Snuggle up with some holiday cheer as OnMilwaukee shares stories of everything merry and bright in the spirit of the season.
The OnMilwaukee Ho Ho Holiday Guide is brought to you by Educators Credit Union, Harley-Davidson Museum and MolsonCoors.
Clothing, jewelry, kitchen gadgets – these are all fine gifts, but the gift of an experience is sometimes more valuable. Plus, by trying something new, we grow as humans – or at the very least, become a dash more interesting. And that will never get returned. It's a fit forever.
If you have someone on your list who likes to get out and do cool stuff in the city, this guide is a good place to start. Or if something looks appeaing on this list to you, start dropping hints now.
Cooking Classes
Sign up a couple – or yourself and friend or partner – for a cooking class at Glorioso's. Learn to make cheese or noodles or decadent desserts in a lovely, organized space with a full bar and snacks. Go here for more info. Mangia!
X Golf
Make a golfer's holiday by grabbing them a gift card from X Golf at American Family Field. They'll experience the best in indoor golf simulation throughout 2024. Go here for the buy. Round out the experience with a gift card from Barrel Yard pre-or-post golf for food and drink.
Candelight Concerts
Purchase the gift of tickets for a romantic Candlelight Concert at The Abbey at Saint James 1868. Upcoming concerts include a Tribute to ABBA, Tribute to Taylor Swift and more. Go here for more information.
Tours
Take your favorite people on an informative and entertaining Lakefront Brewery Tour, Historic Milwaukee Walking Tour or a The Hop Streetcar History Tour.
Cocktailing & candle-making
A gift certificate to Glassworks CandleBar is a fun, creative gift for an individual, couple or family with older kids. The experience includes concocting a personal scent for a soy candle. Handcrafted cocktails and mocktails flow freely and the space is warm, intimate and hip, located in the Walker’s Point neighborhood. Go here to make a reservation.
Painting & sipping
For the creative folks on your list, few things will sound more appealing than painting wood projects and sipping warm beverages in a cozy studio during the post-holiday blues months (oh hi January and February). Give a gift certificate good for a project at Board & Brush in Elm Grove now, and the recipient will thank you later. More info here.
Axe throwing
Got a gal or guy on your list with a sense of adventure who’s also in need of a de-stresser? A gift card from Axe Milwaukee is a bullseye, a must-buy. Axe also has a bar, food menu and other fun stuff on site. Click here for the details.
Browsing & imbibing
Lion’s Tooth is a gem of an indie book store that focuses on local/indie material and more. It's also a cute spot for a beverage with a small cafe/bar. Gift cards are available and ideal for couples or individuals who like to drink, read and be merry. Stop in or go here.
Memberships
Memberships are truly gifts that keep giving throughout the entire year. Get one for your friends or family or teacher or bartender or favorite OnMilwaukee writer (ahem) from Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, The Harley-Davidson Museum, The Urban Ecology Center or The Mitchell Park Domes.
Kids Crew membership
The Milwaukee Brewers are also offering a membership, this one just for kids ages 14 and younger. Memberships feature a variety of exclusive perks and benefits including tickets, merch and more. In addition, members will receive a free ballpark tour, early entry (on select dates) to watch the players take batting practice, participation in a parade and more. Go here to get all the deets.
Bucks tickets
Got a Bucks fanatic on your list? Send them to the lively Deer District for a game. Get Bucks gift cards here. Maybe pair it with a gift card to one of the many nearby bars or restaurants.
Rock climbing
An Adventure Rock experience is a fun, family-friendly offering that's redeemable at multiple locations in Milwaukee and suburban Milwaukee. Find out more here.
Public Market shopping
Literally, with 18 different shops and eateries, everyone can find something they like at the Public Market including coffee, spices, cookies, tacos, crab rolls, wine and more. Plus, walking around the Public Market is fun and truly an experience in itself. Grab one for the nicest peeps on your list here.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
