There’s something so incredible about shopping local and supporting businesses within our community. It’s something we’re extremely passionate about here at Detroit Mom. Buying local gives back to our community and, I don’t know about you, but that’s something I want to be a part of.
For our Detroit Mom-Approved Holiday Gift Guide, we’ve made it super simple for you to shop. The majority of these businesses have the option to purchase online and ship anywhere. In honor of shopping small this holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of local businesses we think are worth checking out. It’s safe to say that we’ve tried every single one of these businesses ourselves. Check them out!
EXPERIENCES
From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America and the critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.
Frozen runs from November 29-December 17 at the Detroit Opera House. Tickets to this incredible show would be a perfect holiday gift that the whole family would love!
Fascination Factory is a new play-based learning center for young children in Birmingham. The Factory fosters connection, creativity, and curiosity by eliminating batteries, plugs, and instructions from children’s play. The open play concept promotes free-play at dynamic activity stations, stimulating imagination and skill development.
Additionally, Fascination Factory offers families:
- a retail section with a curated selection of quality learning toys (available on their website and in the shop) with complimentary gift wrapping and local delivery
- play gift certificates
- private parties
- pop up experiences
- break + summer camps
Scent your space by creating a signature scent unique to you at Urban Wick Candle Bar. Whether you are enjoying a Michigan summer Up North or cozying up to the fireplace on a cold winter’s night, your favorite scents and memories are unique to you and that is the beauty of their one-of-a-kind candle making experience. Urban Wick has 90+ premium fragrance oils available for you to choose from and blend together to create your custom scent. Their candles are made with natural soy wax, organic cotton wicks, and clean-burning fragrance oils. This combination provides the cleanest burn, the strongest scent throw, and a long burn time. With proper wick and candle care, you can expect a 60 hour burn time with their standard 8 oz vessels.
Experience everything Mi-Sci has to offer by becoming a member today! Along with unlimited free general admission to their live stage shows, lab activities, and over 220 hands-on exhibits, members receive discounts and priority seating for their 4D theater and planetarium, invitations to exclusive members-only events and hours, and so much more. A family membership costs $99/year and the benefits cover two adults and up to six household children under the age of 18. This membership also includes access to the A.S.T.C. passport program, granting admission to over 200 science museums across the country.
Stemville is a play center for school-aged children with endless STEM activities and materials. Stemville hopes to stimulate the minds of all the children who visit so they too can imagine, explore, design, and create! With a monthly membership, you can enjoy unlimited visits, bi-monthly STEM patch activities, no fees for additional adults, private party discounts, and a monthly buddy pass. E-gift cards are available on their website and traditional gift cards are available in store.
Give a “zoonique” holiday gift that supports the animals at the Detroit Zoo and life-saving animal rescues. You’ll get a supply of Vitamin Z for as low as $135 per family.
Each membership gift includes:
• Daytime admission and parking at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center
• Discounts at Zoo gift shops
• Seasonal members-only entrance, and more
Three ways to purchase:
• Go to detroitzoo.org/membership
• Visit our onsite Membership Office
• Call (248) 541-5717 and press 3
With much excitement, we are thrilled to announce that Handcrafters Handmade Markets is returning to the Embassy Suites Livonia for its 44th annual Tinsel & Treasures Holiday Market. Featuring the best-of-the-best handmakers and craftspeople, Tinsel & Treasures has been ranked one of the country’s top handmade markets for eleven years and running! With an emphasis on quality over quantity, 75+ of the Midwest’s best creatives come together for this annual holiday shopping event! Featuring seasonal decor, apparel, jewelry, specialty food, and unique gifts, this is the perfect opportunity to find unique gifts for your loved ones. Don’t miss out on this fun and festive event!
MORE EXPERIENCES
FOR KIDS
Modern Natural Baby is a 5,000-square-foot brick and mortar store in Downtown Ferndale just north of Detroit. They can complete your entire baby registry for your modern natural baby including cloth diapers, baby carriers, wooden toys, strollers, clothing, high chairs, car seats, furniture, and so much more. Modern Natural Baby is currently only open for online shipping and curbside pickup.
