Being Neighborly | Housewarming Gifts Unique to Illinois
In the beginning, housewarming gifts represented not only a gesture of goodwill but one of great care: firewood and other kindling, given to a new neighbor, served to warm the home during the harsh winter and symbolized a special kinship that comes with weathering rough periods of time together. Housewarming gifts throughout the rest of history have followed that same sentiment: bread so that a neighbor would not go hungry, wine so that they may prosper, a broom so the house may remain healthy, candles so that light would always inhabit the home.
Today, we look for gifts that share this spirit of kinship, uniquely sourced from Chicago and the greater Illinois area. Whether the gift is a symbol of prosperity in the form of a bottle of wine, a symbol of peace in the form of candles and scents, or a symbol of delight in the form of toffee, the following Illinois gift guide will guarantee that your friend or neighbor is properly welcomed into their new home.
Be sure to check out the shops listed below, online or in person, for even more unique and beautiful gifts.
Our Housewarming Gift Guide
Handmade Geranium Collage
Jayson Home
Jayson Home has grown from their landmark Chicago shop to include an online store, thrilling interior designers and home decor devotees across the country and around the world.
Our pick is the Handmade Geranium Collage allowing artwork to mark a milestone in the new homeowners lives. These pieces pair modern minimalism with organic designs. Each artwork is made from hand-cut black paper shapes, carefully and thoughtfully placed and pasted down on a white archival board to create a completely unique composition. Finished under glass in simple black frames, which perfectly complement their monochromatic palette. Great as a single mixed into an existing gallery wall, the Handmade Geranium Collages displayed in multiples also creates an instant installation. The one-of-a-kind works were all crafted by hand in San Francisco by collage artist Denise Fiedler.
Jayson Home
1885 N Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
Tatine’s Stars Are Fire Candles
Eskell
Orange honey-scented pipe tobacco drifts into rich, gourmand notes of roasted nuts, caramel, and burnt woods. Warm, sweet, and smoky with a comforting accord of vanilla. This gift is a double whammy of locality, as these candles are produced locally, Tatine manufactures their luxurious collection right here in Chicago, and Eskell is a renowned home and lifestyle shop in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood.
Eskell
2029 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
Fattoria Nittardi Casanuova di Nittardi Chianti Classico
The House of Glunz
For over 130 years the Glunz family has been involved in the wines and spirits trade - from importing and blending to bottling, cellaring, and distributing. All from the same location in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.
Our pick for gifting is the Casanuova di Nittardi Chianti Classico, a pure Sangiovese from the single vineyard “Vigna Doghessa” in the municipality of Castellina in Chianti. The vineyard has a soil full of schist stones, which engenders the wine with a fine minerality and pleasant freshness. Vibrant ruby red, intensely redolent of cherries, violet and hints of aromatic herbs and spices, with well-rounded tannins and a long-lasting finish on the palate makes this bottle excellently suited to all variations of pasta and meat dishes.
The House of Glunz
1206 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610
‘Woman 7’ Ceramic Vase
South Loop Loft
A staple in the Chicago design scene, South Loop Loft is a local gem whose excellent assortment of furnishings and pronounced style is beloved across the country.
Our housewarming pick is the Hand Made Ceramic Vessel by Rrres, Mexico. Inspired by the female form, this watertight vessel exudes old world charm and is perfect for displaying fresh flowers. Hand made by artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico.
South Loop Loft
685 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
AMA Brewery "Bi" Sparkling Pét-Nat Tea
Perman Wine Selections
Perman Wines, a chicago staple for 20 years, prides itself in selling only the wines that it believes in and prioritizing the customer’s taste above all else.
Our pick for gifting, AMA Bi, is made with organic lemongrass from the Amba Estate, a nature reserve and organic tea farm in the Uva Highlands of Sri Lanka. Harvesters at Amba Estate hand-cut lemongrass with a machete, harvesting only the soft, flavorful leaves rather than the woody stalk. The lemongrass is sun-dried to highlight the essential oils, allowing for a bright, complex flavor profile.
