When it comes to celebrating loved ones, there is no better feeling than finding the perfect gift. Giving a birthday gift—no matter how big or small, meaningful or funny, thought out or last minute—is the perfect way to celebrate the people in your life. A birthday gift is the extra touch that shows you care. And let’s be honest, gifts are just fun to give and get.
Give Evanston the gift of shopping local! There are so many amazing and unique local shops where you can find gifts for all ages and occasions. From clothes, cards, and candles, to books, rocks, and chocolate, there is something for everyone. For the littles in your life, you can find the perfect toy or shop at a boutique children’s store for timeless clothes.
The next time you need to buy a birthday gift, consider your local Evanston shops listed below!
Notice
You can’t help but take notice of Notice, located right on Central Street. Notice is part contemporary fashion, part baby and toddler, and part the perfect little gift for any season. This curated gift shop allows you to shop local and small while finding everything you need. You will want to visit Notice to see their colorful and classic collection from jewelry, to puzzles, to clothes, to cute mugs. And if you can’t go in person, visit the website where they have a Birthday Gift Guide ready for you to shop.
Nice Lena
The Nice Lena tagline says it all: The Wizard of Cute. Their collection of “fun stuff” includes stickers, DIY kits, art prints, mugs, origami paper earrings, and pop culture face masks. These gifts are perfect for the millennial in your life or anyone who loves funny with a side of cute. Along with candles, cards, and patches, you can also gift an experience at Nice Lena, which offers craft parties and workshops where you can learn to make soap, candles, cards, buttons, and metal stamping!
Stumble & Relish
Stumble & Relish is a mother and daughter-owned jewelry and gift shop. The shop is filled with small treasures for the buyer to stumble upon and relish. In the shop you will find handmade goods, unique finds, vintage accents, home decor, and stationery. On top of an exceptional collection of jewelry, Stumble & Relish has something for everyone.
Stella
Stella Boutique invites you to go on a treasure hunt through their fun and funky clothing, artisan jewelry, unique accessories, eclectic home goods, and other goodies. Geared towards women, but open to all, this boutique is perfect for the person in your life who loves all things artisan. If you can’t travel the world looking for gifts, look no further than Stella Boutique in Evanston, it brings crafted, artisan goods right to your doorstep.
Becky & Me Toys
What’s better than a toy shop curated by a teacher with 15 years of classroom experience? Becky & Me Toys believes that quality play is stimulated and enhanced by quality toys and materials. In an electronics-oriented society, Becky & Me Toys is committed to encouraging play that is real (not virtual), that is active and creative, and that is focused on the concerns, ideas and interests of children. Stop in at Becky & Me Toys for an incredibly vast and diverse array of toys for children of all ages.
Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony
At Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony, you can find cool clothes for girls and boys from size infant up to 12, plus a nice selection of toys, books, and gifts. With an amazing assortment of brands available, Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony offers everything from trendy to funky to classic to comfortable, so there is something in store for every little in your life.
Booked
Booked is a children-focused bookstore that offers a carefully curated, diverse selection of new titles and classics for youthful readers of all ages. This vibrant bookstore is a perfect place to shop for the avid young reader in your life. A gift from Booked is an opportunity for young children through young adults to learn about different places, cultures, religions, sexual/gender identities, and races. Booked promotes literacy, kindness, and fun in their book collection. If you don’t know where to start, ask the booksellers for recommendations!
Dave’s Rock Shop
For something a little more unique for the science and beauty lovers in your life, visit Dave’s Rock Shop. This rock shop offers a wide variety of unique, high-quality minerals, artifacts, bookends, carvings, gem boxes, gemstone beads, and much more. While you could shop in-store or online for a gift, you may want to include a visit to the store as a part of your gift! The store owners, Dave and Sandy Douglass, collect and display an extensive collection of fossils, including some very rare and unique pieces (and some named after the Douglass family, who were the first to discover them!). With such an amazing variety of fossils, rocks, crystals, and more, it’s a great place to learn about, enjoy, and buy some rock treasures.
Belgian Chocolatier Piron
You can NEVER go wrong with the gift of chocolate. The Belgian-trained master chocolatiers at Belgian Chocolatier Piron create true Belgian-style chocolates and novelties. Their mouthwatering selection of chocolates, barks, toffees, spreads, chocolate-dipped candied fruit, baking supplies, brandied cherry cordials, and more are the perfect gift for any sweet tooth. Gift an assortment of chocolate delicacies or a gift card that lets the recipient pick out their favorite treats.