The average American spends $650 on gifts each year. Here are some you can feel good about giving.
Money is tight for many families, especially during the holiday season, and every dollar counts.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of affordable, Wisconsin-made gifts you can actually feel good about giving: “Presents with Purpose” that benefit a bigger cause.
We’re continuously adding to this growing list!
Products included (& their purpose):
- Beer Club membership (local breweries)
- Books by Wisconsin authors (independent bookstores)
- Char-MOO-terie board (military/people living with disabilities)
- Cheese of the Month subscription (small dairy farmers)
- Children Wisconsin’s license plate (local hospitals)
- Chocolate chip cookies (local non-profits)
- CityTins (local restaurants)
- English butter toffee (local non-profits)
- Porchlight pancake and scone mix (local shelters)
- State skillet (midwestern iron makers)
- Terrace clock (college student programs)
- Two nights at Frank Lloyd Wright’s house (local economy)
- Ukraine candle (humanitarian aid)
- Wisconsin Historical Society Membership (state history)
- Wisconsin-made soap and lotion (small business owners)
- Wisconsin-themed ornament (small business owners)
- Wisconsin wall hanging (environment)
- Wool mittens (hunger relief)
Presents With Purpose:
Beer Club membership
Prices vary, beermonthclub.com
What It Is: Choose between five distinct “Beer Clubs,” including “rare beers” and “hop-heads” (click here for options), and 12 unique styles from local microbreweries will be mailed once a month to anywhere in the US (for any length of time–you choose the months!)
Who It Helps: Wisconsin’s craft breweries!
Where to Buy: Online (click here).
TIP: Wondering where the beer might come from? Here’s a list of breweries that have been featured in the past.
🎁 BONUS: Smaller budget? For just $35, you can purchase a “Wisconsin Beer Lover Membership” (a one-year membership to the Wisconsin Brewers Guild), which includes: discounts to 80+ local breweries, VIP invites to Brewers Guild events, discounts on ‘Wisconsin Beer Gear’, and updates from your favorite local brewpubs. Click here for more information.
Books by Wisconsin authors
Prices vary, Bookshop.org
What It Is: From children’s author/illustrator Kevin Henkes to novelist Mona Simpson, find the perfect book for any age or interest from a Wisconsin-born writer.
How It Helps: Not only will your purchase support a fellow Wisconsinite, but when you buy any book from Bookshop.org, all profits benefit a local bookstore of your choice.
Who’s Behind It: Bookshop.org founder Andy Hunter
Their ‘Why’: “We saw an opportunity to create an alternative to Amazon for socially-conscious online shoppers. Amazon sells more than 60% of all books in the US and is growing. That shift threatens the future of bookstores and will hurt readers, authors, and publishers who rely on a diverse, healthy ecosystem for books.
We had a better idea — give readers the convenience of online shopping while supporting independent bookstores at the same time.”
FUN FACT: Since 2020, Bookshop.org has raised $23 million and counting for independent bookstores and is now international, with options in Spain and the UK.
Where to Buy It: Bookshop.org (and click here for a list of 21 recommended books from 21st century Wisconsin authors)
Char-MOO-terie Board
$52.99, Northwoods Cheese Company
What It Is: A charcuterie board set with an engraved cutting board, All-Beef Summer Sausage, Pepper Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, and Swiss Cheese
How It Helps: The set is listed under the “For Military” section of the website. You can buy it for anyone, but the intention is to send a “taste of Wisconsin” to someone who is missing it. Northwoods Cheese also partners with several organizations to prioritize hiring people living with disabilities. Many of the boards are made by these hardworking men and women.
Who’s Behind It: Northwoods Food team managers Derek and Angela Thielke
Their ‘Why’: “The goal of this partnership is to provide full and meaningful employment for people with disabilities. Your support of our program enables people with disabilities to achieve dignity through work and contribute to their community.”
FUN FACT: The Char-MOO-terie board is one of many Wisconsin and/or cheese products from the Northwoods Cheese Company. Click here for a variety of options!
