Since the early 1800s, families have hung stockings from the mantel on Christmas Eve in anticipation of a visit from St. Nicholas. As you plan for this year’s holiday season, look to the Mitten State for unique and inexpensive stocking stuffers for everyone in the family.
HER
Dress up any outfit with a handcrafted, Michigan-shaped piece of jewelry from Ferndale-based Glass Action, found at Little Luxuries on Mackinac Island or Posey in Royal Oak. A series of celebrity-inspired nightlights, as well as personalized custom pieces, are also available online at facebook.com/glassaction.
Pampering never felt so good as with Bizzy Fizz (bizzyfizz.com) bath and body products, handmade in Macomb. Choose from body scrubs, oils, lotions and lip balms in a variety of shapes, textures, colors and fragrances. Find a selection of options at Celtic Sisters in New Buffalo and the Made in Michigan store at Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls.
Grocer’s Daughter in Empire creates mouth-watering chocolates including truffles, caramels, bonbons, bark, bars and puddles. Vegan and gluten-free options also are available. Shop online at grocersdaughter.com or at finer retail outlets around the state including Detroit Mercantile Co. and Food Dance in Kalamazoo.
HIM
Never be left without an opener for your favorite craft beer or soda. The Michigan-shaped bottle openers in Upper or Lower Peninsula shapes from Kalamazoo-based Michigan Bottle Opener can fit in a wallet. Find them online (mibottleopener.com) or at Essence on Main in Clarkston and NorthGoods in Petoskey.
Start a new trend in 2016 by sending handwritten notes on the stylish monogrammed cards from Detroit-based Shinola (shinola.com). The 5.5-by-8.5 cards come in a packet of five with envelopes. Shop online or stop into one of the three locations in southeast Michigan.
Pick up a tin of Beard Balm (beardbalm.us) made with ingredients like beeswax, lanolin, grapeseed oil and eucalyptus oil to help men keep a full beard smooth and fragrant. These products are available at Rail & Anchor in Royal Oak or Taylor & Colt in Birmingham, as well as online.
THE KIDS
“Good Night Michigan” is a mini-book by Adam Gamble, with illustrations by Anne Rosen. It features notable locales throughout the state, including Sleeping Bear Dunes, Tahquamenon Falls, Detroit, St. Joseph and others. Find it at bookstores around the state, as well as the gift shop at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids.
Keep the kids warm and stylish with a cap from Dearborn-based Carhartt (carhartt.com). The girls pink Trapper Hat and boys duck yellow Bubba Hat are sherpa lined.
Rebuild a tradition with handmade wooden blocks from Uncle Goose (un
clegoose.com) in Grand Rapids. You’ll find nostalgic gifts to entertain kids and parents alike, from classic alphabet blocks and nursery rhyme blocks to pull wagons and canvas bags. Find them at dozens of locations across the state.
FOUR-LEGGED KIDS
Dress up your dog’s appearance with a colorful Michigan Paw Bandana from Pup North (pupnorthlife.com). Shop online or stop by My Secret Stash or Suhm-Thing in downtown Traverse City. Then, pop into the D.O.G. Bakery (dogbakeryonline.com) down the road for a four-pack of mitten-shaped Iced Cherry Chews for your pooch’s snacking enjoyment.
Keep your cat entertained with a catnip toy from Lake Orion-based Fat Pyewacket (fatpyewacket.com). The best parts of organic catnip, minus fillers, are stuffed into natural cotton sacks reinforced for hours of kitty play. Pick up these toys at The Pet Beastro in Madison Heights or Pets ‘n Things in Saline.
THE FOODIE
Handcrafted kitchen utensils from Loon Hardwoods (loonhardwoods.com) in Dorr make the perfect gift for any chef. Select from a cheese slicer, strainer, spatula, recipe box or utensil holder, all made from maple and finished with Tung oil for a beautiful luster. Look for items at Calico Cat in Grand Haven or Old Town General Store in Lansing.
A Michigan-shaped cookie cutter makes for lots of family fun throughout the winter months. Find both the upper and lower peninsulas at stores around the state, including Heart of Michigan in Howell or The Zany Kitchen in Cheboygan or online at puremichi
ganstore.org. — Dianna Stampfler
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