The 25 Best Chicago Gifts For People Who Love The Windy City

By Lara
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Cloud gate in Chicago

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Are you looking for unique Chicago gifts for someone who recently moved out of the city? Or do you need Christmas gifts from Chicago for relatives? Or perhaps you are just looking for souvenir ideas for some who is obsessed with The Windy City?

Whatever your reason for coming to this site, you will find 25 awesome Chicago gift ideas on today’s list. From beautiful items for a housewarming party to Chicago food gifts, there is something for everyone.

Are you short on time? Check out the editor’s top three gifts from Chicago by budget.

Save these gifts from Chicago

Don’t forget to save these gifts from Chicago to Pinterest!

The 25 best Chicago gifts

Chicago gifts for large budgets

#1 Chicago hot dog kit

Four jar and cans of typical ingredients needed to make the Chicago hot dog
Photo courtesy of Chicago Johnny’s

If you are looking for the ultimate Chicago food gift, this Chicago hot dog kit is it!

It’s got all the essential ingredients to make a traditional Chicago-style hot dog: a Vienna beef hot dog, poppy seed bun, neon green relish, sport peppers, onions, tomato, mustard, and a pickle.

This works great for people who just moved to the city or to introduce out-of-towners to the city’s unique food culture.


#2 Chicago mug

Chicago-themed mug
Chicago-themed mug

This Starbucks collector’s mug is a great Chicago gift for anyone who loves to start their day with a piping hot cup of joe and a side of Midwest pride. It’s also a great way to remind them that, no matter how cold and dreary it may be outside, they’re still Chicagoans at heart.

And if they’re ever feeling homesick, they can just take a sip of their coffee and let the taste of deep-dish pizza and Italian beef flood their senses. Who needs therapy when you have a Chicago-themed mug?


#3 Chicago-themed glasses

Beer glasses with Chicago skyline
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods

Chicago-themed glasses are the best gifts from Chicago for a housewarming, or for someone who just can’t get enough of The Windy City.

On Uncommon Goods, you can find three different styles of Chicago-themed etched glasses. The beer glasses contain the city’s skyline, and the wine and whiskey glasses contain the map of Chicago.


#4 Skyline bookends

Chicago skyline bookends
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods

These bookends in the shape of Chicago’s skyline will make a great and unique gift for bookworms, or for people who own a lot of books (whether they read them or not).


#5 Chicago-themed sweatshirt

A green sweatshirt with the skyline of Chicago embroidered
Photo courtesy of Crew Apparel Company

A Chicago-themed sweatshirt is a perfect gift for anyone who wants to show off their love for the Windy City and stay warm on those chilly, blustery days in the city.

And let’s not forget, it’s a great way to disguise the fact that they spilled ketchup from their hot dog all over their shirts. With a Chicago-themed sweatshirt, they’ll look stylish and on-brand while enjoying all the delicious (and messy) food the city has to offer.


#6 Chicago Bears gifts

T-shirt with Bears
Photo courtesy of NFL Shop

If you are looking for Chicago gifts, then you are probably also looking for gifts for a Chicago Bears Fan (basically anyone who loves Chicago, loves the Bears).

So check out the NFL Shop to find all Bears Apparel or go for this long-sleeved shirt.

And for Chicago sports gifts, check out #12 and #17.


#7 Bean necklace

Bean necklace
Bean necklace

The Chicago Cloud Gate (aka the Chicago Bean) is one of the most iconic pieces of art in Chicago.

So if you are looking for cute Chicago souvenir ideas for her, this bean-shaped necklace is a cool idea. It will remind her of the Cloud Gate from her favorite city.


#8 Chicago skyline LEGO

Chicago skyline LEGO
Chicago skyline LEGO

Who said LEGO is just for kids?

The LEGO Architecture series contains some of the coolest building sets for adults and kids alike.

For example, this set of the Chicago skyline.

If you need unique Chicago gift ideas for an Architect or someone who loves LEGO (and who could blame them?), then you should definitely go for this LEGO set.


