Nothing satisfies a morning craving quite like a diner.

It’s no secret that shopping small is on everyone’s mind, especially this year. But there are so many events to schedule, items to plan, and gifts to retrieve that it can feel a bit overwhelming. As people who are shopping almost entirely local this season, we wanted to make sure you had access to some of the incredible makers that we know and love across the metro area.

effing candle co.

A brand is a brand.

Until it is an entire lifestyle. And that’s exactly what effing candle co. is. The woman-owned, LGBTQIA-positive clean candle company is based in Kansas City, and sold through many vendors including Made in KC. It’s not a surprise that the brand is so popular – its delicious fragrances and (often) hilarious product names make it a clever, modern twist on the candle shops of yesteryear.

The community owner Birdie has fostered is not only into eco-friendly, clean-burning candles in delectable scents, but they are also a charitable force. Because of her dedication to social justice, a percentage of her candle proceeds fund charities. In the past, they have donated to Planned Parenthood Great Plains, KC Pet Project, Harvesters, and more. Everyone at Made in KC is a big fan– don’t miss the Effing Candle corner in the Plaza Marketplace!

High Noon Pottery

Kansas-based potter Ashton – known affectionately by the brand High Noon Pottery – has brightened Kansas City with their mission of "no boring pots." These designs have been inducing laughter and inspiring people to start their day on the right foot since 2020, when Ashton began to create and sell her art to friends and family. The ceramic designs are high quality, and 100% go to a maker who has invested their whole self into this work.

High Noon Pottery’s site has updated inventory, which includes some really fantastic mugs and trays. The brand does special drops of new inventory, so make sure to follow them on social media to stay up-to-date on purchasing opportunities.

Whitney Manney

Looking for the most eye-popping pajama sets, unique ballcaps, vibrant hoodies and t-shirts, insanely beautiful accessories, and more this holiday season? Kansas City is lucky enough to have brilliant designer Whitney Manney in our midst, and her work is the most clear definitionof functional art I have ever laid eyes on.

Her designs are absolutely stunning, and I can’t overstate how any gift from her collection would probably really impress its receiver.

May Day Paper & Post

Don’t you love when businesses make clever shopping so much easier? May Day Paper & Post – a Kansas City mainstay, where I am concerned – pretty much stocks all the beautiful paper products. Notebooks, pads of paper, every pen you could have dreamt of. A wall of quirky and specific cards that you will often find yourself laughing out loud at, especially if you are alone in the space. Wrapping paper, invitations, and quirky little desk gifts. This space is where you can really revel in some magic.

If you really want some hand-holding help this year? Check out any number of their cutesy Holiday gift guides on their homepage, or ask some questions in store! This space is so much fun to explore.

Three Bees Pottery & Coffee

While the handmade items can’t necessarily be labeled as “local,” the owner of Three Bees Pottery & Coffee on Southwest Boulevard imports iconic Talavera pottery and accessories from Tonela, Mexico. Beautiful mugs, plates, figurines, magnets, and more can be found in some of the most beautiful and vibrant patterns and colors. Find a unique chatchki that reminds you of your friend, and enjoy a java while you’re at it.

If you are a “tamales on Christmas” type of family, be sure to try one of their Northern Mexican tamales, in chicken, pork, beef, cheese, vegan, or veggie. I am jonesing to try the strawberry tamale, which sounds off the charts.

Suds Refillery

Located in Shawnee, Kansas, Suds Refillery is the ultimate clean-living dream. Started by a mother and her two daughters as a mobile soap shop, the storefront is now a welcome and refreshing upgrade. You are encouraged to bring your own bottles and containers to fill with their clean cleaning products, helping to reduce the waste produced in the process.

In addition to cleaning products and natural scrubbers, you can find dental kits, natural sponges, dental hygiene options, hand soaps, haircare, bath salts, and more. Choose from a great set of Swedish dish cloths or fun little art kits for your family members. There is so much to explore!

archer+alex

While Archer+Alex is technically not super local, headquartered in Lawrence, Kansas, the queer-owned bath and body brand is absolutely worth a look-see online – or at local hubs like West Bottoms Plant Co. Grab clean soaps, wax melts, lotions, and more in a variety of fun scents with striking and fun branding.

If you want to do some research before hunting for Archer+Alex in the wild, the website is incredibly thorough when describing scent level and fragrance notes, and letting you know about any hazards. (Sometimes we do need someone to remind us how slippery our hands will get after a fresh lotion application!)

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This holiday season, lets all take our gifting opportunities to support local. Experiences and even necessities may be of most importance to hone in on. I will always support the arts, and encourage you to look up the theater and music schedules for 2026 at local venues like Starlight Theater, Uptown Theater, Arvest Bank at The Midland, The Truman, and recordBar.

Local organic farmers who host Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs will begin to post information on the 2026 season. Consider pricing out options and convenience at Redfearn Farms, KC Farm School at Gibbs Road, and Pearl Family Farm to ensure your loved ones are well fed next year.

However you choose to give, remember that 3-5x more money stays in KC when you shop local. And at Made in KC, 90% of every dollar spent stays right here in town– supporting 200+ local artists and makers. What a gift!