With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s time to jumpstart the holiday gift-giving bonanza! At Chicago Food & City Tours, we love to focus on unique, hyper-local presents. Buying locally not only shows your family, friends, and colleagues how awesome the Windy City truly is, but it also gives them something deeply personal and memorable.
If you are looking to skip the generic department stores and find the ultimate Chicago Christmas gifts this year, we have you covered. Check out our recommendations for the perfect Chicago gifts.
Give the gift of a historic Old Town tradition. Instead of a generic box of chocolates, you can curate a custom gift package from The Fudge Pot, packed with Old-World confections made right in the shop's window. Mix and match their legendary, rich chocolate fudge, buttery English toffee, and gourmet almond bark. It’s an authentically sweet piece of Chicago heritage that fits perfectly under the tree.
Want to explore more of Old Town? Check out our guide to the best Old Town Chicago restaurants.
There is no better way to warm up your loved ones than with a luxury hot chocolate night. While pastry icon Mindy Segal closed her famous Logan Square restaurant, her beloved Mindy’s Bakery storefront in Bucktown still whips up her legendary, rich hot chocolate mix.
The Chicago Heritage Collection gift box from The Spice House is the perfect holiday choice for the home chef or the friend looking to sharpen their cooking skills. The Chicago Heritage Collection is a beautifully packaged gift box featuring hand-blended spices named after iconic local neighborhoods. Every single blend comes with directions on how to elevate home cooking.
Insider Tip: Pop into their beautiful Old Town merchant shop to build a custom box. Ask their knowledgeable staff for their personal favorite recipes to go with each blend, and you’ll walk away with an exceptional, personalized culinary gift.
For a luxury holiday gifting experience that is distinctively Chicago, look no further than an experiential chocolate box from Vosges. Founded right here in the city, Vosges turns chocolate into high art by blending fine cacao with unexpected global ingredients like indigenous spices, herbs, and flowers. Their stunningly wrapped holiday truffle collections (complete with a storytelling guide inside) make an unforgettable luxury statement.
Memories aren’t created by things, but by the people we love and the experiences we share. Instead of another physical item that will sit in a closet, give the gift of a delicious culinary adventure! A surprise Chicago gift card allows your recipient to choose their own perfect flavor experience.
Insider Tip: A gift card from Chicago Food & City Tours can be used to bite into the city's history on our Iconic Foods of Chicago Tour, dive into the trendy culinary grid on our Gateway to The West Loop Food Tour, or explore famous flavors on our Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Food Tour. It’s a present they will talk about for years to come!
Now you’re completely set with the perfect products for your seasonal shopping needs! If you want even more unique local inspiration, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to the best Chicago gifts to find options for everyone on your list.
Still looking to plan an epic office holiday outing or hosting friends and family coming into town this winter? We can help you celebrate the season in style. Book a corporate event or celebration to orchestrate the most delicious holiday party ever. Contact us today to customize your seasonal event!
