# What are some good Christmas gifts from Wisconsin? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 10, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997 "2005-12-10T03:53:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/21 "2005-12-10T21:23:11Z")
[Kangaroo Pelts](http://wfrv.com/topstories/local_story_344105902.html), apparently. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/22 "2005-12-10T21:23:11Z")
A picture of the Dalai Lama in Mendota, or the retreat. ---
**Author:** ![KeithT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@KeithT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KeithT)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/23 "2005-12-10T21:37:07Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Kewaskum Frozen Foods My parents live in West Bend, and the butcher around the corner from them is a Kewaskum outlet. Wonderful bacon, and the dried summer sausage is _phenomenal_. > [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > A Wisconsin Badgers sweatshirt or other such paraphernalia. Big red W, with a badger on it who looks somewhat irritated, perhaps due to chronic constipation. Bonus points if it’s hockey-related. If you can afford to ship with dry ice, how about frozen custard from [Kopp’s](http://www.kopps.com/) or [Michael’s](http://www.ilovemichaels.com/)? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/24 "2005-12-10T21:51:18Z")
> [@KeithT](#): > > My parents live in West Bend, and the butcher around the corner from them is a Kewaskum outlet. Wonderful bacon, and the dried summer sausage is _phenomenal_ I was raised to think that the best summer sausage came from Sheboygan county. But after having discovered Kewaskum brand, I don’t bother with Johnsonville, Sheboygan, or even Miesfeld’s summer sausage any more. And Custard is a great idea, if you have sufficient dry ice!! ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/25 "2005-12-11T01:12:46Z")
Carmex Fire Engines (there are a disproportional amount of fire engine makers in Wisconsin. The NYC fire trucks are made in Clintonville) Industrial machinery (IIRC some of the turbines in the Hoover dam. And that big piece of mining machinery) Paper For smoked meats, I recommend [http://www.nueskes.com](http://www.nueskes.com) Hometown pride makes me mention Kaukauna Klub cheese [http://www.kaukaunacheese.com/kc/kc.nsf/SPWD/HomeHome?OpenDocument](http://www.kaukaunacheese.com/kc/kc.nsf/SPWD/HomeHome?OpenDocument) Brian ---
**Author:** ![PigBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/97f17d/32.png) [@PigBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigBoy)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/26 "2005-12-11T03:15:59Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Fire Engines (there are a disproportional amount of fire engine makers in Wisconsin. The NYC fire trucks are made in Clintonville) > Industrial machinery (IIRC some of the turbines in the Hoover dam. And that big piece of mining machinery) Great ideas! And for stocking stuffers I’ll get some manhole covers from Neenah! Again, thanks for all the responses. I just hope that in a week or so when I actually think about shopping, I won’t have already forgotten about this thread. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/27 "2005-12-11T03:39:55Z")
A 1975 AMC Gremlin. Last time I was in Kenosha they were everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/28 "2005-12-11T04:30:58Z")
Not to dis Bucky, but those t-shirts with the Memorial Union chairs printed on them in orange and green are pretty nice, too. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/29 "2005-12-11T10:05:10Z")
> [@Harmonious Discord](#): > > The UW Student President in the early 80’s did a lot of cazy stuff. Those things were from the late '70s, actually. Wisconsin Student Association President Jim Mallon went on to write for _Mystery Science Theater 3000_. As to the OP, within one block of each other in Madison are good stops for Wisconsin shopping: 1. [Wisconsin Historical Society Museum](http://shop.wisconsinhistory.org/productcart/pc/). 2. [House of Wisconsin Cheese](http://www.houseofwisconsincheese.com/). They have much more than cheese. All sorts of Wisconsin souvenirs. ---
**Author:** ![Ink\_a\_dink\_a\_dink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ec9cab/32.png) [@Ink\_a\_dink\_a\_dink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ink_a_dink_a_dink)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/30 "2005-12-11T13:53:27Z")
Someone please mention the Mustard Museum in Mt. Horeb! I still get their catalog here in CA. [http://www.mustardmuseum.com](http://www.mustardmuseum.com) ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/31 "2005-12-11T17:22:59Z")
