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Shop Local. Shop Chicago

Holiday Gift Ideas for You

By Sara Yaniga, Macaroni Kid Chicago (Midtown) November 4, 2021

Stop worrying about shipping times and supply chain issues and shop local!  Relying on our neighborhood stores for gifts this season not only helps you, but it helps our communities and neighbors as well!  Check out some of our favorites around Chicago and neighboring communities:

A Gift For Yourself

There is a direct relationship between our emotional and physical well-being and sometimes we need to hit "pause" and spend a little time taking care of outsides to give our whole selves a surge of feeling good.  2020 was a year we all put self-care on a hiatus, so this holiday season is the perfect time to do just that.  Here are two personal favorites for when I want to take care of ME during a busy holiday season. 

Oasis Face Bar - 2136 N Halstead, Chicago, IL 60614

I am so excited to share with you the brand new Oasis Face Bar that opened October 2021 in Lincoln Park!  

I love a facial, but it always seems so indulgent and time consuming, so the general well-being of my face has taken a toll.  Add in months of mask wearing and it was becoming harder and harder to keep my skin healthy in my at-home routine.  This is no longer an issue thanks to Oasis Face Bar!  30 minutes is all you need for a professional facial and with a full menu of options all of your skin needs can be met. It is super easy to schedule online and the location is convenient to public transportation too!

For our Macaroni KID community they have extended a great 15% discount on services & retail by using the code SARA15 at checkout (until Dec 1, 2021).  Additionally they are offering:

  • Home skin care kit with the purchase of $100 gift certificate

Check out this all new, woman-owned, business in Lincoln Park this winter and do your face a favor!



TLC Family Hair Care provides mobile salon services for your entire family.  That's right, Teri will come to you, which for a nervous kid, being in a familiar surrounding can make or break a haircut experience.  She doesn't just do kids's haircuts, but she is amazing with adults as well, especially for those with curly hair!  Get your holiday hair ready for the season in the comfort of your own home.



For Health & Wellness

Are you, or someone you know, looking to make some changes for the better on the inside?  Whether you are starting your good health and wellness journey from the first step, or maybe you are just wanting to switch up your routine, then take a look at what these Chicago businesses have to offer:

Buddha Belly Kids Yoga - Live and On Demand Classes
Although we were first introduced to BBKY before COVID shut down the world as we knew it, it was only during 2020 that we realized JUST how beneficial their classes were for all of us. From socially distant outdoor classes to virtual sessions, Buddha Belly Kids Yoga gave us some important tools for certainly the most bizarre time in our lives.
  • Routine - I can't lie.  Having a class helped me know what day of the week it was because sometimes it was hard to tell.
  • Connection - not just to our instructor, but to other families.  Even when we were doing virtual classes we were able to interact with one another.
  • Tools for Well-being - for our minds and bodies.  Regular classes gave us the ability to work our bodies and minds, and leave us with the tools to help connect to that feeling of calm when needed.
This year Buddha Belly Kids Yoga has added On Demand classes to their offerings and that has been perfect for our family.  Now that our days are returning to a familiar sense of "normal" with in-person school and work, we didn't want to lose our connection to the BBKY community or the benefits we have gained from regular yoga.  Now we can do a yoga session when it's convenient for us.  It's been a saving grace when needing to wind down after a busy, or exciting, day.  The best part is that it is only $15/month (or $95 for the year!) and you can try it for One (1) week free.  It's also something you can easily gift to a friend!  Check out https://www.buddhabellykidsyoga.com to learn more today.
Busy Bala Kids part yoga mat and part play mat, this new product is too great not to share! Inspire play, storytelling, and activity for the kid who is always on the go! Unroll this mat anywhere in your home for some playtime on the spot and then roll the mat back up and stash it away when you're done. Heading to the park or to grandma's house? Take your Busy Bala mat with you! How about kids yoga? This mat is perfect for your little one to get their OM on and then some playtime with friends after class.