#9 Coasters

Set of four colorful coasters with iconic buildings from Chicago
Photo courtesy of Anastasia Mak

Do you need Chicago gifts for someone who recently moved to the city?

Then this set of 4 stylish Chicago-themed coasters is perfect! It will protect their furniture and introduce them to the city. The coasters feature some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as Buckingham Fountain, Navy Pier, Sears (Willis) Tower, and Marina Towers.

You may also like these 25 Illinois-themed gifts


Chicago gifts for mid-budgets

#10 Chicago travel guides

Fodor's Travel Chicago
Fodor’s Travel Chicago

Fodor’s Travel Chicago

Are you looking for Chicago Christmas gifts for someone who will visit the city soon? Then a travel guide is always a good idea. I know, for people who have seen the city a thousand times, it may not be the best gift, but for them, check out the next guidebook.


Chicago food crawls
Chicago food crawls

Chicago food crawls: Touring the neighborhoods one bite and libation at a time

Are you looking for unique Chicago gifts for foodies or for people who think they’ve seen it all? Then this guidebook is what you need. It will show them new places to go for food around their favorite city.


Lonely Planet Chicago

Lonely Planet Chicago

The last guidebook on the list is perfect for budget travelers who will visit Chicago soon. With the Lonely Planet in their bag, they can explore the city while staying within their budget.


#11 Breweries map

Map of Chicago
Photo courtesy of Folk That TV

I think this is one of the most unique Chicago gift ideas on this list. Especially for people who love beer.

A map that contains over 50 breweries everyone should try in Chicago!


#12 Chicago sports trivia

Chicago sport trivia
Chicago sport trivia

This is another great Chicago gift idea for sports lovers. They can test their knowledge of Chicago sports with this game.

Do they know all players of the Chicago Bears? Do they know the best coach the Bulls ever had? And do they remember the last time the White Socks won the World Series?


#13 Chicago photo album

Chicago-themed photo album

This photo album is an awesome Chicago souvenir idea for people who love the Windy City and who want to collect their photos in a unique way.


#14 Wall art

Chicago print
Chicago print

For someone who is obsessed with The Windy City, Chicago-themed wall art is always a good idea.

One example is this cute illustrated print of the skyline, but check out Amazon for more options.


#15 Cookbooks for Chicago lovers

Book titled: The iconic Chicago dishes drinks and desserts
The iconic Chicago dishes drinks and desserts

The iconic Chicago dishes, drinks, and desserts

The three cookbooks I selected for you today will make great Chicago food gifts for people who love food from The Windy City. The first one contains the recipes for all of Chicago’s classic meals.


Book titled: The new Chicago diner cookbook
The new Chicago diner cookbook

The new Chicago diner cookbook: Meat-free recipes from America’s veggie diner

The Chicago Diner is the go-to restaurant for vegetarians in Chicago. And with this cookbook, the recipient can finally recreate the restaurant’s delicious meals at home!


Book titled: The great Chicago-style pizza cookbook
The great Chicago-style pizza cookbook

The great Chicago-style pizza cookbook

One of the most iconic (and unhealthy, but hey we all need a cheat meal don’t we?) food from Chicago, is the Chicago-style pizza. And with this cookbook, the recipient can try to make this delicious pizza at home.


#16 Chicago highlights scratch-off poster

A scratch-off poster with the highlights of Chicago
Photo courtesy of Destination Scratched

Do you need a housewarming gift for someone who just moved to the city?

Then this scratch-off poster with Chicago’s highlights is what you need. It’s the perfect gift for anyone new to the city who’s looking to scratch that exploration itch (pun intended).

It’s like a scavenger hunt for all the best things to see and do in the Windy City. And with 60 top-rated places to visit, they’ll never run out of things to scratch off your list.


#17 Gifts for baseball fans

Baseball cap
Photo courtesy of MLB shop

Are you looking for Chicago gift ideas for someone who loves baseball?