Fascination Factory is a new play-based learning center for young children in Birmingham. The Factory fosters connection, creativity, and curiosity by eliminating batteries, plugs, and instructions from children’s play. The open play concept promotes free-play at dynamic activity stations, stimulating imagination and skill development.
Additionally, Fascination Factory offers families:
- a retail section with a curated selection of quality learning toys (available on their website and in the shop) with complimentary gift wrapping and local delivery
- play gift certificates
- private parties
- pop up experiences
- break + summer camps
Healthy Roots Dolls is a toy company that creates dolls and storybooks that empower young girls and represent the beauty of our diversity.
Meet Zoe! Zoe is the first Healthy Roots Doll and she is far from average. The Zoe doll’s hair is specially-designed with curl power that allows it to be washed and styled in any way you can think of. Kids can use real products and try out countless styles from puffs to box braids! Zoe learned to love her hair after she did the big chop with her mom. Together, they learned step-by-step, how to love every single one of her curls. Now she’s here to help other girls learn to love their curls! Sized at 18” in height, Zoe is the perfect companion with hair that is bigger than life.
Their mission is to teach girls to love themselves just the way they are.
Hank a Roo Readings is a children’s book imprint created by local author Lindsay Gizicki. She’s the author of three adorable children’s books that inspire children to try their best and never give up. The illustrations are beautiful and while reading, your kids will pick up on so many new vocabulary words. Her books make a great gift for the kids on your holiday gift lists.
“A book with a message that could influence a generation!” Grow LOVE is a children’s book that is needed now more than ever. Said to be “a book blessing,” Grow LOVE spreads the message of giving love away to keep it growing. Kimberly’s goal is to equip young people with the four super powers needed to be a global citizen in an everyday global world. Kimberly’s books are driven by impact, not profit, and are ethically sourced and produced with respect for people and the environment. Kimberly is also the author of You are my baby. I am your mommy., lovingly referred to as “the Baby Mommy book” by thousands of adoptive families.
Over the Moon Sleep Consulting takes the guess work out of teaching your child to sleep. They work with newborns up to 6-year-olds. They teach you sleep science, create a daily schedule, evaluate baby’s nursery, identify sleep props, and provide daily 1:1 support. Over the Moon Sleep Consulting will guide you every step of the way and use methods based on sleep science. No tricks. No gimmicks. Just sleep.
Think gift cards for that mom in your life that needs a really good night’s sleep!
Livy Lou is creating memories with accessories.
MORE FOR KIDS
FASHION + ACCESSORIES
Fashion is a trend, style is eternal. At Ferne Boutique in Ann Arbor, they carefully select clothing to help women dress with confidence. Whether it is a little black dress for a night on the town, or a casual tunic and jeans, they want their customers to have access to unique styles that make them feel beautiful. Providing exceptional customer experiences is Ferne Boutique’s main goal. They want everyone to be a repeat customer!
Rebel Nell exists to provide employment, equitable opportunity, and wraparound support for women with barriers to employment. By repurposing meaningful materials into wearable art, they mark life’s important moments and connect them to your personal journey. Rebel Nell seeks to embolden women, to embrace their infinite strength, and to define their own future. Their jewelry serves as a reminder that there is power in being ONE OF NO OTHER KIND.
CURRENT SPECIAL PROMOTION: spend $75 and receive a keychain; spend $150 and receive a Bianca bracelet and a keychain; spend $250 and receive a set of two coasters, a Bianca bracelet, and a keychain!
Kiloh + Co is a woman-owned apparel brand focused on all things local love and game day! They are based in Michigan and have a fun holiday pop-up experience this season!
LovePeaceThreads offers cool threads for creative people–taking your leisurewear to the next level in designing your custom threads however you want! You can easily add your business logo, a family memory, a special date, a saying, or a word. Their leisurewear options include t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, custom denim jackets, hats, and beanies.
Mend on the Move is a space for healing + empowerment for survivors of abuse in Detroit through sustainably handcrafted jewelry.
