Welcome to the holiday shopping season. This year, steer clear of the Amazon gift cards and the random board games you found at Target. Keep it local. Every dollar you spend at a local shop helps to support the place you call home, so don’t be a jerk by buying your loved ones the mass-produced crap for which they asked.

Instead, get them this other stuff.

Chippewa River Water. First, run over to the ol’ antique shop and buy a fancy-looking bottle. Next, run down to the Mighty Chip and fill it up with ice cold river water. Seal the bottle nice and tight. Like, really tight. Finally, strut into your friends’ holiday dinner party and give the host this most unique beverage. (For display only.)

Swanky Theater Tickets. Everyone knows that giving the gift of an “experience” is the best way to feel superior to your whole family and their lame offerings of crockpots, specialty coffee, and Packer pajama pants. And there’s no experience like live theater. The Pablo Center is hosting Hadestown next October, and your mom will totally love it, like, on some level. Tickets aren’t cheap so make sure Mom keeps that date open. Ten months from now.

It won’t be hard to find a set of artsy drink coasters, or a hand-printed tote bag, or an embroidered dish towel that just says “Ope” on it. Box it up with a bottle of ranch dressing and solidify your position as the family’s wacky jokemaster.

Local Beer. Just wait until your Miller-loving dad unwraps a few six-packs of locally brewed Sour Cookies-n-Cream Coffee Skittles Pale Ale. His awe-stricken face will be all the thanks you need.

Homemade “Bean” Bag Chair. It’s absolutely no secret that kids and cringy adults LOVE bean bag chairs. And remember “upcycling”? Is that still a thing? Well, believe you me, you can be the hit of your family’s Homemade Christmas celebrations by procuring a few of those big bags of leaves/sticks/insects you see on everyone’s curbs this time of year. Slap on a bow, and bingo-bango, your shopping is done-zo.

Locally Made Dog Treats. You must know someone with a dog, right?

Hilarious Drink Coasters, etc. Are you the irreverent sibling who’s always down to goof around? No problem. Just stop by any number of the fantastic Makers Markets you’re bound to see in the next few weeks. It won’t be hard to find a set of artsy drink coasters, or a hand-printed tote bag, or an embroidered dish towel that just says “Ope” on it. Box it up with a bottle of ranch dressing and solidify your position as the family’s wacky jokemaster.

Artisan Woodworks. Hey, nothing says “Proud Wisconsinite” like a $54 birdhouse with a cutout of Wisconsin glued to the side.

Artisan Leatherworks. Does your dear loved one need a little leather case they can attach to their belt? You never know!

Kubb Set. Hey, we’re living in the Kubb Capital of North America, so maybe you should start acting like it. Snag a locally-crafted Kubb Set for your brother/sister/father-in-law/stepmom. Tell them it’s a really big deal in Eau Claire. Awkwardly explain the rules as they nod and smile. And then, even though “people totally play in the wintertime,” your giftee will (proudly) place their new set on a shelf out in the garage. Once summer arrives, you can ring their doorbell and remind them how you bought them a nice Kubb set. Dust it off and play a game. There’s a good chance you’re both pretty bad, so that first game could take hours!

EC Transit Bus Pass. This is a great gift for anyone you’re sick of driving around.

Candles? Whisk your kid off to a candle-making workshop while you sit outside in the car, drinking Starbucks and listening to a podcast. Anything your children make themselves is like flippin’ catnip to grandmas.

Artisan Bodyworks. While you’re at the Makers Market I mentioned six gifts ago, pick up a bar of Oatmeal Goat Milk Lavender Toasted Marshmallow Juniper armpit deodorant. Give it to whoever’s left on your list.

Now. We all know the holiday season isn’t really about presents, but we also know that it really kind of is. And the best present you can give yourself is the knowledge that you’re a local-lovin’ son of a gun.