Shot of Brandi Gift Guide: Missouri, Montana, Nebraska

For my annual gift guide I'm posting ideas inspired by each state!

1. Iced tea was basically invented at the 19004 World’s Fair in St. Louis. This copper pitcher from Crate & Barrel would be perfect for some iced tea!
2. Kansas City has more fountains than any other city in the world with the exception of Rome. For the person on your list with an awesome backyard, what about this fountain from Home Depot!
3. Anheuser-Busch is the largest beer producing plant in the nation and located in St. Louis. For the family members not into the craft beer trend, make sure you have some Bud Lights on hand! Beer cake idea from Pinterest.

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1. The most visited place in Montana is Glacier National Park and after looking at this picture I now want to visit Montana. Plan a trip here.
2. Of course Montana has the highest population of elk’s in the states. I was looking for a sweet elk sweater, but decided a faux elk head was better. Note that I **think** this is an elk - it’s just the largest member of the deer family - but if you are like a true elk buff and this isn’t an elk, I’m sorry.
3. A lot of the Montana facts were around animals, so after reading a bit I wasn’t surprised to learn that Montana has the most different species of mammals. Also the elk, deer and antelope populations outnumber humans!  One mammal that still roams in Montana is the buffalo. This sparked a gift that is still easy to pick up in store - a buffalo plaid print shirt!

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1. Guess what’s in Nebraska that you can’t find anywhere else in the world? A roller skating museum. How fab are these adult Hello Kitty skates!?
2. Spam is made in Nebraska and it is one of the most perfect gifts for a white elephant exchange!
3. Chimney Rock, located in the state, was the most often mentioned landmark in journal entries by travelers on the Oregon Trail. This fact gives me an excuse to add this awesome shirt!

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Shot of Brandi Gift Guide: Michigan, Minnesota & Mississippi

For my annual gift guide I'm posting ideas inspired by each state!

1. Michigan is known for cars. While the Corvette was developed there and originally built in Flint, it is now made in Kentucky. But since cars are so associated with Michigan, I’m going to feature this ridiculously amazing kids Corvette here.
2. Um...why did I just find this out now? You can hunt unicorns in Michigan! Don’t believe me? You can get a license here.
3. The world’s largest supply of magic supplies is based in Michigan. Seriously - a magic kit is an amazing gift for a kid. I remember putting one on my list and actually receiving it one year! Sadly, my magician career didn’t go anywhere.
4. Living in Chicago, I was surprised to learn that Michigan has a pretty rad wine country. I didn’t really get to visit it (just drove by wineries), but I’d recommend that you do if you get the opportunity. Here some info on how you can plan a tour. A great gift would be a ticket for you and a friend!

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1. Apparently Minnesota raises the most turkeys. During the Thanksgiving season, I saw this “Turkey On The Table” which allows people to write what they are thankful for on the feathers and then use as a centerpiece during their meal. And this isn’t just a pretty bird, each turkey sold provides 10 meals for families in need.
2. I feel like it is ALWAYS snowing in Minnesota. Gap has a number of perfect snow day inspired items like these boots, sweater and hat.
3. Speaking of cold...did you know that Freezy Freakies were BACK?! These gloves were the coolest thing in the 1980’s and now for $35ish they can be YOURS!
4. There are a number of retailers based in Minneapolis - like Target and Best Buy. Tech gifts are always popular and this year one of the more popular items is the Apple Watch. I feel like I don’t want an iWatch, but if someone gave me one I’d probably think it was cool.

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1. Elvis was born in Mississippi. There are so many good Elvis fan items on the internets like this Mr. Elvis Potato Head.
2. So this is pretty random and awesome. In 1884 the concept of selling shoes in boxes in pairs started in Vicksburg. My whole Christmas list is basically shoes this year because my feet grew a bit with pregnancy and none of my pre-baby shoes fit right. I’ve been lusting over these Miu Miu bow pumps and can’t wait for someone to make a less expensive version!
3. The International Checkers Hall of Fame is in Petal. Checkers is a classic board game to keep in your closet - especially for awful weather weekend nights that you stay inside.

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Shot of Brandi Gift Guide: Maine, Maryland & Massachusetts

For my annual gift guide I'm posting ideas inspired by each state!

