2023
ift guid
SHOP SMALL. SUPPORT LOCAL.
A T M O S P H E R E M I N N E A P O L I S
SEASONS greetings As the new year starts to peek around the corner, the season of hosting and gift giving begins! For us, this holiday season is all about making up for lost time and making new memories. To help, we’ve developed this Minneapolislocal gift guide, stocked with some of our favorite places and party tips + tricks. With small business Saturday this week, kick off your holiday shopping by supporting your favorite nearby maker! How can we be mindful in both gift giving + shopping? When we give gifts mindfully, we give from the heart. We think about what is meaningful to the receiver of the gift. How do we want them to feel? Giftgiving is really an act of love— a true and thoughtful gesture that shows people what they mean to you and how much you care about them!
But wait! Gifts that are purchased from locally owned shops are meaningful both to the receiver and to the shop owner. We believe our culture has a deeper hunger to slow down and connect with our children, friends and neighbors. Make a day of it— grab your crew and shop local! Enjoy perusing our top favorite gifts— we are thankful for our local businesses and for you! We hope that this guide is helpful as you enter the holiday season.
Claire, McKaela, Janine and the Atmosphere team
JANINE’S FAVORITE THING
MERRY & bright Christkindlsmarkt! Try saying that three times fast! Just a stone’s throw west of the Cities, the delightful town of Excelsoir hosts an annual Christmas-themed festival. Grab a warm beverage and check out some of the live music. Shop for locally made goodies. Bring the kiddos and meet Christkind The Golden Angel, Sprinkles the Elf, or even Father Christmas and his real live reindeer!
Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt The Christkindlsmarkt runs Friday through Sunday on the weekend of November 24th this year. Get in the Christmas spirit at excelsiorchristmas.com
CLAIRE’S FAVORITE THING
IMITATE life Transport yourself to the stunning landscapes of Lara Eckerman. Lara’s mixed media work uses color and texture inspired by nature and landscapes to create beautiful abstract designs. You can find some of her incredible wall art on Etsy, and don’t overlook her adorable Christmas tree ornaments!
Lara Eckerman Art Bring the warmth of nature into your homes with one of Laura’s originals or a giclee print. Muse dreamily at etsy.com/shop/laraeckermanart
NATASHA’S FAVORITE THING
DAZZLE wildly As a local favorite, Larissa Loden’s work never fails to impress! Serving up everything from sassy to classy, Larissa Loden has the right jewelry for every occasion. The store also has a wide array of lifestyle products that make it the perfect destination for gift-giving. I’m currently in love with these Kristen earrings that are perfect for a casual weekend or a fancy night on the town!
Larissa Loden With a storefront in St. Paul and an extensive online store, there’s plenty more than jewelry to explore. Find your edge at larissaloden.com
MCKAELA’S FAVORITE THING
TRULY darling When Jenny and Van had their first child, they were overwhelmed by the amount of options for children's products. As they scoured the market for the most sustainable and durable products, their curation led to the establishment of their very own store. Check out their collection from JellyCat for the most huggable plushes you've ever held!
Lil’ Tulips Lil' Tulips has a retail location in Stillwater, MN. They also sell direct from their website and use sustainable shipping methods. Embrace childhood wonder at liltulips.com
KELLEY’S FAVORITE THING
MINNElove Relive the historic feel of Dayton’s department store shopping this holiday season! The Departments at Dayton’s features seventy-eight unique vendors including local artists, artisans, and small businesses. One of my favorites is Conccinella, an ethnic shop specializing in goods sourced from the Mediterranean. Check out their award-winning selection of olive oils!
The Departments at Dayton’s Running through December 30th this year at the original Dayton’s location, right in the heart of Minneapolis. Embrace Minnesota at thedepartmentsatdaytons.com
MICHAEL’S FAVORITE THING
BRIGHT spirits Some of the great minds once involved with Dangerous Man Brewing transformed an old artists’ studio into a stunning café to create The Briar. Refinished hardwood floors, dazzling new light fixtures and a custom-made bar make this little hideaway a designer’s dream. Always spinning records or playing a VHS of your favorite 80’s movie, The Briar is a great place to grab a quick coffee or indulge over fine cocktails with friends.
The Briar At this lovely spot on 13th Ave in NE Minneapolis, you’re sure to find a coffee or boozy beverage to make your heart sing. Become a regular at briarbar.com
GOODwood Cannon River Bowl and Spoon is guided by the philosophy "Surround yourself with things you find beautiful and use them everyday." Benjamin and his partner Darcy produce truly hand-turned bowls and finely sculpted utensils, exquisitely sanded and durably finished. All of their products are crafted using salvage wood from local tree services and storms, having never cut down a tree for material. We’re obsessed with the warm feel of these expertly-finished products!
Cannon River Bowl Cannon River Bowl and Spoon creates products out of their workshop on the Minnesota north shore. Beautify your kitchen at cannonriverbowl.com
JENNY’S FAVORITE THING
DATE night Built around 1900, this Romanesque Revival building was once home to the Security Bank. In recent years, the building operated as an upscale hotel. As part of a massive renovation in 2019, the Emery welcomed Guilia, an incredible Northern Italian restaurant with a stunning interior. The focus on northern Italian flavors are precise and spot-on. Their delicious fresh pasta is unbeatable, just like Nonna used to make!
Giulia Send your tastebuds to the FriuliVenezia Giulia region of Italy without ever leaving Minneapolis. Bank on a lovely meal at dinegiulia.com
MICHAEL’S FAVORITE THING
ARTsnob Find the perfect gift for the art lover in your life at the Walker Art Shop. Featuring a wide array of home goods, art prints, and jewelry, there’s something for everyone. Some of our favorite works include the latest collection from Corey Moranis. Her work explores new materials like lucite acrylic, with shapes that twist and turn into a modern style that’s totally unique.
