Consider our 2025 gift guide your newest cozy holiday read. | Graphic by 6AM City
Happy holidays, Madison. We’ve spent hours curating our collection of 2025’s best holiday gifts. Read on for 90+ gift ideas, including local finds.
Gifts for your significant other
Local pick: Candle-making class | $50+ | A cozy, self-care gift — that you can do together.
Shiatsu foot massager | $79.99 | Nothing says “I love you” like a foot massage — give your hands a break and gift one complete with heat, vibration, and rolling compression.
Full-zip flannel jacket | $36.99 | Flannel, cotton, and fleece combine in this ultra-soft, stylish hoodie.
Gifts for parents
Snack organizer | $36.95 | Kids will love this snack spinner’s push button and slidable compartments — and parents will love how it makes snack time portable and stress-free.
Car backseat organizer | $25.99 | Gift parents peaceful car rides thanks to a two-pack of car organizers complete with a clear tablet holder and multiple compartments.
Daily dad jokes calendar | $13.99 | Make 2026 the year of never-ending puns with over 150 dad jokes in this monthly wall calendar.
Gifts for retirees
Garden kneeler and stool | $30.90 | Gardening’s more fun without the knee and back pain — we love this all-in-one stool that functions as both a bench and seat + organizes garden tools.
Smart birdfeeder with camera | $129.99 | Birders can watch special visitors up close with this durable and weatherproof birdfeeder.
Local pick:Art Gecko Gift Card | Prices vary | Textiles, scarves, and unique jewelry can all be found at this eclectic shop.
Learn more about the locals who made history at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Community
Veterans Day is Tuesday, Nov. 11. Expect various closures for this federal holiday commemorating people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Honor our military personnel at Memorial Union from 1:30-2:50 p.m.
State
November is Native American Heritage Month. There are 574 federally recognized tribes across the nation — and 11 in Wisconsin. Scroll down to learn more.
Real Estate
This Gothic manor has a hidden passageway. Scroll through the photos to hunt for other historic flourishes.
Cause
As we enter deer hunting season, hunters should know they can donate deer to help feed fellow Wisconsinites. Over four million pounds of ground venison have been donated to the program since 2000. Learn more about donation — like if you can keep the antlers.
Outdoors
Seen any black bears lately? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking the public to report sightings to help get an accurate population count.
The lilacs in the UW Arboretum are blooming even later this year. See these wintry blossoms, and learn how they survive the cold. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Shop
If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about?*
Health
Discover sharper hearing and a sharper mind with the Horizon IX hearing aid. Known as “a time machine for the brain,” it supports mental engagement and enhances your cognitive vitality. See if you qualify for a 45-day no-risk trial.*
Finance
Score a lucrative signup bonus and up to 5% cash back with this credit card that experts can’t stop raving about. With perks you don’t see every day and a $0 annual fee, it will be a serious upgrade to your wallet.*
Asked
Asked
Which one of these is a federally recognized tribe in Wisconsin?
A. Ho-Chunk Nation B. Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin C. Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin D. Oneida Nation
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
