By Sara Wiercinski
Love it or not, the holiday shopping season is upon us. Those with lots of gifts to buy may find themselves in an endless loop of spending and tracking delivery dates–the joy is easily lost. This year, slow down and rediscover the fun of holiday shopping at local gift stores.
Store owners are local. They take pride in their unique products and personalized service. Try finding that at a big box or online.
Gilded Lily
612 E. 135th St
www.gildedlilykc.com
Since 2017, Tom and Debbie Beachner have operated Gilded Lily inside a historic Martin City house built in 1905. Each room, along with the basement and front porch, is full of unique old-world style decor, antiques and nostalgic gift items.
Gilded Lily is the only place to purchase one-of-a-kind Christmas wreaths and trees made by a Kansas artisan who collects vintage ornaments. There’s tea imported from England, chocolates from New York and hand-painted teacups. Holiday ornaments come from France, Belgium and Germany.
“It really is about exclusivity,” said Tom. “You will find things here you cannot get anywhere else in Kansas City.”
One room is full of statues and images of the Virgin Mary. Tom’s mother, Janey, had a special devotion to Mary and even wrote a book about her travels to Catholic shrines around the world.
Unique gifts: Oversized jingle bells, one-of-a-kind antiques, collectable holiday candy tins.
Real Deals
1034 W. 136th St
realdeals.net/martincity
Leawood resident Kim Jones opened Real Deals in Martin City in November 2023, just before the holiday rush and subsequent January slow time. ““It was both a blessing and a curse,” laughed Jones as she rang up purchases the day before Thanksgiving.“It really was a fun way to open.”
Real Deals sells seasonal home decor and furnishings, women’s apparel, jewelry and shoes; kitchen gifts and bath and body products. Jones says she sells a lot of hostess gifts this time of year.
Unique gifts: Soap sets for men, bar cart accessories. Candles–scented and wickless–are popular.
Made in KC
527 E. RedBridge Rd
madeinkc.co
The Red Bridge Shopping Center boasts one of 15 Made in KC gift shops from around the region. The brand represents more than 300 area artists and makers.
Retail associate Glory describes her work at the store as “making smiles,” and says the products are popular choices for real estate agents, tourists and former Kansas Citians who live elsewhere.
Made in KC features red apparel items every Friday. Shoppers who present a receipt from nearby Caleb’s or Crow’s coffee can receive a 10% discount. “Red Bridge really is a sweet little spot, there’s so much community,” said Glory.
Unique gifts: Kansas City themed apparel and accessories, Kansas City brewed wine and specialty liquor, books, art prints
Hiles Two
7445 Broadway St
www.shophilestwo.com
Julia Hiles has operated Hiles Two in Waldo for more than 43 years. Originally an antique store, the shop sells gift items, home decor, ornaments, Mahjong accessories, children’s clothing and toys.
Hiles’ daughter Ashley helps merchandise the store and runs the busy e-commerce site, which ships nationwide. She said the Friday after Thanksgiving was very busy, and they called in extra help. “Everyone was very patient and jovial.”
The mother-daughter pair say foot traffic is up, and are grateful for the refinished parking lot which reopened this year.
“I have been so blessed,” said Hiles. “My favorite part is the people– whether they are regulars or new people discovering the shop for the first time.”
Unique gifts: Handblown and painted glass ornaments from Poland, Italy and Germany; cocktail mixers and accessories, Schaller paper mache candy containers from Germany.
Eclectics Gallery
7015 Oak St
http://www.eclecticskc.com
Walk into the 700 square foot Eclectics, and you will find every kind of art imaginable, from paintings to woodworking, fiber arts, sculpture, jewelry and more. Jenny Isenberg is one of the founding artists who opened the shop in 1991 and calls it “a gift gallery.”
Isenberg and 10 other rotating artists take turns staffing the store, which also sells art from local consigners. “We represent around 50 different local artists at any given time.”
“There’s just something special about being in a place where everything is made by hand,” she added.
Unique gifts: Variety of handmade holiday decor and a 2026 limited edition art calendar: Each month is a unique creation from one of Ecectics’ member artists.
Shop Local KC
6245 Brookside Plaza
http://www.shoplocalkc.com
Shop Local KC is one of two brick-and-mortars owned by Katie Mabry van Dieren, who also operates the Strawberry Swing indie craft fair series. This year will be the Brookside location’s third holiday season and features at least 80 local makers at any time, including popular Messner Bees products, Kansas City-designed apparel and homegoods.
“I’m helping to spread love right in my own backyard,” said Katie. “Every handmade candle, crafted mug, or sparkly little treasure helps a real neighbor thrive and keeps our community creative, cozy and uniquely us!”
Unique gifts: Fresh and dried flower arrangements, home gifts, pop culture gifts, charm bar, funky holiday decorations
Whistle Stop Antiques
315 Main St.
Whistlestopantiquesbelton.com
Fifteen years ago Sally Smith stepped into Whistle Stop Antiques to inquire about renting a booth space for her fledgling collection. Like many who enter an antique shop, she didn’t leave empty handed. She purchased the entire business. Her exquisite tastes attracted customers and before long she was expanding into the next building.
Whistle Stop carries unique finds from the past as well as soaps, teas, candles, dip mixes and crackers, and knitted outerwear and other items from the present. At Christmas, dining tables are decked out for the holidays, showcasing beautiful china, crystal glasses and tableware.
Whistle Stop Antiques is located in Belton’s historic Main Street where two other gift shops–Marcella’s and The Wild Poppy Boutique–make the trip worth your while.