Or you can tell stories of your visits to Wauwatosa, Koshkonong, and Prairie DuChien. I have nothing to mention particularly about these towns, I just love saying their names. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/32 "2005-12-11T17:45:02Z")
> [@PigBoy](#): > > So I’ve recently come here for grad school, and I figure that rather than trying to actually think of good gifts to give to the family for Christmas, it would be easier just to go back with my arms full of gift-worthy Wisconsin stuff. > > Now, I have perceived the following to be the strongest symbols of this state: > > 1. Cheese > 2. Beer > 3. Badgers and Packers paraphernalia 1. [Racine Kringle](http://www.ohdanishbakery.com/kringle.htm)! ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/33 "2005-12-11T17:48:12Z")
Don’t forget gifts – or better yet, one of the illustrated guidebooks – from the House on the Rock, a truly bizarre and fascinating tourist attraction in Spring Green, WI. Built by eccentric architect Alex Jordan, the House on the Rock is a mass of contradictions: a '60s bachelor pad that would make Hugh Hefner and the Rat Pack proud, an “Infinity Room” with a clear floor that extends several yards over a steep precipice, miles of twists and turns and secret passageways, and room after room housing antiques, collectibles, and oddities from giant coin-operated music boxes to ancient weapons and armor, all things Jordan traveled around the world to collect. I loved the place, and found it fascinating. Anyone who collects anything at all or has a passing interest in architecture or antiques would have a great appreciation for the House on the Rock as well. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/34 "2005-12-11T17:49:54Z")
Note: my link doesn’t have as much of a selection as the earlier one but their kringles tend to be half the price. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/35 "2005-12-11T18:02:47Z")
[Here’s a Madison cheese shop that I’ve ordered from](http://www.houseofwisconsincheese.com/orderinstrctions.htm). ---
**Author:** ![KeithT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@KeithT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KeithT)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/36 "2005-12-11T19:27:48Z")
> [@ccwaterback](#): > > Or you can tell stories of your visits to Wauwatosa, Koshkonong, and Prairie DuChien. I have nothing to mention particularly about these towns, I just love saying their names. 😃 You forgot Oconomowoc. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/37 "2005-12-11T19:53:50Z")
> [@Harmonious Discord](#): > > We have the largest production of crannberries in the USA now. Cite please? 🙂 As far as avoiding “buying the same crap that people can get at any old supermarket in New Jersey”–We get a lot of excellent cheddar from New York State and Vermont. Of course, we have cheeses from all over the place in the gourmet cases, but Wisconsin cheddar isn’t our everyday cheese. I think some cheeses would make a great gift. Like the following assortment: –A good aged cheddar (like **Qadgop** suggests) –Some unusual artisinal variety that is unique to Wisconsin. –A Wisconsin version of a cheese that normally comes from somewhere else, like brie or stilton or something. I like cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/38 "2005-12-11T20:14:36Z")
Buy a Colby cheese, because Colby Wisconsin was the original source of that varity. The small cheese manufactures have so many specialty cheeses I couldn’t pick on kind. Get a Harvati, Baby Swiss, and some Co-Jack for Chese and crackers. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/39 "2005-12-11T21:18:27Z")
You can get some VERY good venison sausage at small privately owned butcher shops in Wisconsin. It’s a dry sausage like summer sausage, and they mix in a bit of pork to give it some moisture. VERY good stuff, a friend of mine brought a bunch of sticks of it on a fishing trip and we couldn’t stop eating it. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997/40 "2005-12-11T21:32:36Z")
> [@Harmonious Discord](#): > > We have the largest production of crannberries in the USA now, and here’s some good products to try. > [@](#): > > The forecast for U.S. cranberry production in 2005, up 5 percent from 2004. **Wisconsin is expected to lead all states in the production of cranberries, with 367 million pounds** , followed by Massachusetts (170 million). Oregon, New Jersey and Washington are also expected to have substantial production, ranging from 18 million to 52 million pounds. (Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service at \<[http://www.usda.gov/nass/](http://www.usda.gov/nass/)\>) Source: [US Census - Thanksgiving 2005 Facts](http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/005712.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-christmas-gifts-from-wisconsin/334997.md?page=3)