We are new to Nebraska–we moved here in May, from Arizona. And I have made it my mission to discover all of the local small businesses, locally-owned restaurants, and local makers & artists to support! I have discovered that the Lincoln maker + small biz landscape is SO RICH!! Read below and I guarantee you will be introduced to at least a few businesses or makers that you weren’t aware of before! 🙂
Thanks to tips from my Instagram followers, plus my own explorations, I have compiled this holiday shopping guide to help you support Lincoln-area small businesses and makers this holiday season. Let’s be honest… Amazon and big box stores DO NOT need our purchases to “get by” this year; but small businesses and local entrepreneurs CERTAINLY DO! It has been a doozy of a year, and I am so excited to shop small for holiday gifts this year. The purpose of this gift guide is to make shopping local EASY for you this year!
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Even if you don’t have the finances to purchase from many of these businesses, you can support them by following them on Instagram (each one is linked via the pictures below) and by liking, commenting, and/or sharing their posts! You can also follow along with my future Nebraska adventures on Instagram!
Custom Signs And Banners
Here are some of my favorite gift ideas from local businesses. But you can also check out Love, The Locals (2020 online holiday marketplace for Nebraska makers & small businesses) for more ideas from these businesses and more!
Little Mountain Print Shoppe: You have to check out Little Mountain’s Instagram “Reels” to see their cool way of printing these clothing items by hand! Each design was hand-drawn and has a really cool local vibe and color palette. There’s a reason I chose to partner with them for my own Instagram photos announcing this gift guide… I love their organic and natural vibe!! You can shop these awesome items IN PERSON at their shop, and might even be lucky enough to meet Joe, the artist and mastermind of this local business. You can also shop online here. MY FAV GIFT PICKS: (1) Lincoln Nebr. Eco Red Hoodie, $40 (2) Nebraska Big Sky Shirt, $20 or hoodie, $40; (3) NE Hand-Lettered Red Hat, $20; (4) For Her: The Good Life Tee (Sunset), $20; (5) For Him: Lincoln Nebr. Navy Tee, $20… These are just a few of my favs! It is worth visiting the site here to browse more of the designs available! You can also check out Little Mountain Print Shoppe’s goods at a “Love, The Locals” sponsored pop-up at Wax Buffalo on Sunday, Nov. 29th–so mark your calendar!
The Loft by Lee Douglas Interiors: Have you heard of/been to this shop in the cutest building ever, near 48th & Pioneers?! In addition to home decor, they have LOTS of unique gift options (you can shop online or in person)… including fun novelty items and gifts for kids too!! MY FAV GIFT PICKS: (1) Map of Lincoln Flask $35; (2) Charcuterie Essentials (wood cheese board & serving knives set), $68; (3) “Bitch, Please. I’m From Nebraska” Mug, $15; (4) Ain’t No Hood Like Motherhood stainless steel tumbler, $26; (5) Personal Fireplace Kit (small cement table-top fireplace w/ matches – make s’mores indoors), $88; (6) “Talk Foodie To Me” Spoon Rest, $15
Inmotion Auto Care, Inc.
From Nebraska: I recently stopped in to this large gift shop in the Haymarket and had a blast browsing around. (Bonus, their shop also houses the James Arthur Vineyards wine tasting room!) From Nebraska also sells some of their Nebraska-centric goods online! MY FAV GIFT PICKS: (1) Nebraska The Good Life Campfire Mug, $12 (I have this one in red!); (2) Nebraska Pride Gift Basket, $64; (3) Yes you can”dle” candles, $20; (4) “The Nebraskan” Gift Basket, $44; (5) Nebraska (UNL) Matching Game for kids, $10
Erik Johnson Photo: Erik Johnson is a local photographer who captures stunning photos of the local midwest landscape. Give him a follow on Instagram to be inspired with his beautiful photos! GIFT PICK: Erik Johnson’s Nebraska 2021 Calendar, $21
For more unique gift ideas, also check out Ten Thousand Villages in the Haymarket for an assortment of handmade fair trade items from around the world!
