19 Chicago gift shops where you can find something for everyone

This ultra-charming shop stocks an eclectic collection of gifts you'd rather keep than give away. Some items are cool, some are silly, but all are sure to put a smile on your face. We found candles, jewelry, scarves, coasters, frames, bath and body products, the best greeting cards, a small, but wonderful collection of books and lots of other great stuff. Overwhelmed by the selection? Komoda employees are quick to make suggestions and will ensure you don't leave empty-handed.

Want the fun, unique wares of your favorite summer art ‘fest or craft fair but without the crowds or humidity? The Andersonville Galleria, a labyrinthine two-story trove on Clark Street featuring art, apparel, home goods, toys and more from 110 local vendors, is hardly a well-kept secret, but perusing the nooks and crannies of each stand can feel like a real treasure hunt. Much of the art and apparel is Chicago-centric, perfect for your cousin who just moved here from Ohio or your friends who still want to rep their city even though they relocated to Naperville.

It’s not surprising that this two-room hot spot has thrived in the finicky Lincoln Park neighborhood for more than 40 years. Bath and body products, vases, funky wine glass sets and tons of other presents for brides-to-be, moms-to-be and the hostess-who-has-everything can be found in the front room.

This light-drenched escape is packed with cool vintage furniture and colorful rugs, but we're also digging the gift possibilities that line the shelves. Owner Claire Tibbs stocks a rad collection of local pottery, unique jewelry, candles and fragrances.

This gift shop sells greeting cards, smart gifts for your hard-to-buy-for friends and cool framed prints. You'll also find a section with calendars, planners, frames and more. Or shop the store's merch online if you prefer to shop local in your pajamas. Originally based in Lakeview, the shop has also opened up a second location in Andersonville.

When you think of the shops that line Michigan Avenue, visions of shot glasses, overpriced t-shirts and packs of stale off-brand popcorn fill your head, right? Not so with Buddy. Tucked into the Chicago Cultural Center, the space, a collaboration between the Public Media Institute and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), features art exhibitions while its retail area features art and goods from more than 300 local artists and makers at any time. 

Sure, you’ll find Chicago flag enamel pins and prints in Southwest Signs’ classic hand-painted style (the kind you see at the grocery store), but you’ll also find everything from glass ornaments by artist and educator David Nasca, to whimsical, maximalist clocks by Felt Girl World, from Rhonda Hardy’s handmade dolls that tell the stories of Chicagoans during the Great Migration, to vinyl from vintage Latin DJ collective Sonorama.

The newest entry on this list, artist Carolyn Kasnoff opened her celebration of all things local in Albany Park in October of 2024. Check off a whole mess of gifts off your list with a colorful variety of gifts and home goods from local and regional makers, from art prints and jewelry to handcrafted soaps to cheery dog and cat sweaters. 

If the person you’re shopping for prefers experiences over things, treat them to one of the shop’s many art and craft classes, covering everything from cross-stitch to cookie decorating to cartooning. Just know that when you check out, you’ll be making two payments—the second being in belly rubs for the shop’s adorable rescue pup, Bonnie.

Neighborly, a gift shop with locations in Wicker Park and Lincoln Square has a name that captures the essence of a community, and it stocks the products that captures it. A big part of Neighborly’s mission is working with as many Midwest-based manufacturers as possible, offering local goods that range from kitchen appliances to artwork, with an entire section focused on Chicago-themed gifts. The shop also ensures that nothing is harmed in the process of making its items, working with manufacturers that use eco-friendly materials and are transparent about their processes.

This gift store, with locations in Lincoln Square and Andersonville, has a strong focus on gag, pop culture, humor and novelty gifts. Perhaps a friend or loved one will appreciate the gift of bacon toothpaste; or hide mini novelty traffic cones around the cubicle of your favorite work frenemy. You'll also find greeting cards, candles, books, arts and crafts, and plenty of toys for kiddos.

