See 15 gifts under $30 from Kansas City small businesses, recommended by our readers
It’s officially holiday shopping season, and Kansas Citians are on the hunt for unique, handmade gifts at affordable prices.
Luckily, our readers are here to help. We asked for recommendations of great local businesses selling gifts for less than $30 — and you delivered. We also threw in a few of our favorites to round out the list.
From Lee’s Summit to Parkville, here are 15 affordable gifts sold by local shops across the Kansas City metro.
Embers Candle Bar in Lee’s Summit
Orange clove candle, $22
This unique Lee’s Summit shop offers pour-your-own candles as well as premade ones for sale. If orange clove isn’t your thing, you can customize your own scent from 63 options and create a custom candle as a date night activity or a thoughtful gift. Embers Candle Bar is located at 315 SE Douglas St. in Lee’s Summit.
Absorb Lumen
A Kansas City map tea towel, $19
We were impressed by how many friends of this Kansas City based towel company sent in recommendations for our gift guide. We liked their Hometown Tour Guide 2 design, which features local landmarks like the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Loose Park, Union Station and the Kansas City Museum. You can find it online at absorb-lumen.com.
Ashleigh’s Bakeshop
A homemade pie, $28
Located in the basement of Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities on Westport Road, this cozy pie shop offers a bounty of rotating pie flavors including tart cherry, chocolate cream and key lime as well as savory quiches. Call ahead at 816-598-3283 to place a special order, or stop by Thursday through Sunday at 115 Westport Road to check out the flavors of the day.
The Living Stone in Lee’s Summit
Lavender-infused fuzzy slippers, $29.99
When we say fuzzy, we really mean fuzzy. Sold by a small boutique gift shop in Lee’s Summit, these slippers are heatable and scented with lavender — although a shop employee assured us the scent isn’t overpowering. They fit shoe sizes 6 through 10, and come in five colors. The Living Stone is located at 231 SE Main St. in Lee’s Summit.
About Those Books in Overland Park
A vintage book, $19.95
Books make great gifts — and they’re easy to wrap. While About Those Books has several rare tomes with steep prices to match, its robust selection also includes first editions and signed copies of classic fiction, poetry collections, military history and celebrity biographies for $19.95 apiece. It’s in the Glenwood Antique Mall at 9030 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park.
Flagship Books on Strawberry Hill
A contemporary book, price varies
Located on bustling 6th Street, Flagship Books carries a variety of contemporary fiction and nonfiction releases as well as hosting the Big Open Book Club, an eclectic gathering where readers of all stripes can meet and tell each other about whatever they happen to be reading at the time. Find the shop at 510 N. 6th St. in Kansas City, Kansas.
Steven Dragan Art
A Kansas City skyline ornament, $19
Kansas City based watercolor artist Steven Dragan paints subtle, expressive portraits of local landmarks in his airy, colorful style. While the original KC Skyline 2 painting has already sold, art lovers can still get a taste of it on a ceramic ornament from his shop online, sdragan.art.
The Corner Candleshop in Brookside
The Kansas City votive candle gift box, $25
This candle gift box includes four votive candles — the kind you would find in a short glass cup — in Kansas City-themed scents called City of Fountains, Play Ball, Tailgater and Plaza Lights. What do those concepts smell like? You can find out for $25, matches and glass cup included. The Corner Candleshop is located at 6231 Brookside Plaza.
Cheeky Bird in Parkville
A faux leather metallic shoulder bag, $28
This shoulder bag features diagonal stripes of metallic faux-leather, making it festive without being too holiday-themed. Find it alongside other accessories and home goods at Cheeky Bird, a locally owned boutique located at 301 Main St. in Parkville.
Kinfolk Creative in Bonner Springs
A Kansas state motto T-shirt, $30
Ad Astra per Aspera — to the stars through difficulty — isn’t just a great state motto, it’s a great slogan overall. No wonder the folks behind Kinfolk Creative, a design studio in Bonner Springs, opted to put it on stickers, magnets, and this T-shirt, which comes in five colors. You can find it online at kinfolkcreated.com or at the studio’s shop at 304 Oak St. in Bonner Springs.
Cocoavino
Red wine infused chocolate spread, $12
Made by a local stay-at-home dad in a rented professional kitchen, this ganache-like spread is made by combining chocolate with a red wine reduction. One reader told us the resulting flavor is “fruity and chocolatey at once” — but the spread is zero-proof, as the alcohol in the wine cooks off during the reduction process.
For $20, you can also get a hot chocolate kit that includes locally made marshmallows form the Modest Mallow alongside the spread and a recipe card. You can find Cocoavino at local holiday markets and Made in KC stores, as well as at cocoavino.co.
Truly Madly Depot in Mission
An acetate paint palette hair claw, $20
This eclectic stationery and gift store in Mission has something for everyone, from handmade ceramics and Japanese stationery sets to cross-stitch kits and a bath mat that looks like a stick of salted butter. Their colorful paint palette hair claw fits the shop’s artsy vibe — and our price range. Truly Madly Depot is located at 5727 Johnson Drive in Mission.
Cafe Corazón
House blend coffee beans, $22
This local coffee powerhouse has two brick-and-mortar locations serving up the flavors of Latin America through creative coffees, yerba mate, a robust hot chocolate list and sweet and savory food items. Their house blend combines beans from Mexico, Brazil and Ethiopia, and features notes of caramel, almond and cherry. You can find it online at cafecorazonkc.com or at their coffee shops at 1721 Westport Road and 110 Southwest Blvd.
Lost & Found Design
Stained glass star ornament, $22
Local stained glass artist Tara Tonsor is a member of Cherry Pit Collective, a midtown art studio and teaching space for women and nonbinary artists. Her five-pointed star ornament comes in five colors and looks great hanging in a window or on your tree. You can find the ornament by searching for Lost and Found Design on Etsy.
Paulina Otero
Iridescent squiggle earrings, $30
A rising star in Kansas City’s crowded jewelry scene, Paulina Otero specializes in colorful pieces that combine fine metals with abstract acrylic shapes. The iridescent squiggle earrings evoke her shop’s chunky, playful style while remaining lightweight and versatile. You can find Paulina Otero in Crown Center every weekend until Christmas at the Hallmark Christmas Experience, or online at shoppaulinaotero.com.
Do you have more recommendations for great gifts in the Kansas City area? Let us know in the comments below.
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