Welcome to our inaugural 40th Ward Gift Guide! See below for all of our recommendations for where to shop local this holiday season.
Where to Shop Local
Below our some of our favorite places to shop in the 40th Ward:
Food & Drinks
- For coffee connoisseurs: grab a bag of coffee, a gift card, or some coffee-themed merch from Side Practice Coffee!
- For gourmet foodies: put together a gift basket from Ándale Market, or get some fancy olive oil at City Olive, or put together a gift bag of Middle-Eastern treats at Middle East Bakery and Grocery!
- For sweet tooths: get a selection of cookies from Hilary’s Cookies, a tin of holiday cookies and Scandinavian treats from Lost Larson, a first-rate pie at First Slice Pie, a gift card for Jeni’s Ice Cream, a selection of pastries from Hearts & Flour Bakery, or a box of chocolates from Dorothy’s Sweet Shoppe!
Arts & Crafts
- For the art collectors: buy a piece of original artwork at Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, or check out Friedman Place’s biannual Weaving Sale, on December 14th-15th to buy an incredible woven piece from Friedman Place residents!
- For knitters and crocheters: check out the 40th Ward’s newest small business, Dropped Stitch, to get supplies for your favorite yarnworker.
- Bookworms: find an old favorite at Uncharted Books, or grab the latest comic book in their favorite series.
- Theater Lovers: get tickets to the Neo-Futurists Best of Infinite Wrench 2024, or take your favorite person to see It’s a Wonderful Life (or any of the other wonderful shows) at American Blues Theater!
Home Goods
- For homebodies and decorators: find a unique piece of home decor at Rare Form
- For crystal collectors: check out the selection of crystals, candles, and more at Chakra Shoppe
- For clean and green: put together a grab bag of your favorite eco-friendly home products at Eco-Flamingo
- For antique lovers: hunt for a treasure at Andersonville Antiques
Clothing
- For vintage hounds: find a unique piece at Buffalo Exchange or Brown Elephant
- For the T-shirt and jeans wearer: grab a custom T-shirt at Strange Cargo or a great pair of jeans at Dearborn Denim
- For the proud Chicagoan (or the visiting family members: get some Chicago gear at Transit Tees or tori grace outfitters
- For the ethical fashionista: pick from small-batch, fair-trade jewelry, dresses, and tops at Mata Trader
Activity
- For gym rats: buy a class pack from Cheetah Gym or a training session at Hardware Strength & Conditioning
- For parents of active children: check out the classes at Fit City Kids
- For yogis: buy a class pack from Pistachio Yoga
- For aspiring dancers: buy a gift card for a class or some dance gear at Gus Giardano Dance
Holiday Events
There are also a bunch of holiday events and promotions around the ward! Check some of them out below:
Holiday Market at Gateway to Learning
December 7, 10am-2pm
On December 7th, Gateway to Learning will be hosting their annual Holiday Market at 4925 N Lincoln Avenue. You can indulge in Dorothy’s Sweet Shoppe holiday treats and holiday decor, enjoy a performance from the St. Ben’s Children’s Choir, and get a picture with Santa! They will also be hosting outside vendors selling their goods like ice-dyed t-shirts, jewelry, and holiday cards.
Chicago Printmakers Collaborative Small Print Show
December 6, 12am-5pm
December 7, 11am-7pm
December 8, 11am-7pm
On December 7th and 8th from 11am – 7pm, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative (4912 N. Western Avenue) is hosting their 35th Annual International Small Print Show, featuring the finest new work of CPC members, gallery artists, and faculty! Enjoy delicious spiced cider and snacks while you peruse the gorgeous array of prints that have flown onto the gallery walls. Get your own handmade print at a bite sized scale and affordable rate. Preview the show on Friday, December 6th from 12pm – 5pm, or skip the crowds and check out their extended gallery hours from December 10th – 22nd between 12pm – 5pm daily. Or check out the beautiful prints from the comfort of your home at CPC’s online shop!
Friedman Place Biannual Weaving Sale
December 13, 1-4pm
December 14, 10am-2pm
On December 13 from 1-4pm, and December 14th from 10am-2pm, check out the Biannual Weaving Sale at Friedman Place (5527 North Maplewood Avenue)! Find incredible woven works created by residents of Friedman Place as a part of the David C. & Sarajean Ruttenberg Arts Foundation Therapeutic Arts Program. Friedman Place is a nonprofit organization that provides housing and supportive services to adults who are blind.
Holiday Market at Fit City Kids
December 13, 5am-8pm
This year’s holiday market at Fit City Kids (2540 W Lawrence Avenue) will feature some of your favorite local vendors, decorating ornaments and hosting Open Play! Stop by on Friday, December 13 from 5-8pm to pick up some gifts this holiday season.
Weihnachtsmarkt
December 14, 11am-5pm
On Saturday, December 14 from 11am – 5pm, celebrate Weihnachtsmarkt at DANK Haus (4740 N. Western Avenue)! Check out their indoor holiday market with German-inspired Christmas shopping, Gluhwein, food, music and more.
Late Night Andersonville | December 6 and 20
Support local small businesses this holiday season
We’re proud to have all of these amazing small businesses in the 40th Ward, and we encourage you to check them out this weekend! The holiday season is one of the most important times for small businesses, so remember to support your local small businesses and shop local.