1. L.L. Bean’s flagship store is in Maine and the bean boots are one of the hottest winter items! L.L. Bean Boots
2. 40 million pounds of the country’s lobster is caught off of Maine’s coast, so this Brooks Brothers lobster sweater is necessary Maine attire.
3. Maine’s nickname is “The Pinetree State,” and I love these adorable pine tree seedlings

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• The first umbrella factory in the U.S. was built in Maryland. An umbrella is an awesome gift or stocking stuffer because you almost always need one in your car, purse and house! I’m a fan of the bubble umbrella - they keep you dry and you can see through the clear part!
• Another first for Maryland is the first dental school. Prep your little ones for a visit from the Tooth Fairy with an adorable pillow.
• Babe Ruth was born in Maryland. One of the Bambino’s jerseys is a great gift for a baseball fan! Oh and I recognize that a Yankees jersey looks a little odd on a Maryland gift guide!  
• Maryland’s most famous food is the crab. And if you’ve been following along with this gift guide you probably know that I’m going to say that you can ship crabs.
• The Under Armour brand was created by a former Maryland football player in 1995. There are endless amounts of gifts that you can find from Under Armour like this men’s t-shirt or women’s zip up (with bonus hood).

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• Boston fans are really passionate about their sports teams. From the Patriots to the Celtics to the Red Sox - all of the pro sports teams in Massachusetts are super good. Since I kinda have to recommend one piece of sports apparel from the state, I’m going to go with the Larry Bird Celtics jersey.
• Sticking with the sports theme, the game of basketball was invented in Springfield, Mass. by Dr. James Naismith. If you have the space in your house, this indoor pop-a-shot is kinda awesome! Oh and the basketball hall of fame is in Springfield.
• A good gift for the avid golfer is a pack of golf balls. Acushnet is actually the hometown of one of the most famous golf balls - Titleist.
• Growing up I always remember learning about the Boston Tea Party in history class. Since tea isn’t really grown in Massachusetts, this historic event inspired me to suggest a tea set as a gift! How cute is this personalized set from Etsy!?

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Shot of Brandi Gift Guide: Kansas, Kentucky & Louisiana

For my annual gift guide I'm posting ideas inspired by each state!

1. A super famous fictional character was from Kansas - Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz! When I think of Dorothy, I think of this one time I dressed as Dorothy in college on a homecoming float. I think think of her unbelieveable red shoes. This ruby pair is inspired by my girl D!
2. The graham cracker was named after Reverend Sylvester Graham who lived in Kansas. When I think of graham crackers, I think of s’mores. This is a pretty rad fire pit cookout kit that includes a s’mores basket!
3. Pizza Hut opened its first store in Kansas. Seriously. Who wouldn’t want a gift card to Pizza Hut?! A cute gift for a college student would be a “Netflix & Chill” package - a gift card to Netflix, pizza and some comfy clothes (and yes, I know what Netflix & Chill really means).

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1. There are more barrels of bourbon in Kentucky than people. A bottle of alcohol is totally a good gift for anyone that likes to imbibe in a cocktail here and there. Kentucky is home to Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, and Woodford Reserve just to name a few.
2. Arguably the most famous horse race is the Kentucky Derby. This is totally a bucket list event, so I must recommend tickets to the race (2).
3. If you are going to the Derby, you need a Derby hat (3) and you need to drink a mint julep. But if you can’t be there, you can still wear your hat while you burn a mint julep candle!

1. Louisiana is super famous for its Mardi Gras celebration. The iconic drink of the party is the hurricane. If you can’t make it to NOLA in February, but want to host your own bead-throwing party, make it authentic with hurricane glasses.
2. Instagram recently released their list of the most Instagramed restaurants in the United States. Topping the list was Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. If you can’t make it there, but know someone that loves NOLA food you are in luck! Cafe Du Monde ships its famous beignet mix!
3. Another famous dish from Louisiana is the Crawfish Boil. You can now ship the authentic meal courtesy of Goldbely.
4. I need to mention Louisiana jeweler Mignon Faget because she is a fellow Chi Omega and I own one of her rings. The initial necklaces are a good gift at a great price point!

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Shot of Brandi Gift Guide: Illinois, Indiana & Iowa

For my annual gift guide I'm posting ideas inspired by each state!  

• Living in Chicago one of my favorite things to do on Saturday was to visit the farmers market on my street. In honor of this, I love this Land of Nod Fresh Picked Plush Produce. Bonus points - Land of Nod is based in a Chicago suburb!
• Goose Island is a Chicago brewery that makes the 312 beer (popular Chicago area code). Like most beer companies, Goose Island makes a Christmas ale and they have good distribution so you should be able to find the beers near you!
• So a few months ago I saw the company “Be There in Five” on Instagram and bookmarked it for holiday gifts. Then BAM the other day sometimes/former reader Sacks ‘grammed a photo of one of the company’s doormats. Turns out Mr. Sacks knows the chick behind the brand! Long story not short, I love the sassy quotes on these doormats!
• I would always avoid Garrett’s Popcorn when I was in Chicago because of the MASSIVE lines at each location. Then vendors started sending some to me at work and within seconds I realized the appeal. This stuff is GOOD. Another great gift idea for those “little people” on your list (doormen, bus drivers, etc).
• When friends would come to visit us in Chicago, they always wanted to visit “that mirror thing.” It’s also known as The Bean or it’s proper name - the Cloud Gate. For bean lovers, TIffany & Company has a bean line. The two aren’t affiliated, but who would be mad about a little blue box?