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Paper Kite: This ADORABLE local shop has a ton of great baby and kid items, but did you know that they also have an assortment of home goods, beauty items, candles, paper goods, stationery, and more?! (They even have beautiful holiday decor & ornaments, cards, and wrapping paper.) You can shop their unique goods online or in-store. There are so many great gift options, it was REALLY HARD to pick just a few to share here! MY FAV GIFT PICKS: (1) Maps Jigsaw Puzzle, $34 (featuring colorful illustrated maps of Amsterdam, Athens, London, and Mexico City); (2) Acorn Bag (a basket-style little girl’s purse for collecting & carrying trinkets), $39; (3) Market Playset (wooden toys), $25; (4) Le Jardin Botanist Case, $68 (includes one Flower Press, a Magnifying Glass, one Notebook and three boxes for secret treasures); (5) “You’re Like, Really Pretty” Soy Candle, $21; (6) Citrus Floral Recipe Tin, $36; (7) “Over It AF” Mug, $10
KD Designs: Get your wallets READY to shop, because this family-run business located in the Haymarket (and some inventory online) has some AWESOME and unique gift options!! KD Designs started as a handmade jewelry business, and has expanded into a storefront featuring a variety of gift items, decor, and of course, jewelry. MY FAV GIFT PICKS: (1) Yardzee Outdoor Game, $39.99 (large wooden outdoor dice, made by the shop owner’s son to fund college!); (2) Gift Boxes (for kids and adults, there are too many great gift box options, definitely browse them all!!!), $19.99 to $49.99; (3) Medium Wooden Scrabble-Piece Letterboard, $28.99; (4) Build-Your-Own Necklace or Bracelet (choose all the parts & charms to create a unique necklace or bracelet), price varies; (5) White Claw Candles (available in-store)
Wax Buffalo: perhaps the most well-known small business in LNK! You can order their amazing candles online, but stopping into their shop in the Haymarket is even more fun… you will dig the aesthetic AND get to sniff all the amazing candle scents in person. It is a can’t-miss destination in Lincoln, in my opinion. MY FAV GIFT PICKS: (1) The Candle Lab: Pour Your Own Candle Set, $40; (2) Seriously any of their candles, $22-$34; (3) Specifically, the Campfire Coffee Candle (coffee scented candle in a reusable mug = 2 gifts in one!), $28; and (4) Deluxe Seasonal Curated Subscription Box (candle + awesome seasonal goodies), $35
Nebraska Small Business Day At The Capitol
Modern Basik Ceramics: How gorgeous are these vases, handcrafted here in Lincoln?! Modern Basik has beautiful vases, planters, trinket dishes, and more available online through their website. MY FAV GIFT PICKS: (1) 8″ Truncated Octahedron Vase, $45; (2) “Chubby” Marbled Truncated Octahedron Vase, $35; (3) Sedona Succulent Pot, $35; and (4) “Chubby” Truncated Octahedron Vase, $35
Campbell’s Nursery: Give the gift of a live plant to someone you love this year! Campbell’s is my personal favorite destination for house plants. Stop by and pick out a pretty houseplant + decorative pot to really make someone smile this year! 🙂
Feya Candles: Gifts that give back!! Feya was started 7 years ago, and the candles are hand-poured right here in Lincoln. Every candle purchased from Feya provides a meal to a child in need. For every bar of soap sold, they donate one to a homeless shelter or mission. Every reed diffuser purchased provides clean water to places in need around the world.So neat!! You can read more about the Feya Foundation here. MY FAV GIFT PICKS: (1) 6.5 oz. candles in a variety of delicious scents, $17; (2) 4 oz. Hand Soaps in a variety of delicious secents, $8; (3) Reed Diffusers in a variety of delicious scents, $24; (4) 20 oz. Candles, $30
Neighborhoods In Lincoln, Nebraska
Cooper & Co.: Lincoln’s favorite family-owned and operated furniture & decor store is also a great destination for holiday gift shopping! MY FAV GIFT PICKS: (1) cozy throw blanket; (2) cute home signs; and (3) candles!
Of The Earth Florals: Wow, Wow, Wow! How pretty are these Instagram photos?! Step into Of The Earth Florals to order a custom floral arrangement for your loved one, or shop for a live plant & pot, or beautiful dried pampas grass! I just recently purchased a dried bouquet of flowers, greens, and pampas for $18, and I am obsessed with how pretty it is! In store, you can also check out their paper goods and candles.
Opal and Prim: Give the gift of a one-of-a-kind pressed floral arrangement to your favorite nature-lover. 🙂 (FYI, they can also preserve your own bridal bouquet after the big day!!) MY FAV GIFT PICKS (note, these are one-of-a-kind and could sell out): (1) Pressed Wildflowers in Frame, $70; (2) Pressed Eucalyptus in Frame, $30
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Chicory Lane Candle Co.: Local hand-poured candles in delicious scents! MY FAV GIFT PICKS: (1) 8 oz. Scented Candle in Tin, $18; (2) Holiday Gift Pack, $50 (4 holiday-scented candles in a gift box)
Goldenrod Pastries: Gift
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