Northern Michigan Gift Guide

November! Anywhere else, you might think of Thanksgiving and those cozy fall vibes. In Northern Michigan, most of the time winter shows glimpses early for us, so we think of the holidays too. With the holidays comes a time to shop for those special gifts, what better place to do that shopping than in a special place like the Petoskey Area?! We boast not only unique shopping but great experiences to gift as well for the holidays: think of a wintery zipline adventure or even winter rafting with the family.

Places to Shop

Petoskey

Petoskey offers many quaint shops and boutiques where you will find unique keepsakes and gifts. Looking for special ways to gift Michigan’s state stone? Many shops in Downtown Petoskey offer Petoskey Stone gifts some inspired-by and others with artistic use of the Petoskey Stone.

NorthGoods – NorthGoods in Downtown Petoskey is from the same people that own Sturgeon River Pottery just outside of town on your way to Bay Harbor. NorthGoods features pottery, apparel, magnets, keychains, Petoskey Stone gifts, puzzles, and so so much more. They are also dog-friendly so if you’re looking to browse in a store downtown with your pooch this is the spot.

Grandpa Shorters – In business since 1946, Grandpa Shorters and their other local shops offer a great selection of gifts, souvenirs, and other fun items. Unlike other stores in the downtown area, Grandpa Shorter’s offers online ordering and features a variety of gift baskets. Looking for a gift basket for a dog lover, someone who loves DIY, or even the ultimate Petoskey lover? They have something for all three. So, if you can’t make it in person, they have this option too. Their staff is very helpful in finding the perfect gift you are shopping for.

Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars – This will be your stop for the foodie on your list, or maybe even just a bread lover. Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars offers samples of nearly all of their specialty oils and vinegars, making it a very intimate experience of picking out just what your loved one would like. You could gift them a bundle to enjoy a bowl for dipping bread in seasonings, oil, and vinegar. Pick out a focaccia bread mix, Fustini’s Tuscan Spice blend, your favorite olive oil (mine is the Pesto Olive Oil), and an aged balsamic vinegar. Don’t want the pressure of picking? The store associates are so helpful from the moment you walk in.

Kilwins  – The flagship and very first Kilwins was opened in Downtown Petoskey, such a special little place. You can find Kilwin’s chocolates and sweets in Petoskey (2 locations), Harbor Springs, AND Boyne City. Although they do tend to shut down at the outlying locations the Kilwin’s Chocolate Kitchen located on Bay View Road stays open a bit longer. A great idea while at Kilwin’s is to taste test – for science, of course – to make sure your loved one will like it! They have great assorted boxes of chocolate to choose from, fudge, and other festive offerings too. You really can’t go wrong here if you have a chocolate lover in your life.

Harbor Springs

This little town is so picture-perfect and wonderful to visit, especially once the city has placed its Christmas tree in the middle of Main Street. Yes, the middle. Situated and wired inside of a manhole, getting this tree here takes the whole city coming together. From a gracious tree donor to the city electric department who helps cut and place it, and Walstrom Marine who helps with transport each year! Harbor Springs has unique shopping opportunities as well when it comes to shopping for the holidays. Plan a shopping trip around one of their downtown events: Ladies Night Out or the Annual Tree Lighting.

HANNI Gallery – This wonderful shop features local artists work, locally made jewelry, handcrafted gifts, and much more. Success is always had in finding something unique here for a present based on most tastes. There are simply beautiful items like paintings but then there are beautiful yet useful items like a handcrafted coat hook or bench. Something unique that you can buy from a unique location is truly an unforgettable gift.

American Spoon – Also in Petoskey, American Spoon foods offers so many great snacks, spreads, and goods for stocking gift baskets. Jams, sauces, baking mixes, granola, and even cocktail mixers can be found at American Spoon. And did I mention taste testing? That’s my favorite part. Yes, you will want to grab a gift for yourself too!

Tom’s Moms Cookies – This little cookie bakery (and I really mean little) is worth the stop even outside of the holiday season. Situated on South Spring Street off Main Street in Harbor Springs, Tom’s Moms Cookies offers a huge variety of thick homemade cookies – Original Chocolate Chunk, Caramel Pretzel, Chocolate Dried Cherry, and many more! It has a gingerbread-house look to it, something that could have very well come out of a children’s nursery rhyme with its pink and blue exterior. Take this opportunity to taste test and then either buy a gift card or buy one of their gift packages online.

Crooked Tree Breadworks – Not just for the bread-lover in your life! Crooked Tree Breadworks offers their Addictive Granola and, yes, it is addictive to that granola or breakfast cereal lover in your life. They have scones – savory and sweet, muffins, cookies, turnovers, and specialty seasoned nuts – think spicy almonds, curry pistachios, and my favorite orange balsamic pecans. Want a little help deciding? Breadworks offers gift boxes too (in-person and online).

Little Traverse Tile Works – This is just the spot for someone looking for a handcrafted gift. Little Traverse Tileworks is located on East 3rd Street and offers handmade ceramic tiles and other ceramic decorations. With many designs specific to the Petoskey area, you are guaranteed to find something that reminds you or your loved one of your visit! Petoskey area spring-season lovers can pick a trillium design and Petoskey Stone lovers have designs catered to them too.

