Heidi Feroe's illustration for Teague Alexy's Christmas song. See the Music section.

Move over, Santa! Away with EBay! With gifts like these, the Northland will no longer need to be outsourcing to the North Pole or China! One of the coolest things about our Local Gift Guide is the variety of awesome local, we repeat, AWESOME LOCAL gifts you can choose from. In addition to wonderful gift cards to local eateries and breweries, you can help spread holiday cheer by buying from local businesses which sustain a vibrant economy year round. Rather than a computer screen, purchase gifts from the Northland’s local shops, vendors and talented artisans. They’re much cuter and, in most instances, have more helpful personalities. This is a win-win! Don’t forget to tell them The Reader sent you.

Art

2020 Bring Her Home Calendar
A beautiful, emotionally stirring 13-month calendar produced by the American Indian Community Housing Organization featuring the work of 14 Indigenous artists.

Art Dock
DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace
394 Lake Avenue S. Duluth
218-722-1451
A retail consignment gallery promoting fine art and crafts from area artisans. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Art in the Alley
230 E. Superior St., Duluth
218-464-4822
An “artsy” women’s clothing boutique. Open daily 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Art on the Planet
1413 Tower Ave. Superior
715-969-8213
An art and artisan consignment market hosting the work of local/regional artists and artisans. Online ordering with curbside pickup.

Atelier & Stone
Jewelry made in Duluth by Louise Payjack-Guillou. To make an appointment contact hello@atelierandstone.com.

Burton Forge & Gallery
443 Scenic Dr. Knife River
Functional art in iron, wood and stone. Custom orders filled. Shop open by appointment.

Duluth Pottery
1924 W. Superior St. Duluth
218-606-1120
Karin Kraemer’s Maiolica pottery and tiles, Luke Krisak’s stoneware, Warrior Printress Letterpress & Design cards and prints and other potter’s works from the area. Gallery temporarily closed. Items from the online store and special orders available for curbside pick-up. Shipping is also available.

Framing By Stengl
1720 Tower Ave. Superior
715-395-9402
Frame shop and photography studio.

Frame Corner Gallery
323 W. Superior St. #1, Duluth
218-722-7174
Originals, serigraphs, photography, limited editions and posters from local, national and international artists, open since 1973.

Indigenous First Art & Gift Shop
202 W. 2nd St. Duluth
218-590-3305
Native American art gallery and gift shop in the YWCA building. Building closed except for curbside pickup, order online. Works by 80 different artists plus indigenous foods and health products.

Joseph Nease Gallery
23 W. First St. Duluth
218-481-7750
Exhibiting contemporary art by regional and national artists.

Lake Superior Art Glass
357 Canal Park Dr.
218-464-1799
A complete torch-work glass studio and gallery.

Legacy Glassworks
32 W. First St. Duluth
218-720-0747
Glass pipes, artwork and other products available at the store and online.

Lizzards Art Gallery
11 W. Superior St. Duluth
218-722-5815
Featuring the original, museum-quality artwork and framing by Minnesota and Wisconsin artists. During the pandemic, open Monday & Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment.

MacRostie Art Shop
Grand Rapids, Minn. gallery provides online shopping for works by local artists.

Master Framing Gallery
1431 London Rd. Duluth
218-728-4056
High quality custom framing and gallery with many local artists.

Oulu Glass
1695 W. Colby Rd., Brule, Wis.
715-372-4160
Beautiful glassworks by Jim and Sue Vojacek. Open every day 9-5 except Sundays 12-5, masks required. One group at a time may watch the glassblowing. Self-checkout system for purchases.
Products also sold on etsy.com.

Perry Framing & Stained Glass
216 E. Superior St., Duluth
218-727-6689

Siiviis of Sivertson Gallery - Duluth
361 Canal Park Dr., Duluth
218-723-7877
Lake Superior region artists in addition to Canadian Inuit and Alaskan native art.

Tischer Photographic Gallery
395 S. Lake Ave. Duluth
218-348-6501
Featuring the landscape photography of Ryan Tischer with artwork for every home and business.

White Cedar Studio
916 Hammond Ave. Ste. 110, Superior
715-392-3114
Design, creation and repair of custom jewelry. Shop online or text phone number to make an appointment.

Books

Chris Monroe
Known for her children’s books including the “Monkey With a Toolbelt” series, the comic strip “Violet Days” and her paintings.

Duluth Grill Cookbook
Two volumes of cookbooks with recipes from breakfast to dessert, from meaty dishes to vegan and gluten-free goodies.