Where to Buy It: The Wisconsin Made Artisan Collective website or directly from the Northwoods Company.
Cheese of the Month Subscription
$55/box, Cheese Brothers
What It Is: 5-8 handpicked Wisconsin cheeses and artisan treats in individual, three, six, or 12 month shipments
How It Helps: Every box supports a handful of small Wisconsin dairies, local producers
Who’s Behind It: Co-Founders Eric Ludy and Gene Graf
Their ‘Why’: “We believe in cheese. It guides everything we do. We believe in its power to foster food will among all, and we strive to prove it every day in our relationships with our customers, partners, and community.”
FUN FACT: The Cheese Brothers still make their cheese the same way Eric’s Great Grandpa Fred did when he immigrated to Wisconsin from Switzerland in 1919 (but with a bit fancier equipment!)
Where to Buy It: Online. Individual boxes cost $55 apiece, while monthly subscriptions are discounted.
Children’s Wisconsin License Plate
$40, Children’s Wisconsin Hospital Foundation
What It Is: A custom, charitable license plate with the outline of two kids, available for Wisconsin cars, motor homes, and farm trucks. Here’s what it looks like. Tip: Upgrade a plate within three months of expiration to avoid paying the annual registration free. Without that–charitable donation included–a new plate costs just $40!
Who It Helps: The $25 new plate fee goes directly to the Children’s Wisconsin Hospital Foundation, a statewide nonprofit that helps Wisconsin families afford life saving treatments, as well as mental health screenings and safe, after-school programs. Click here to read individual stories about the kids you’ll help.
Where to Buy: Online (click here), by email (here), or at your local DMV.
BONUS: A handful of other Wisconsin nonprofits, as well as sports teams, schools, and clubs offer custom plates, too!
Wisconsin’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
$31/dozen, Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe
What It Is: A dozen of the product named Wisconsin’s Best by the Wisconsin Bakers Association, these cookies are made with more than 50% bittersweet chocolate and are slightly underbaked for a soft, chewy texture.
How It Helps: Support Wisconsin non-profits year-round
Who’s Behind It: Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe Owner Mary Vande Walle and her late husband Mike, who died from COVID two years ago at age 63
Their ‘Why’: “We welcome donation requests from any type of organization or benefit in need of bakery products or raffle items. At Uncle Mike’s, we try to help as many people as possible through our donations.“
FUN FACT: Uncle Mike’s sea salt caramel pecan kringle was named the Best Kringle in North America in 2014 and the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin in 2018! It’s available for online shipping here or for pickup at one of Uncle Mike’s three locations in Green Bay and De Pere.
Where to Buy It: Sold by the dozen online. Shipping is included in the price of all Uncle Mike’s online products.
RELATED: The Top-Rated, Most-Reviewed Chocolate Chip Cookies in Every Part of Wisconsin
CityTins
$30, CityTins.com
What It Is: A unique pack of 20+ cardboard coaster gift cards each worth $10 off your bill of $25 or more at nearly two-dozen locally-owned restaurants (a $200 value.) They come in a metal tin with a “dinner spinner,” to help you choose where to go. Coasters expire Dec. 31, 2023 and are available in four Wisconsin versions: Fox Cities, Lake County, Madison, and Milwaukee. There are also Illinois and Minnesota tins.
How It Helps: Discounts help make quality, independent restaurants in your community more affordable for you, while bringing business to them. Since 2009, CityTins has donated an additional $450,000 to the communities they serve through fundraisers and in-kind donations.
Who’s Behind It: CityTins founders Christin Cilento Ladky and Tara Laatsch
Their ‘Why’: Christin and Tara, both moms, founded their company during the Great Recession of 2009 on their children’s school playground. CityTins quickly became a cult classic and was named to Business Insiders’ “50 Coolest New Businesses in America” list.
“This is kind of the coupon that you’re not embarrassed to use. It’s about the art, it’s about the kitschiness, and it’s about promoting the city in a creative way.”
FUN FACT: SomeCityTins fans coined a new concept called “tinning” where you plan a “restaurant crawl” using several coasters– one for drinks and apps, another for entrees, and a third for dessert!