MORE FASHION + ACCESSORIES
SELF CARE+BEAUTY
Retreat to Reclaim is a well-being community, based out of Southeastern Michigan and retreating worldwide. They are a courageous space to heal, grow, and expand alongside local, soul-centered women. Retreat to Reclaim provides the experiences and tools to RECLAIM your connection to yourself, and live a life that makes you feel more free, whole, and alive! Join them in-person at one of their monthly local Day Retreats, at their annual Traverse City retreat in the Fall, or retreat with them around the U.S. and beyond. Their Reclaimed Sisters most often proclaim that being inside this community has given them the courage to finally put themselves first! Choose YOU and join them inside Retreat to Reclaim!
Beauty in Science Medspa offers medical grade treatments within all budgets in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. At Beauty in Science Medspa they specialize in highlighting natural beauty and prioritize personal growth through knowledge and education. They look forward to curating treatment plans for everyday people in their St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, and Detroit community.
FACE FOUNDRIÉ is an all-inclusive focused facial bar that focuses on all things face: facials, lashes, brows, + skincare. They empower their customers to look and feel their best by providing cutting edge services, accessible pricing, and an extensively trained staff of skin experts that deeply care. They were founded in 2019 by a single mother who was unimpressed with the amount of time and money women have to spend on quality skincare. FACE FOUNDRIÉ bridges the gap to accessible and approachable skincare with a modernized way of booking same day services. Get some much needed R&R with them. They can’t wait to touch your face!
CURRENT SPECIAL PROMOTIONS: receive a $20 gift card for every $100 in gift cards purchased through 12/24.
MORE SELF-CARE + BEAUTY
HOME DECOR
Modern Supply, a women-owned business since 2021, embodies minimalist design through home decor, body care products, books, and garden + lifestyle goods. At their shop in Royal Oak, you’ll find an appreciation for high-quality craftsmanship and sustainably-minded products from local artists to makers around the world. Curated with intention, Modern Supply has become the go-to place for just the right gift you need or didn’t know you needed!
CURRENT SPECIAL PROMOTION: check out their small business crawl now through 12/31 with 13 local businesses and the opportunity to win one of three incredible giveaways by participating!
Applewood Candle Co. is a home fragrance collection, handcrafted in small batches using thoughtfully-curated ingredients for a clean, luxury candle burning experience! Allison, the owner and maker, started making candles because her dog, Magnolia, was getting sick from the candles she was purchasing and burning. They are proud to have created candles that are safer for pets, as well as the whole family!
Soul Roots Wax Company is based out of Brownstown, Michigan and offers a variety of hand poured, small batch candles, room sprays, and wax melts. Their products are inspired to escape reality by taking you back to a special moment in time or place. They are focused on their craft of creating simple, clean-burning, soulful candles from their heart to your nose. Each of their products are hand poured in small batches with using fragrance oils that are free from phthalates and Prop 65 chemicals. Their candles are made from 100% American grown soy wax and are free from paraffin and dyes. It’s their desire to share more soulful moments with others through the craft of slow burning, non-toxic candles, making emotional connections one sniff at a time.
Pingree Detroit is made up of Detroit makers who handcraft bags, home goods, items for pets, footwear, and accessories using high-quality leather that is reclaimed from the auto industry, right here in Detroit. How cool is that?! And, all of their products are made right here, too. Talk about local love! The core mission of Pingree Detroit focuses on sustainability, and they are working hard to ensure that future generations can live sustainably as well.
The MamaRiseUp mission is to uplift and motivate moms through the journey of motherhood using stationery products. Their products can be treasured by you or given as a gift to a mother. Whether you’re a mother or a supporter of one, please visit their shop to browse their heartfelt, empowering collection designed exclusively for moms to find their strength.
Give a gift that special mom in your life can enjoy all year long!
MORE HOME DECOR
BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES
FOR FOODIES
2023 Detroit Mom-Approved Foodie Gift Guide
Stay tuned for the updated Detroit Mom-Approved Foodie Gift Guide, coming soon!
We hope you love these local businesses as much as we do! They are truly some of the best gems in Detroit. You’ll find something special for everyone on your list. 2023 is the year to shop local, shop small, and support our community. We know just how much our favorite small businesses appreciate you! Stop by or shop online, and tell them Detroit Mom sent you!
