The Ultimate Yooper Gift Guide
Find U.P.-made holiday gifts in Escanaba
Put a little piece of the Escanaba area under the tree! These gifts are made in the Upper Peninsula and will bring smiles. Better yet, most of the choices you can buy without leaving home. Tap the links to shop online.
Escanaba-made coffee, wine and beer
UP NORTH ROAST COFFEE
For the coffee lovers on your list, this locally roasted coffee incorporates the Upper Peninsula way of life with selections like the “Hunter’s Brew.” You can also add freshly roasted and perfectly candied Yooper nuts and chocolate-covered espresso beans to stockings and housewarming baskets.
Photo: UP North Roast Coffee
NORTHERN SUN WINERY
Family and friends will love popping the corks on these specialty wines made from estate-grown grapes at this Bark River winery and vineyard. Northern Sun’s award-winning wines pair perfectly with everyone’s Christmas and New Year’s Eve feasts.
Photo: Northern Sun Winery
LEIGH’S GARDEN WINERY
In downtown Escanaba, Leigh’s has several wines dedicated to the area’s history, like their “Bay de Noc Red” and “Escanaba Electric Street.” Their complete selection of vintages will please those who enjoy sharing happy memories of the Upper Peninsula.
Photo: Leigh’s Garden Winery
UPPER HAND BREWERY
Although they don’t ship beer, Upper Hand Brewery has an excellent selection of apparel and gift items devoted to their U.P.-inspired beer.
Photo: Upper Hand Brewery
Custom U.P. home decor
YOOPER DESIGNZ
Wow that special person with custom signs crafted from locally sourced U.P. hardwood! Don’t miss out on their other Michigan-related gift items. You will find them all, plus classes, at their Gladstone store. Gift cards, however, are available online.
Photo: Yooper Designz
KOBASIC CREATIONS
Their laser-engraved wood decor is a go-to idea for that hard to buy for person. Kobasic’s Yooper Christmas ornaments will charm everyone!
Photo: Kobasic Creations
Upper Peninsula apparel & blankets
NORTH COAST APPAREL
From t-shirts to blankets, North Coast Apparel has an awesome selection of U.P- inspired gift items! Their classic buffalo plaid flannels are on the wish lists of every Yooper or Yooper-wannabe
Photo: North Coast Apparel
GREAT LIFE BRAND
Life on the Great Lakes is well… Great! This brand has perfect shirts for the person who loves living the lake-life. Check out their prints, hats, and t-shirts!
Photo: Great Life Brand
Savory and Sweet U.P. Foods
DOBBERS PASTIES
What would the U.P. be without the pasty? Send the region’s most recognizable hand-held meal anywhere in the U.S.! You will get an instant thank you between mouthfuls.
Photo: Dobbers Pasties
SAYKLLY’S CANDIES
This renowned U.P. candymaker’s creations are just what your sweet-toothed family and friends want to find in their holiday packages. Their Upper Peninsula-shaped “Yooper Bars” will remind recipients of one of the best places to visit! Or send fresh caramels, custom assortments, sugar-free candy, t-shirts, sweatshirts, gift cards and more.
Photo: Sayklly’s Candies
TRENARY TOAST
Another iconic food, this toasted bread has been a coffee-dipping, U.P. favorite since 1928! It is a tasty way to start off Christmas — or any morning! This toast is made in nearby Trenary, hence the name. The online store offers a selection of toast flavors, artisan breads, preserves, salsas and Trenary bakery t-shirts, hats, mugs and more.
Photo: Trenary Toast
U.P. gifts for the outdoorsy person
RAPID RIVER KNIFEWORKS
Create a custom-made knife with the Upper Peninsula engraved on it for your favorite angler, hunter or chef. It will be handed down for generations.
Photo: Rapid River Knifeworks
BARK RIVER KNIVES
Select distributors and dealers throughout the United States, Canada and Europe carry these exemplary, semi-produced cutting implements which are made right here in Delta County! Bark River’s stainless and carbon steel knives fit comfortably in your hand and meet hunting and fishing needs for years. See below for links to online sellers.
Photo: Bark River Knives
IVERSON SNOWSHOES
These hand-crafted snowshoes are a classic Yooper brand name. At Iverson Snowshoes, they always count on having a white Christmas to play in the snow! The shoes are as rugged and beautiful as the places they will take you. And since this is one of the best places to snowshoe, why not also include an Escanaba hotel stay with your gift? (While the factory is not in Delta County, Wetmore is north of Escanaba so we included them in our guide.)
Photo: Iverson Snowshoes
SWEDISH PIMPLE
These Bay de Noc-inspired lures are famous for catching that big one! Send your loved one out on the ice or open water with this popular jigging lure.
Photo: Swedish Pimple
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