A handsome piece, French corkscrew, 2Careful Peach Boutique
A handsome piece, French corkscrew, 2Careful Peach BoutiqueTypewriter key pen, 7Careful Peach BoutiqueEco-friendly new-growth beech wood LED flashlight, 0At Work DesignWool and cashmere scarf, 5 Careful Peach BoutiqueSimple, yet sophisticated, beech wood bottle opener, 2At Work DesignHandmade from fabricbacked cork, phone sleeve, 6.99At Work DesignNot your ordinary gift, antique sundial, 2Jeanine Guncheon StudiosHandmade beer soap, .50American Artworks GalleryIron wine rack, 1Camille et FamilleFrank Lloyd Wright inspired socks, 8 per pairFiloniOoh, la, la, French massage stone, 6FiloniSwedish tea towel, 6-3.50Coveny LaneIf you like pina coladas, handmade soaps, .50 eachAmerican Artworks GalleryFrench olive oil soap set, FiloniBelle of the ball headband with feather, 8Careful Peach BoutiqueLuxurious linen pillow with rose, 8BrambleStunnning silver cuff with stones, 8Sanem’sBeautiful Bee Glow with Indian paintbrush, 8BrambleOf mice and frogs, “Fieldtrip” mini tray, 8BrambleLovely leather handbag from Spain, 54MuseHand tooled leather compact bag, 4.90Coveny LaneButterfly serving tray, 0Todd & Holland Tea MerchantsChe watch, 4.95The Book TableFaux leather billfolds, 0 eachChameleonRubik’s Cube desk clock, 6.99The Book TableHouse Coff ee recycled bracelet, 8Careful Peach BoutiqueHand screened “Do What You Love” t-shirt, 8American Artworks GalleryTrue Love belt buckle, 6ChameleonVampire Weekend album, .99Oak Park RecordsOld school headphones, 4ChameleonReusable resin sparkle spoons, eachTodd & Holland Tea MerchantsFaux leather clutch with buckle detail, 5Takara’sClutch with chain detail, 9ChameleonThe perfect accent, stretch leather waist belt 4MuseHammered silver ring from Turkey, 8Sanem’s“The Complete Architecture of Adler & Sullivan” by Richard Nickel and Aaron Siskind, 5.99The Book TableSwarovski crystals yield a stunning hair clip, 8FiloniFrench hammered ring made of melted down vintage flatware, 30Careful Peach BoutiqueSlate gray and charcoal scarf with gold pin, 9ChameleonWarm, wool fi ngerless gloves, 8Takara’sLeather gloves with studs, 8 a pairNora’s Shoe ShopHand crafted reclaimed cashmere hat with top yarn stitching, 48FiloniCall of the Wild zebra striped ornament, 1Careful Peach BoutiqueEinstein Relativity watch, 4.95The Book TableCashmere stripes and dots two-pack socks, 2FiloniCast from an 18th century Italian church key, keychain, 0At Work DesignKeep it clean with this purse hook, 5 Baubo’s GardenVintage paper stationary set, 6At Work DesignShakespeare coffee mug, 2.95The Book Table“The Autobiography of Mark Twain”, 7.99The Book TableFaux leather and steel card holder, 2Baubo’s GardenCranberry and brown sugar pear candles, .99Coveny LaneFire-engine red leather i-Pad case, 08Coveny LaneTea time with tea towels, eachJeanine Guncheon StudiosDotty for this red polka dot ornament, Jeanine Guncheon StudiosSmells like the holidays, votive candle set, 6Camille et FamilleTaffy apple red bag, 8Afkara ShoesFestive pin card, .95 Coveny LaneHandmade, fair trade Tagua nut bracelet, 8AnanasDial M for Magnificent, vintage phone ornament, 2BrambleKeep warm with cool cashmere snowflake socks, 9Filoni“Remain Calm” canvas, 5Sugarcup Trading CompanySwedish tea towel, 6-3.50Coveny LaneHandmade bib, Oak Park Women’s ExchangeWool felt billfold wallet, 2At Work DesignBound to be a hit, bundle of napkins, set of six, 8BrambleHandmade felted stocking, repurposed from vintage sweaters, 0American Artworks GalleryRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer holiday album, .99Old School RecordsA new spin on an old classic: Pop goes the monkey, 1.99Geppetto’s Toy BoxOrganic shirt, 2Sugarcup Trading CompanyMo Willems’s The Pigeon memory game, 7.99Magic