Perman Wine Selections
1167 N Howe St
Chicago, IL 60618
Sekki Coffee Pot
Sprout Home
Forged from a desire to combine a love of nature with a love of artful design, Sprout Home opened its doors in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago as well as sister stores that offer a curated selection of home goods.
Our pick from their home collection is the Sekki Coffee Pot by Ferm Living. This pot features a minimalist shape, comfortable handle, and lightly speckled glaze. Fill with your favorite brew and enjoy.
Sprout Home
744 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
The Originals Pack
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
Though La Colombe started their first roastery in Philadelphia, Chicago quickly became their second home and has stayed that way for over 25 years. The Originals Pack celebrates the first two roasts ever produced by La Colombe: Corsica, named for an ancient island in the Mediterranean and saturated with deep, dark chocolate tones and a bold coffee flavor, and Nizza, a medium roast blend named for the city of Nice, France that hits home with honey-sweet, roasted nuttiness.
Cocktail Infusion Gift Set
MCA Chicago Store
Just as the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is dedicated to championing independent art, their shop is dedicated to showcasing home and decor goods from a diverse cast of local Chicago artists and beyond.
Our housewarming pick comes from Modern Sprout, a local Chicago design team who create thoughtful and inventive ways to connect with plants. This collection of botanical infusion bar essentials will have you toasting to the big and small moments in life, featuring a rosemary terracotta grow kit, infusion flask, wooden citrus reamer, and stainless steel jigger.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Chicago Store
220 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, lL 60611
Garrett Mix
Garrett Popcorn
The first Garrett Popcorn shop opened in downtown Chicago in 1949, the tempting aroma of cooking caramel wafting onto the city’s street, and they’ve been bringing Chicago’s original, gourmet popcorn mix to fans around the world ever since. Each batch is cooked fresh and free of preservatives using the same secret family recipes handed through the generations. Give your neighbor the delicious gift of this classic, Chicago-made popcorn.
Garrett Popcorn Shop
600 E Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
Cheese Serving Set
Mary Mary Gifts
Tucked away inside a 132 year old brownstone building, Mary Mary is located in the heart of River North and offers Chicago residents a truly unique gift and home furnishing boutique.
Our pick for gifting is this fun and functional cheese serving set to add delicious opportunity to any new home. Featuring a ceramic base with wooden center, this unique gift set also includes two mini cheese knives and four skewering sticks for serving.
Mary Mary Gifts
706 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Lincoln Park Toffee Mix
Terry’s Toffee
This family-owned artisanal shop in Chicago specializes in inventive toffee flavors, as well as pairings with biscotti, ice cream and popcorn. Using recipes passed down through the generations, Terry’s Toffee is committed to making every batch by hand, with all-natural ingredients and no additives.
Gift your neighbor a bespoke mix inspired by the treasured home of Terry’s Toffee, Lincoln Park. Includes an assortment batch of their classic toffee flavors, including classic chocolate nut toffee recipes, pretzel and sea salt varieties, and a creamy dark chocolate espresso.
Terry’s Toffee
1009 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
Personal Fireplace in Raw Aluminum
Gemini
This Wicker Park shop offers a collection of thoughtfully curated clothing and accessories that all share an underlying emphasis on quality, style, functionality, and sustainability. Working with amazing designers from around the world, Gemini offers unique pieces that are sure to be treasured in the home for years to come.
Our pick for gifting is this unique personal fireplace by Flikr that offers coveted outdoor ambience on a starry night, warmth where needed during Chicago winters, and the possibility to make s’mores anywhere. This fireplace burns clean and is even versatile enough to cook over.
Gemini
1911 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
Attending a friend’s housewarming party soon and need a few etiquette tips to help along the way? We’ve also written the perfect guide to hosting and attending the perfect housewarming party. Check it out below!
This article was originally published in 2021, and has been updated to reflect new shops and items.