Whether it's flowers or chocolates, most of us stick to the classics when buying gifts for Mother's Day. With the 2023 Illinois Made Mother’s Day Gift Guide, the Illinois Office of Tourism is dedicated to helping up your gift-giving game this Mother’s Day (May 14) with a list containing unique and handmade finds from many women-owned Illinois Made businesses that you can shop in-store – or online – in all areas of the state.
Launched in 2016, the Illinois Made program inspires residents and visitors to discover the people, products and authentic experiences created by one-of-a-kind small businesses throughout the state.
From monogrammed china, to handpicked floral arrangements, to eco-friendly soy candles, we have you covered with the top 10 Illinois Made gifts to suit every type of mom out there.
Flowers are a classic gift, but what about flowers that empower? Based on the South Side of Chicago, Quilen Blackwell and Hannah Bonham Blackwell are farm-to-vase florists whose urban chic designs draw from the resources and inspiration of the inner city. Every purchase directly contributes to job creation for at-risk youth and young adults in the Chicago area.
Recommendation: Mother's Day Love Bundle at Southside Blooms ($75) | Give Mom the flower that means love and beauty plus some sweets on the side. Available in-store and online.
Commemorate Mother’s Day and light up your mom’s home with custom lanterns, tide clocks and other ceramic wares from Dot’s Pots. Owner and operator, Dorothy Arthur, discovered the ideas for the motifs of her lanterns through the various window styles of her hometown of historic Salem.
Recommendation: Custom House Plaque (Price varies) | Order a custom house plaque with your mom’s favorite font and images. Available online.
Kendra and Brent Boesdorfer started their micro roastery based on the desire to create the freshest coffee available. As purveyors of caffeine, their vision is to make their experience approachable for everyone and to share their deep obsession with coffee with the world.
Recommendation: Coffee Subscription ($17 per month) | Raise a mug to mom with the gift of a monthly coffee subscription. Available in-store and online.
Brett and Regina Morrison take special pride in making award-winning, high-quality wines — making StarView the premier destination for vino lovers. Moms with refined palates will relish the chance to sip from a vineyard sporting a wide variety of different styles – from merlots to cabernets, rosés and everything in between.
Recommendation: 2020 Merlot ($25) | Pick up this medium-bodied wine with fresh plum and cherry flavors, accompanied by a savory American oak finish. Available online for local shipping and in-store.
Ken Myszka, Stu Hummel, and Nanam Myszka held a shared desire to change the world and build a holistic hospitality movement in central Illinois. Epiphany Farms Hospitality Group now stewards over 75 acres of land and is committed to supporting, growing and showcasing a thriving local food culture by using locally sourced ingredients and working towards a regenerative food system.
Recommendation: Gift Card (Varies) | Take your mom out for her very own special farm-to-fork experience with a specialty gift card. Available in-store and online.
Get a gift almost as one-of-a-kind as mom. All the skin care products at Scratch Goods are handmade in small batches in their trendy West Loop space. Give mom the gift of happy skin while you support your fashion-forward, environmentally-conscious mom on the go!
Recommendation: Self-care kit ($32) & Mask Bar Session ($65) | Up your mom’s self-care regime with a speciality kit or schedule an in-person visit to the mask bar. Available in-store and online.
For culinary-minded mothers, Galena Spoon Company offers a wide range of durable and commercial-grade custom cutting boards – ranging from charcuterie boards to sauté paddles – to help any mom feel like a Top Chef.
Recommendation: Kitchen Board – Straight Edge Oval Paddle Handle (Lotus Flower Design) ($69.99) | A handcrafted oval paddle handle available in three sizes and perfect for serving, cutting or display. Available online.
Featuring work from local designers and renowned brands, Pickard China honors its commitment to innovation by offering the latest and greatest in fine dinnerware, drinkware, and serving pieces. Help your mom elevate the home dining experience with custom pieces or monogrammed plates.
Recommendation: Signature with Monogram Ivory Dinner Plate ($80) | A gorgeous platinum dinner plate that can be customized with your mother’s initials. Available online and in-store.
Owner of Big Muddy Peddler, Vicki Harger, sources the oils for her soy wax candles from the most trusted manufacturers, ensuring her products are luxurious, eco-friendly and free of additives. From old favorites to special limited releases, there’s a perfect scent for every mom.
Recommendation: “Spring Cleaning in Sunnyside” candle ($20) | Slow-burning, spring-scented candle made with coconut and soy wax blend. Available online.
What better way to spoil Mom than with the delicious indulgent creations of the renowned candy and chocolatier, Anderson’s Candy Shop? For over 100 years, they’ve been making the most decadent confections that are guaranteed to pamper her taste buds on the big day.
Recommendation: Deluxe Assortment Chocolate Box ($36.35) | A best-selling box that includes 32 of their signature handmade chocolates. Available online and in-store.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism (IOT) manages industry efforts that result in sustainable and significant economic and quality-of-life benefits for all Illinois residents.
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