Verified: What Gift Makers Give
Just because your company manufactures blankets or jewelry or gourmet foods doesn’t mean you pass on holiday shopping. The owners of some popular local brands share their go-to Minnesota-made gift ideas.
Boreal Spruce Gin | Vikre Distillery
Made in Duluth and infused with piney herbs like lavender, rosemary, and sage. “This, paired with some nice tonic and lime, is a great crowd pleaser.” $34, vikredistillery.com —John Waller, co-founder/CEO, Humble Nut Butter, humblenutbutter.com
Bucket List Adventure Journal | Woodchuck
“More than ever, the pandemic has made us all appreciate the fullness of life, memorable experiences, and family and friendships. ‘Adventure,’ as it says on the cover of this book by local woodcut artisans, is something to look forward to these days.” $30.99, woodchuckusa.com —Paul Grangaard, chairman/CEO, Faribault Woolen Mill Co., faribaultmill.com
Morning Mint Soap | Siena Soap Co.
“The ground-up peppermint and spearmint leaves provide gentle exfoliation. Made by a mother-daughter small business that gives back a portion of profits to help survivors of sex trafficking.” $7.50, sienasoap.com —Heidi Mueller, owner, Excelsior Candle Co., excelsiorcandleco.com
Milk Crate | WAAM Industries
“It’s a great gift for the cool friend who collects records or a design-conscious mama who wants kid storage bins that are more than basic. Made in Princeton, Minnesota, by a husband-and-wife team.” From $60, waamindustries.com —Larissa Loden, founder/owner, Larissa Loden jewelry, larissaloden.com
Candles | Koselig Candle Co.
“The Norwegian word koselig translates to ‘cozy,’ and the product lives up to the name. The candles are hand-poured here in Minnesota and smell incredible. The perfect gift as we hunker down for winter.” $20, koseligcandleco.com —Spencer Barrett, co-founder, Great Lakes, greatlakescollection.com
Sweatshirt | GoBros. 
“This sweatshirt was designed by two of my
best friends—so that’s partly why I love it.
Also, It’s so true and funny. Who doesn’t need
this sweatshirt this year?” Plus, 50 percent of the
net profits of this item will benefit Urban Ventures,
a Minneapolis-based non-profit focused on
preparing and sending under-served youth to
college or postsecondary school. $27,
gobros.com —Robyn Frank, founder, Thumbs Cookies
Gift Paper | Gifty Wrap
“We met a gal named Mahogany at the
Minnesota Christmas Market at Union Depot.
She works with local artists to make this most
beautiful gift wrap around. We are so excited to
buy more of her great product!” $6 per sheet; courier
and wrapping services available, giftywrap.com—Nikki
Hollerich and Anna Hagen, co-founders, Hagen and Oats
Wild Bird Feeders | Jules Loft 
“Jules makes beautiful works of art, by hand,
in small batches, using ‘nature’s cache.’ They
are beautiful to look at hanging outside your
window and birds love them! It’s a perfect gift
that gives to both humans and our little
winged friends.” $28, julesloft.com —Angela Gustafson,
founder and owner, Gustola Granola
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Sweatshirt | ThisFem
“For the strong women in my life who also
appreciate stylish athleisure, I am buying
them any crew neck sweatshirt from ThisFem,
a woman-owned brand that gives back to a greater
cause (local organizations that support equality).
ThisFem shares a message we can all get on
board with: Feminist is not a bad F word.”
$59, thisfem.com —Jordyn Diorio, Mend Jewelry
