The holidays will soon be upon us, and here in Dane County, local business owners are preparing for one of the biggest shopping days of the year: Small Business Saturday. We're excited to share some of our favorite places to shop for local gifts in Madison and the surrounding communities.

Shop Local in Dane County for the Holidays

From bookstores and art galleries to home goods shops and gift stores, these are five great local boutiques in the Madison area. Thank you for supporting locally owned businesses this holiday season!

Anthology - Madison, WI

Address: 230 State St, Madison, WI 53703

A charming stationery store and gift shop, Anthology is a perfect place to find gifts for anyone with a passion for arts, crafts or politics. Anthology carries a wide selection of unique greeting cards and wrapping paper, as well as artwork by local artists. This is also the place to go if the person you're shopping for loves stickers. With its convenient location on State Street in the heart of Downtown Madison, this shop is also within walking distance of several other locally owned shops, including Little Luxuries, a locally-owned gift shop that shares a vestibule with Anthology. 

A Room of One's Own - Madison, WI

Address: 2717 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704

A Room of One's Own is one of Madison's premier independent bookstores. If you're looking for a gift for someone who loves to read, you'll certainly find something here. They offer a huge selection of new releases and classics, as well as a robust selection of LGBTQ+ fiction and nonfiction. You can also find unique gifts including olive oils and soaps made in Palestine, whimsical bumper stickers, beautiful stationary, and a variety of trinkets tailor-made for book lovers. A Room of One's Own also has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, and the friendly staff is always happy to help you find what you're looking for. Keep an eye on their calendar for upcoming events like poetry readings and author appearances. 

Overt Space Gallery & Gifts - Stoughton, WI

Address: 130 E Main St, Stoughton, WI 53589

Just 25 minutes from the heart of Madison in picturesque Stoughton, Overt Space Gallery & Gifts is a major hub for the local art scene. The gallery space displays an ever-changing lineup of works by some of Wisconsin's most talented painters, photographers, crafters, and mixed media artists. On the gift shop side, Overt Space carries an array of unique gifts, including:

• Handcrafted jewelry and accessories
• Bath and apothecary products
• Bound journals and stationery
• Candles and incense
• Games and puzzles

Poppy Home & Gift - Middleton, WI

Address: 1821 Parmenter St, Middleton, WI 53562

With its widely-varied selection of home decor and lifestyle goods, Poppy Home & Gift is an endlessly enjoyable place to browse and shop. There's a gift here for practically anyone on your list, including kitchenware and linens, children's games, toys and books, candles and self-care products, holiday-themed gifts and novelties. The shop has a fun, funky vibe, and you never know just what you'll discover here. 

Open House Imports - Mt. Horeb, WI

Address: 308 E Main St, Mt Horeb, WI 53572

A staple of the Mt. Horeb community for nearly 60 years, Open House Imports is one of Dane County's best places to shop for gifts. The shop first opened in 1966, and its main focus is unique, tasteful Scandinavian gifts, including handmade items from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Fun fact: they are the reason that Mt. Horeb is referred to as the Troll Capital of the World—it all started with some imported, hand-carved trolls they placed on their lawn to attract shoppers. Some unique items you'll find here include:

• Norwegian Sølje Jewelry
• Henning Carvings
• Fjord Flatware

Contact us today to learn more about life in Madison, WI, and let us help you find your dream home in Dane County this holiday season!