Traverse City Wishlist: 8 Up North Gifts for Every Michigander

By Kyle Kaminski

November 29, 2022

MICHIGAN—Finding the perfect gift for your favorite Michigander can be tough—we get it. So we’re here to help, with a series of gift guides designed to delight everyone on your list. These aren’t just any big box store suggestions. They’re all unique products made right here in Michigan…specifically, this guide is all about products made or sold in Traverse City. Click here to find gift guides for makers and sellers in cities across the Mitten, like Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Flint, Saginaw, Lansing and Detroit. And by supporting the locally owned businesses that sell them, they’re all gifts that’ll keep on giving.

Embroidered Leaf Gloves ($46 from Crystal Lake Alpaca Boutique)

These beautiful hand-embroidered gloves are made from alpaca wool! That means they’re not only warm, but super soft, stylish and would make for a great gift for anyone in the family. These locally made gifts—and the matching hats—tend to sell out quickly, so get your order in soon.

The Big Classic Gift Box ($90 from Cherry Republic)

It’s the taste of Traverse City in a basket. Cherry Republic’s gift packages include sweet and savory favorites like nut mixes, salsa, summer sausage, and, of course, chocolate covered cherries. Pro tip: Hand out this gift as soon as you arrive at the party, and you can enjoy it too.

Winter Lift Tickets ($57-189 from Crystal Mountain Resort)

Give the gift of an experience: a full day at the slopes at one of Michigan’s most iconic winter sports destinations. Quantities are limited, especially during peak weekends and holidays.

Handmade Soap – ($19.95 from Traverse Bay Soap Co.)

These gorgeous, handmade soaps have great reviews. One of the top-rated soap blends includes three different types of salts to help deep clean your pores, carefully nurture your skin, and leave you feeling totally fresh and ready to take on a new year.

Cherry Chocolate Lovers Gift Box ($22.95 from Benjamin Twiggs)

Shopping for someone with a sweet tooth this year? Well, cherries and chocolate happen to be match made in heaven. And we can all agree that the best cherries come from Traverse City.

This snack box gives you a variety of options—including a mixture of milk and dark chocolate.

Michigan Apple Whiskey ($32.99 from Traverse City Whiskey Co.)

This Michigan-made whiskey combines two things that Michiganders love: whiskey and apples hand-picked in Traverse City. Mix up a tasty new cocktail or drink it straight. It’s great either way.

Holiday Troglodyte Wine Trio ($80 from Mari Vineyards)

This wine-lovers package has something for everyone—featuring a white, a red and a rosé wine. Each blend has gotten rave reviews from some of the state’s top wine enthusiasts, and of course, all of the grapes were grown in the fertile soils of the Old Mission Peninsula.

Clothing and Toys (from Sweet Pea Boutique)

Sweet Pea Boutique in downtown Traverse City deserves a special shopping list of its own for the sheer quantity of children’s clothing and toys on the shelves inside. But since we don’t have time to run through the exhaustive inventory here, you’ll just have to check it out for yourself. (Link above the pic!)

Authors

Kyle Kaminski

Kyle Kaminski is an award-winning investigative journalist with more than a decade of experience covering news across Michigan. Prior to joining The ‘Gander, Kyle worked as the managing editor at City Pulse in Lansing and as a reporter for the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

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Nokomis Clarey-Schultz

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