21 Exciting Michigan Gifts to Get Your Bestie in 2024
Whether you’re bringing a touch of home to loved ones far away or shopping for a souvenir for yourself, there are tons of great Michigan gifts to choose from. Michigan is full of Midwest charm, along with totally unique cultures across the state. It can be hard to decide what best encapsulates your time in MI, so we're here to help you in your quest for the best gifts from the Great Lake State.
Your souvenirs from Northern Michigan will be symbols of the Northwoods or a dreamy lake town, while Southern Michigan might inspire you to grab some maize and blue gear or a piece of automotive history. Pure Michigan gives you all the details on different parts of the state to help you plan your dream vacation or summer getaway.
This detailed guide to Michigan-inspired and Michigan-made gifts for all occasions is as diverse as the state itself. There are plenty of gifts for foodies or cozy homebodies, but there’s no shortage of experience gifts for the adventure-lover either.
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- Experience Michigan Gifts Online or In-Person
- Michigan Gifts for Her
- Michigan Gifts for Him
- Unique Gifts From Michigan
- University of Michigan Gifts
- Foodie Michigan Gifts
Experience Michigan Gifts Online or In-Person
1. Specialty Classes Around Town
There are so many ways to experience Michigan, whether you’re there for fun, sports or outdoor adventures. Cooking classes in Detroit or cooking classes in Grand Rapids are just the tip of the iceberg. Learn to whip up pasties or homemade Italian food from an expert.
The natural beauty all over the state, especially up north, is best seen with your very own eyes, but you can snap some pretty amazing photos after taking a few photography classes in Detroit! These immersive experiences are ideal vacation activities, as a gift for a Michigander hosting you or even as team building activities in Detroit.
2. Pictured Rocks Tour
There are several ways to take in the magic and beauty of the Pictured Rocks, and gifting someone tickets or vouchers are great experience Michigan gifts. Whether by boat, kayak or on foot, the untouched nature up there is incredible. Take a dip in the crystal clear icy waters of Lake Superior or enjoy a long weekend of camping and hiking high above the waters. For a day trip, a guided boat tour or kayak tour lets you gaze up the towering walls, covered in a myriad of colors from the naturally occurring minerals.
3. Tulip Time Festival
In the middle of Michigan, you’ll find a small town called Holland that oddly feels like the Netherlands. The massive Dutch population helped to build this town, and each year in the Spring they host Tulip Time. While these experience Michigan gifts might not be as awe-inspiring as the real ones in Holland (Netherlands), it’s an energy-filled week brimming with colorful blooms and community events.
4. Go to a Lion’s Game
The Wolverines aren’t the only football team that people live and die for. Tickets to a Lions game are the perfect experience gifts in Michigan. With their stadium right in the heart of the city, it’s a fun date idea in Detroit or a team building activity in Detroit. Not only are the games full of energy and excitement but there are tons of incredible bars and restaurants around that area to explore.
Michigan Gifts for Her
5. A Cozy Michigan Sweatshirt
Especially up north, the temps can drop quickly, especially in the winter months, so warm and toasty fleeces or sweatshirts make great Michigan gifts for her. Any local gift shop will have tons of cute designs to choose from that feature an outline of the state, the word Michigan, a city name or an iconic area code (like 906 for the Upper Peninsula). Or go with local suppliers like Michigan Vibes.
6. Michigan Mittens
Midwest winters can be brutal, especially for women who tend to get colder faster. Warm and comfy knit Michigan Mittens are the coziest Michigan gifts for her. The Mitten State is often shown by stacking your hands on top of each other, representing the upper and lower peninsulas. These fun mittens have maps of these peninsulas as the design, which is also available in oven mitts for the home baker and even for babies so she can match with her newborn.
7. A Maize and Blue Quilted Duffel or Tote Bag
Even if she’s not a UMich alum, she can wear the maize and blue colors proudly. Beautiful blue and yellow quilted duffel or travel bags make great, convenient Michigan gifts for her. Vera Bradley makes a beautiful version, but there are plenty of others available. It’s ideal for college women or working professionals, as well as being perfect for road trips, lake days and weekends away.
8. Mitten Shaped Wooden Board
She can have a taste of home every time she entertains with a lovely mitten-shaped bamboo or wooden serving board. Top it with charcuterie or other goodies for your guests, and enjoy peeks of the engravings underneath as the food disappears.
Michigan Gifts for Him
9. Michigan Counties Scratch-Off Map
For the man who loves adventuring, these Michigan gifts for him are fun and interactive. A scratch-off map of the state lets him scratch off a colorful foil to reveal the names of each county. Exploring all 83 might take some time, but they are so diverse he’ll never get sick of it. He can choose his own adventure too by filling out an “I [blanked] in all of these Michigan counties” statement for his map.
