Illinois Office of Tourism Releases Annual Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Online Shopping This Year

2020 Illinois Made Gift Guide features unique businesses from across the state offering online shopping and ordering options for consumers amid current COVID-19 restrictions

CHICAGO - The Illinois Office of Tourism today released its annual Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide featuring one-of-a-kind products by small businesses around the state. All products featured in this year’s gift guide are available for online purchase, with some accommodating curbside pickup, as part of a broader effort by the State of Illinois to encourage safe holiday shopping and support of small, local businesses as public health mitigations remain in effect. Just in time for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28, the Guide seeks to give shoppers new and original ideas for the 2020 holiday shopping season.

“All across the state, thousands of small businesses play an essential role in our communities as well as the economy. As the pandemic looms large this year, we are encouraging residents to consider supporting small and local in their holiday shopping plans,” said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DCEO) Director Erin Guthrie. “The businesses featured in this year’s Holiday Gift Guide are among the many Illinois businesses who are stepping up in new ways to pivot their operations to new online formats, putting great products and services within reach for new and existing customers, while protecting staff and their communities during this unprecedented time.”

The 2020 Holiday Gift Guide features a wide range of businesses – including those producing everything from gourmet chocolates and handmade skin care products, to coffee and candles.

This year’s gift guide features products from 19 businesses included as part of the Illinois Made program– an initiative that recognizes the contributions of iconic local businesses representing communities across the state. The Guide will provide shoppers a chance to experience the state through its small businesses, offering unique products found only in Illinois.

“Small businesses play a significant role in driving tourism to our Illinois communities and boosting the state’s economy,” said Karla Flannery, Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism. “This year’s Illinois Made Gift Guide is a helpful resource to support local small businesses during this challenging time. We hope shoppers will use the Guide to discover authentic products made right in their Illinois backyard, providing another reason to shop and visit in person when it is safe to do so.”

 All businesses included in the Guide provide online shopping options, with some providing contact-free curbside pickup. With the latest public health guidance encouraging residents and visitors to stay home as much as possible, these offerings are critical for shoppers this holiday season.

2020 Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide

Asterisks indicate a new Illinois Made maker

Chicago & Surrounding Areas

●  Edgewater Candles in Chicago* - Seasonal candles including scents like Hot Cocoa and Crushed Peppermint ($14-24 each). Shop products online here.

●  Scratch Goods in Chicago* - Handmade, food-grade facial care with products including a face mask kit ($40) and face oils (between $10-$35). Shop products here.

●  Justice of the Pies in Chicago* - Support a unique woman-owned business by sending your loved ones mouthwatering pies right to their door. Popular flavors include Caramel Apple Crumble and Salted Caramel Peach Pie ($75 each). Order online here. 

●  MASHALLAH in Chicago* - Minimalistic jewelry designed and handcrafted by a woman-operated team in Chicago with unique pieces like the Cattleya Earring ($44) and the Zodiac Collection necklaces ($50 each). Shop online here.

●  Hearth & Hammer Generalin Batavia* - Literary-themed soy candles with scents like “The Scarlet Letter” ($18) and “First Edition” ($30), plus soaps, stationery and miscellaneous home goods. Shop all products here.

●  Fire Department Coffee in Rockford* - Coffee made by a dedicated team of local firefighters, first responders and veterans. Ten percent of net proceeds are donated to help provide essential resources and assistance to first responders who have been injured on the job, mentally or physically, or who are facing other serious health challenges. ($12-20). Shop available products here. 

●  Lambs Farm in Libertyville - Lambs Farm is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities lead productive, happy lives. Sweet treats are available for online purchase including cookies, toffees, chocolate-covered pretzels, jams and more (prices vary $15-45). Shop online here.

Central Illinois

●  Triple Dipple’s in Chillicothe* - Delicious and creamy personal-sized cheesecake with unexpected flavors including Sweet Tater Cheesecake and Turtle Cheesecake ($5 per personal cheesecake). Order online here - not available for delivery.

●  thirty-thirty Coffee Co. in Peoria - Bring the taste of the coffeehouse home with flavors like Goldilocks Espresso and New Guatemala Kwaykan ($16 per twelve ounce bag). Shop products here.

●  Pease’s Fine Candy in Springfield - Sweet and savory treats from a fifth generation chocolate shop with the Classic Pease’s Collection Gift Basketincluding cheese and caramel popcorn, truffles, dark butter toffee crunch and more ($75). Shop online here.

●  Prairie Fire Glass in Monticello - Mesmerizing glass blown pieces like holiday ornaments and one-of-a-kind bowls handcrafted in-studio (prices start at $50). Shop all pieces here.

Northwest + Western Illinois

●  Galena Canning Co. in Galena - With old-fashioned jams, salsas, award-winning sauces and more - a special delivery from Galena Canning Co., located along Historic Main Street, is a flavorful way to kick off the holiday season. Shop available products here. 

●  Eshelman Pottery in Elizabeth - Eshelman Pottery features contemporary, functional red stoneware utilizing glazed and unglazed surfaces for a visual and tactile contrast - perfect for all lovers of mid-century modern design. Cups and bowl sets range from $45-100. Shop products here.

●  Lagomarcino’s in Moline - Homemade fudge, caramel and truffle assortments from family-owned old-fashioned soda shop, Lagomarcino’s. Tasty seasonal items for the holidays also include Peppermint Bark ($26) and two jars of the confectionary’s famous hot fudge ($20). Order online here.

Southern Illinois & Shawnee Forest Country

●  Pomona Winery in Pomona* - Specializing in wines made from locally grown fruits other than grapes, Pomona Winery is an out-of-the-box gift for wine connoisseurs to sip on this season. Popular flavors for online purchase and delivery include “Once in a Blue Moon” blueberry dessert wine and Jonathan - a semi-dry crisp wine made with Jonathan apples (approximately $15 per bottle). Shop all wine here.

●  C’s Bees Honey & More in Anna* - Honey products made with locally sourced Southern Illinois honey. Popular items include salted honey caramels ($10), honey jam($6), honey soap($9), lotion bars ($6) and handmade beeswax candles ($13). Shop online here.

●  The Chocolate Factory in Golconda* - Offering a wide variety of chocolates and sugar free items like sugar free almond bark, raisin clusters and terrapins ($20 each). Shop all products here.

●  Warm N’ Cozy Quilting in Columbia - Find a cozy, new hobby while spending more time at home this season by making a quilt of your own with holiday-themed fabric (approximately $12 per yard). Shop online here.

●  Grafton Winery & Brewhaus in Grafton - Specializing in wine for all seasons, order decadent dry reds and semi-sweetwine made near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers to enjoy at home this winter ($15-30 per bottle). Shop all wines here.

Launched in 2016, the Illinois Made program promotes authentic travel experiences throughout the state and encourages visitors to discover hidden gems off-the-beaten path.

To download images and b-roll of Illinois Made makers featured in the Illinois Office of Tourism’s 2020 Holiday Gift Guide click here.

To learn more about the Illinois Made program and how to support small businesses around Illinois this year, visit EnjoyIllinois.com.

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About the Illinois Office of Tourism:

In 2019, the Illinois Office of Tourism welcomed a record 120 million visitors from around the world, resulting in nearly $43.1 billion in visitor spending and powering over 344,100 jobs statewide.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism manages industry efforts that result in sustainable and significant economic and quality-of-life benefits for Illinois residents.