Where to Buy It: CityTins.com and select small businesses (click here to find one near you!)
English Toffee Gift Tin
$52, Vande Walle’s Candies
What It Is: 1-1/2 pounds of English butter toffee made with only four ingredients: Wisconsin grade AA butter, almonds, sugar, and salt. It’s then covered in rich milk chocolate and rolled in chopped almonds.
How It Helps: Support a 48-year-old small business that frequently donates its award-winning products to Fox Valley non-profits. Click here to make an online donation request.
Who’s Behind It: Founders Norma and Don Sr. Vande Walle
Their ‘Why’: To be good corporate citizens and strengthen the health, social, educational and cultural fabric of their community.
“At Vande Walle’s Candies we are thankful for the success that we have had. As a family business, we feel that it is important to give back to the people who have generously supported us over the years.”
FUN FACT: The first product Vande Walle’s ever sold was its popcorn balls (and they still do!) Today, the family makes more than 95 varieties of fine chocolates, a line of sugar-free candies, and homemade premium ice cream!
Where to Buy It: In-store or online
Porchlight Pancake and Scone Mix
Prices vary, Porchlight Products
What It Is: Porchlight’s pre-made mix comes in four varieties: Multi-Grain Pancake, Blueberry Scone, Cherry Scone, and Cranberry Scone. Just add wet ingredients (eggs or milk), and you’ll have a hot, “homemade” breakfast in no time!
Who It Helps: All Porchlight Products are made by disabled and formerly homeless people who have trouble keeping jobs. Porchlight, Inc., a Madison-based emergency shelter, teaches them basic job skills like proper hygiene, time management, and how to turn raw ingredients into quality food products. Click here to learn more.
Where to Buy: Many stores and restaurants in the Madison area carry Porchlight’s products. Here’s the full list.
TIP: Pick up a jar of Porchlight’s homemade Apple Butter, Apple Sauce, or Strawberry-Rhubarb Spread, too — the perfect toppings for pancakes/scones!
State Skillet
$130, American Skillet Company
What It Is: A 7″ x 5.5″ x 1.25″ (length x height x depth) cast iron skillet, plus recipe & cast iron care cards
How It Helps: The Wisconsin-based company works with only Midwestern iron makers for the labor-intensive process of creating sustainable skillets in small-batches. So when you buy a skillet, you know you’re supporting hardworking local craftsmen and women!
Who’s Behind It: American Skillet Co. owner Alisa Toninato
Their ‘Why’: Alisa’s company started as an art display: a 9ft x 6ft art installation of the United States, made of individual state-shaped cast iron skillets, that caught the eye of Martha Stewart in 2012.
“Just six months later, Martha decided to prestigiously recognize [us] as one of 10 honorees at the inaugural American Made Awards, celebrating creative business leaders across the U.S. It was a life changing experience that launched my small business into a national spotlight, and I wasn’t exactly ready for that.
Today, I still get the last touch of each and every state-shaped skillet that ships. If you ever order yours with a note to your recipient, you can bet that I’m the one hand writing that letter and sticking it into the box.”
FUN FACT: Alisa sells skillets in every state shape, as well as the United States as a whole. Her company also sells magnetic display hangers ($25), so you can show off your skillet when you’re not using it!
Where to Buy It: The American Skillet Company website. Military veterans receive a 20% discount.
Terrace Clock
$140, Wisconsin Union Store
What It Is: A 15″ clock made from authentic “Terrace chair” metal, featuring the iconic sunburst die cut with a silver mirror underneath. Available in Badger Red.
How It Helps: All proceeds help the Wisconsin Union provide more free programs and activities for UW students!
Who’s Behind It: WISCO Industries, the Wisconsin-based company responsible for making all 4,000 chairs on the Terrace at the Memorial Union
Their ‘Why’: National Sales Manager Ken Bausch says his company enjoys its unique partnership with the UW and its fans.
