The Mall of America in Bloomington draws a lot of Minnesota visitors, and it has no shortage of places to buy a souvenir. But a lot of what gets bought on a trip ends up in a drawer by spring.
Here's what to bring home instead, whether the trip was the mall, a weekend in the Twin Cities or a week at a cabin up north. Everything below is in our Minnesota gifts collection.
What we make, and what we don't
We don't make a Mall of America design. What we make is a North Star State design that pairs the state outline with a loon, a canoe and lakeside pines, plus "The North Star State" and EST. 1858, and a Saint Paul skyline. They're whole-state and city designs, so they fit any Minnesota trip.
These pieces also aren't made in Minnesota. We keep plain blanks in stock in our workshop in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and engrave the design after you order. If you want something made in Minnesota, a local shop or maker is the place for it.
Order it after the trip
Each piece is engraved after you order and ships within 1 to 5 business days. So nothing has to fit in your luggage, and you can decide once you're home.
Souvenirs that get used
Slate coasters
The North Star State slate coaster set comes as a single coaster or a set of 4, 6 or 8, in natural slate, 4 inches across and a quarter inch thick, round or square. The edges are hand chiseled, so each one has its own profile, and four foam pads on the back protect the table. There's also a lighter cork version.
A water bottle
The North Star State water bottle is 32 oz insulated stainless steel, in black or white, with a flip top and a built-in straw. It's the souvenir that comes along on the next trip. Hand wash only.
The Saint Paul skyline
If the trip included the capital, the Saint Paul skyline marks it: the cathedral dome, the capitol and bridges over the Mississippi. The Saint Paul slate ornament is the smallest version. It also comes in wood, on a bamboo board and as a wall sign.
An ornament
An ornament is the smallest way to keep a trip around, and it comes back out every December. The North Star State leatherette ornament is a 3 3/4 inch shatterproof disc in black, blue or brown. It also comes in slate and wood.
For the people back home
For the neighbor who watched the dog, a coaster set is an easy thank-you. The Minnesota slate coaster set comes in our Minnesota state designs, like Classic Outline or Minnesota Script, and every coaster in a set carries the same design.
Packaging
Coasters ship in a white gift box; boards and wall art ship in a plain box. If a souvenir is going to someone else, have it sent to you first and wrap it. Add carrier time on top of the 1 to 5 business day turnaround.
See every Minnesota piece on the Minnesota collection page.