If you're short on time and don't know what to buy the host, bride or special someone, head straight to this quaint West Loop storefront. Touting a collection of hilarious cards, yummy-smelling candles, etched glassware and cutesy servingware, the Fig Tree will ensure your giftee feels very special.

For more than 20 years, artists Lorena Almanza and Sugeiri Martinez have been showcasing their love for Latinx art and vintage style. The second incarnation of Mestiza, their inviting 18th Street storefront, has been open since 2017 with a focus on elevating small makers and fair-trade producers. Skulls and milagro hearts abound, alongside beeswax candles, Selena enamel pins and a host of whimsical, culture-celebrating options — among our favorite finds here are the clay sculpted earrings by local artist Adriana Rivera, incense holders shaped like hornos and adobe homes, and a series of decorative pillows and dog toys inspired by pan dulce. 

The entryway of this Rogers Park shop—featuring a Barbie-pink horse promising “Cool, fun, pretty things”—pretty much says it all. Horseplay began life as a pandemic pivot from Charmers Café co-owners Annie Cathcart and Carrie Flynn, the gift shop emerging from the temporary closure of their dining room. Now, Horseplay is its own free-standing Jarvis Square institution, where locals can browse their collection of candles, toys, stationery, home goods and other fun, gift-y things, many of them the work of Chicago-based artists and makers. Grab a festive seasonal latte from Charmers if you need a break from shopping.

This Ravenswood store stocks a little bit of everything, for everyone and every budget. Find great gifts when it comes to men’s and women’s apparel, jewelry, accessories, greeting cards, stationery, housewares and even fresh flowers. It's a one-stop gift shop before any party or gathering—and you can head down the street to Hazel Apparel if you're looking for some clothing.

This longtime favorite charming lifestyle boutique sells jewelry, greeting cards, cookware, tableware and much more. Nearly all items in the shop have been made by hand, and many are from local designers. It's a great spot to peruse if you're seeking a gift for someone who has everything.

Artist Shayna Norwood started Steel Petal Press in Chicago after more than a decade of letterpress printing. Her printing and letterpress operation in the heart of Logan Square is also home to a bevy of great gift ideas, from quirky books to the perfect greeting cards. With custom letterpress work available, the adorable shop can also help clients tell their stories on wedding invitations, stationery, business cards or whatever they need.

For those who are truly tough to shop for, food is always a great option, and Augusta Food & Wine has got a lot of it to offer. Located in Lincoln Square, this corner shop has everything a food-lover and a wine connoisseur could want. The shop specializes in custom-made gift baskets filled with artisanal products that are essentially elegant charcuterie boards in a basket, including its Flagship Basket, which features a bottle of wine, goat cheese and fig spread.

A Ukrainian Village institution, the quirky RR #1 sells a variety of gifts, including candles, cards, locally made jewelry, home decor and a lot of weird stuff for your weird friends. We love that the store is in an old pharmacy from the 1930s—and we really love the affordable prices and helpful salespeople.

Stop by this posh "general store" in the Gold Coast to find an artful collection of handpicked accessories, books, clothing, furniture and even curated gift bags showcasing artisanal hot sauces and skincare (not together). New items arrive weekly, and even some of the store's furniture and decorations are for sale, which is great, because you're going to want to buy everything.

Before Logan Square was all condos and cocktail bars, there was Wolfbait & B-girls. Taking their name from early 20th-century slang terms for young, ambitious women who moved to the big city to chase their dreams, Shirley Kienitz and Jenny Stadler’s shop has been welcoming newcomers, visitors and neighborhood lifers alike for nearly 20 years. Inside, you’ll be treated to fun, funky wares from more than 300 small and local makers, including soaps and stickers perfect for stocking stuffers and statement jewelry pieces for a special someone. The vast collection of mugs, candles, home goods and spice mixes make for unique holiday host gifts as well. 

This general store and art gallery has been selling trinkets and rarities since 2011. Its focus on beauty and practicality means a large stock of local and international commodities, including French home-spun linens, raw local honey and vintage lingerie. Bonus: You might even bump into a familiar face—actress Joan Cusack, the shop's owner.