Walker Art Shop With selections you won’t find anywhere else, this isn’t your mother’s museum gift shop. Renew your artistic energy at shop.walkerart.org
GARY’S FAVORITE THING
LOCALheat We can't get enough of Cry Baby Craig's habanero & garlic hot sauce! Born out of an accidental delivery of habaneros, Craig's hot sauce was an instant hit. Made using ingredients from local farmers, these vegan, all-natural and gluten-free sauces are full of hot and spicy flavor. The original CBC's Habanero & Garlic Hot Sauce is the perfect combination of habanero pepper kick, garlic goodness, and a secret blend of spice.
Cry Baby Craig’s Minnesota-made hot sauces that are full of flavor and pack a punch. Shed some tears at crybabycraigs.com
BARB’S FAVORITE THING
RUSTIC luxe Lindsey always swooned over the style of big, bold jewelry styles, but was bothered by the way the heavy earrings made her ears sore. After experimenting with various materials, she crafted her first pair of leather earrings and instantly fell in love. Lindsey’s focus on lightweight, natural materials results in comfortable, stunning jewelry that’s sure to turn heads. I’m smitten with the way her works play with shape and texture to create a truly unique collection of styles!
Asch & Pine Lindsey ships her handmade creations out of her Midwest studio. Allure at www.aschandpine.com
GREAThits Modern, clean, and cozy is the name of the game at Disco Death. Grab one of their specialty coffee beverages and browse their diverse selection of tapes and records. Be sure to try their Horchata Latte while browsing the collection! Warm and creamy with a touch of cinnamon, it’s the perfect winter-weather warm-up.
Disco Death Records Disco Death Records is hip spot in the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood. Spin something new at discodeathrecords.com
DARLA’S FAVORITE THING
SIMPLE beauty These absolutely gorg jewelry trays made from half-shells are just one of many lovely local creations you’ll find at Simply Creative. Also offering painting and crafting classes, this newly-opened boutique shop shouldn’t be missed!
Simply Creative A local gift shop offering art, workshops, and gifts. Discover delicate glamor at simplycreativemn.com
NOVEL ideas Cruise down Mainstreet in Hopkins and you'll find the adorable Cream & Amber, a community-centered café with a love for beer and books. Pick up a copy of a new novel for the cozy season or treat yourself to a local brew. With their expertly curated selections, you're bound to find something you love, whether you read it or sip it!
Cream & Amber A cozy café selling new and used books and serving local craft beer. Read more books & drink good beer at creamandamber.com
NATASHA’S FAVORITE THING
RESTeasy Step into the enchanting world of Flora Room, where darkness meets moodiness, and plants adorn the bar like a lush canopy. The ambiance is a perfect blend of old charm and modern elegance, with unique cocktail illustrations guiding your choices. Perfectly-balanced and rich in flavor, our favorite cocktail is the Alsace. Immerse yourself in this speakeasy's mysterious jungle feel, where impeccable drinks and spectacular ambiance make Flora Room a uniquely captivating experience.
Flora Room No reservations- first come, first serve. Open 5pm-1am daily. Visit the speakeasy at 200 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN
LEAH’S FAVORITE THING
SPLENDID bliss Paris and her daughter Summer always had a passion for self-care products. Tired of struggling to find brands that shared their values, the motherdaughter team founded Douse-ify, a brand that prides itself in products made with high-quality, non-toxic ingredients. With a sweeping range of scents, their candles can make any house feel more like a home. Our favorite is Earl Grey, Hot, a delightful blend of citrus, bergamot, and jasmine.
Douse-ify This lifestyle boutique produces selfcare products like candles, soaps, and body creams made with wholesome ingredients. Sweeten your airspace douse-ify.com
TIMELESS style Les Sol was started by two sisters with a love for vintage, quality goods. Their store has a diverse selection of fashion spanning a broad range of eras and trends, plus plenty of brand-new artistdesigned accessories that can help you pull together the perfect look. We’re obsessed with their stylish hairclips from MLE, a boutique studio based out of upstate New York.
Les Sol New and vintage womenswear. Glamorize at shoplessol.com
CRAIG’S FAVORITE THING
CANNED laughter From the outside, this building in St. Paul still pretty much looks the same as it did when it was operated as a canning facility in the 1890s. But follow the labyrinthine hallways down into the basement, and you’ll discover the space transformed into an enormous, colorful wonderland! The rose of this whimsical bouquet is their artist-designed mini golf course, but don’t miss the extensive arcade, their tap wall of 30+ beers, and live entertainment almost every night. A bustling spot for an evening out with friends, or a daytime adventure for the whole family, there’s plenty for everyone at Can-Can Wonderland.
Can-Can Wonderland A full arcade, wide selection of food and beverage, and mini golf like you’ve never seen before. Putt in color at cancanwonderland.com
MERRY everything As a creative powerhouse, Claire emits positive energy everywhere she goes! Claire supports Atmosphere as their A+D Workplace Consultant, collaborating with sales & marketing to educate, support, and build meaningful connections with the design community. This holiday season, Claire will be laying low and soaking up snuggles as a new mama! As Steelcase’s A+D Manager, McKaela inspires through her firm foundation in design & sales and passion for bringing out the very best in everything she touches! You’ll see McKaela soaking up the outdoors with her two daughters in the eastern burbs. Janine is always hard at work, partnering with designers to find the perfect Designtex solution for their projects. Whether it be a sustainable textile, custom drapery or a graphic wall covering, Janine will find an answer for every need! As a western suburb lifer, Janine takes pride in raising her two daughters here and shopping some of the same small businesses that have been around since she was younger.