Then you should definitely check out the MLB shop to find the best Chicago team’s apparel.

Such as this Chicago White Sox hat!

One warning before buying this gift though.

Chicago is home to two great baseball teams; the White Socks and The Cubs, so make sure you find out which team the recipient supports. Trust me, you do not want to gift something from the wrong team.


#18 Books about Chicago

Book titled: Building Chicago
Building Chicago

Building Chicago: The architectural masterworks

Chicago is a great city for people who love architecture. And if you need unique Chicago gifts for someone who seems particularly interested in that aspect of the city, this is the perfect gift.


Book titled: Mysterious Chicago
Mysterious Chicago

Mysterious Chicago: History at its coolest

For history buffs who love The Windy City, this is the book you should buy. It covers forty unsolved mysteries from Chicago starting from the 1800s until the present day.


Book titled: The devil in the white city
The devil in the white city

The devil in the white city by Erik Larson

Even though it’s a non-fiction story, the book read as if it’s a thriller. And I guess the fact that it covers the story of a murderer who actually lived adds to that feeling. It’s about a man named Holmes who lived in the 19th century in Chicago.


#19 Map of Chicago cutting board

Cutting board shaped like Chicago
Cutting board

Here is another cute gift for foodies who love The Windy City! They can cut their food on this Chicago map-shaped bamboo board.


Chicago gifts for small budgets

#20 Chocolate gifts from Chicago

A chocolate bar
Photo courtesy of iGourmet

Are you looking for gifts from Chicago for a chocolate lover?

Look no further!

Vosges Haut-Chocolat is a famous luxury chocolate maker from Chicago. So if you want to bring a bit of nostalgia, chocolate from their favorite chocolatier is exactly what you need. You can buy various chocolate bars at iGourmet, such as this Barcelona flavor with Gray Seas salt and smoked almonds.


#21 Chicago-themed candle

A candle with a label "greetings from Chicago, Illinois"
Photo courtesy of Kitch Candle

Do you need Chicago gifts for out-of-towners who want to remember the city’s signature scents without having to endure the actual smells of the city (looking at you, El Train)?

Then this cute candle is perfect!

Plus, it’s a great way to set the mood for a cozy night in while they reminisce about all the delicious food they ate and all the sights they saw. And let’s not forget, it’s a lot easier to pack a candle in their luggage than it is to pack a deep-dish pizza. So, go ahead and light up their memories with a Chicago-themed candle, because sometimes the best way to experience a city is through your nose.


#22 Chicago-themed socks

Chicago-themed socks
Chicago-themed socks

Do you need Chicago gifts for someone who misses Chicago?

These socks with the iconic Chicago bean are perfect!


#23 Tote bag with Chicago theme

Tote bag with Chicago skyline
Photo courtesy of Zazzle

For those of you who are looking for small Chicago gift ideas, a tote bag is an ideal gift.

It’s small, you can get it with 1200+ different prints, and it’s a sustainable gift.


#24 Bracelet

A bracelet with a pendant of the flag of Chicago
Photo courtesy of Dua 770

A bracelet with the flag of Chicago is the perfect gift for out-of-towners who want to show their love for the city without having to permanently tattoo “I Heart Chicago” on their body.


#25 Chicago-themed shirts

A pink t-shirt with the skyline of Chicago
Photo courtesy of Fantastic Tee Shirt

Do you know a Chicago fan who wants to wear their love for the city on their sleeve (or chest, or back)?

Then head over to Etsy and check out all the fun Chicago-themed shirts they offer. It’s like a wearable postcard, but without the awkward “Wish you were here!” message. And let’s not forget, it’s a lot easier to fit in your suitcase than an actual Chicago-style hot dog.


Save these gifts from Chicago

Did you save these gifts from Chicago on Pinterest yet?

The 25 best Chicago gifts

Final note on Chicago gift ideas

If you haven’t decided which gift you should buy yet, have a look at the editor’s top 3 Chicago gifts for out-of-towners and locals alike, maybe that will help you decide.

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