Favorite Christmas Gifts to Give from Made in KC
If we value the beauty, creativity, flavor and flair that local makers bring to our lives, this Christmas season is the time to show our appreciation. Thankfully, Made in KC Marketplace’s new Lee’s Summit location enables suburbanites (like moí) to shop small, supporting makers from the all over the KC metro with just a short drive from home.
Of course, it’s easy to click ‘add-to-cart.’ It’s even encouraged as we stay safe and stay home during the very strangest of holiday times. But there’s also something special about seeing, touching, experiencing as we pick out that perfect gift for our loved ones. I’m drawn to the tangible shopping experience, so I’ve made several masked-up, socially distanced trips to Made in KC at Summit Fair to select gifts for my favorite ladies, for corporate gifting and a few things for myself and our home as well.
Favorite Things Gift Exchange Ideas
For a ‘favorite things’ gift exchange with my mother and sisters-in-law, I shared Raw Honey and Beeswax Lip Tints from Messner Bee Farm and samplers from Andrés Confiserie Suisse.
I’ve loved Messner lip balms for several years, but during these months of mask-wearing they’re my go-to for keeping my (hidden) lips soft. Inhaling the aroma of the masala chai lip balm under my mask is a treat in itself.
I love to treat the special ladies in my life to artisanal chocolate that seems like an indulgence to buy for yourself but that you’ll gladly receive as a gift. Pick up Christopher Elbow or Andrés chocolates at the marketplace and pair them with a bottle of Amigoni Cab Franc from the MIKC Café to let your girlfriends know they’re worthy of the good stuff.
Green Bee Tea Towels are the pretty little workhorses of my kitchen. Every year, I look forward to decking my range handle with Green Bee's Hipster Christmas cat towel, and I use the Kansas City print tea towels year-round. They’re perfect for drying your hands after all the extra washing we're doing as well as reaching those hard-to-reach water droplets in your glassware.
A Few Gifts is Better Than One
When I step into Made in KC Marketplace, immediately the wheels start turning. One local gift is good, but a thoughtful pairing is even better. It's easy to get carried away (in the very best way) since everything is conveniently under one roof.
While there the majority of booths are dedicated to individual local makers, it’s also helpful to find related items for gifting grouped together.
For corporate gifting, I was inspired to build a box with Bozz Prints vintage-inspired mugs, a bag of Thou Mayestcoffee, and this Nelson-Atkins inspired shuttlecock ornament by Fun Frames N' Things after seeing these items all arranged together.
For the craft cocktail enthusiast, I’d select pick Boozy Botanicals simple syrups, KC whiskey glasses and this geometric melamine platter I’m coveting by Ampersand Design Studio.
For the foodie, a wooden serving board by Crafted Element wrapped with a Kansas City Canning Co holiday sampler of preserves or pickled veggies and Helga’s Sweet Heat Gourmet Mustard.
For the barbecue aficionado, Made in KC has a wide range of rubs, sauces and spices, but I was particularly happy to see products by local Lee’s Summit friends on the shelves right as you enter the store! Megan and Jason Day are the pitmasters behind Burnt Finger BBQ. Megan was a Food Network Chopped Grillmasters contestant and Jason created the Bacon Explosion. I use and love their Smokey KC barbecue seasoning as well as their bacon barbecue rub!
Made in KC really does inspire creativity, beginning with the makers and ending up with the gift giver. But don’t take my word for it, shop online or mask up and shop at their new Lee’s Summit location this holiday season. Both your loved ones, and your local makers, will thank you.