A buy-local Black Friday hometown gift guide

For holiday shoppers who want to spend this Black Friday supporting their hometown economy, we offer these suggestions. And for holiday shoppers who hate Black Friday: You can order most of these gifts from the safety of your own home.  

SHINY AND SPARKLY

Rural-landscape-inspired bracelets, rings, necklaces (such as the one at right) and earrings by Lawrence artist Kylie Earlene Grater.

“Uncommon gemstones, unconventional cuts and asymmetrical pieces” from Kansas City-based artist Garnet Griebel and her St. Louis-based business partner Katie Miller — the duo who named their company Scarlett Garnet.

Colorful creations from Crossroads artist Lesley Janssen‘s Mojo Collection.

ARTY AND CRAFTY

A 2010 calendar — or anything — from Hammerpress.

Cool functional ceramics by Kansas City Art Institute grad and roller-girl Meredith Host.

CONSCIENTIOUS

A purple, plastic Ripple Glass recycling bin — just $4.99 at Price Chopper.

A rain barrel from Bridging the Gap — on special through December 31.

STOCKING-STUFFABLE

Y.U.M. Mist from Indigo Wild — a spray to make the dog smell less doggy.

Cupcake bath fizzies from Dirty Laundry.

EDIBLE

Christopher Elbow Chocolates.
You can shop online (though why would you want to, when a visit to the store requires buying yourself a couple of gifts, too?) and Christopher Elbow ships, but you have to order carefully because these beauties are highly perishable.

Strawberry Hill Povitica.
For the Eastern European in everyone. To make sure it gets there by Hanukkah, put in your order by December 7. For Christmas, you have until December 20. (Tip from Pitch food critic Charles Ferruzza: You might come out a few dollars ahead by buying these at Costco and shipping them yourself.)

Barbecue.
Sauces, rubs, gear and gift cards are all for sale at the online stores for Oklahoma Joe’s, Arthur Bryant’s and Gates.

But, you guys, Jack’s Stack also ships meat.

MANLY

A leather jacket from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. (They could probably use the cash.)

Anything from Overland Park’s Bushnell. We love our Bushnell binoculars, but your man might rather have some of Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement gun gear.

Built in Claycomo, didn’t need a government bailout: A Ford F-150.