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Gift Guide For Guys

Alright guys, so you waited until the last week, her best friend that you'd normally ask for advice is out of town, and you missed all the hints she dropped because you were too busy watching your fantasy football team. Rather than walk into the mall and buy the first thing a saleswoman tells you to, take a look at our list of catch-all ideas to find something for the particular lady in your life – and buy it with just enough time to get a bow on it before the big day.

Renegade
(credit: www.renegadehandmade.com)

Renegade Handmade

1924 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL
www.renegadehandmade.com

The Renegade Craft Fair has long been the simple solution to finding a gift for your gal – unfortunately, it only happens twice a year. Luckily for you, Chicago hosts a permanent retail shop to keep you in trinkets 365 days a year. From one of a kind jewelry pieces to ceramics to finger puppets, Renegade can supply both the tastefully elegant and the terrifically eccentric.

Abbey Brown
(credit: www.abbeybrown.com)

Abby Brown

1162 West Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 738-2290
www.abbeybrown.com

Abbey Brown's products range from exotic milk and bath salts to simple bars of soap, but all contain a pleasing (but not overpowering) array of scents. The store also has an art gallery if you want to spruce up the walls as well as the bathtub.

I Wish

2248 W Belmont
Chicago, IL
(312) 623-0293
www.iwishlessons.com

Giving the gift of an adult education class in even the most exciting-sounding topic can sometimes turn out to just feel like, well, class. I Wish has a slightly kinder spin to the usual - their group classes will take you out for a night on the town enjoying options like wines, sushi, salsa dancing – sampling and learning as you go through a one-night whirlwind focused on the topic.

Needle Shop
(credit: www.theneedleshop.net)

The Needle Shop

2054 W. Charleston St
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 489-4230
www.theneedleshop.net

If you've got a crafty lady in the house, you know that knitting only begets more knitting, and good materials are expensive. Find her some of the good stuff from The Needle Shop's large array – or get her a gift certificate and let her pick. If you think your gal might like to learn trickier talents like making messenger bags, upholstery, or screenprinting, the shop also offers four-hour intensive classes on a variety of advanced skills.

Uncle Fun
(credit: www.unclefunchicago.com)

Uncle Fun

1338 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 477-8223
www.unclefunchicago.com

If you're shopping for a lady who defies all conventional wisdom, Uncle Fun might be exactly her match. From five-and-dime toys to novelty action figures to feather boas and more, Uncle Fun is filled with cheap, cheeky and charming toys that make great stocking stuffers or a little touch of nostalgia.

Dan Morgridge is a writer in Chicago's Ukrainian Village. He enjoys eating and drinking above his means, finding new music, and socially conscious hedonism.

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