Holiday Gifts From the Midwest
Gift Ideas From Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois or Wisconsin
Nov 13, 2007
Holiday gifts and souvenirs from your home state can be very special. Here are some great gift suggestions from the Midwest United States.
Most people today have friends and family all over the globe. This makes it difficult if not impossible to visit everyone at their home or even in their home state. Consequently, at holiday times one special gift you can give is a gift that celebrates, or gives an expression of your home state.
Every area on the globe has something special about it. It might be a natural wonder like the Grand Canyon or Hot Springs, or a landmark like the Gateway Arch in Missouri. No matter what the resource or commodity, you can make your home state a great inspiration for gift giving. In addition to making your friends/loved one’s happy, you would have supported businesses in your own community.
If you live in what is considered the northern mid-west of the United States (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin), here are some holiday gift suggestions.
Michigan
- Gourmet Foods/Snacks - Dried Cherries and Preserves from Traverse Bay, Michigan Apple or Cherry Wines, Rock Candy or Salt Water Taffy from Frankenmuth or Mackinaw Island Homemade Fudge.
- Art/Photography - Photos/Artwork of the Great Lakes, Mackinaw Bridge/Island, Michigan Lighthouses, the Michigan Northern Lights, Lake Michigan/Lake Huron, Detroit Skyline or the Ambassador Bridge.
- Schools/Universities - Paraphernalia from the University of Michigan or Michigan State will make nice Christmas gifts. You might even consider putting together gift baskets with cups/mugs, t-shirts, jerseys, stuffed animals and pennants/banners from the universities.
- Sports Paraphernalia - Give gifts that show pride in your favorite sports team, i.e., the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, Grand Rapids Rampage, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Shock or Red Wings.
- Other - Motown memorabilia, hand blown glass from one of the many glass artists/glass blowers in Michigan or a spectacular candle made at Holland House Candles.
Indiana
- Gourmet Foods/Snacks - David Allen Chocolate Truffles (out of Lebanon, Indiana), Indiana made fruit preserves or Sechler’s Pickles (39 yummy flavors available including jalapeno and apple cinnamon).
- Art/Photography - Photos/Artwork of the RCA Hoosier Dome, Indy 500, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Indianapolis, French Lick Springs or the Indianapolis Skyline.
- Schools/Universities - Paraphernalia from Indiana University, Purdue or Notre Dame or another school in your area.
- Sports Paraphernalia - the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Fever, Indiana Firebirds or the Indiana Pacers.
- Other - Indy 500 memorabilia, souvenirs from the Museum of American Indians and Western Art or gifts from the Indiana Amish community.
Illinois
- Gourmet Foods/Snacks - Garrett Popcorn (one of Oprah‘s favorites), Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, Carousel Caramels or Goose Island Root Beer.
- Art/Photography - Photos/Artwork of the Sears Tower in Chicago (the third tallest building in the world), Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, Starved Rock State Park or the fabulous Chicago Skyline.
- Schools/Universities - Give paraphernalia from the University of Illinois, Northwestern University or Loyola University.
- Sports Paraphernalia - Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs or Chicago Sky.
- Other - Souvenirs from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Museum of Science and Industry or the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
Ohio
- Gourmet Foods/Snacks - Cincinnati Chili Mix, Chocolate Drizzle Popcorn from the Humphrey Company, Smucker's Jams/Jellies or Cleveland Stadium Mustard.
- Art/Photography - Photos/Artwork of the Cincinnati Skyline, Lake Erie or the Ohio Stadium.
- Schools/Universities - Paraphernalia from Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, Miami of Ohio or Ohio University.
- Sports Paraphernalia - the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals or Cincinnati Reds.
- Other - Souvenirs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, NASA in Cleveland, the Wright Brothers Museum, or gifts from the Ohio Amish community.
Wisconsin
- Gourmet Foods/Snacks - Wisconsin Cheese, Maple Syrup, Buffalo/Elk Meats, Bratwurst or Blumer’s Soda.
- Art/Photography - Photos/Artwork of the Wisconsin Lakes, Wisconsin Dells, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior or Chequamegon National Forest.
- Schools/Universities - University of Wisconsin or Marquette University.
- Sports Paraphernalia - Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers or Milwaukee Bucks.
- Other - Souvenirs from the art museum in Milwaukee, Miller Brewing Company, Circus World Museum or Osh Kosh Clothing/Accessories.
The copyright of the article Holiday Gifts From the Midwest in Holiday Entertaining is owned by Dee Dee Smith. Permission to republish Holiday Gifts From the Midwest in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
