The season of giving is upon us, and in the spirit of supporting local while recognizing our role as the arbiter of arts and culture in your life, we figured putting together a Chicago-based gift guide would provide a welcome alternative to another evening spent scrolling Amazon for something for your picky sister-in-law or the boss you're not really even sure likes you.
For the (fancy) art lovers
THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO MUSEUM SHOP
The Art Institute's gift shop is accessible without entry to the museum itself and offers a wide selection of gifts for those with a more refined taste in scarves, coffee table books and more. Of particular note, a pair of Museum Lion bookends would look great on any home library's shelf, a sort of "say you're from Chicago without saying you're from Chicago" decorating option. Or there are several pairs of Tiffany Glass-inspired earrings that evoke the almost watercolor-like look of those famed windows. And of course, a set of Frank Lloyd Wright Water Lilies rocks glasses would be a classy addition to any dry bar.
Shop the whole store online or pop in during museum hours at 111 S Michigan Ave. The gift shops are accessible without museum admission.
For art lovers (on a budget)
NEIGHBORLY
Neighborly started as an outpost for owner and graphic designer Jenny Beorkrem to sell her Ork Posters (you've surely seen her unique take on maps) and wares from other local vendors. Today, the shop in the heart of Lincoln Square is chock full of ethically made wares, art and more, and boasts a strong section dedicated to Chicago-made work, too. Get your friend's new baby a cute Chicago onesie, or send the architecture lover you know a sketch featuring all the classic styles of Chicago homes. Or bring home the iconic "You Are Beautiful" public art with a woodcut sign for your wall or stickers to spread the love.
For the Bookworms
57th STREET BOOKS / SEMINARY CO-OP
Ask any Chicagoan, and they've got their favorite bookstore, a neighborhood spot where the local clerk knows what you should read before you do and you always walk out with more than you planned to. The pair of shops in Hyde Park, one dating to 1961 and the other 1983, are staples to the Southside community and beyond. Shopping a bookstore online is like trying to smell flowers with a stuffed nose, so it's best to head in for all the best recommendations and unexpected finds. You can plan your visit around any number of in-person author events on the calendar to make your visit that much more exciting.
For the one who's always at a concert
By far my favorite venue to see a show in the city these days is the Salt Shed near Goose Island. The reclaimed space of what was once the Morton Salt factory has an indoor and outdoor venue, each with vast general-admission space in front of the stage as well as premiere seating options with dedicated seating or balcony views. While indoor shows at the warehouse space known as the Shed are great, shows in the Fairgrounds, as they call the outdoor venue, are really exceptional, almost regardless of which band is playing. A food truck court and merch tents line the back half of the venue, while splurging on tickets in their Three Top Lounge means some of the absolute best views of the city skyline once the sun sets.
Street-level at the Salt Shed boasts a handful of shops, and the venue offers a store with branded merch for real die hards (anyone who's been to a show and seen Lil' Salty wandering around would surely love their own plush version!). There are concerts announced through July 2025 already, so tickets to a show could be a great gift, too.
For the cinephile
The heart of Chicago's film-going world is in Lakeview, and it's the nearly-100-year-old Music Box Theatre. A picture house of the most classic kind, the Music Box has a year-round screening calendar packed with new releases, classic series and some of the weirdest and wildest movies their diverse group of programmers can come up with.
A gift membership is available any time, as well as gift cards easily exchangeable for film tickets. Or you can bring a bit of Christmas home with a Music Box Theatre ornament or holiday mug.
Elsewhere around the city, memberships and gift cards to cinemas like Gene Siskel Film Center, Facets and more are all great ideas to give experiences over things. And if you're especially budget-conscious, sign the film lover in your life up for a free subscription to the exceptional weekly newsletter sent by the fine folks at Cine-File.
For the Chicago foodie
This will not be a gift guide about where to eat in Chicago. It would be never-ending! But if you're a die-hard foodie in the city, there are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself locally that don't involve sitting down for a meal. Pop over to The Wooden Spoon on Clark St. for an in-person cooking class in their group kitchen space at the back of the store. It's not a huge space, so classes sell out quickly; a gift certificate might be the way to go so your giftee can select their own class (or snap up new cookware exactly to their liking).
If your foodie is more of a hosting type, P.O.S.H. is a must-visit boutique in River North (613 N. State St). This small space is packed floor to ceiling with knick-knacks, kitchen wares and all the flatware and plating needs you can think of (and some that I'm sure have never occurred to you, like this vintage French stoneware wine pitcher!). The shop owners source their goods from vintage markets and small producers alike and everything is imbued with a genuine sense of charm.
Where will you be spending your dollars locally this year? Hopefully at some of our suggestions, and hopefully a bit can make its way to support Third Coast Review writers, too.
Now through December 31, Third Coast Review is raising money to support the diverse roster of writers you know and appreciate for their thoughtful, insightful arts and culture coverage in Chicago and beyond. Everything raised during this time will go directly to paying these writers a well-deserved year-end stipend; you can make a contribution here. Thank you!