Tree BookstoreDon’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus board game, 7.99Magic Tree BookstoreDomo arigato, Mr. Roboto, stainless steel water bottle, 3Sugarcup Trading Company“Dodsworth in Paris” by Tim Egan, 5Careful Peach Boutique“Kids Kitchen” recipe book, 9.99Geppetto’s Toy BoxA fresh read, “Heroes of the Environment” by Harriet Rohmer, 6.99Sugarcup Trading CompanyTickle Monster Laughter Kit, 8Sugarcup Trading CompanyPlush toy Ardvark, 2.99, and Roy Gator, 4.99Geppetto’s Toy Box“Farm Tails” softcover book, 4.99Geppetto’s Toy BoxHandmade pillow with giraffes, 0American Artworks Gallery8″x10″ wall cards, 1.99Geppetto’s Toy BoxHand screened porcupine onesie, 6American Artworks GalleryPink elephants beanie hat, 5Sugarcup Trading CompanyVentana Gewurztraminer 2008 White Wine, 2, and Sequoia Grove Napa Valley 2007 Cabarnet Sauvignon, 5House RedFresh and flavorful truffles sold by the poundLa Maison De BonbonHandcrafted pepper spice jar, 5American Artworks Gallery“Culinary Ephemera, An Illustrated History” by William Woys Weaver, 1.95The Book TablePlain Jane cupcakes, .75, or Fancy Schmancy cupcakes, .25 eachBleeding Heart Bakery“What’s New Cupcake” by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, 3.50The Book TableOrganic delight, chocolate mousse tulip, Bleeding Heart BakeryTime is on your side, antique clock, 50Jeanine Guncheon StudiosItalian landscape, oil on linen, hand pulled canvas, 50American Artworks GalleryCrystal candlesticks, 4 for pair BrambleOne-of-a-kind handcrafted planter, 75American Artworks GalleryCement and iron vessel sculpture, 800American Artworks GalleryAntique matchstick case, 30Careful Peach BoutiqueAmerican buff alo horn bowl, 9, and mother of pearl spoon, 8Jeanine Guncheon Studios
It’s the holiday season! Gift-giving time is upon us, and there is a major shift taking place around the world. We are moving towards becoming more responsible as consumers, knowing that by buying eco-friendly, organic, fair-trade and handmade items we are making decisions that greatly impact not just our earth, but the well-being of our families and loved ones as well. We are also aware that buying products sold locally keeps our neighborhood economy strong. Our dollars are indeed a force for change.
With this in mind, I scoured the independent shops of Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest, as well as Riverside and Brookfield, seeking out smart, stylish, and sustainable products to present to you in this gift guide. What I found were uncommon and extraordinary gifts to enchant your loved ones and thoroughly satiate your green appetite: low-impact gifts with a high-impact punch when it comes to thoughtfulness, uniqueness, quality, and, of course, kindness to the environment. But gifts with traits like these don’t necessarily have to be expensive. In fact, several will surprise you.
Whether you are looking for an unconventionally simple gift for him or perhaps a shimmering bauble for her, these sweet indulgences are guilt-free when it comes to the earth. A charming one-of-a-kind ring (welded from antique French flatware), a nature-friendly flashlight (made of beech wood, housing an energy efficient LED light bulb), or rockstar worthy gifts for the bibliophile (Mark Twain, anyone?), here are just some of the possibilities.
This holiday season, it is our hope that we, as participants and patrons, will all come together in support of the local businesses that mean so much to our communities and help our neighborhoods thrive. We hope shoppers will be seduced by clever designs, enticed by quality craftsmanship, and excited by all that our independent neighborhood retailers have to offer. I hope you enjoy this inspired selection of fine and fabulous gift ideas.