10. Top 50 Michigan Breweries Map
If he considers himself a beer connoisseur, then a top 50 Michigan breweries map is the perfect thing for a birthday or other special occasion. He can mark off each craft brewery with a pin to admire his beer-drinking adventures. These are fun Michigan gifts for him that look neat and attractive while also having a somewhat active component.
11. Shinola Goods
If you’re wondering what to get someone from Detroit, the answer is anything Shinola. This luxury brand is based out of Detroit, though they have locations scattered across the country. Every piece is hand-crafted to last a lifetime. Watches, jewelry or bags make great Michigan gifts for him that are perfectly understated and classy.
Unique Gifts From Michigan
12. Sayklly’s Sweets
You can purchase Sayklly’s Candies all over the state, but it’s worth a trip up to Escanaba to visit their warehouse. This is the place to look for the tastiest and most unique gifts from Michigan. A yooper bar is a classic in the Northern region where they’re based, but any of their chocolatey confections hit the spot. Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal classics like neatly piped fudge-filled Easter eggs to include in a gift basket!
13. Petoskey Stones
There are tons of beautiful Petoskey stone creations that make unique gifts from Michigan, though a simple polished rock is pretty enough on its own. Gift shops often offer Petoskey stone bracelets or necklaces as well as things like candle holders, coasters or dishes. These beautiful rocks are part rock, part fossil and feature a beautiful coral-like design.
14. It Happened in Michigan Book
There’s a rich history behind the state of Michigan, whether you look at the Great Lakes or the automotive industry. It Happened in Michigan is a collaboration of short stories about real events that helped to shape the state into what it is today. It’s a unique Michigan gift that can be enjoyed over and over again.
If you've ever wondered what is Detroit famous for or what products originated in Michigan, this book reveals all the juicy details — from the creation of Motown in Detroit to the invention of the Ford Model T. You can give the gift of knowledge with this extremely interesting book.
15. Michigan Drinkware
Michiganders have a lot of pride in their fine state, so Michigan-themed drinkware can be great choices for your Michigan gifts. It’s a cute gift for a new couple seeking to fill up their kitchen cabinets, a born-and-raised Michigander living far from home or simply a family that thinks mugs are the perfect souvenir for any trip.
University of Michigan Gifts
16. A U of M Jersey
Pretty much everyone who lives in Michigan, and many who don’t, love the Wolverines. Beautiful maize and blue jerseys of a favorite player, current or past, are the perfect University of Michigan gifts for alumni and fans.
17. A Tour of The Big House
For a dedicated Michigan football fan, no place is more sacred and special than Michigan Stadium, a.k.a. The Big House. Guided tours are available and make for adventurous and interactive University of Michigan gifts for a true fan. While the tour will take you all around the facilities and let you run out onto the field, there’s nothing quite as electric as a home game.
18. Tickets to a Game
These exciting University of Michigan gifts are perfect for any football fan. Tickets to a game at The Big House are a hot commodity, especially for something special like the Ohio State and Michigan rivalry game, always slated for around Thanksgiving. Even seats in the nosebleeds allow you to feel the energy from the Wolverines and their fans.
Foodie Michigan Gifts
19. Cherry Flavored Goods
Whatever town you’re in, you’ll be able to find a Cherry Republic, or something similar, that showcases the sweetness of Michigan-grown cherries. These dark red beauties are wonderfully suited for a variety of uses, both sweet and savory. Pick up some foodie Michigan gifts to take with you like cherry BBQ sauce, cherry salsa, dark chocolate-covered cherries or a cherry-infused summer sausage with flecks of dried fruit.
20. Mackinac Island Fudge
There’s nothing quite like that sweet, creamy Mackinac Island fudge that’s popular all over Michigan and beyond. These sweet Michigan gifts are tasty on their own or as an ice cream flavor. A box of assorted fudge is a perfect thank-you or housewarming gift, too.
21. Frozen Pasties
Pasties are a Michigan classic, and something everyone should try at least once. Seasoned meat with rutabaga and potatoes, the northerners eat it with ketchup while the southerners prefer gravy. Whatever your preference, you can ship frozen pasties to enjoy anytime from local places like Lawry's Pasty Shop, the best foodie Michigan gifts for an out-of-towner.
From stocking stuffers to care packages sent with love from Michigan, there are tons of incredible gifts that can remind you of the Great Lakes State. Michigan-made gifts can range from homemade goodies to state pride clothing. Each region of the state welcomes you with unique beauty and goodies to remind you of your time there.
For even more fun experiential Michigan gifts, check out other classes happening on Classpop!