Metta Baby This holiday season, give new or expectant parents a one of a kind experience with their child!  Metta Baby is Chicago's premier infant wellness studio that offers water stimulation, infant massage, baby yoga, parent/baby classes, music classes and more!  The team at Metta Baby is dedicated to promoting early developmental activities (2 weeks of age!) that support motor, sensory and cognitive skills and nurture secure attachment between parents and baby. Gift Cards are available online or at their Wicker Park location.
Skip & Scoot is the brainchild of Luci Grause, who has a Masters in Physical Ediucation and (as many would say) a Masters in Fun!  Her classes are designed with the whole child in mind and are suitable for babies to big kids. Check out her calendar of classes, or get your pod together and create your own private class!
Zen Yoga Garage is an urban fitness studio which offers a variety of classes in person (garage doors up and masks on), virtual and on-demand with experienced instructors.  Here you can find classes for the whole family in person, virtual or on demand!


For the Kids
Play Toys and Books is a wonderful shop with carefully curated playthings for kids of all ages!  With (3) three locations (Lincoln Park, Logan Square and Andersonville) all staffed by experts in play & fun, you are sure to find gifts for all interests.  Added bonus is the fact they have some of the cutest gift wrap in the city!


Kido is a Chicago boutique that offers unique clothing and diverse books and gifts for kids of all ages.  This South Loop store is a staple when you are looking for something you just can't find at a big box store and their devotion to community is just simply inspiring. 

Geppetto's Toy Box (Oak Park) isn't in Chicago, but I really enjoy this store.  It has an old "European" feel to it and it is stocked with quality toys, games and books.  Similar to our favorite Chicago stores, Geppetto's Toy Box also has great staff who are knowledgeable about the importance of play and nurturing children.

Clothing
Makoshey is a local, mom-owned. business that creates inspiring clothing for kids ages 2-14 (and a few things for adults now too!)  Originally created with daughters and girls in mind, their clothing is non-stereotypical and perfect for anyone to wear.  We especially love the power word line of shirts and if you use code FIRST15 at the checkout, you can get 15% off of your first order.  Repeat customer?  No problem! You can use code CHICAGOSARA and save too!  
Tori Grace Outfitters is THE PLACE to shop for Chicago-inspired (and Chicago stitched!) clothing and gifts!  You will find the cutest in Chicago gear for all ages and talk about LOCAL SHOPPING.  You will find Tori Grace Outfitters online and at stores and local events:
  • One of a Kind shopping event - December 2-5 at The Merchandise Mart 
  • Andersonville Galleria 5247 N Clark Street
  • Local Goods online www.localgoods.com 
  • Timeless Toys 4749 N Lincoln Ave
  • Wish Kids 900 N Michigan Ave
  • Painted Tree Marketplace 20771 N Rand Rd Kildeer, IL
  • Urban Pooch 4501 N Ravenswood Ave (YES - even your Chicago dog can be dressed to impress)

Also - 

  • The Rustic Fox Home 1790 Towne Center Drive North Aurora
  • Painted Tree Marketplace 20771 N Rand Rd Kildeer, IL


More Fun Finds
Sew On Central is not my grandma's sewing notions store!  In this Evanston shop you will find modern and classic fabrics for all kinds of projects and they also offer classes for all ages. For your loved one who sews, or has been wanting to learn, this would be an ideal spot for a gift - such as an upcoming workshop or one of their embroidery or 'sew@home' kits.  

TK Photography is our first and only call when we need photos!  A couple of years ago my husband said the only gift he wanted was an updated family photo.  No selfies or timers would do and so I reached out to TK Photography to schedule a session.  Normally a family who dreads family pictures (What will we wear? What if the kids meltdown? What if I meltdown?) this was such a fantastic experience we have now become a family who wants a new professional photo each year.  They make gifting the experience of professional photos easy with their gift certificates too!  In studio, at home or on location - TK Photography makes the experience as easy as possible.  They even offer an amazing "Year in the Life" Package which will capture your family in four (4) sessions within a 12 to 15 month period.  What a great gift for new parents or a grandparent?


Keep Checking back throughout the winter as new businesses are being added weekly!

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