I've made a few baskets for this before!
Mitsuwa will have
everything.
If you wanna make a few cool stops for other things, Joong Boo in Glenview will probably have a decent amount of it, at a possibly lower price, but might be missing a few things since it's Korean. I assume this not knowing their stock at that store, but from being a weekly shopper at the one that was on Kimball for years. I've only been to the one in Glenview twice, and it's bigger. I didn't meander around, only did the cafe upstairs.
Need help with a list? If they are drinkers, maybe even if not, a few sake splits with cups are cool additions, along with some soy dispensers, and tiny saucers. They do come in sets.
Rice Vinegar, or the premade btl of sushi rice seasoning
Rice Seasoning powder packets. I haven't used these in years, but, they exist.
Shichmi Togarashi!!!! (forgot how it's spelled, but you'll see the little jars)
Black sesame seeds
Powdered wasabi can
Wasabi squeeze tube
Bamboo mats
Nori
Yuzu
Ponzu
LOWER SODIUM soy
Kewpie Mayo (not my fave, but, they make small btls)
Spicy Sesame oil
Regular Sesame oil
Chili Oil
Rice pad shapers
A big pkg of the CHEAP chopsticks
A few pairs of expensive chopsticks
Those wooden serving "plates"
Rice paddle
a few small bags of sushi rice
A rice strainer for rinsing /cleaning the rice (basically a fine sieve)
If you're feeling generous enough, a decent knife.
Perhaps a "ginger dressing" bottle
We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.