Gift Ideas: Your Guide to Shopping Locally

Lather Up

Abbey Brown soap sets are $11.25 at Comfort Me, 701 W. Armitage Ave. These soaps, which are made locally, share a Chicago theme. Buyers can choose from options including a Brown Line soap set, which includes all the stops on that L route; "In the Loop" soaps; and even a food motif—featuring deep dish pizza, of course. 

Cuff It

Handmade cuffs, $75, can be found at , 2549 N. Clark St. These beautiful leather cuffs are handcrafted using a familiar accessory—costume broaches. Customers can choose from a variety of designs, some more ornate than others, in this twist on an old-fashioned favorite.

READ: Strut Clothing Boutique Reopens on Clark

Satisfy Your Sweet 'n Salty Tooth

Pamper your loved one with Donkers chocolates—dark chocolate with Oreo filling and a sea salt topping and caramel. The candies are 50 cents each or $16.75 by the box at Fortunate Discoveries, 1022 W. Armitage Ave.

It's a Wrap

Wrap your gifts in a gift this holiday season with Eco wrap, a fabric wrapping paper. The paper comes with a journal inside so that when "re-gifted," it creates a written game of telephone. Gift envelopes, large bags and rolls are all available at Fortunate Discoveries and range in price from $9.89 to $35.

Jaded

At $40, pick up an authentic jade stone neckl ace from Eclectic Chique, 807 W. Dickens. The chunky-style necklace has gold-colored accents, complemented well by its shiny stones. It can be purchased in the store or online.

Curb an Appetite

Need a gift for the foodie in your life? How about a gift certificate to one of Lincoln Park's newer restaurants, Balena at 1633 N. Halsted St.? It debuted in the spring 2012. The Italian menu features a long list of appetizers, as well as handmade pastas like tajarin topped with pork ragu and tagliolini nero. Traditional Italian pizzas include a mortadella, pistachio and onion combination as well as a spicy sausage option. Currently, if you buy $100 in gift cards to the restaurant, you'll receive a complimentary $25 gift card to use on your next visit.

READ: Balena Owner 'Shoots for the Stars'

Make an Im-PACT

Giving a box of PACT socks is a great way to make those on your holiday lists feel all warm and cozy in preparation for the brisk Chicago winter. Buy a sock box at the Blues Jean Bar, 2210 North Halsted St., for between $24.99 and $29.99. The store carries varieties of the gift for both men and women. The socks are eco-friendly and profits benefit a community development fund.