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 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 Candles - Stars Are Fire
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

Mesa Stepped Bowl
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 Mesa Stepped Bowl by Charcoal Ceramics. This serving or decorative bowl is slip cast from hand poured porcelain and would make the perfect table centerpiece. Fill with your favorite fruit or other decor for a colorful, geometric accent.

South Loop Loft
685 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642

Canard Duchene Chamapagne, Léonie Brut
Lush Wine and Spirits

Inspired by visits to small winemakers, Lush Wine and Spirits was founded to fill a niche in the Chicago market as a place neighbors could connect and converse with friendly experts.

Our pick for gifting is their stock of Léonie Brut champagne by Canard Duchene. Aged for a minimum of three years and using a combination of exceptional grapes, this Cuvée has fresh flavors of pineapple confit alongside other slightly spicy, toasted flavors. This champagne is dedicated to the founder of the house.

Lush Wine and Spirits
2232 W Roscoe 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

Bucktown Coffee Roast
La Colombe Coffee Roasters

Though La Colombe started their first roastery in Philadelphia, Chicago quickly became their second home when they opened a cafe and roastery in Bucktown. In celebration of this vibrant, diverse neighborhood, La Colombe created the Bucktown Blend. A full-bodied offering with notes of silky caramel and baking spice, Bucktown evokes a calm center within the buzzing metropolitan tumult. This gift is sure to please the coffee aficionado and the Chicago historian alike.

La Colombe Coffee Roasters
1552 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Mindful Meditation Grow Kit
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 curated collection of garden-inspired meditation essentials will empower your neighbors to reach inner peace. The Lavender Bamboo Grow Kit comes equipped with a complete passive hydroponic system, The Mindfulness Timer provides five digital-free minutes for your mindfulness modality of choice, and The Centering Essential Oil Roller blend features a soft, soothing scent with notes of lavender and cardamom.

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

Interlocking Candle Holder
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 the elegant and unique Interlocking Candle Holder to brighten your neighbor’s home. Unlike any other candle holder, this is the perfect addition to a dining table or living room, and adds a touch of cool illusion to any decor style.

Mary Mary Gifts
706 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60654

Toffee Gift Box
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 an assorted batch of their classic toffee flavors, including classic chocolate nut toffee recipes, nut-free varieties with hints of lavender and vanilla, and pretzel and sea salt varieties.

Terry’s Toffee
1009 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Black Zig Zag Plateau
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 an authentic Indego Africa sweetgrass basket. Each basket is handwoven with heart by artisans in Rwanda to create tightly coiled, durable storage or display in an impressive range of patterns and colors. Each is unique, handmade, a lovely addition to a brand new home.

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!