Lake Superior Magazine
310 E Superior St. Duluth
218-722-5002

OMC Smokehouse Cookbook
Smokehouse recipes  including rubs, sauces, beverages, smoked meats with lush photography by Rolf Hagberg Photography, and fun behind the scene stories of how the restaurant got here.

The Superior Hiking Trail Story
By Rudy Hargesheimer
Coffee-table book chronicling the “second best long trail in the nation” as told by volunteers, original trail blazers and dreamers of grandeur. Hargesheimer, a former Superior Hiking Trail Association Board president, provides the text and photos.

Sports books by Ross Bernstein
A University of Minnesota graduate who has written over 50 books, mostly about sports, many about Minnesota.

Zenith City Press
218-310-6541
Duluth publishing house dedicated to historic Duluth and the Western Lake Superior region.

Clothing

DLH Clothing
12 N. 20th Ave. W. Duluth
218-343-4512
A line of apparel that celebrates pride for Duluth without being touristy or gimmicky. Storefront is open to the public with special safety measures in place. Curbside pickup available.

Kirsten Aune Textiles
12 N. 21st Ave. W. Duluth
Scandinavian inspired art for clothing, pillows, home accessories, masks and more. Shop is open Saturdays & Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment, or you may order through the website.

Steger Mukluks & Moccasins
100 Miners Drive, Ely
218-365-6634
Mukluks, moccasins and clothing made in Ely since 1986. Retail store Is closed due to COVID, but curbside pick-up is available at the factory 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Order online or Call to be fitted over the phone and schedule a pick-up time.

USA Foxx and Furs
29 W. Superior St., Duluth
800-872-3699
Providing retail and custom fleshing to the Northland for 25 years.

Wintergreen Northern Wear
205 E. Sheridan St., Ely
218-365-6602
Handcrafted products with quality design, construction and is made from the best quality fabrics available.

Food & Drink

Alakef Coffee Roasters
1330 E. Superior St., Duluth
218-724-6849
Gift boxes available online with collections of coffees (including a “30th Anniversary Blend”). Also gift “Coffee Club” with monthly deliveries.

Bent Paddle
1912 W. Michigan St. Duluth
218-279-2722
Grab a growler of your favorite bent paddle beer, drink out of some of their glassware, or represent one of Duluth’s biggest breweries through apparel.

Canal Park Brewery
(Temporarily closed as of Nov. 23)
300 Canal Park Dr., Duluth
What better way to give a little holiday cheer than with a growler or gift certificate? Check out the T-shirts, hoodies, pint glasses, hats and work by local artisans at the retail shop.

Chiqui’s Chocolates
31027 E. Shore Dr.
Pengilly, Minn.
218-310-6498
What began as a mother and daughter experimenting with recipes and sending samples to friends and family caught attention and requests for more started to pour in.

Duluth’s Best Bread
2632 W. 3rd St. Duluth
Keeping normal hours during pandemic, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Delivery can normally be arranged for a $10 fee. Products also available at Whole Foods Coop, Mount Royal Market and Wussow’s Concert Café.

Duluth Candy Co. (Formerly Fannie Rose)
103 E. Superior St.
218-722-0229
Gourmet candy and popcorn and gift sets combined with Duluth Coffee. The downtown location is currently closed, but you can find their popcorn at other locations listed on the website. Online ordering is available for local pick-up 12-6 p.m. Monday-Friday or shipped to your door.

Duluth Coffee Co.
105 E. Superior St. Duluth
218-221-6643
Coffee from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru and Sumatra, can be ordered by the pound.

Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen
223 Scenic Dr., Knife River
218-834-2121
Over 100 years of family tradition. Walk-up store closed for the season. Online ordering temporarily closed as of Nov. 24 but will reopen soon. No phone orders.

Indigenous First Art & Gift Shop
218-590-3305
Indigenous foods such as herbal teas, naturally harvested wild rice, maple syrup, maple sugar, honey, hominy, hazelnut flour, wild rice pancake mix,and white corn flour, all from local and regional Indigenous food producers.

Lake Superior Spice Co.
218-213-8274
Handcrafted small-batch hot sauces made in Duluth.

Liberation Bakery Wild Yeast Breads
218-391-4593
A super-duper small bakery run by Kathleen Busche and Ora Jewell-Busche producing naturally leavened bread, traditional breads and treats for coffee or tea.

Mike & Jen’s Cocoa Mixes
218-591-6171
The Packingham family in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood has developed “the best cocoa mix on the planet,” named after the kids.

Northern Waters Smokehaus
DeWitt-Seitz Building
394 Lake Ave. Ste. 106
218-724-7307
Premium handcrafted smoked fish and meats. They have a variety of moderately priced gift boxes that are sure to please.

