All The Gifts To Buy Kentucky Local This Season
I always encourage supporting local business, but as everyone knows, it's even more important this year after the havoc that COVID has wreaked on our communities. I know holiday shopping can get a little stressful at times, so I pulled together a list of my favorite Kentucky local gifts I'll be giving this year!
KENTUCKY FOR KENTUCKY - LEXINGTON, KY
Photo by Kentucky for Kentucky
If you live in Kentucky you probably know about Kentucky for Kentucky. But just in case you forgot, these are for sure some of the best KY themed gifts. There is just about everything you could thing of on their site from shirts to candles to cups and bar ware. This Christmas shirt they recently released is a particular favorite of mine.
Photo by Muse Marketing and Design
If you're looking for a gift true to the Bourbon State, Wixology has you covered. Tons of different Kentucky cocktail-based scents in glasses that are perfect for reuse serving your favorite real cocktails after you finish burning them. And that's not all: Wixology stays true to the local community by sending a portion of all proceeds to FoodChain!
Photo by Theory Beyond Design
More time at home has turned us all into plant masters. If you have someone on your list who loves propagating new plants, one of Theory Beyond Design's stylish plant propagators is the perfect gift! I love that it's a simple selection that still has multiple price points and designs to choose from.
Photo by @shea_dean
If you're looking for something incredible for the man in your life, this is it. Timber and Bluff has quality made leather goods that are absolutely beautiful. They focus on wallets, but also have keychains, bags, even leather coozies. I'm astounded by the beauty of his work every time I see it!
Photo by: Lucia's World Emporium
You've probably seen me talk about this business on my Instagram a ton - it's one of my favorite shops to visit in Lexington (in one of my favorite areas - The Warehouse Block!). Lucia's sources tons of fair trade goods from all over the world. This means these artisans are small local businesses in their country, are making goods sustainably, and earning a fair living for it! Fair trade is a certification I look for a lot because I love what it means. They also have so many options. They've got jewerly and clothing, decor, dishware, even functional house items like felt dryer balls!
Photo by Eppings on Eastside
Another local business from my favorite area of town! Epping’s, Cole’s, and Poppy’s are all offering multiple Christmas gifts this year. They’ve got the basic gift cards, but also have gift baskets (the picture on the right), Cole’s seasoning, wine, baked goods, and at home meal kits! I would honestly be happy with just about anything from this, and I’m sure anyone on your list would too!
Photo by Desert.Lou
This resin earring shop has the CUTEST, most chic earrings out there. I fell in love the second I clicked on her page and will most definitely be buying these throughout the holiday season (but probably not gifting them, I'm keeping these all for myself lol!)
Photo by Haley Klein Art
Haley has the most adorable earrings that I find myself wearing all the time! But she also has a few other offerings, mainly GORGEOUS paints, and currently some super cute holiday ornaments in her shop!
Photo by: Concinnity by Erica
Erica has tons of gorgeous art on her Etsy shop and honestly I'd love to get any of it for Christmas. From her prints, to stickers, to ornaments, she's got a ton of options!
You all may have seen my Instagram post about these ADORABLE ornaments, but Charissa does so much more as well! She has lots of great original paints, but also does wonderful commissions! These ornaments are going to be my favorite little adult stocking stuffer this year - but the prints would be such a lovely full gift as well!
Photo by Nerd Babes Co
If you're a candle and recycling obsessee like I am, you're going to love this local company. They take old bottles and turn them into something cool, usually candles! They've also got planters and tiki lamps on their site as well so you can take your pick on products.
Photo by Bluegrass Burlap Sop
This little Lexington maker has the cutest decor ever. I find myself commenting that I want just about ever single thing she posts, my wallet hates me for it lol. This would be a perfect decor gift for the local looking to add to their home!
Did you know Crank and Boom has nationwide shipping? If you have a friend out of town missing a little Kentucky, this is the perfect thing to send them! They also have some pretty cool merch and little ice cream treat packs that I'm sure no one would be opposed to getting.
Did you know this sweet shoppe based out of Mt. Sterling also has a Lexington location? AND that they have so much more than sweets? They've got some pretty sweet treats but they also have lots of Kentucky themed items you can sort through, or just get a gift basket to get everything in one!
Photo by Reimagined by Luna
Upcycled, handmade leather journals, sketchbooks and bags. How cool, right?! I found this artist through a maker's market several years ago and have been in love since. I'm a big journal person, so getting a new sustainable, fairly made journal for all my writing is one of my favorite things! If you want to gift a friend a little journal time, or even a cute bag this year, definitely check out Luna's work.
Lexington Humane Society - Lexington, KY
Photo by Lexington Humane Society
Love animals as much as I do? LHS has the cutest line of merch that benefits their cause with every purchase! It doesn't get much better than supporting shelter animals AND getting a comfy sweatshirt to show for it.
Photo by Wild Wonderful Finery
I came across these Kentucky quarter bracelets and thought they were super interesting and original! I haven't seen anything like this at any other Kentucky shops and this could be a super cute keepsake for someone who loves their Old Kentucky Home
Photo by A Plus Comics
If you're looking for some fun board or card games to gift this season, I've been told A+ Comics is the best place here in Lex to get them! And we definitely all need to be keeping some things to do in the house right now.
New Star South - Versailles, KY
Photos by Reagan Berry from New Star South
I've been a fan of Reagan's leather earrings for a long time, but she's been expanding lately and has added so many more things! Her shop now has leather, acrylic, and clay earrings, masks and accessories, and recently began selling flavored marshmallows! My favorite would have to be the bourbon ones, but the peppermint ones sound great as well. She even added the Versailles print above to her physical location in Green Street Gifts!
Green Street Gifts - Versailles, KY
Photo by Green Street Gifts
Speaking of Green Street Gifts, this is a great place to go look for gifts! This is a shop with various booths set up from tons of local vendors. There are all sorts of options in this great two-story shop, you're sure to find something someone on your list will like!
Photo by Gathered Living
If you haven't been to the Amsden yet you are truly missing out. While the actual Amsden is a coffee shop (that definitely has some giftable coffee merch), attached is Gathered Mercantile. There is a huge range of products by local artisans inside, from shirts to jewelry to candles to paintings! This is definitely a one-stop shop for gifting needs.
Local Coffees - Kentucky
Photo by Manuscript Coffee
There are too many great coffees in Kentucky to just name one - so I had to include a few! Manuscript coffee has a holiday coffee called "Gift of the Magi" that really gets you in the holiday spirit. I talk about Lincoln Road all of the time, and what gets you more in the spirit than savings!? You can get my discount code for this brand on the Promotions Page. Some of my other favorite coffees in Kentucky for gifting are Nate's Coffee and Manchester Coffee Co!
To Go Beers - Lexington, KY
Poto by Ethereal Brewing
Looking for a cold one to gift after this long year? Tons of local taprooms have their to-go fridge in their taprooms stocked and ready for all your gifting needs! This photo is by Etheral Brewing, but some other great options are Rockhouse Brewing, Pivot Brewing, Wisebird Cider, West Sixth, and so many more!
