This year, it’s so important to support our local communities. The days as a small business owner can be long and challenging, particularly when constantly pivoting. To show our gratitude for our fellow small business owners, we’ve put together a Holiday Gift Guide showcasing our favorite Wisconsin based businesses. Shopping small this season truly makes a difference in the lives of many. THANK YOU for your continued support!
With so many incredible local businesses, we are constantly adding to our list. As our team worked to gather gifting options, we found ourselves repeating a few business names:
The winter months can be difficult with long days and early sunsets. Brighten up your space with a new plant from Wildewood, or floral subscription from daffodil*parker. Looking to create your own version of “quarantine cozy”? Light a candle from Wisconsin Candle Company or Welch Candle Company and curl up in a soft LMC Boutique cardigan. To add to the ambience, we love finding locally sourced art for our gallery walls and nightstands. We recommend James Steeno Gallery for unique Milwaukee art prints and Covet & Ginger for beautiful ceramics. We also love photo prints from Parabo Press and Sam Li as well as watercolor illustrations from Steph Hagens and artwork from Lindsay Letters.
With cozy work from home style becoming our new normal, it’s easy to forget about accessories that bring us joy. For handmade jewelry across the state, we love Ciré Alexandria jewelry, The Earth and All Stars jewelry and HELLO ADORN (Eau Claire). Simple pieces are timeless gifts that never go out of style!
Some days, a bit of extra pampering makes all of the difference. For skincare and beauty, we suggest gifting items from Arch Apothecary, a gift card to Kneaded Relief Day Spa or adding a new, clean product into your routine from BEAUTY COUNTER (while supporting a local consultant)! We also recommended handmade soaps from Soap & Dagger.
Gift cards to local restaurants and coffee shops such as Food Fight restaurants and Beans ‘n’ Cream Coffeehouse are both delicious and useful. Though we are not able to gather this year, we suggest creating new holiday meal traditions with family and friends. Pair your favorite wine with cheese from Fromagination or Simons Cheese and chocolate truffles from Gail Ambrosius in a gift basket. If you’re looking for sweet treats to send, check out Miggy’s Bakes and The Baked Lab. For an elevated and savory virtual cocktail hour, Basil & Fig Charcuterie offers charcuterie boxes (yum!!).
If you are looking to support new parents from afar, we recommend gifting a cleaning service such as Eco Clean Madison. Not having to stress so much about a clean home while nursing a baby or changing diapers is a huge bonus!
We know how important movement is to our physical and mental health, especially right now. With restrictions on gyms, new work from home routines, and colder weather coming, it can be difficult to find creative ways to sweat. We suggest making it easy on yourself with a class pack from The Barre Code. Virtual classes can be taken anywhere and are the perfect gift to your former in-person fitness pal. For the dancer or creative in your life that needs an additional outlet, we recommend class packs from Barrio Dance.
We understand that right now especially, it can be easy to feel stuck on how to support local businesses while under personal financial strain. We know first hand how meaningful a kind review, a shoutout on Instagram, or a referral to friends and family can be – all incredible ways to cheer for your favorites businesses without costs! We have shared a few of our favorite ways to support local businesses below but before we go, thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts, for being a part of our community and shopping small! It means the world.
XO,
Team Elevate
