10 gift exchange ideas from Kansas City startups

November 27, 2019  |  Startland News Staff

N-Gage Grips by N-Gage

Editor’s note: Below you’ll find a list of 10 ideas for your next office or family holiday gift exchange — each from a Kansas City startup or maker. Click here to check out the rest of Startland News’ 2019 Gift Guide.

[divide]

wlle drink sweater

Made by Sandlot Goods, the WLLE drink sweater uses the insulating power of wool to keep drinks cool. Click here to read more about Sandlot Goods and WLLE.

Price: $13

Where to buy: Made in KC or online

Maker: Chad Hickman, wlle, Sandlot Goods

Follow: wlleusa, sandlotgoods

[divide]

Craft Beer Jerky

Craft Beer Jerky is made using local, craft beers including Boulevard’s Tank 7.

Price: $10

Where to buy: Made in KC or online

Maker: Danny Kueser, Chase Schaffter, Craft Beer Jerky

Follow: craftbeerjerky_

[divide]

Positive People Posse mug

Handcrafted by local Kansas City Maker Mckenzie Grabish Stanley of Driftwood Ceramics, each mug is imperfect — just like people. Fun Fact: This product features the iconic logo of Kansas City’s Positive People Posse.

Price: $20

Where to buy: Made in KC or online

Maker: Mckenzie Grabish Stanley, Driftwood Ceramics, Postive People Posse

Follow: positivepeopleposse

[divide]

Green Bee Tea Towels

With 100 designs in multiple colors and styles, Green Bee Tea Towels are hand-printed on 100 percent cotton flour sack material.

Price: $5-$10

Where to buy: Midcoast Modern, Amy’s Hallmarks, online

Maker: Rena Krouse, Green Bee Tea Towels

Follow: greenbeeteatowels

[divide]

Monarch wallet

Monarch wallet, Sandlot Goods

A newly redesigned, slim, three-pocket, hand-sewn wallet with dual-sided push card slots produced by Sandlot Goods. Click here to learn more about Sandlot Goods and the redesign of the monarch wallet.

Price: $45

Where to buy: Made in KC or online

Maker: Chad Hickman, Sandlot Goods

Follow: sandlotgoods

[divide]

‘Find Your Toddler Ambition’ book

Touting a different approach to entrepreneurship, Kansas City startup founder Jy’Juan Maze offers guidance on how leaders can find their “toddler ambition” and apply it to building a business. Click here to read a Startland News Q&A with Jy Maze.

Price: $13

Where to buy: Online

Maker: Jy’Juan Maze, Maze Freight Solutions, Maze Publications

Follow: jyjuan_n_chrg

[divide]

Power Frother + Creamer

A durable, electric milk frother, pair the Power Frother with any of Omega Power Creamer’s keto coffee creamers or the Omega Power Creamer bundle. Click here to read more about Omega Power Creamer’s relocation to Kansas City from St. Louis.

Price: $18-$20

Where to buy: Online, Walmart

Maker: Omega Power Creamer

Follow: powercreamer

[divide]

Megh Makes Art yoga mat

Megh Makes Art — and yoga mats. Bold colors and the signature, Megh Knappenberger Art, palette style add personality to the traditional yoga mat. Click here to read more about Knappenberger.

Price: N/A

Where to buy: Made in KC Marketplace on the Country Club Plaza

Maker: Megh Knappenberger, Megh Makes Art

Follow: meghmakesart

[divide]

Made in KC Boozy Box

Each Boozy Box contains two pieces of glassware and your choice of J. Rieger and Co. whiskey, KC Wineworks wine, Amigoni Winery wine or Boulevard beer.

Price: $35-$65

Where to buy: Made in KC Marketplace on the Country Club Plaza, Made in KC Cafe downtown

Maker: J Rieger & Co., KC Wineworks, Amigoni Urban Winery, Boulevard Brewing Company, Made in KC

Follow: madeinkc_

[divide]

N-Gage Grips

A Kansas City crafted solution to pain and discomfort in weight lifting. From the maker: Humans didn’t evolve to lift heavy, perfectly-straight barbells. N-Gage Grips make barbell movements more natural by putting your hands in a slightly more neutral position.

Price: $40

Where to buy: Online

Maker: Matt Leadbetter,  N-Gage

Follow: ngagegrips

[divide]

The Startland News 2019 Gift Guide is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.

For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn

[divide]

Startland News 2019 Gift Guide

• 10 ways to wear (or gift) KC’s maker scene

• 5 Kansas City-crafted gifts for kids

• 5 gifts for yourself (courtesy of KC makers)

• 7 ways to deck the halls in Kansas City style

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2019 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    Five gift ideas under one roof: Snag the KC-made best-sellers inside 811 Retail

    By Tommy Felts | November 28, 2025

    Editor’s note: The following holiday feature is presented by The Porter House KC — built to bridge the gap between underrepresented small business owners and access to community-driven entrepreneurial support, education, and resources. [divide] Nearly 18 months after opening its doors, the 811 Retail incubation space in Midtown has boosted sales for the entrepreneurs inside…

    How the 2025 Kansas Citians of the Year proved ‘KC Made’ could compete against the world 

    By Tommy Felts | November 26, 2025

    They recognized Kansas City’s promise and potential early — helping usher in a new era of global sports opportunity for the region. Now Cliff Illig and Kathy Nelson are the latest community shapers crowned Kansas Citians of the Year. Honored Tuesday night during the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner, the two were…

    It’s gametime for for holiday shopping: Eight gift ideas for the Kansas City sports fan on your list

    By Tommy Felts | November 26, 2025

    Editor’s note: The following holiday feature is presented by Sideline Solutions, which specializes in sideline media carts and offers customized sports equipment and services. [divide] Cleats and clutter don’t mix, said Ron Barnes, throwing a flag on the dangers and inefficiencies he’s observed on the sidelines of high school football fields for the better part…

    Mayor: Film projects roll $24M into region’s creative economy as KC productions boom

    By Tommy Felts | November 26, 2025

    When Hallmark’s “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas” airs this weekend, Kansas City viewers — and audiences across the globe — will see recognizable locations from throughout the metro, where a significant portion of the movie was filmed. It’s an increasingly common showcase of KC’s versatility, said Quinton Lucas, as the region takes its place on the…