Looking for a unique gift idea for someone you care about this holiday season? We’ve put together a list of a dozen great ideas from local startups right here in Southeast Wisconsin. We hope you enjoy and support these entrepreneurs who have decided to start and scale there businesses right here in the Milwaukee region!
Chasing Paper
Peel it, stick it, love it. Chasing Paper is beautiful, well-designed removable wallpaper that will stick to nearly any surface. Created from conversations with serial movers, stylish mamas, renters who feel like anything but, DIYers, and, of course, commitment-phobes, Chasing Paper is simple to hang and easy to remove. Founder Elizabeth Rees grew up in the printing business here in Milwaukee launched Chasing Paper in New York City and recently moved the business to Walker’s Point in Milwaukee.
Evolve Snacking
Snacks make great stocking stuffers and Evolve Snacking is on a mission to actively create a better world through better food that is nutrient-dense, delicious and convenient. Their product portfolio includes Supernola a chunky snack of energizing tree nuts, seeds, and anti-inflammatory superfoods. These snacks are gluten-free, dairy-free and Gorilly Goods which manufactures organic fruit, nut and seed snacks and trail mixes that will give you raw strength.
Milwaukee Denim Co.
Milwaukee Denim Co. designs premium apparel and accessories that embody the grit, simplicity and beauty of Brew city, USA. Based in the city of its namesake, Milwaukee Denim Co. exists to prove that craftsmanship, American-made, and quality are not mutually exclusive. Milwaukee Denim Co. jeans, hats or other accessories make great gifts or stocking stuffers!
Sip Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s Craft Brewing scene is booming. Purchase Sip Milwaukee’s brewery trail package for $30 and get a guide and exclusive deals at over 20 local breweries!
Bright Cellars
Bright Cellars is the monthly wine subscription that pairs members with wine based on their individual taste. Bright Cellars gift recipients receive a unique gift code that allows them to take the company’s taste palate quiz, which asks questions like “what’s your favorite type of chocolate”. The quiz will match your recipient with four bottles of wine, based on their quiz responses, and send their new matches directly to their door each month.
Gift subscriptions from Bright Cellars are completely customizable. You select the number of months in your recipient’s subscription (4 bottles per month) and you choose the delivery method. Gift codes can be sent via email (instant!) or via mail in a unique gift box. Each option provides an experience unlike any other for your friends and loved ones. Cheers and happy holidays!
HaloVino
HaloVino is the shatterproof, stackable, stemless wine glass you are seeing all over town, including at Brewer's Miller Park, Buck's Fiserv Forum, Wisconsin State Fair, Milwaukee Film and Milwaukee's The Rep Theater group. Invented by a local sommelier and wine school owner, HaloVino's unique patented design makes wine taste better with none of the splatter. 100% dishwasher safe, HaloVino is a gift your wine-loving friends and family will love! Great for parties, picnics, pools, camping and boating. Even better, HaloVino is manufactured right here in Wisconsin. Purchase some HaloVino glasses for the wine lover on your list today, on Amazon. Cheers!
Madalyn Joy Designs
Madalyn Joy Designs is an award-winning lingerie and loungewear company that embraces and celebrates contemporary femininity, body positivity, and female empowerment through beautiful handcrafted lingerie made right here in Port Washington, Wisconsin.
Wantable
Give the gift of personal style from Wantable. Select a gift card value to send instantly via email. The recipient can then choose between Style, Fitness, or Men's Fitness apparel, take a brief lifestyle quiz, and one of their expert stylists will ship a selection of handpicked pieces for them to try before they buy. It's the perfect-fit gift for everyone on your list.
GenoPalate
Give your loved one a gift that can last for a life-time! GenoPalate’s proprietary algorithm analyzes your genetics, health, and lifestyle information to deliver your personal food map and nutrition guide, to help you eat healthy and optimize your nutrition and wellness. So help a loved one transform the way they eat through the analysis of their DNA with GenoPalate!
MobCraft Beer
In 2011, MobCraft founders Henry Schwartz and Andrew Gierczak dreamt up an idea for a crowdsourced brewery where the people decide what’s brewed. The perfect gift for the beer lover in your life, near or far. Subscribe them to MobCraft's Crowdsourced Beer Releases! 3, 6, 12 and ongoing beer release options available! Not located in Wisconsin? That’s fine they ship beer to your door!
Small Shops United
Whether you're a bar hopper, coffee chugger, burger enthusiast, or family-fun seeker, Small Shops United is the bridge between you and fantastic deals at a wide variety of stores, shops, attractions, and eateries. With a Small Shops United Gift Pack, you can access exclusive deals and discounts at favorite local businesses using a single, wallet-sized card, or just your phone number. It is like “knowing a guy” at local spots all over town, pick one up today!
The Tasting Board
The Tasting Board is the personalized monthly cheese subscription that pairs its members with unique artisanal cheeses, curated to their individual tastes. Gift recipients receive a unique gift code that allows them to take the company’s cheese quiz and view their results. The custom algorithm will match them with four artisanal cheeses, removing all the guesswork on your part, and send them straight to their door.
Gift subscriptions from The Tasting Board are completely customizable. You select the number of months in your recipient’s subscription, and you choose the delivery method. Gift codes can be sent via email (instant!) or via mail in a unique gift box. Give your loved ones what they really want this year: personalized cheese matches they’re guaranteed to love.
Now you have some great gift ideas from local startups who are building the region’s next generation economy. Happy Holidays!
Matt Cordio is the founder and president of Skills Pipeline and Startup Milwaukee. Cordio is passionate about advancing the region’s economy forward through tech and startup ecosystem building.