• Indiana is home to one of the biggest sporting events of the year - the Indy 500. I feel like seeing this race live would be an interest of a sports fan, so what about tickets to the race!?
• Abe Lincoln lived in Indiana for most of his childhood. At first I was going to recommend one of many books of movies about Lincoln, but then I stumbled upon the Abe gift shop through his library. There is some pretty rad stuff here like an Abe hat, Mary Todd Lincoln Doll or Abe doll. Etsy also had some awesome Lincoln stuff like this hipster Abe shirt.  
• The legendary actor James Dean was born in Indiana. Part of Dean’s iconic look was a leather jacket - which makes a nice gift. I’m digging this coat from Topshop (although I clearly get it looks a little Danny Zuko.
• So there is a town in Indiana called “Santa Claus.” Apparently the town gets more than a half million letters each year at this time. While you may not buy this as a gift, one thing that it’s always good to have or know someone that has is a Santa Claus suit.
• The Finish Line was created by two friends in Indiana. Sporting apparel is always a good gift for those people that are thinking ahead of New Year’s resolutions. Since the movie Hoosiers is based on an Indiana team, I’m going to go with this throwback shirt.

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Oh boy. I’m sorry Iowaians (is that a word?!), this is going to be another rough one.

• So the dude that painted American Gothic (you know, the farmer and his wife holding tools) is from Iowa and a lot of his work is in Cedar Rapids. For a funny gift you can get someone else’s faces put into an American Gothic-style pic.
• Quaker Oats is the largest cereal maker in the world and the company is based in Cedar Rapids. These aren’t totally cereal bowls, but I love all of the West Elm small bowls. If you are staying overnight at a friends, a cute hostess gift could be 4 of these bowls and a box of cereal.  
• The National Balloon Museum is located in Indianola. Yes. This is a thing. I kinda love balloons. Studio Pep has become one of my favorite places to bookmark balloons for future occasions. How cute are these car and candy cane balloons!?

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Shot of Brandi Gift Guide: Georgia, Hawaii & Idaho

For my annual gift guide I'm posting ideas inspired by each state! 

• One of the hottest toys when I was a tot was a Cabbage Patch Kid. Remember how the kids came with a birth certificate from BabyLand General Hospital? Well that place is real and it’s in Cleveland, Georgia! Cabbage Patch Kids are still around. Here’s a classic.
• The Girl Scouts were founded in Georgia. When you think of Girl Scouts if you are like me you probably think of cookies. You can now make their cookies year round with a Girl Scout Cookie Oven!
• Georgia is host to one of the most popular golf tournaments of the year - The Masters. For the golf fanatic in your life the internets tell me that the Bushnell Laser Rangefinder is a pretty nifty gadget.
• Speaking of the Masters, the winners get a green jacket. While women can’t play on the course that doesn’t mean they can’t own a green jacket! I like this shade and shape from J. Crew!
• Georgia is the number one producer of peanuts, pecans and peaches. You can find some of those items in this Georgia basket.

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• Hawaii consists of eight islands. Which means there is a lot of water around Hawaii. A lot of water where SHARKS live. I feel like you hear about a lot of shark attacks off of a Hawaiian coast. While I FEAR sharks, there are some adorable shark products. LIke this Shark Bite Book and Shark Phone Case.
• Hawaii is home to some amazing florals. I mean, you can’t think of Hawaii without thinking of floral leis! Since flowers don’t last long, I’d recommend this bedazzled Hawaiian hair clip!
• Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee. Apparently Forbes Magazine said Kona Coffee is the best coffee in America, so perhaps it’s worth a try. You can even buy this for holiday visitors!
• Last, but certainly not least, why not plan a trip to Hawaii? I mean LOOK at this PICTURE!

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Not gonna sugar coat it. Idaho proposed a creative challenge for me to brainstorm against. And I know more challenges are on the horizon. But let’s go.

1. Speaking of sugar, Idaho has this crazy law that a person can’t gift another person a box of candy that weighs more than 50 pounds. I say break the rules and give someone TWO large gummy bears in a box. That would be 52 pounds!
2. Sun Valley is recognized as America’s first destination ski resort. If I was a skier, I’d recommend some good gear. But I’m not. So I’m going to take the easy route and say that you plan a trip to Sun Valley.
3. The company Coldwater Creek was created in Idaho and it is a favorite of my grandma. I thought that this cardigan was festive without being in your face festive.
4. I can’t make it through an Idaho gift guide without mentioning Idaho potatoes, right? Perhaps a box of potatoes could make an interesting white elephant gift exchange present!?

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