It’s the holiday season, right after a contentious election where economic issues in the US were often stated as one of the major voting points for Americans. Regardless of your political affiliation, it is easy to agree that our economy needs some major boosting. One non-partisan way to help our economy is to shop local! When you shop independent, you are putting money directly back into local communities. You are also helping create future jobs when small businesses are able to grow due to a demand for their services and products.

There are so many amazing local crafters and locally owned companies that you can support by finding perfect and unique gifts for you loved ones (or yourself!), that it was hard to narrow this list down to just a few! Below is a highlight of some amazing companies that are right here in southeastern Michigan! If you are ordering online for the Christmas holiday, USPS suggests ordering before December 18^th to guarantee delivery, so you’ve still got time!

The Glass Academy

Dearborn, MI

The Glass Academy has been nestled in Dearborn for some time now, offering not only amazing glass pieces for sale, but also classes on how to make those pieces! I have been lucky enough to both purchase some of their handmade items, and to also attend one of their classes! This holiday season, the highlighted item at The Glass Academy are their INDI snowflakes, which are just gorgeous! There are also different pieces of décor, mugs, ornaments, and so much more! The Glass Academy is located at 25331 Trowbridge Street in Dearborn. Check their website for hours of operation and any other information that you need!

MK Designs

Jackson, MI

MK Designs are local crafters from the Jackson, Michigan area. The main items they offer are handcrafted purses that are not only beautiful, but are also sturdy and reliable! My personal favorite is one that I purchased at a convention, adorned with my favorite of course (Wonder Woman!). The quality of these purses speaks for themselves. I carry my laptop and various other heavy items in mine, toss it around without much thought, and it is still in pristine condition months after I bought it! MK Designs also offers wood crafted items on their website, along with their purses of all sizes and styles. Check out their webpage and facebook page, and order soon to get the most unique purse this holiday season!

Pandemonium

Garden City, MI

Pandemonium is a gaming stop and store that has been a staple in the gaming community for over ten years now. I remember attending their different events and shopping there when I was young, and they are still going strong! Recently, Pandemonium moved from their site on Middlebelt just south of Ford Road to a newer, large location on Middlebelt just north of Ford Road in Garden City. Pandemonium has a store that sells items like Magic The Gathering and YuGiOh cards; Dungeons and Dragons books and game sets; multitudes of miniatures and figures; games like Munchkin, Firefly, The Walking Dead; and a multitude of other items! Pandemonium also hosts different gaming nights and tournaments, and offers many different landscapes for you to bring in your own friends and games to play at their shop. You can get more info on Pandemonium by going to their store, or checking them out online here.

Wholihan’s Wares

Inkster, MI

Full disclosure here: I am the owner and creator at Wholihan’s Wares, based out of Inkster. Wholihan’s Wares makes steampunk themed jewelry that spans from the fandoms of Star Wars to anime like Attack on Titan, to Supernatural and Doctor Who (among many others!). While most Wholihan’s Wares appearances are at local conventions (like Motor City Comic Con and Youmacon), we also sell our handcraft resin and other pieces online at http://WholihansWares.etsy.com. To cycle through some stock, we are offering 50% off using the code STEAMYHOLIDAYS until our stock runs low. The pieces I’m highlighting here are two of our most popular: our “Pure Michigan” necklace, and our Star Wars Millennium Falcon.

Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum

Farmington Hills, MI

Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum has been open since 1990, and Marvin himself has been collecting vintage gaming machines since the1960s. Located in Farmington Hills on Orchard Lake Road, Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum is a great place for kids and adults! My husband and I take our nieces and nephews there each year, as a part of their Christmas presents. We can afford to do this because of the yearly Groupon offered that is an amazing deal! You can get pop, popcorn, and a few dollars of tokens for each person in your group for super cheap! Check out the Groupon here. For more general info on Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum, you can go to their website here.

Ford Wyoming Drive-In

Dearborn, MI

Who doesn’t love going to the movies? The Ford Drive-In on Ford Road in Dearborn was first opened in 1950, and has been going strong ever since! As the largest parking available drive-in in the US, the Ford Drive-In offers 5 different screens, and is open year long with in-car speakers and heaters during the winter months. Another great deal on Groupon has one double feature (two movies!) for two adults for just $9, and one double feature for two adults and two children for just $12! Enjoy the drive-in experience with two movies for cheaper than just one at a standard theater! Check out what’s playing at their website here, and get the Groupon special here.