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.

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

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_

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

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

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

‘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

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

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

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_

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

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

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

    Innovation index: Cross-newsroom startup data partnership puts Kansas City on the map

    By Tommy Felts | May 6, 2025

    Finding relevant, actionable information on innovation happening in one’s own backyard can be tough, said Christopher Wink, announcing Kansas City’s inclusion within a new resource for navigating innovation communities. “Every metro region, every state has some website or page — ‘This is where you start if you’re going to join the KC tech community or…

    This duo plans to takedown one of female wrestlers’ most ‘mortifying’ foes: the wrong kind of exposure

    By Tommy Felts | May 6, 2025

    Two women-owned Kansas businesses are teaming up to ensure that female wrestlers don’t get pinned by a wardrobe malfunction mid-match, shared Deb North and Frankie Elder-Reedy. It’s a pairing that shows for these sole sisters, entrepreneurship is more than an individual sport. Topeka-based Yes! Athletics is going to the mat with the Apex high-impact sports…

    Entrepreneur featured on Hallmark show finds identity beyond motherhood (with help from Connie Britton and her own KC Team Mom)

    By Tommy Felts | May 6, 2025

    When Kansas City’s Rochelle Owens answered a message from Hallmark, she had no idea it would launch her into the national spotlight — or transform her life as a single mother and aspiring entrepreneur. Owens is the featured mom in Monday’s episode of The Motherhood, Hallmark’s new reality series created and hosted by actress Connie…

    Four role models selected for Hall of Fame as Junior Achievement celebrates 25 years of business honors

    By Tommy Felts | May 3, 2025

    A fresh round of Hall of Fame laureates celebrates Kansas City’s living legacy of visionary leaders who drive business excellence, innovation and community impact, said Megan Sturges, announcing a range of honorees from tech to tender chicken. “The JA Business Hall of Fame celebrates more than business success — it honors the spirit of leadership…