Russ Kendall’s Smokehouse
149 Scenic Dr. Knife River
218-834-5995
Expertly cured fish smoked the old-fashioned way, open since 1908.

Sweeden Sweets
601 Tower Ave. Superior
715-718-0713
Specializing in homemade chocolate, fudge and candy. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m to 7 p.m., curbside pickup available.

Vikre Distillery
525 S. Lake Ave., Ste. 102, Duluth
218-481-7401
Craft spirits made in Duluth’s Canal Park. Check website for a list of retail outlets.

White Winter Winery
68323 Lea St., Iron River, Wis.
715-372-5656
Award-winning artisan meads, ciders and spirit. This small regional winery has been making delicious beverages for 24 years, and all with local small-farm-grown fruits and honey. Open for bottle sales, shipping available. Also sold at liquor stores throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin; see website for list.

Music

Teague and Ian Alexy
The considerable volumes created by Duluth’s musical brothers, both as solo artists and as their collaborative incarnation, The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank. Downloads include Teague’s new song “Christmas Bells, Holiday Drums (Jingle, Jangle)” and Ian’s “Making It Shine.” Also full albums on download and CD, T-shirts and tote bags.

Dance Attic
The folk-polka duo has released an EP, “At Christmas Time” and a children’s book, “Livin’ with a Bear.” The EP features six songs including “The Twelve Beers of Christmas.” $10 each, delivered by mail by request.

Bryan James Gatten: Zenith City Christmas
Instrumental hard rock versions of five Christmas carols by electric guitar maestro Bryan James Gatten. Download available from Bandcamp for $5.

Outdoors and Recreation

Aerostich Design & Manufacturing
800-222-1994
8 S. 18th Ave. W. Duluth
The motorcycle enthusiast will appreciate most anything from Aerostich. They offer a wide variety of accessories and apparel from finely crafted one-piece suits to helmet cameras and speakers.

Duluth Pack
365 Canal Park Dr. Duluth
800-777-4439
Iconic national product made in Duluth since 1882, the company produces backpacks, handbags, duffels, hunting gear, clothing and more. All items are handcrafted with a lifetime warranty.

Frost River Trading Co.
1910 W. Superior St. Duluth
218-727-1472
Backpacks, duffels, luggage, totes, apparel and gear made in an uncompromising style that goes back 250 years, when something as small as a ripped seam could mean big trouble.

Granite Gear
2312 10th St. Two Harbors
218-834-6157
Offering a quality line of outdoor equipment including backpacks and canoe gear, anything from Granite Gear will be a prized item for that special outdoor enthusiast.

Harmonic Goods
A family operation producing handcrafted backpacks, duffels, totes, wearables and accessories for the wild at heart.

Kondos Outdoors
205 N Central Ave. Ely
218-365-4189
Canoe packs and wilderness gear along with dog sport equipment including dog booties, dog harnesses and skijoring equipment, all handcrafted in Ely.

Loll Designs
5912 Waseca St. Duluth
877-740-3387
Furniture made from excess and recycled materials, including the iconic Adirondack chair. Sister company Epicurean creates purposeful everyday cutting boards and kitchen tools.

Sven-Saw
Durable and collapsible saws will make short work of out of most lumber a few inches thick.  Available at Northwest Outlet in Superior.

TIMBR Design Co.
4817 S. Shore Dr. Duluth
218-393-4277
Fusion of design studio and wood shop, producing wood pennants, signage, home accessories, small board games, winter hats.

Other gifts

Anahata Herbals
3583 Martin Rd. Duluth
218-464-6889
Offering organic, fair trade, wildcrafted bulk herbs, essential oils, flower essences, books and local programs.

Dock 5
218-213-3958
Stylish face masks, handmade handbags and accessories by Park Point resident Natalija Walbridge.

Energy for Life Connection
507 N. Blackman Ave. Duluth
218-591-2104
Winter wellness kits, herbs and herbal remedies, holistic wellness services and workshops.

Engwall Floral Design
4749 Hermantown Rd.
218-727-8961
Engwall has been serving the Twin Ports and surrounding areas since 1876.

Julebyen
The annual celebration in Knife River this year is an online market selling local arts, crafts, food, even saunas. Books are available at the online Troll Village. In Knife River there is the “Hidden Folk” trail, a circular 1-mile self-guided tour at the Shilhon trailhead to learn Scandinavian folklore.

Serendipity of Duluth
4407 E. Superior St.
218-525-3455
New and vintage home decor, gifts and decorations.