With the holidays in full swing, finding the perfect gifts for loved ones is a priority on everyone's to-do list.
To give you some gift-giving inspiration, Chicago Inno has compiled a list of Chicago-made products from local startups and entrepreneurs that offer a range of different gift ideas, from kitchen devices that tell you when your food is about to spoil to a bottle of Bob Dylan’s whiskey. We’ve listed items from "affordable" to "splurge-worthy."
So check out our 2018 Chicago startup gift guide below and get to shopping!
Cameo—$5-$2,500 Cameo lets you request and pay for video shout-out messages from celebrities. Via the startup’s website and iPhone app, users can browse a list of celebrities ranging from Dennis Rodman to Lance Bass, and gift personalized video messages to their loved ones.
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SWZLE—$9.99 Now that plastic straws are becoming a thing of the past, everyone is going to need their own set of reusable ones. Luckily, Chicago startup SWZLE, founded by former Chicago Bear Ryan Mundy and former Bucketfeet exec Philip Causgrove, is making a line of reusable paper and stainless steel straws that come with custom carrying cases.
Javaya—$18-$21 Founded just last year, Javaya sells and delivers fresh craft coffee from dozens of artisanal brands throughout the country. Once an order is placed, Javaya notifies the company to roast and ship the coffee for free all on the same day, so that by the time the buyer receives it, the coffee is hitting its peak flavor—perfect for the coffee lover.
Cards Against Humanity—$25 The Chicago-made card game, branded as “a party game for horrible people,” sells a variety of versions of its original game. They include a pride pack and a theatre pack.
Powwful Power Socks—$27 The socks are made of micro-nylon yarns and spandex, and are designed to combat achy, swollen legs and feet that can lead to spider and varicose veins. They come in nine colorful designs, decorated with progressive and feminist phrases. They have titles ranging from “We Are All Human,” which is designed to represent LBGTQ rights, to “No Fear Just Power,” which promotes a woman’s right to feel safe in more vulnerable situations, like when traveling alone.
Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door—$50-$130 Dylan’s new whiskey line sells three different whiskeys, a double barrel whiskey, a straight rye whiskey, and a Tennessee bourbon, which features a floral, delicate aroma and notes of caramel, coriander and vanilla. It's produced with Chicago-based Spirits Investment Partnership, which is led by CEO Marc Bushala and COO Ryan Perry.
Ovie Smarterware—$95-$270 These Alexa-compatible, smart kitchen “tags” tell you when your food is about to spoil. To activate them, just press the button on the tag, tell Alexa what's inside and then Ovie’s connected platform will use estimates it pulls from its database to let you know how much time you have to eat something before it goes bad.
SongFinch—$99-$249 This Chicago startup lets you make personalized, one-of-a-kind songs for your loved ones. SongFinch connects users with songwriters who turn someone’s personal stories and feelings into unique, professional-quality songs. And they can be turned around within seven days.
Oars + Alps’s Oarsman Holiday Kit—$100 The kit includes six of Oars + Alps’s classic products, like its solid face wash, eye cream and lip balm. It also includes a face moisturizer, eye pen, exfoliating blue charcoal soap, a moisturizing bar, toiletry bag and soap tin.
RompHim—$119 Chicago-based clothing startup Aced Design sells the RompHim, a summertime romper designed for men. They are sold in numerous colors and patterns, and in both short and long pants.
Cubii—$249-$399 Dubbed the world’s first under-desk elliptical trainer, Cubii is designed to help people stay in shape while sitting at their desk. The device connects to a smartphone app, allowing users to track their workout in real time.
Tovala—$349 Just ahead of the holidays, Tovala unveiled its “Gen 2” oven, a slimmed-down version of its countertop oven that uses a combination of steam heat, baking and broiling to create restaurant-quality meals from your home. Tovala lets you cook your own recipes or subscribe to its meal delivery service, which is designed by chef Alexander Plotkin and delivered to your door for $12 per meal.
Modobag—$1,495 This motorized, rideable piece of carry-on luggage comes with collapsible footrests and handlebars. Modobag can be ridden up to 8 mph for 6 miles on a single charge, can accommodate riders up to 260 lbs and offers 2,000 cubic inches of packing space.
