Are you shopping on Thanksgiving this year? I’m not. As I’m sure you could guess, I’m one of those people Making A Stand by choosing to not shop on the holiday. (Or I just have other plans and after seeing the mass hysteria that was the mall this last Saturday, you couldn’t give away items for cheap enough to get me out there on Thursday.)
Overall, I’m not much of a mall shopper. Instead, I shop the extremes of local boutiques and Amazon. Small Business Saturday comes before Cyber Monday, so here’s a run down of places in Milwaukee I think y’all should check out. You’re guaranteed to get a majority of your list covered AND you keep the money local. We all win.
The Pet Outpost
Shorewood, WI
I stumbled into this little store earlier this fall when I needed a miracle for Noah’s bad breath. (P.S. No miracle is strong enough to combat that stench… Any secrets?) Instead, I ended up with gift ideas for all of my four-legged and four-legged animal-loving friends. Here you will find all the treats, collars, and supplies you could ever need, plus all the ridiculous winter coats, handcrafted organic food, and pet massage supplies you could ever dream of! If Noah was a better sport, he would totally be receiving the leather bomber jacket with real fur lining this holiday season.
Indulgence Chocolatiers
Walker’s Point and Shorewood Locations
This store is the perfect place to go for stocking stuffers or corporate gifts when you’re not sure about the persons’ likes or dislikes. Who doesn’t like chocolate? (If they exist, they probably wouldn’t be on my Christmas list anyway…) Julie Waterman and her staff have put together two stores chock full of the best chocolate products I’ve found in Milwaukee. I would give away all the secrets of the world for a lifetime supply of her Dark Chocolate Cherry Truffles!
If you’re one who is looking to give an experience vs. a tangible item, may I suggest one of their chocolate and wine pairing events held at the Walker’s Point location? Follow them on Facebook or give them a call to find out the schedule. (And invite me with you if you go after February!)
The Milwaukee Public Museum Marketplace
Downtown Milwaukee, ground level of the museum
One way to get something very uniquely Milwaukee is to purchase from the gift shop at the Milwaukee Public Museum. They have beautiful art and jewelry, great educational items for the kids, and a huge selection of interesting coffee table books. Right now they also have a whole section of items made from… ahem, poo to coincide with the Scoop on Poop exhibit. (Which you should also check out while you are there!) What to get the person who has everything? I can bet you they don’t have fine paper made from elephant excrement already!
The selection of books on this history of Milwaukee and Wisconsin seems like a great place to find something for the historian in your family. Fair trade winter hats and gloves were my pick for the kids at this location.
Haleybird Yoga Studios
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
I would be remiss if I didn’t suggest a gift card from Haleybird (or any of the other great local studios around town like Invivo, where you can also get massages!) I think we could all use a little personal time come January and nothing says “go find your zen” like prepaying for a few sessions of yoga. Most studios offer a five and/or ten pack of classes allowing students to pick their own time to attend. Also, you could do gift certificates for workshops. Pick up one for yourself while you’re there (also available online) and you’ll both enter 2014 with a better sense of calm.
Shop Local Festivals
It’s the time of year when craft shows pop up in every church basement and high school gymnasium, making it a great time to purchase gifts straight from the artist and while support your local civic center.
If you want something a little bigger, may I suggest the final Art Vs. Craft held this Saturday, November 30th from 10 am to 6 pm at the Harley-Davidson Museum or the Buy Local Gift Fair next Sunday, December 8th from noon to 4 pm at Lakefront Brewery. These two shows never disappoint!
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