Wedding season is upon us, and that means it’s time to start thinking about wedding gifts. While a lot of couples register for gifts, those registries are often store-specific, and that means many amazing, independent producers can be left off the radar.
That’s a shame, because handmaid gifts from local artisans are often higher quality, longer-lasting, and more unique than anything you can find in stores, all of which makes them perfect options for commemorating life’s bigger moments!
Here are our favorite locally made gifts, whether you’re shopping for the wedding, a wedding shower, or even just an engagement party.
Wedding Showers
Wedding Showers tend to be all about pampering.
Whether the shower you’re heading to is for her, or for them (as more and more modern couples are opting to do), Minny & Paul, in Minneapolis’s North Loop neighborhood, have you covered. They offer an array of gift sets, making them a one-stop shop for wedding shower needs.
Our favorite couples sets are Coffee + Tea, and Rustic Happy Hour, while Gal Pal, Pamper, and Love are perfect selections for girls-only parties.
Speaking of girls-only showers, how about gifting her luxurious and stylish loungewear? Every piece in the Yessenya collection is designed to last, and made right in the designer’s Minneapolis studio. For optimum comfort and cute style, we love the Delight Lounge Set.
For the health-minded bride, why not think beyond candleholders and lingerie, and get her a gift she can really use, such as a membership to a CSA (community supported agriculture)? Minnesota is home to remarkable fresh produce, and unlike the fruit baskets of yore, a CSA membership is a gift she’ll enjoy month after month. It’s the perfect way to buy local, while supporting her healthy lifestyle!
Engagement Parties
Not all engagement parties include gifts, but many do. We suggest playing it safe by bringing some sort of offering they can enjoy on the spot!
Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe is a perfect option because even if gifts aren’t expected, cupcakes are a treat the whole party can enjoy! Take these beauties up a notch by personalizing them for the couple!
If cupcakes aren’t your thing, how about donuts? Mojo Monkey Donuts have incredible, flavors, special enough for any gathering. Wow the party with chocolate pistachio, mango coconut, or even root beer + Oreo + Reese’s Pieces donuts.
Wedding
No matter how unique couples are, wedding gifts tend to be a little, dare-we-say, generic. Ditch the usual toaster with gifts that are personal, and pack a sense of place.
Debbie Wolk is a local ceramic artist who has absolutely nailed all things whimsical. Her ceramics are like a sprinkling of glee, and while all her pieces can be customized for any occasion she also offers designs specifically tailored for weddings, making shopping an absolute breeze.
Instead of the usual wine and champagne flutes, how about wine that is made locally from wonderfully sourced grapes? Warehouse Winery offers a wide array of wines, so you’re sure to find one to suit any palate. To make the gift really last, include personalized glasses or flutes. Taylor Cathleen offers all kinds of custom designs, from names to states, and she’s based right here in St. Paul!
Wall art, such as sconces or calligraphy prints, are also common wedding gifts.
Take this theme to new heights with prints from local graphic designer, Dogfish Media.
Whether the couple you’re shopping for is into biking, music, or lazy strolls over the Stone Arch Bridge, Dogfish designs capture the best of Minneapolis.
These are prints that will be cherished for years.
For outdoor enthusiasts, how about gifting the absolute best of what Minnesota has to offer in the form of a Minnesota State Parks gift card?
These gift cards can be used to book cabins, yurts, lodges, and suites on various park properties. If an overnight isn’t in the cards, gift cards can also be redeemed for rentals on kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, snow shoes, cross-country skis, and countless other state park merchandise.
This gift will allow the couple to make some amazing memories together, long after the wedding is over.
By shopping local, you’re not only guaranteeing you’ll be giving the couple a one-of-a-kind, non-duplicated gift, but you’re also giving back to the community they call home.
COVID has been especially brutal to small, local businesses, so there really has never been a better time to patronage the best of what Minnesota has to offer. So go ahead… ditch the registry. In doing so, you’ll be gifting something with heart—Minnesota heart—and that’s better than anything the couple could have asked for.
