With Love, From Wisconsin

I have always enjoyed Valentine’s Day. I think it’s such a fun and lighthearted holiday and the perfect excuse to tell ANYONE who is important to you how much they mean to you – I am definitely not on the train that Valentine’s Day is reserved only for couples.

Although I really do like Valentine’s Day, I’m not a huge fan of how corporate/capitalist America has used it as an excuse to shove red and pink heart themed everything down your throat. If you plan on giving a gift (or gifts) for Valentine’s Day, like any other gift, it should be something that is thoughtful.

That is why I have rounded up a Valentine’s Day gift guide with a twist – ALL of these items have some type of link to my home state of Wisconsin! That’s not to say that only Wisconsinites will enjoy these gifts. I have diligently tried to include something for everyone! So scroll on and let me help inspire your Valentine’s Day shopping!

For Him:

1. If your man is anything like mine, he’s constantly going through work boots. I seriously don’t know how my boyfriend does it – he’s an engineer who designs car parts for a living (a pretty white collar job, if you ask me) yet it seems like the second he wears new shoes to work, the toes are scuffed up and the laces are breaking. Seriously, WTF?!
   These high quality work boots are designed to withstand years of heavy wear and are made in Marshfield, Wisconsin!
   To check them out, I’ve linked you to Context, an upscale men’s boutique in Madison, Wisconsin specializing in heritage, contemporary and specialty goods made with exquisite detail and also offering a denim repair service.
2. This might be a super Wisconsin thing of me to say, but who doesn’t love a good cheese and sausage platter?! I think that food gifts are always a good option. Anyone you talk to who has been to the Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago, WI will rave about their pies, but they have a number of other offerings as well, including a really great selection of gift baskets! I picked the Wisconsin Farmer’s Delight to include on this list because I thought that it had a nice mix of sweet and salty snacks and represents our state and culture well.
3. Ok, this might just look like a basic black jacket, but it is so much more than that! It’s a Milwaukee Tool heated jacket. The jacket is battery powered and has multiple heating settings. It is perfect for anyone who hunts, tailgates, works or spends any prolonged time outdoors in cool weather. Milwaukee Tool is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (obviously), and is known for being an industry leader in designing and manufacturing power tools and accessories. So, if your man is in need of (or would like) any new power tools, but doesn’t necessarily need a heated jacket, any one of Milwaukee Tool’s options would be a good option!
   PS. Having lived in Milwaukee for ten years, I have met and gotten to know a number of people who work for Milwaukee Tool all of them had nothing but positive things to say about working there. Definitely the type of place to support with your business!
4. If you’re a little more of a sentimental couple (definitely NOT me and my boyfriend), this wood sign would be such an adorable and perfect Valentine’s Day gift! It’s made from wood from 100-year-old buildings by Second Nature, a small family-owned business located in Viroqua, Wisconsin. I’ve included this particular sign, which is sold by Brick & Mortar in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, because it’s only $24! If it’s not quite your taste, Second Nature sells a TON of other options on their own site, including some sassy sayings, which are right up my ally.
5. When all else fails, it’s always safe to go with necessities as a gift. This artisan soap is handmade specifically for shaving with all natural ingredients by Long Rifle Soap Company in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin but is sold at local retailers throughout the US! Long Rifle specializes in men’s grooming, and offer much more than beard soap including some gift set options. You can purchase their products directly from their site, but they also have an Etsy shop too if you would prefer to go that route.