Boyne City

Located on Lake Charlevoix, Boyne City is just 25 minutes from Petoskey and offers shopping opportunities too! Check out these great spots to grab some gifts:

Alpine Chocolat Haus – Yes, chocolate! Chocolate is a gift anyone is sure to love. Alpine Chocolat Haus Boyne City is an extension of the original located in Gaylord. A unique flavor combination that they are known for is their chocolate-covered potato chips.

Beani’s Coffee Lounge or Lake Charlevoix Charlevoix Coffee Company – Give the gift of coffee with some local swag from a coffee shop or, of course, coffee! In the form of a bag of ground coffee or maybe a gift card!

Boyne Arts Center – Shop the Boyne Arts Center’s Holiday Market, happening each year through the holiday season. Check their website for this year’s dates and times for shopping local art, pottery, ornaments, scarves, purses, cards, jewelry, and so much more!

For Fun’s Sake – Local toy shops are always more special than shopping online. You can pick the most loud and annoying toy for your relative’s kids by experiencing it in person! But in all seriousness, you will find toys, books, games, and more at For Fun’s Sake in Boyne City!

 

Bay Harbor

Men’s on Main and Rebecca’s – These two shops offer clothing and accessories. Men’s on Main offers that signature Bay Harbor look you might be looking for the young man or gentleman in your life. Name brand clothing for any of your boating lifestyle friends or family. Rebecca’s Ladies Fashions offers an assortment of clothing and accessories for every age group.

Sadie Rose Boutique – This fairly new boutique in the Bay Harbor Downtown Village carries trendy jewelry, clothing, and children’s clothing. Along with these you can find personally curated art and gifts by the owner too.

Mammoth Distilling – The Village of Bay Harbor is home to a tasting room for Mammoth Distilling! Distilled in Central Lake, Michigan – just one hour south of Bay Harbor at their production facility on Torch Lake – Mammoth produces several different varieties of spirits: Contemporary Northern Gin, Rye Whiskeys of different varieties, bourbons of different varieties, vodka, Strawberry Rhubarb Vodka, Lavender Vodka, Cherry Vodka, ‘Cherry Bounce’, and Coffee Liquor.   Here you can purchase gifts for the craft spirits connoisseur in your life. Why not go for a little sample or two and decide what they might like best? Live music on Fridays and Saturdays most weeks to set the mood.

 

Experiences to Gift

When shopping for the holidays, you typically think of browsing in-store or online to find the perfect present for the person you love. To me, often the best gift you can give is an experience and a new one at that. Here are a few of my favorite experiences you could gift from our area:

A journey down the Sturgeon River – There are many ways to travel down the Sturgeon River located 10 miles from Alanson. One way recommended to do so would be to utilize Big Bear Adventures in Indian River. They offer guided adventures as well as tube floats down the river. This is not a lazy river, the fastest flowing river in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula in fact, so be prepared for an adventure! They offer tubing, rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. They even have winter rafting trips available.

Guided flyfishing on the Jordan River – Have you ever been flyfishing? Me neither, until recently. Yes, in October, I went flyfishing down the Jordan River. With a guide like True North Trout’s Brian, you can’t go wrong. I am not much of a fisherwoman, but it was an awesome experience. There is something about learning something new that is very empowering. During this guided trip you can expect to float the Jordan River in either a half-day or full-day experience. You will float in Brian’s boat and learn the ins and outs of the river, its fish, and what they eat. Along with that you will of course be guided in the basics of casting with a flyfishing rod. Gift certificates are available.

Zipline Adventure – Boyne Mountain and The Highlands both offer ziplining. So, depending on which location is preferred (Boyne Falls or Harbor Springs), you have two options for a ziplining adventure. Check out their pages to contact them for a gift certificate. This is available in warm and cold weather!

A cruise around Little Traverse Bay – Give the gift of looking forward to warmer days ahead and the joy of a bay breeze aboard the Little Traverse Bay Ferry! This ferry services Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Bay Harbor. Offering port-to-port experiences on Miss Lauren, sunset cruises and other specialty cruises aboard the Harbor Princess, there is much to choose from to get you out on Lake Michigan from late spring to early fall. Check their website for ticket bookings, OR purchase gift certificates.

Ideas For a Foodie Gift

So many delicious foods and food experiences in the Petoskey Area, and so little time. Have you thought of giving a delicious local food experience? You might want to consider looking at these if you have a foodie in your life.

Gift certificates – These can be so underrated. Pick a Petoskey, Boyne City, or even Harbor Springs restaurant gift card, and you’re gifting a great dining experience they might not treat themselves to regularly. Or even to a specialty foods store like American Spoon Foods or Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars where they can sample and experience all they have to offer and pick their favorites.

A Farm-to-Table Dinner – Pond Hill Farm offers a select number of Farm-to-Table wine tasting dinner experiences in the colder months. Keep an eye on their website for more information.

Many ideas to get you started as you think about upcoming gift-giving opportunities. Check out PetoskeyArea.com for a full list of shopping, dining, lodging, and things to do.

 

About the author
Ellen Hillier is a native of the area and loves to promote the next fun thing to do in the Petoskey Area – but also loves giving out local favorites and learning opportunities for all. She hopes to help in your planning process for your next trip to the Petoskey Area of northern Lower Michigan.