Smitten with the Mitten? 12 Michigan-Made Gift Ideas

Nothing says Michigan like these mittens. (Photo via Michigan Mitten Facebook page)

___________

Share a little Michigan love with these 12 ideas from The Mitten.

Based in Royal Oak, The Mitten Crate is a sort of food-of-the-month club.Co-founders Andrew Chmielewski and Cory Wright find and assemble the best in Michigan-made products every month and ship them to subscribers.

Photo via Mitten Crate Facebook page

A similar company, Heart of Michigan based in Howell, also offers 12 months of Michigan-made products, as well as a full line of Michigan-made gifts.

Photo via Heart of Michigan Facebook page

The Made-In-Michigan website offers something for everyone, including the family dog. Michigan-shaped dog treats are cut to resemble both the upper and lower peninsulas and are available in two flavors: peanut butter and applesauce, pumpkin and the original flavor.

Photo via Made In Michigan website

Michiganders have long used their hands to show people what part of The Mitten the live in, and that’s the inspiration behind CErich and Connie Hahne’s Clarkston-based Michigan Mittens. The mittens feature maps of Michigan. The upper peninsula is on one hand, the lower peninsula on the other.

Photo via Michigan Mittens Facebook page

Dave’s Sweet Tooth makes some of the best toffee around, even putting that your granny pulls to shame. The candies are available online, or at retail locations all around the Mitten, including stores in Berkley, Clinton Township, Ferndale, Northville, Shelby Township, St. Clair Shores and West Bloomfield.

Photo via Dave’s Sweet Tooth Facebook page

Speaking of sweets, Birmingham-based Sanders Fine Chocolatiers uses the same European style confectionery recipes and methods used by Fred Sanders when he opened the first store in Birmingham in 1875 are still be used today. The business was family owned until 2002, when Morley Candy Makers Inc. purchased the name and original recipes.

Photo via Sanders Fine Chocolatiers website

Just because it snows a little – OK, a lot – in Michigan is no reason to stay inside. In fact, state tourism officials say winter sports account for about a third of Michigan’s $17.7 billion annual travel industry. To get around, check out the snowshoes at Iverson Snowshoe & Furniture Inc.

Photo via Iverson Snowshoe Facebook page

Michigan is home to some fabulous glass artists. A couple of them are located nearby. Craig Mitchell’s glass sculptures are available online or at the studio in Lansing’s Old Town district.

Photo via Craig Mitchell Glass Artist Facebook page

Even closer to home is Epiphany Glass in Pontiac. In her artist’s statement, April Wagner says she is “intrigued by the process of blowing glass into linear and organic shapes. Then Iplay with them in space. By turning, twisting, or repeating the shapes I investigate their relationship to floor, wall, or tabletop.” Read more here.

Photo via Epiphany Glass website

More great ideas are found at Pewabic Pottery in Detroit. Works from the studio have been displayed at Louvre in Paris and other notable museums and galleries, as well as at such notable buildings as the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The ceramic pottery is known for its iridescent glazes.

Video screenshot via Pewabic Pottery website

Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor is a great source for foods that can only be found once a year, including Italian panettone and British Christmas Pudding. And Robert Lambert restores the tarnished reputation of fruitcakes with his rare cakes based on a treasured family recipe. Don’t take our word for it. Forbes said the cakes are “extraordinary” and “ne of a kind.”

Photo via Zingerman’s Facebook page

Michigan craft beer is always a solid choice, and with more than 150 microbreweries and nanobreweries to choose from, you won’t have to look far. The Michigan Beer Blog keeps a running tally. If packaged beer or growlers aren’t an option, consider gift certificates.

Photo via Shutterstock

Tell Us:

• What are some other Michigan-made gifts that should make the list?