Shop local this holiday season. Whether you’re searching for the perfect present for someone else or treating yourself after a long year, the Reader staff has you covered with handpicked gift ideas from Chicago artists, nonprofits, and small businesses.
1
Ink from the Backroomz. The vibes at this Pilsen tattoo studio hark back to the outlaw days of the art form before shops occupied storefronts and body art was a mark of living outside normative society.
—Micco Caporale
1860 S. Blue Island, instagram.com/th3backr00mz, prices vary
2
Innana Rose is an Indigenous healer and sexologist who’s grounded in Afro-Brazilian magick traditions and draws from multiple spiritual systems, including Sufism, Tantra, Kemetic Reiki, and Ayurveda. Her strong intuition combined with her diverse expertise make for insightful readings.
—Micco Caporale
hausofwhiteserpents.com, $33–$170
3
Support the aspiring DJs in your life. They can put their Miyagi Records gift card toward a beatmaking class or toward accumulating more records if they’re not quite ready for the turntablist life. —Salem Collo-Julin
307 E. Garfield, miyagirecords.com, $25 and up
4
Chicago for Chicagoans offers pay-what-you-can public history education led by locals, for locals. Walking tours are available in 40 neighborhoods from May through October; wintertime brings online and in-person lectures on topics like “How Bronzeville Invented the Lottery.” —Katie Prout
chicagoforchicagoans.org, pay what you can
5
So many of us are searching for third spaces, hobbies, and new friends. Give the gift of creative community by contributing to or covering the cost of a workshop or class at Lillstreet Art Center. —Taryn McFadden
4401 N. Ravenswood, lillstreet.com, pay what you can
6
Give the gift of glowing skin with a gift card to Scratch Goods’s Mask Bar. This female-founded West Loop company offers interactive workshops, where guests are guided through self-care practices such as mask application, hydration, gua sha, and more. —Jamie Ludwig
127 N. Peoria, scratchgoods.com, $65 and up
7
StoryStudio Chicago offers creative writing classes for adults online and at their Ravenswood home base. Writers of all levels are welcome to explore a variety of forms including memoir, fiction, poetry, and more in single-session or multisession workshops. —Jamie Ludwig
4043 N. Ravenswood #222, storystudiochicago.org, $65–$365
8
Local Palestinian artist Saja Bilasan, cocreator of Chicago’s Artists Against Apartheid art markets, makes gorgeously designed stickers, magnets, and tote bags honoring her heritage; some of the proceeds aid Palestinians and “communities affected by imperialism.”
—Kerry Cardoza
etsy.com/shop/FalasteenFavorites,
$3–$25
9
Roseroot Textiles offers vibrant homeware and commercial goods made with as little waste as possible. “If there’s one thing I can bring to the textile industry, it’s to show people color isn’t something to fear in their home,” says founder Mollie Levy-Roseroot. —Katie Prout
roseroot-textiles.com, prices vary
10
Back of the Yards’s La Selva Shop (“la selva” translates to “the jungle”) was named in reference to Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel, The Jungle, which describes the plight of immigrants working in the Union Stock Yards. Honor those workers and the neighborhood’s diversity and culture with a Back of the Yards Chicago Flag lapel pin designed by owner Rolando Santoyo.
—Salem Collo-Julin
laselvashop.com, $10
11
Michelle Starbuck is a Chicago jewelry maker who blends new and vintage materials—brass, glass beads, lockets, and more—to make unique, gorgeous pieces that will have strangers stopping you to ask “Where did you get that?” —Katie Prout
michellestarbuckdesigns.com, $8–$144
12
Pin Save the Climate makes pins and stickers and donates 100 percent of the profits to organizations engaged in work addressing climate justice, which owners Ryan Thompson and Charlie Roderick feel is the defining issue of our time. —Salem Collo-Julin
pinsavetheclimate.com, $3.95–$16.95
13
A gift card for Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange. You’ll never know what you’ll find at CCRx’s Auburn Gresham warehouse, but that’s part of the fun. Their overstock and discarded materials can be reimagined into art projects and other creations.
—Salem Collo-Julin
2124 W. 82nd Pl., open by appointment only on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, creativechirx.org, prices vary
14
David “The Rock” Nelson Collection: Volume 1 Des Plaines DIY filmmaker David “the Rock” Nelson is still selling DVDs of his homemade monster movies. This lovingly packaged Blu-ray is the best starter pack on the market. —Leor Galil
vinegarsyndrome.com, $27.99
15
Emilio and Santiago Guerrero of pre-Colonial Mexican pop-up Piñatta are devoted scratch fermentation nerds. Their Habanero and Scorpion Pineapple hot sauces bring the funk with their own lacto-activated kojirice, as does the housemade tamari in their nutty pepita Salsa Macha. —Mike Sula,
pinattachicago.com, $10–$15
16
Peripatetic pop-up and farmers market staple Tasting India’s regional spice blends are each markedly different, and yet can flex far beyond traditional dishes into snack mixes, popcorn, baked goods, and preserves. —Mike Sula
shoptastingindia.com $11.99–$19.99
17
The new Sweet & Sour Mango and Jalapeño Green Chutneys from Droosh ought to join the Indian spice blender’s national profile. Musky fenugreek and tangy green mango powder are key to their deep flavor profiles, while a slight restraint in chile heat makes them appropriate for both wanton drizzling and liberal spiking of foods in preparation.