“This is definitely one of the iconic things that we do. The Wisconsin Union is part of campus, but it serves the community as well. So it means a great deal to us that someone thing so uniquely Wisconsin is made in Wisconsin.”
FUN FACT: If you are willing to spend more money, you can spring for an authentic Terrace chair, which also come in Badger Red and are available with and without arms, starting at $380. WISCO Industries builds between 100 and 400 for Badger fans across the country every year. Click here for more information.
Where to Buy It: The Wisconsin Union online store (available for pickup in Oregon, WI or home delivery for an additional $40)
A two-night stay at Frank Lloyd Wright’s House
Prices vary, Airbnb
What It Is: Featured on season two of Netflix’s “The Worlds’ Most Amazing Vacation Rentals,” the Still Bend/Bernard Schwartz House is Frank Lloyd Wright’s built version of his Life Magazine “Dream House” design from 1938. Located on the East Twin River about a mile from Lake Michigan, the house is listed for two-night-stays on Airbnb. Here’s the listing, plus pictures, amenities, and occupancy information.
The home was recently listed as Condé Nast Traveler reporter Kristine Hansen’s favorite Airbnb, dubbed “the perfect Midwest getaway” and “like staying in a true work of art.”
How It Helps: Any time you stay at an Airbnb, you’re supporting a person who lives in the general community rather than a chain hotel. In this case, that’s Airbnb Host Michael Ditmer, who’s co-owned the property with his brother since 2003. They’re the house’s third-ever owners.
Where to Reserve: Online (click here)
TIP: On your way into or out of town, stop by Two Rivers’ Main Street, which flaunts a classic Main Street (including a 120-year-old department store, Schroeder’s) as well as the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum. You can also park on the lakefront for free!
Ukraine Candle
$29.95, Door County Candle Company
What It Is: A vanilla-scented 16 oz. candle, colored blue and yellow to represent the Ukrainian flag
How It Helps: 100% of profits (about $10/candle) benefit Razom for Ukraine, a non-profit providing on-the-ground support to families affected by the ongoing war
Who’s Behind It: Door County Candle Company Owner and proud Ukrainian Christiana Gorchynsky Trapani
Their ‘Why’: Christiana, a Ukrainian American, grew up with Ukrainian as her first language. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, she felt heartbroken, concerned, and scared, but most of all, compelled to help. She quickly learned others did, too.
“So many people want to help, but don’t know how or how to make sure their money gets to the right places. Being this kind of support for people has been a primary motivation behind our fundraiser from the start.”
FUN FACT: Christiana took over as owner of Door County Candle Company in June 2021 and launched this fundraiser just eight months later. Her goal was 30 candles: so far, she’s sold more than 80,000 and given $800,000 & counting to Razom for Ukraine.
Where to Buy It: The Door County Candle Company’s website. Allow two weeks for shipping.
Wisconsin Historical Society Membership
Starts at $60, Wisconsin Historical Society
What It Is: Free admission for one year to Wisconsin’s 12 historic sites and museums, plus a subscription to the Wisconsin Magazine of History, special discounts, and invites to members-only events.
Who It Helps: The price of membership directly helps the Wisconsin Historical Society collect, preserve, and share more stories and artifacts from the state’s past with people of the future.
Where to Buy: Online (click here). Membership options include: Individual, Dual, Family (2 adults and children under 18), and Family+ (4 adults, plus children under 18.)
TIP: To ensure its memberships are accessible for everyone, the Wisconsin Historical Society offers a pay-what-you-can option for families on Badgercare, Food Share, Medicaid, or WIC, as well as teachers and members of the military. Learn more.
BONUS: No “museum people” on your gift list? A lot of people forget the Historical Society runs one of the state’s best online stores for Wisconsin-centric gifts. From sweatshirts, mugs, and books about Badger State history to embossed leather coasters and Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired merchandise, there’s truly something for everyone.
Wisconsin-made soap and lotion
Prices vary, Kreative Kraftwerks
What It Is: 100% vegan and animal-friendly, soap and lotion from Kreative Kraftwerks, a Fond du Lac small business that’s been making cold process soaps for 20 years. Each gift bag contains one full bar of handmade soap and a Goat Milk & Honey lotion pump in your choice of fragrance.
