Shopping for someone who bleeds Chicago is harder than it sounds. They already own the souvenir mug and the novelty hat. What they don't have is something that feels made for them. Here are nine Chicago gift ideas we would be happy to unwrap ourselves, from cozy crewnecks to original wall art.
1. The Chicago Est. 1837 embroidered crewneck
Our signature Chicago gift is also the simplest: the year the city was incorporated, stitched in a collegiate arch across the chest. Choose the Navy Thread version on white or sand for a clean, bright look, or the White Thread version on navy, black, maroon and other deep colors.
2. A North Side ballpark painting
Rain drifting through the light towers, ivy on the brick wall and the el rolling past at blue hour. Our North Side Ballpark, Rainy Night canvas is original art with no logos, just the feeling of a summer night game.
3. A South Side ballpark painting
For the other half of town, the South Side Ballpark, Fireworks Night canvas lights up a room the way a Friday fireworks show lights up Bridgeport. Hang them as a pair if your household is split.
4. A game-day football crewneck
The Chicago Football Crewneck, Est. 1920 is a vintage collegiate design for Sunday tailgates and watch parties. The Chicago Skyline Football Crewneck, 312 puts the skyline and the area code front and center.
5. A Chicago basketball crewneck
For long winter nights of hoops: the Chicago Basketball Crewneck, Est. 1966, the Retro 90s crew or the Windy City Hoops Crewneck.
6. Matching crews for the kids
Most of our game-day designs come in youth sizes, like the Youth Windy City Hoops Crewneck and the Youth Chicago Football Crewneck. Browse everything for little fans in Youth & Baby.
7. A gift for a brand-new Chicagoan
New baby in the family? The Little Rookie Bodysuit and Tiny Tailgater Toddler Crewneck are easy wins at a baby shower.
8. A crew for the neighborhood they grew up in
Chicagoans do not say they are from Chicago; they say Bridgeport, Lakeview or Logan Square. Our Chicago neighborhood crews stitch the neighborhood name in a collegiate arch with CHICAGO and its founding year underneath, in navy, white, Chicago-flag red, old gold or sky blue thread, and the matching neighborhood beanies cover sixteen neighborhoods from Wicker Park to Rogers Park. For the friend who moved away, it is the gift that says you remember exactly where they came from.
9. Not sure? Start with the gift guide
Our holiday picks are sorted by budget and person: Gifts Under $50, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Her and Wall Art Gifts. Or see everything in one place on our Chicago crewnecks and gifts page.
Everything we sell is made to order, so leave a few extra days before the holidays. Happy gifting, Chicago.