A Holiday Gift Guide for the Detroit Lover in Your Life

Story by Max White

The holiday season is here, and instead of shopping at the big box stores, we’re encouraging you to shop local for the Detroit lover in your life.

There are so many unique, local shops throughout the city of Detroit and metro area where you can find something for everyone in your life. Below you’ll find the 10 best Detroit-centric gifts to buy this holiday season.

Shinola notebook or planner – The COVID-19 pandemic made planners obsolete in 2020, but everyone is hoping that we can begin putting things in a calendar again in 2021. That’s where you can get a Shinola planner for under $25. With locations in Midtown, Downtown Detroit, Somerset Mall, Ann Arbor and Great Lakes Crossing, you can get one in store or online. Plus, you can get a custom monogram to make it personal. @shinola

Detroit City Distillery Tour – A Detroit City Distillery tour is perfect for either the whiskey lover or Detroit history lover in your life. The Whiskey Factor, where Detroit City Distillery distills its spirits, is located in Eastern Market in the former home of Goebel Brewing Company. They offer tours on Saturday afternoons for $20, where you will see the distilling process, sample whiskey, and see how whiskey ages. @detroitcitydistillery

Détroit is the New Black shirt or tote – Head over to the Détroit is the New Black store on Woodward Ave. in Detroit to get a shirt that features the name of the store on it in English or in French. If a shirt isn’t your style, grab a tote bag to carry all of your favorite things while sporting your favorite city. @detroitisthenewblack

John King Used & Rare Books – For the book lover in your life, head over to John King Used & Rare Books and check out their collection of over 1 million books in stock. With locations in Detroit and Ferndale, you’re sure to find something anyone will love. @johnkingbooksdetroit

Detroit Historical Society painted manhole cover shirt –

Instagram @detroitisthenewblack

The Detroit Historical Society has partnered with Well Done Goods to create an awesome manhole cover shirt, which are painted on directly from the manhole cover in front of the Detroit Historical Museum. @detroithistorical

Pewabic Pottery Tile – Pewabic Pottery on Detroit’s East Side has been doing pottery for over 100 years in Detroit. They have more than two-dozen tiles ranging from Belle Isle and Detroit sports teams to automakers and Michigan Central Station. If tiles aren’t your thing, you can also get necklaces and pendants, postcards or old prints. @pewabic

Detroit Wick candle – Also located in Eastern Market, Detroit Wick produces and manufactures candles on site, right in front of visitors. They have a wide variety of candles you can buy and smell, with limited-edition candles as well.

Tie or scarf with your favorite Detroit buildings – Cyberoptix Tie Lab has those ties, bowties and even scarves you never knew you needed until seeing them. You can get them with blueprints for the Michigan Central Station, Detroit Opera House, Cass Tech and more. If those don’t fit your style, you can also get some with bus scrolls, or coney dogs! @cyberoptix

Instagram @cyberoptix

Detroit-style Pizza – There’s nothing more Detroit than Detroit-style pizza with its caramelized crust and square design. Grab someone a Buddy’s Pizza gift card so they can use it at one of their 12 locations in metro Detroit. @buddyspizzadet

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