We all know how stressful gift shopping can get during the holidays. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be! The Schaumburg area is full of amazing local spots that make it super easy (and fun!) to find the perfect gifts — and you’ll be supporting our community at the same time.
Whether you're on the hunt for an experience gift your kids will never forget, a unique treasure from a local artist for a friend, or a gift card that tells a co-worker, "I thought of you," this guide has you covered.
Here are some of our favorite local gift ideas in Schaumburg and neighboring communities:
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Experience Gifts in Town
Give the gift of adventure and memories this holiday season! From family-friendly activities to classes and events, experience gifts are perfect for everyone.
Park District Gift Cards
- Why we love it: Receiving a Park District Gift Card is the Number 1 request on my list. I'd be eternally grateful to be able to just log on, see a program or activity I wouldn't have thought of trying before and this being the chance to do it as it's not "out of my pocket". From outdoor adventures, camps, sport & art programs, cooking classes and theater shows there's really no other place that can directly impact the community more and bring us closer to it than our local park districts.
- Here's the links to the gift card option, or registration, for our area: Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale (in person at Park Place), Elk Grove, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Roselle (in Person at Clauss), Schaumburg, Streamwood (not currently offered)
Metropolis Performing Arts
- Location: 111 W Campbell St. Arlington Heights, IL 60005
- Contact: metropolisarts.com
- Why we love it: A Christmas Carol is playing November 23-December 23. The intimate theater in the heart of downtown AH is perfect for doing lunch and then catching a show. Check out the Metropolis School of Arts if you or your family are interested in classes and camps, too!
Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts
- Location: 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, IL 60193
- Contact: prairiecenter.org
- Why we love it: The Nutcracker is playing December 5-15. A beautiful venue bringing in performances from around the globe!
More Experience Gift Ideas:
Go Play
LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Schaumburg
Peppa Pig World of Play, Schaumburg
Kids Art & Cafe, Schaumburg
Radio Flyer Store, Schaumburg
Yu Kids Island, Schaumburg
Chuck E Cheese, Streamwood
Enterrium, Schaumburg
Main Event, Hoffman Estates
Velocity E-Sports, Schaumburg
Dave & Busters, Schaumburg
Get Active
Urban Air Adventure Park, Bloomingdale
First Ascent, Arlington Heights
Sky Zone, Schaumburg (Opening November 22)
Congo River Adventure Golf, Hoffman Estates (Seasonal)
Top Golf, Schaumburg
X Golf, Schaumburg
Get Artsy
Roselle Fine Arts Academy, Roselle
Color Me Mine, Schaumburg
Art Fuzd, Schaumburg
Spectator Activities
Windy City Bulls, Hoffman Estates (Seasonal)
Schaumburg Boomers Baseball, Schaumburg (Seasonal)
Medieval Times, Schaumburg
Know of other experience gifts in these towns that we should include? Reach out at karit@macaronikid.com.
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Locally-Owned Stores in Our Community
From locally-made T-shirts and baked goods to specialty stores, let's make this a year that we buy all local! Each purchase from a locally-owned business makes such a difference to local shop owners. These local shops offer a range of unique gifts that we love:
Blink Tees
- Location: 2000 Center Dr., Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 by Appointment Only
- Contact: blinktees.com
- Offerings: Custom screen printing and other services for you and your friends or family, school, non-profit, company, cause, event, team
Little Red Ribbon
- Location: 113 Main Street, Roselle, Illinois 60172
- Contact: littleredribbon.com
- Offerings: Boutique with gifts for all occasions. Unique picks from baby showers to hostess gifts.
Happy By Chocolate
- Location: 116 S. Prospect Avenue, Roselle, IL 60172
- Contact: happybychocolate.com
- Offerings: Handmade chocolates and confections, complimentary samples and locally roasted coffee. This is our go-to for teacher gifts!
Jen's Art, Gifts & Books and G's Candy Corner
- Location: 15 S. Howard Ave. #14 Roselle, IL 60172
- Contact: jenfisherbooks.com
- Offerings: Handmade artwork, children's book shop, and candy store.
The Cat House Lounge
- Location: 344 E Irving Park Rd, Roselle, IL 60172
- Contact: thecathouselounge.com
- Offerings: Cat Cafe where you can lounge with adoptable cats, purchase cat themed merch, snacks and beverages. Gift Cards available. If your kid keeps asking for a cat like mine is, this is a great option to have the fun and leave the responsibility to the pros!
Do you have a favorite locally-owned shop in Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg, Streamwood we should include? Share their info with us at karit@macaronikid.com.
Gift Cards for Shops & Restaurants
Not sure what to get? A gift card to a local restaurant, boutique, or shop is always a great idea. Here are a few standout options in the community:
Pilot Pete's
- Location: 905 West Irving Park Road,Schaumburg, IL 60193
- Contact: pilot-petes.com
- Why It’s Great: A unique setting that will get everyone to look up and enjoy the scenery! Watch as the planes fly in and out of the Schaumburg Regional Airport and enjoy a vast menu for all ages (hint: the kid's pizza is plenty for them and leftovers for you!)
La Hacienda
- Location: 35 Irving Park Road, Roselle, IL 60172
- Contact: lahaciendaderoselle.net
- Why It’s Great: Mexican cantina with a menu of traditional dishes & margaritas plus lunch & dinner buffets. When someone asks where the best Mexican food it, this place will always be mentioned.
Peggy Kinane's
- Location: 8 North Vail Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
- Contact: peggykinnanes.com
- Why It’s Great: Authentic Irish Pub with a great focus on family. We made a pit-stop here on our wedding day and have been to a number of showers and events too. The food and service are great!
Green Joe Coffee
- Location: 1459 W Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60194
- Contact: greenjoecoffee.com
- Why It’s Great: Great local spot with a variety of caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages that appeal to everyone. Bakery items that appeal to all dietary needs too.
Know of a great local spot in Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg, Streamwood we should feature? Email us at karit@macaronikid.com.
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Seasonal Markets & Pop-Up Shops in the Area
Support local vendors and find an array of holiday treasures at the areas craft fairs, seasonal markets and pop-up shops this season! Check out these spots for unique holiday finds:
- Year Round | Painted Tree, Bloomingdale
- November 16 | Holiday Craft Fair at Triphahn Center, Hoffman Estates
- November 16 | Winter Market at Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Elk Grove
- November 19 | RFinds Fair at Renaissance Schaumburg
- November 20 | Maker's Market at Bell Works, Hoffman Estates
- November 24 | Bloomingdale Maker's Market
- November 30 | Kris Kringle Market, Bloomingdale
- November 30-December 1 | Holiday Craft Fair at Spring Valley, Schaumburg
- December 7 | Holiday Craft Fair at Lake Park High School West, Roselle
- December 7 | Winter Market at Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Elk Grove
- December 8 | Bloomingdale Maker's Market
- December 14 | Arlington Heights Winter Market
- December 18 | Maker's Market at Bell Works, Hoffman Estates
- December 21 | Winter Market at Chrustus Victor Lutheran Church, Elk Grove
Know of other seasonal markets in Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg, Streamwood? Submit it here schaumburg.macaronikid.com/events/submit
Celebrate the Schaumburg area's amazing local businesses this holiday season by choosing to shop local as much as you can. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Happy holidays from all of us at Macaroni KID Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates!
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