A gift crafted in Kansas City is a thoughtful one for those who love Kansas City as well as for those who long for it; especially if they won’t be home for Christmas. Here are ideas for KC gifts made right here in our own home town.
A Unique Gift from Made in KC
Made in KC is a must-stop shop while you enjoy the Country Club Plaza. A multi-vendor market right near the Florentine Boar statue, Made in KC brings the best of Kansas City’s local vendors into one place. Here, you can find more barbecue sauces than you knew existed, Nickle & Suede earrings, and Christopher Elbow Chocolates. In the back, there is a cooler with local brews so you can create your own 6-pack. Local honey, beeswax gifts, hand-painted signs, clothing, soaps, confections, and baked items are all on sale. They even have a cafe in the front and a bar at the back, serving local craft brews. You can also visit Made in KC in Briarcliff, near the River Market and in their other locations.
Related Post: Gift-Gifting 101: Unique Gifts They’ll Never Forget – Kansas City Edition
A Tasty Gift of Topsy’s Popcorn
Topsy’s is simply the best flavored popcorn you can get. This was literally a topic of conversation among my family last week. I mean – it’s popcorn, right? Why pay for a bucket of popcorn when you could just go pop it yourself? If you think that my friend, you haven’t had Topsy’s.
Topsy’s popcorn comes in regular buttered flavor, cheese (my favorite!), caramel, and cinnamon. You can get single-flavor or mixed bags or tins – up to 6.5 gallons! Every Christmas, Topsy’s features the Plaza Lights on one of their many different tins. I buy one every year because A) they are so pretty, and B) Topsy’s popcorn is so good.
Tip: KC Locals can find Topsy’s at the store itself as well as at many area grocers. If you don’t live locally, you can order Topsy’s gifts with the links above on Amazon. I’m not sure how they do it, but it always stays sealed & fresh!
Related Post: 10 Great Holiday Gifts for Those Who Love Travel
Plaza Lightbulbs at Hallmark on the Plaza
Ornaments from Hallmark are popular world-wide, but Hallmark itself is a Kansas City original. According to Hallmark’s website (and well-known to any visitor to Kaleidoscope, the Hallmark creative workshop at Crown Center),
“On January 10, 1910, a teenager from Nebraska stepped off a train in Kansas City, Mo., with little more than big dreams and two shoeboxes of picture postcards. From those inauspicious beginnings an iconic brand was born.”
https://corporate.hallmark.com/about/hallmark-cards-company/history
One truly unique gift that you can’t find at just any Hallmark store (or even online) is a decommissioned Plaza Christmas Lights lightbulb, made into an ornament. When the lightbulbs were replaced, some of the old bulbs were made into ornaments. The Plaza Lights are a special tradition and memory for many Kansas Citians. With these perfect gifts, the Plaza Lights can decorate your own tree at home (or that of your loved one!).
There were only a limited number left at the Hallmark on the Plaza last year – we’re hoping to see them again this year! The ornaments are $12 each.
A Sweet Gift from Messner Bee Farm
Consumable gifts area a great idea for those who have everything (and gives you options for gift-giving later, too!). For friends who drink tea and loved ones who just like honey, Messner Bee Farms in Raytown creates a variety of gifts from beeswax and honey. From regular local honey and creamed honeys to lip balms and beautiful beeswax candles, their consumable line is high quality, locally made and unique. Messner Bee Farm’s kiosk in the Country Club Plaza’s Made in KC Store also features jewelry, honey jars and shirts that your friends will love.
Did you know a bee will work the whole 1-2 months of its short life to make just 1 tablespoon of honey? That fact sure makes me grateful and think differently about how I use my favorite local honeys!
A Decadent Gift: Christopher Elbow Chocolates
Christopher Elbow is a Liberty graduate (go Blue Jays!) who made his name in artisanal chocolates. His storefront on McGee Street in Downtown Kansas City, where they offer the most beautiful, hand-crafted confections you’ve ever seen. The holiday treats include flavors like Mulled Citrus, Port Wine Fig, Fleur de Sel Caramel, and Pumpkin Caramel. Visitors to the store can create custom mix-and-match gift boxes. You can select one of the various pre-made holiday and regular boxes. Sizes range from the 2-Truffle Stocking Stuffers to the “All I Want for Christmas” Gift Tower.
We love visiting the store to buy gifts (you can also order online) & to buy a special treat for ourselves. Seriously – try the Lavender Truffles. They are AMAZING.
A Kansas City Originals Gift: BBQ Sauce
Kansas City is known for its barbecue. When my two older sons left for boot camp, one of the things they missed the most was our hometown BBQ. Fortunately, our favorite local restaurants bottle their sauces for gift-giving as well as for shipping.
We are a house divided. My oldest is a Gates fan. Luckily, our local Price Chopper offers the full line of Gates sauce and rub options. The middle son likes Arthur Bryant’s, which you can also find in stores and online.
Tip: You can find both Gate’s and Arthur Bryant’s sauces and rubs online if you are desperate. (I admit – it was worth shipping to Afghanistan when my oldest was deployed!). Most local Kansas City groceries carry them in the condiments section.
Related Post: Scott’s Kitchen: Hangar 29
The Gift of Morning Coffee from The Roasterie
Roasterie is my favorite coffee. Yes, I’m biased. When my family and I visited for a tour of the facilities (read about our experience here!), we learned about the selection, care and quality standards that are put into every batch of coffee beans roasted right here in Kansas City at The Roasterie. They have a taster who tastes literally every batch. (What an awesome job!)
The Roasterie only produces to order. Your gift of coffee from The Roasterie will be shipped straight from the roasting room to your loved one. My favorites are the Kansas City blend – I buy it in whole bean and grind it just before brewing!
The Gift of a Stronger Kind of Brew from Boulevard Brewery
Those who enjoy they brew a little stronger than coffee might enjoy a beverage from Kansas City’s own Boulevard Brewery. Boulevard offers brewery tours, where visitors can learn the company’s history and brewing processes. They also offer tastings and have a small gift shop where you can purchase their pint glasses, chalise glasses and pub signs for your Boulevard-loving friends.
Boulevard Brews themselves, in bottles, cans, and boxes, can be found at local stores and Costco. Even if your friend or loved one can’t come home to Kansas City for the holidays, they can taste them with a gift from Boulevard.
There you have SEVEN places to get that special Kansas City gift for your loved one. What is YOUR favorite Kansas City store or giftable? Let me know in the comments below!
Kimberly Brownlee
Kimberly is the owner / travel advisor at Next Adventure Vacations. Let her help you plan a unique travel gift your loved one will never forget!
Text / Call 816.866.8883 or email Kimberly@NextAdventureVacations.com
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