For Galentine’s

1. I knew that I wanted to include a candle somewhere on this list because who doesn’t love a good candle?! Of course, the Wisconsin Candle Company was a natural fit! The Wisconsin Candle Company hand-pours small batch, all natural soy candles in Waunakee, Wisconsin. They are known for their scents that pay homage to the most beloved Wisconsin places and traditions (such as their brandy old fashioned candle and Kettle Moraine Forest candle), but they are offering three scents especially for Valentine’s Day! The packaging couldn’t be cuter, and even if you don’t live in or aren’t from Wisconsin, I promise you will love these candles!
2. Of course I had to include flowers somewhere on this list! I thought that the colors in this bouquet were so fun and that it would make the perfect bouquet to send to your favorite single gal-pal who might not be receiving flowers from a Valentine. The bouquet is sold by Secret Garden Floral in Columbus, Wisconsin and you can even add on balloons, chocolates and stuffed animals to your floral order if you’d like! (Heads up that you can only have these delivered locally, but if you’re not in the Columbus, Wisconsin area, definitely try and support a local florist over a corporate retailer for Valentine’s Day if you can!)
3. Another Valentine’s Day classic that had to be included somewhere on this list: chocolate!! My boyfriend gifted me Red Elephant Chocolates one year for Valentine’s Day and I loved them! Although Red Elephant Chocolate is a small company located in the Third Ward in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, their chocolates have been featured in USA Today as one of the best chocolate cafes in the country! They can pretty much ship anywhere in the continental US and even offer customization options if you’d like to go that route.
4. Sherpa pullovers are all the rage this year and if a girlfriend wanted to give me one for Valentine’s Day, I definitely would not be mad! I found this one at Wilkins & Olander, a small boutique founded by two former Marshall Field’s buyers and located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Wilkins and Olander has been awarded Vera Bradley’s Gold Dealer Award for excellence in product selection and service and will be celebrating their 29th anniversary in May!
5. This gift might not be for everyone, but if you have any friends who enjoy spending time in the kitchen, good olive oil would make the perfect gift! These ones are sold by The Olive Oil Shops in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
   PS. Lake Geneva is a tourist town in Wisconsin and has a TON of really cute local boutiques and restaurants. If you ever have the chance, I would definitely recommend planning a weekend getaway to Lake Geneva!

For Yourself

1. If you are anything like me, you are a lip balm FEIGN! I seriously re-apply at least 3 times a day and my world crumbles a little when I lose or forget my chapstick. (Serious first world problems, I know) I found Bitchstix Balm at Twigs, which is a local boutique with two Wisconsin locations and I knew that I had to share Bitchstix with the world when I read their reasoning behind the name.
2. Ok, I’ll be the first to admit that I was not the biggest fan of oversized initial necklaces when I first saw them popping up all over the place. It might be the mere-exposure effect, but I have definitely developed a keenness for them. I found this one at Edie Boutique for less than $12! Edie’s was founded in Lake Geneva in 2015 and is named after the founder’s grandmother. Although it hasn’t been around long, Edie’s now has 6 locations throughout Wisconsin and Illinois as well as an e-commerce site. There’s no better reason for treating yourself than finding a cute item at a great price!
3. Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to treat yourself, literally! Cherry slices are one of my favorite treats and I found these ones from White Cottage, Red Door. White Cottage, Red Door is co-owned and operated by two married couples in Door County, Wisconsin and has quite the interesting history. If Cherry slices aren’t your cup of tea, White Cottage, Red Door a plethora of gourmet foods and gifts.
4. If you’ve ever thought about subscribing to an outfit delivery service, there’s no better time than now! Wantable is as good of option as any and is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! They offer men’s and women’s edits as well as a fitness edit. When taking their style survey, they even give you the option to link to your Pinterest page so that their stylists can really understand your personal style!
5. Ok, ok, ok, “Girl, Wash Your Face” is not written or manufactured in Wisconsin (as far as I know) nor is Rachel Hollis a Wisconsinite, but this book has so many good takeaways for anyone who has ever experienced even just an ounce of self-doubt. If you haven’t read it yet, I’m linking you to a bookstore that is located in Hudson, Wisconsin. If you’ve ever driven on Interstate 94 from Wisconsin to Minnesota (or vise-versa) and not stopped in Hudson, you’ve made a mistake. Their downtown is adorable and chuck full of kitschy shops and restaurants. I highly recommend saving a little extra time for the pitstop the next time you happen to be on that route!

There you go! Lots of inspiration for your Valentine (even if your valentine is YOU)! If you haven’t found that perfect gift for you or your loved one, I hope that I have at least introduced you to some local brands or shops that you were able to fall in love with! I truly take pride in my home state and I think that we have a lot to offer here in Wisconsin other than beer, brats, and cheese (although, we are second to none in those categories, if you ask me)!

Happy Valentine’s Day!
♥