The 16 best Christmas stores in Chicago

The department store’s 118th annual holiday celebration features a 45-foot toy shop-themed tree in the Walnut Room restaurant. Families can reserve a visit with Santa, who will be sitting behind his desk and checking his list. Stroll outside to view 42 trumpets above the 56th annual holiday window displays. The store features Marvel, NBA and Disney collections, so you can find gifts for all ages and price ranges.

Chicago's largest open-air market is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Inspired by a Nuremberg, Germany, market that was founded in 1545, this market features iconic German items like nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks and beer steins, as well as hand-blown ornaments and wooden handicrafts. Authentic food (sausages, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, waffles) and drink (beer and Glühwein, a traditional hot spiced wine) are also available, along with assorted sweets.

Building Blocks has been a Chicago staple for 29 years. The charming toy shop with three Chicago locations is known for its meticulously curated variety of educational and developmental toys suited for children between newborn and three years old, plus puzzles, books, games, crafts and more. The shop comes alive at Christmas with extended hours, a toy drive, free gift wrapping and the chance to get a custom silhouette portrait of your kid.

Since 1997, P.O.S.H. has sold an eclectic mix of dinnerware, accessories, jewelry and books from the historic Tree Studio building in downtown Chicago. Check out the store's annual whimsical holiday window display, then head inside to browse a collection sourced from antique markets, supply depots and auction houses, with plenty of seasonal offerings including ornaments, tea towels and hot chocolate mix.

A haven for kids and families since 1993, the Lincoln Square shop emphasizes the importance of play in a child’s physical, emotional and cognitive development. Their selection ranges from teethers for infants to toy cars for toddlers, dollhouses for preschoolers and Lego sets for older kids. Teens and adults, on the other hand, can pick up a complex board game or puzzle.

For the foodie in your life, Ándale offers the perfect gift. The shop, which is a "love letter to the bodega," stocks all things food and drink, from preparation to execution. Inventory includes rainbow-hued cutting boards, cookbooks, Ibérico ham chips and premium CBD drinks. For the ultimate holiday gift, pick up an Ándale Market Box. These pre-packed gift boxes are curated with fun themes like "Fishy Faves" (a cigar box packed with tinned fish sourced from across the globe) and "Pizza Night" (a bundle of artisanal pizza ingredients complete with a recipe card).

Shopping for someone who's a die-hard Chicagoan? This local shop, with locations in Wicker Park and Andersonville, offers a variety of Chicago-inspired products that are sure to bring joy to their faces. From hats embroidered with the city flag and "Chicago handshake" tees to a Chicago transit board game, there's no shortage of novelty items to peruse.

Don't let the suspicious entrance in the alleyway throw you off; Ragstock is a longtime Lakeview staple. Its selection of college sweatshirts, 90's T-shirts, tie dye shirts, and other kooky finds make it an excellent destination for a bargain costume hunter or vintage lover. Oh, and ugly Christmas sweaters? Ragstock has arguably the finest selection in Chicago.

If Wes Anderson designed a cafe-meets-gift shop, it would probably look a lot like The Center of Order and Experimentation. Step inside and you're greeted by a velvet-upholstered counter, sticker-covered clipboards and sleek, futuristic-font signs declaring the space is "not a cult." Along with niche items—like cake-shaped candles, fluorescent tea boxes and handmade ceramics from local makers—COE is hosting a slew of holiday activations, including custom foil embossing, stunning gift wrapping options and extended hours for the procrastinators among us.

Looking to support artists during the gift giving season? Taking place December 4–7, the One of a Kind Show gathers nearly 600 artists and artisans on the seventh floor of the Merchandise Mart building for a seasonal bazaar of handcrafted goods and gourmet food. Browse selections of fine art, ceramics, clothing, pet supplies, toys and tons of other wares, or check out live music and other activities throughout the weekend. A portion of this year's ticket sales will benefit the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. 

Wander around with a Bloody Mary in hand at the annual holiday iteration of Randolph Street Market on December 13 and 14, which always boasts an eclectic smattering of vendors selling vintage furniture, handmade clothing, art, antiques and more treasures guaranteed to make for a memorable gift.

Renegade Craft's flagship event takes over Morgan Manufacturing for a holiday-themed market on December 16-17. Attendees will be able to shop the handmade wares of more than 170 vendor booths, selling everything from candles and screenprints to jewelry and clothing. 

Support economic and environmental justice at this 12th annual market in Lincoln Park that runs through December 23. More than two dozen Chicago businesses bring together works from artisans around the world, including glassware, ornaments, sweaters, coffee and candles.

Want to flaunt your Chicago pride? The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago offers unique gifts by local artists, and your purchases help support creatives and small businesses in your community. From Keith Haring t-shirts to a whole slew of tough-to-find Dusen Dusen home goods, you won't be hard pressed to find the perfect gift here. 

Running from 5–10pm on December 12 and 13, the annual market at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel features dozens of art, food and retail vendors. Pick up a cocktail to sip while you shop for jewelry, greeting cards, ornaments, spices, sauces and more. And when you need to refuel, grab a snack from local favorites like Soothsayer Hot Sauce and Lemaster Family Kitchen.