people what they want (and need). The only catch is the shop’s Swift-themed items appear to be sold exclusively in-store and not online. But if you live in the Beloit area, you won’t want to miss these items, which include cups, stickers, socks, and more, all themed after the “You Need to Calm Down” singer.

With so much love for Swift pouring out of this shop, maybe she’ll have no choice but to make a stop in Wisconsin on her next big tour since she skipped the Dairy State on her Eras Tour.

7. For your favorite high schooler

Address: 408 E Grand Ave, Beloit, WI 53511

The next items are also from the lovely team at Walnut Creek Apparel & Gifts, and they’re perfect for any high school in your life. The holidays arrive smack-dab in the middle of the school year, and they’re generally a time to rest and prepare for the second half of the year. This is why it’s the perfect time to gift your loved one some school merch. It can reignite the pep in their heart, invoking school spirit and helping them head back to school on the right foot.

This is where Walnut Creek Apparel & Gifts comes in handy. The business has merch for myriad schools in the area, including Aldrich Middle School, Hackett Elementary, and Rock University High School, just to name a few. Items range from hats and hoodies to notepads and even mugs. With these options, anyone can go back to school in style.

8. For those who crave coffee morning, noon, and night

Okay, they don’t actually have to be an all-day coffee drinker, but our point still stands. Local coffee makes a great gift because you could be introducing someone to their next favorite brew. Every coffee blend tastes different, even if only slightly, because of the coffee beans’ origins, how they’re roasted, if they’re blended with more than one type of bean, and more. And by introducing your coffee lover to a local blend, you could inadvertently end up supporting a small business for years to come if they become a repeat customer—a true win-win.

In Wisconsin, look no further than JBC Coffee Roasters, which has earned seriously high marks from Coffee Review, one of the biggest names in coffee taste-testing. Here, we recommend the Merry & Bright blend for a light, holiday-kissed flavor, as well as the Twisted V.9 espresso blend, which has tasting notes of guava, lilac, candied almond, and Tootsie Roll. The best part is that JBC’s coffees can be purchased in many forms, including whole bean, auto-drip, Aeropress, and more.

9. For the artsy person in your life

Artsy folks tend to express their passion for creativity in their outfits and accessories just as much as they do on their page or canvas, which makes them much easier to shop for than non-artsy people, who can be a little more ambiguous with their interests. But where can you find hand-crafted goods that fit this bill in Wisconsin? JoJo & Sparks, of course.

This south-central Wisconsin-based business operates an online store and pop-up events, which you can follow on the brand’s Instagram. On its digital storefront, you’ll find the cutest accessories, ranging from keychains to bookmarks and bags. We’re completely smitten with the chic Black Boxy Bag and Spring Shrooms keychain, but everything at this shop is captivating beyond words—which leads us to … 

10. For your favorite pet (or pet parent)

Whether you’re shopping for your own pet or another pet parent, you can find some of the cutest items of the season at JoJo & Sparks, mentioned above. The brand’s shop is full of slip-on and tie-on bandanas for your dog, and they come in a large swath of styles.

We often say that there’s something for everyone at a shop, but it rings true here perhaps more than any other. Some of our favorite designs include Muted Rainbow Stripes, Cupcakes, Frenchie, and White Tartan, but again, these are only scratching the surface. In fact, each option comes in five sizes—XS, S, M, L, and XL—so that you never have a problem getting it on your furry friend. The only question here will be how many you’re going to get, not whether you’re going to buy one at all, especially because they’re only between $6 and $14 per bandana, depending on size. 

11. For the local-drink enthusiast

Address: 68323 Lea St A, Iron River, WI 54847

Everyone knows someone who has strong feelings and beers and ciders, especially when it comes to those who prefer local brews over mass-produced ones (sorry, Bud Light!). If you’re shopping for someone like this, gift them some drinks they’ll really like from White Winter Winery in Iron River. You can shop in-person or online, making this an easy one to check off of your list. Better yet, Winter White Winery has been in the game for nearly three decades, and the company uses local fruit and honey to craft its products, meaning you’re pulling double duty with your support-local-businesses goal this year. Plus, those fresh fruits and honey make even tastier drinks.

You can even get your recipient a sampler of different products on the company’s website. For example, the Ready for Cooler Weather collection comes with four 12-oz. bottles of Snowed in Cider, two 750-ml. bottles of Glogg & Cyser mead and one 500-ml. bottle of the Holiday Harbor honey sipper. With these drinks, your recipient will enjoy every second of the holidays even more. 

12. For the person you’re unsure about …

… or the one who deserves it all. Both cases can be easily resolved by giving this person a gift box from WiscoBoxes. These gift boxes are filled exclusively with products from Wisconsin, so you’re not only supporting one local small business (WiscoBoxes) but also many others. And these aren’t just food boxes; while there are some that feature local foods, other boxes have clothing, drinking glasses, baby products like lotion and burp cloths, and bath salts.

One quick scroll through the company’s Curated Boxes page shows just how much it has to offer—and we did see “curated” purposely. That’s because you can also build your own gift box. These come in three sizes (6×6, 10×10, and 12×15), and the price changes as you add different items to it. For example, one bottle of wine might cost $22, while another costs $28. This way, you can completely customize your box—and your price point.

That said, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to one of the Curated Boxes—after all, they’re incredibly cute for a reason. We particularly fancy the Wisco Sampler and Coffee, Wine, Chocolate boxes, but hey, we know you’re not buying it for us. These are just two of the many amazing options WiscoBoxes has to offer.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.