Who It Helps: Not only are you supporting the family behind Kreative Kraftwerks, but Wisconsin farmers! KK makes its products with natural sugars, oils, and salts–all from Wisconsin farmers!
Where to Buy: Online (click here for this specific gift box or here for the full collection)
TIP: Looking for more soaps/candles/last-minute gifts for anyone? Kreative Kraftwerks sells its products on Something Special From Wisconsin, and so do dozens of other locally-owned businesses!
Wisconsin-themed Ornament
Prices and locations vary
What It Is: A small business-made, locally-themed tree ornament makes the perfect hostess, Secret Santa, or spur-of-the-moment holiday gift. (They can also double as gift tags or dinner table nameplates!) More than 2,000 unique Wisconsin ornaments are currently for sale on Etsy–from a simple outline of the state with a heart in the middle to fully-customizable designs.
Who It Helps: Small business owners! If you’ve never purchased from a particular seller before, check the reviews to make sure you’ll get your order on time. (You can also filter your search to only 5-star-reviewed sellers under the “All Sellers” tag here.)
Where to Buy: Online (click here).
TIP: Looking for something more specific? Try searching “Packers,” “Badgers,” “cheese,” or “Up North!”
🎁 MORE: 12 Wisconsin Ornaments We Love
Wisconsin Wall Hanging
From $40, Flags Over Wisconsin
What It Is: A made-to-order Wisconsin-shaped wall hanging made from 100% locally-reclaimed barn wood. Available in three sizes: 20″, 33″, and 42″.
How It Helps: Each piece is made of upcycled wood from four Dane County barns: Ripp Barn in Martinsville, Buechner Barn in Cross Plains, Lamboley Barn in Brooklyn, and Einar Olson Tobacco Barn in Deerfield. Family stories about each barn are written on the back.
Who’s Behind It: Flags Over Wisconsin Artist Jeremiah Longemann
Their ‘Why’: “The entirety of my portfolio is founded on an ecological principle of upcycling Wisconsin’s proud heritage and landscape into visual and functional art for future generations, preserving the history of these buildings while bringing awareness to the need for us all to think before we consume.
Every piece starts with a question: How can I transform material slated for refuse into beauty, value and a new life in our community? 59 tons of material saved from local landfills to date.”
FUN FACT: Jeremiah makesa variety of Wisconsin wall hangings, including ones with the Ice Age Trail carved into them or the Pride flag painted on them.
Where to Buy It: Online. Click here to shop ALL items from the “Reclaimed” collection.
Wool Mittens
$35, ReMitts
What They Are: One-of-a-kind fleece-lined handmade mittens, made of 100% felted wool [from donated sweaters found at local thrift stores.] They’re finished with buttons and tacts at the cuffs and come in a variety of sizes for both men and women.
How They Help: 100% of profits benefit three Dane County food pantries: St. Vincent de Paul, the Middleton Outreach Ministry, and the River Food Pantry
Who’s Behind It: Retired UW oncology nurse and avid sewer Janet Tupy
Their ‘Why’: Inspired by a pair of mittens she found in a gift shop, Janet decided to spend $100 on wool sweaters at a local thrift, sew them into mittens, and see how much money she could raise for local food pantries. That was 13 years ago.
“It’s a labor of love. We love doing it. [The mittens] are available at small local businesses in town, so we hope you’ll support them during this pandemic, and at the same time, pick up mittens.”
FUN FACT: Janet’s first-year goal was $1,000. With the help of a few friends who also sewed, she ended up raising $4,000 and running out of mittens! Now, Janet has a team of two dozen volunteers who work year-round to sell mittens from November 1st through the holidays. To date, they’ve raised $650,000 (& counting!) for local pantries.
Where to Buy Them: Dozens of coffee shops, grocery stories, and other small businesses across south central Wisconsin. Click here to find your nearest seller.
RELATED: The Meaning Behind the Colorful Mittens for Sale Across Wisconsin
