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Traverse City Wishlist: 8 Up North Gifts for Every Michigander

Finding the perfect gift to stick under the Christmas tree can be a challenge.We get it.


MICHIGANโ€”Finding the perfect gift for your favorite Michigander can be toughโ€”we get it. So we’re here to help, with a series of gift guides designed to delight everyone on your list. These arenโ€™t just any big box store suggestions. Theyโ€™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, theyโ€™re all gifts thatโ€™ll keep on giving.

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

(Courtesy/Crystal Lake Alpaca Boutique)

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

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

(Courtesy/Cherry Republic)

Itโ€™s the taste of Traverse City in a basket. Cherry Republicโ€™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) 

(Courtesy/Crystal Mountain Resort)

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

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

(Courtesy/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)

(Courtesy/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 optionsโ€”including a mixture of milk and dark chocolate.

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

(Courtesy/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. Itโ€™s great either way.

Holiday Troglodyte Wine Trio ($80 from Mari Vineyards)

(Courtesy/Mari Vineyards)

This wine-lovers package has something for everyoneโ€”featuring a white, a red and a rosรฉ wine. Each blend has gotten rave reviews from some of the stateโ€™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)

(Courtesy/Sweet Pea Boutique)

Sweet Pea Boutique in downtown Traverse City deserves a special shopping list of its own for the sheer quantity of childrenโ€™s clothing and toys on the shelves inside. But since we donโ€™t have time to run through the exhaustive inventory here, youโ€™ll just have to check it out for yourself. (Link above the pic!)

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Kyle Kaminski
Kyle Kaminski Chief Political Correspondent
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