Online shopping is easy, but sometimes you crave a more curated experience. That’s why I love giving Midwestern gift boxes.
Sending popular pre-made gift boxes (or packing your own creation with clever little extras and unexpected indulgences) is a fun way to support Midwestern businesses and give a unique gift – even if it’s just to yourself. Marketed as care packages, mini-retreats, portable parties or vacations in a box, these gift boxes burst with thoughtfully selected art from Midwest makers, artisanal foods and local goods you can’t get anywhere else.
As an added bonus, they’re already attractively packaged and ready for giving, so you can send them straight to their destination. In a year where most of us won’t be celebrating in person and online shopping is projected to be at an all-time high, Midwestern gift boxes support local companies and get your gift to its destination with style.
A gift box from Grateful Cratefulls in West Fargo
Grateful Cratefulls
Upgrade to a tote (leather or canvas) or a fragrant cedar crate from Grateful Cratefulls in West Fargo, North Dakota. Then fill it with crowd-pleasing selections like luxuriously soft blankets, soothing eye pillows, body scrubs and lotions, home décor and salty and sweet snacks sourced from regional producers.
For a truly Midwestern gift box, add items from the North Dakota KiND™ line. The super soft sweatshirts, joggers, onesies and hats feature North Dakota imagery and the proceeds from purchases help fund mini grants for kindness projects led by kids in the region.
The Quince & Apple Company
The Midwestern gift box of choice for foodies is from The Quince And Apple Company in Madison. They’re packed with artful little extras for taking a meal, a charcuterie tray or your cocktail game to the next level.
Cocktail boxes contain simple syrup, tonic, shakers, straws and artful extras for Instagram worthy drinks. Other small batch artisanal offerings from Wisconsin include spiced nuts, salami, pâte de fruits and delicate quince, apple and honey ginger preserves.
Minny and Paul
The art, personal products and home goods at Minny and Paul share a muted color scheme and a certain rustic elegance. The Minneapolis shop also curates corporate gifts and this commitment to quality shines through in every selection.
This is a truly Midwestern gift box. It sources all of its gifts (which include buttery Annie B’s caramels, impeccable Turkish towels and a cocktail set featuring leather coasters, orange bitters and smooth wooden whiskey glasses) from Minnesota makers.
The Mitten Crate
All of the Mitten Crate treats (from pretzels and chocolate bars to the gourmet popcorn and gummy candy movie night snack pack) are Michigan-made. So are the retro camping mugs, cookbooks, vintage-inspired pom-pom stocking caps and personal products like natural soaps, beard oil and long-burning candles.
Themed boxes are available, so you can zero in on distinctly Midwestern gift boxes like the Great Lakes or Michigan college football or keep things non-specific with boxes for relaxation, grilling out or simply snacking. Subscriptions are available if you want to keep the fun going throughout the year.
A gift box from The Confetti Post
The Confetti Post
The Confetti Post takes its name seriously — you’ll find little packets of colorful, hand-cut confetti in its sunny gift boxes. The Fort Wayne, Indiana company elevates cheerfulness to an art form.
Send a pre-made gift box to celebrate birthdays, babies, promotions or anniversaries. Or make your own creation, combining bath salts, tea, candles, woven fair trade bracelets, silly socks and even an “emergency” clown nose for maximum goofiness. The boxes are available in three sizes to suit a variety of budgets.
No matter which Midwestern gift box you choose, make sure you order early. All major shipping companies and the postal service are projecting higher than average volume this holiday season, so don’t wait!
Need more gift ideas? Check out some of my favorite gifts for travelers and some travel books and cookbooks I love.
What about you? How are you shopping differently this holiday season? Which Midwest gift box do you want to give? (Or get!) What’s your go-to holiday gift in a pinch? What do you want in your stocking this year?
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