—Mike Sula
shopdroosh.com, $9.99–$20
18
Randolph Street sausage garden Kaiser Tiger’s rooftop honeybees have produced a subtly minty, pleasantly bitter first harvest feeding primarily on west-side linden tree blooms. It’s the taste of spring in the West Loop, captured in eight-ounce jars. —Mike Sula
1415 W. Randolph, Mon-Thu noon–midnight, Fri noon–2 AM, Sat 11 AM–2 AM, Sun 11 AM–midnight, kaisertiger.com, $8
19
Edited by former Reader contributor Nance Klehm, the latest issue of ecology-focused journal Land. Place. Belonging. features contributions on wild willow basketry, deep listening to plants, and more. —Kerry Cardoza
hi-buddy.org/products/land-place-belonging-2, $22
20
Damon Locks’s 3D Sonic Adventure. This vinyl-only solo album from the Black Monument Ensemble bandleader was pressed in an edition of 250 and is available at several local retailers, including Reckless and Bric-a-Brac. —Leor Galil
damonlocks.black, $20
21
We Blame Chicago celebrates the music and legacy of uncompromising local indie rockers 90 Day Men. This 5LP box set from Numero Group includes remastered albums, previously unreleased material (including a 2001 John Peel Session), and a comprehensive oral history curated by Tim Kinsella. —Jamie Ludwig
numerogroup.com/products/we-blame-chicago, $110
22
Urban Canopy is a nonprofit trying to reshape Chicago’s food system. Their Compost Club subscriptions provide regular compost pick ups across the city, helping to reduce waste, improve soil health, and fight climate change. Bonus: Composters can earn rewards redeemable at local restaurants, farmer’s markets, and more. —Micco Caporale
theurbancanopy.org/residential-composting, $20–$40 per month
23
Consider adopting an older pet from PAWS Chicago or another local shelter. Older pets are often already socialized and house-trained, and in need of a second chapter because their caretakers have passed or experienced financial struggles.
—Micco Caporale
Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center, 1997 N. Clybourn, Mon-Fri noon-7 PM, Sat-Sun 11 AM-5 PM, pawschicago.org, $50–$550
24
Treats de Cuisine is a Chicago “barkery” that makes pets happy while reducing farm waste. Their healthy, human-grade treats for dogs and cats are made in-house using sustainable, locally sourced ingredients and contain zero fillers, seasonings, or preservatives. —Jamie Ludwig
1341 N. Damen, treatsdecuisine.com, $7 and up
Love Chicago? Love to read? Check out these noteworthy 2024 releases that were written by local authors or explore the city’s arts, culture, and history.
What It Is by Lynda Barry
The latest book from this former Chicagoan and god-tier cartoonist is part memoir, part workbook. It’s a guide to the creative process that’s sure to delight any aspiring artist on your list. —Kerry Cardoza
Drawn & Quarterly, $24.95
The Murmuring Grief of the Americas by Daniel Borzutzky
This beautiful, haunting collection by Chicago poet and translator Daniel Borzutzky explores modern humanity while laying bare the interweaving complexities and harsh realities that underpin life in the Western Hemisphere. —Jamie Ludwig
Coffee House Press, $17.95
Chicago House Music: Culture and Community by Marguerite L. Harrold
The Chicago-born writer explores how house music rose out of the city’s 70s and 80s Black, gay underground scene to become a global phenomenon that flourishes to this day. —Jamie Ludwig
Arcadia Publishing, $24
We Are The Culture: Black Chicago’s Influence on Everything by Arionne Nettles
The debut book from this homegrown journalist (and Reader contributor) documents how Black Chicagoans have shaped pop culture through a historical look at music, daytime TV, the NBA, and more. —Kerry Cardoza
Chicago Review Press, $28.99
Christina Ramberg: A Retrospective, edited by Thea Liberty Nichols and Mark Pascale
If you didn’t catch the Christina Ramberg retrospective exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago this year, here’s the next best thing. This collection of sketches and inspiration photos provide wonderful insight into the contemporary painter’s singular style. —James Hosking
The Art Institute of Chicago, $50
The Shop: Where Culture Shapes Up by Ernest Wilkins
I can’t imagine Chicago culture the past decade-plus without the insight of culture writer Ernest Wilkins. The former RedEye staffer (who now lives in Detroit) announced his behind-the-scenes look at LeBron James’s HBO show, The Shop, earlier this year, and it’s been on my radar ever since. —Leor Galil
Simon & Schuster, $50
The best presents aren’t always wrapped in a box. Honor a friend or loved one by making a donation in their name in support of a local charity or nonprofit organization working for the betterment of our community.
Chicago Abortion Fund
This long-running organization provides financial, logistical, and emotional support to people seeking abortion services in Illinois and other Midwestern states while advocating for reproductive freedom.
— Jamie Ludwig
chicagoabortionfund.org
Crossroads Fund
Since 1981, this public foundation has taken a community-driven grantmaking approach to strengthening grassroots organizations focused on racial, economic, and social justice through resource sharing, leadership training, network building, and more.
—Jamie Ludwig
crossroadsfund.org
Chicago Palestine Film Festival
Ensure that Palestinian stories continue to be documented and shared by donating to the longest-running Palestinian film festival in the world. —Taryn McFadden
palestinefilmfest.com
Greater Chicago Food Depository
This local organization works with a vast network of partners to reduce hunger and poverty by providing food, health programs, job training, and more to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
—Jamie Ludwig
chicagosfoodbank.org
The Night Ministry
This local organization provides healthcare and harm reduction services, housing support, winter wear, survival supplies, and human connection to vulnerable community members experiencing homelessness or poverty. —Jamie Ludwig
thenightministry.org
Plant Chicago
Fight food insecurity in Chicagoland while supporting local farmers and food businesses. A $25 donation provides a low-income family with a week’s supply of locally grown food. —Jamie Ludwig
plantchicago.org
More in NEWS & CITY LIFE
The news you should know in the city you love.
Your guide to the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance
Aquarium staff join a burgeoning labor movement among Chicago’s cultural workers.
The Solar-Cell Chemist
The Dream Defender
The Busy Beekeeper
The Natural Listener