There's something for everyone this holiday shopping season when you shop local and from the heart. And there are tons of places to find that perfect gift for someone on your list. We've rounded up some of our favorite gifts that can be bought in Kentucky, from sweet treats and coffee to charcuterie boards, gifts of experience, gifts for the pop culture fanatic and more.
So settle in and look at some gifts you can buy for your loved ones this holiday. Happy shopping, everyone!
Foodie gifts in Kentucky
Chocolate & Nut Kingdom, 3731 Bardstown Road, meltmunchky.com
Did you know a huge Palestinian chocolate shop opened earlier this year on Bardstown Road? Chocolate & Nut Kingdom sells two dozen varieties of roasted nuts and trail mixes, nearly 50 kinds of sweet, sticky Turkish delight, individually wrapped gourmet chocolates, dried fruits, incense, tea and coffee. You can build your own gift box easily here, or buy one of the pre-wrapped gift sets and top off your gift with a gleaming Turkish-style serving tray. Gift boxes vary in price depending on their contents.
COST: prices vary
Julee's Mocha, 2900 W Broadway, juleesmocha.com
The Black-owned coffee shop Julee's Mocha sells more than just cafe drinks. Owner Ausha Hilliman also makes "DIY Barista kits," perfectly packaged with the equipment you need to make the best espresso and froth milk, supplies to make your drink, coffee and syrups. All you need to add is your choice of milk and a stove, pot or microwavable container.
If that sounds like too much work, Julee's Mocha also sells gift baskets with a bag of ground coffee, chai tea or hot chocolate, a mug or tumbler, syrup, and a candle for $25 to $35.
COST: $25-$65
More:What to get someone from Louisville? The 25+ best holiday gift ideas for 2022
Dan-O's Seasoning, multiple locations, danosseasoning.com/
Spice up your dishes literally with products from Dan-O's Seasoning, a Louisville-based spice company founded when owner Dan Oliver was a college student. The low-sodium, sugar-free, diet-friendly blends of herbs and spices went viral on TikTok and can now be found on shelves in 7,800 stores nationwide. Dan-O's Seasoning includes "Everything Bagel," original, spicy and chipotle blends. The website also has a section for healthy recipes to make with Dan-O's Seasonings.
COST: $7.49 for a 3.5-ounce bottle, $13 for an 8.9-ounce bottle, or $20 for a 20-ounce bottle. Bundles of spices are available in 3.5-ounce sizes ($14-$28.50) 8.9-ounce sizes ($25-$49) and 20-ounce sizes ($39-$76).
Shack In The Back, 10706 W Manslick Road, shackinthebackbbq.com
Got a family member who's hard to buy for? Try some products from Shack In the Back, a woman-owned and family-operated barbecue restaurant in Fairdale in operation since 2006. The restaurant is famous for its legendary turkey ribs with dipping sauce. You can buy a collection of the restaurant's original recipe sauces ($7 each), spicy pickles ($7), homemade rub ($12), a wooden cutting board ($15), soy candles ($12), and a tumbler. The restaurant will also create custom gift baskets for any of the products and create gift cards if you ask.
COST: $7-$15
Muth's Candies, 630 E. Market St., muthscandy.com
Step back in time with a Louisville tradition that dates back to 1921. While a pre-packaged holiday gift basket will likely cost more than $15, you can build a strong assortment of candy at Muth's Candies that just about anyone will enjoy by shopping al a carte.
Bags of popcorn peanut brittle start at $4.95, and packages of milk chocolate blueberries or red velvet cherries cost $3.95. Small bags of gummy candy are available for less than $3. Packages of Muth's famous Modjeskas start at $6.25. Boxes of assorted chocolates start at $10.95.
COST: $3 and up. Varies by item
The Popcorn Station, 9569 Taylorsville Road, Jeffersontown, thepopcornstation.com
Shop locally at The Popcorn Station and you can create your own tin or get a bag. Tins come in one-gallon to 6.5-gallons, and there are more than 40 flavors to choose from including seasoned, sweet, or its famous chocolate-covered popcorn. No matter what you choose, you are sure to be thrilled with its culinary delights.
The Popcorn Station also has seasonal flavors including Peppermint Pop, Reindeer Food, Snickerdoodle and more. It is also the gift that keeps on giving — bring your tin back to the store and get it refilled for half price.
COST: one-gallon tins start at $18. Price varies by product
Schimoff's Confectionery, 347 Spring St., Jeffersonville, Indiana, schimpffs.com
Who doesn't love candy? Schimpff’s Confectionery is one of the oldest, continuously operated, family-owned candy businesses in the United States. It was opened in its present location in downtown Jeffersonville, Indiana in 1891 by Gustav Schimpff Sr. and Jr.
The store has its original 1950s soda fountain and original tin ceiling, old-fashioned candy jars, cases, and turn-of-the-century equipment. Schimpff's is famous for its cinnamon Red Hots, hard candy fish, and Modjeskas, a marshmallow hand dipped into rich, creamy homemade caramel. It also sells a wide variety of sugar-free, and no-sugar-added products.
COST: varies by product
Kizito Cookies, 1398 Bardstown Road, kizito.com
Elizabeth Kizito is an institution in Louisville and a staple at Louisville Slugger Field. Her giant, hand-sized cookies come in a variety of flavors and are a great gift for anyone with a sweet tooth. While locals can find them everywhere from Heine Brothers' Coffee shops to Walgreens, this is a fun, authentic Louisville gift to bring out-of-town guests.
Kizito has a variety of flavors including shortbread, chocolate chocolate chip, snickerdoodle and peanut butter.
COST: About $2 per cookie
Charcuterie board gifts from Kentucky
Board & You, 434 Pearl St., New Albany, Indiana or 10711 Meeting St., Prospect, Kentucky, boardandyou.com
Board & You is known for its variety of customizable charcuterie boards people can order for an event or relaxing night at home. With two dine-in cafe locations, you can get a board to-go or stop in for small bites. The display case is always stocked with small and large boxed boards to pick up during store hours.
The small box is the perfect size for lunch while the large box is a great option for a picnic to share with a friend. The Get Together Board is sure to be a hit at your next gathering and feeds 8-10 people. The boards range from $11 to $450 depending on size.
COST: $11 for a mini-board box, up to $450 for a graze table
Engraved Production, 4115 Mimosa View Drive, engravedproduction.myshopify.com
Engraved Production creates custom cutting boards. Owner and operator Brandon Colon can create a wide variety of boards made from wood and slate. These boards can be customized with a company logo, a simple design or even a handwritten recipe. Colon prides himself on working with the customer to craft the board of their dreams.
These boards make a great gift to display a charcuterie feast on. The boards range from $50 to $80 depending on the material and custom design.
COST: $50-$80
Ketoarte can be purchased inside Logan Street Market at Harvey's Cheese, 1001 Logan St., etsy.com/shop/Ketoarte
Help your friends and family upgrade their charcuterie board game with products from Ketoarte. This Louisville-based small business makes custom wood boards and trays partially dipped in epoxy resin in an ocean wave and spray design. Products can be made from a variety of dark woods and include trays, wine holders, jewelry boxes, and wall decorations in addition to charcuterie boards.
You can buythese boards in person at the Harvey's Cheese storefront in Logan Street Market, 1001 Logan St., or order online at their Etsy storefront.
COST: $38-104
HoneyBear Farms, various locations, honeybearfarmsky.com
HoneyBear Farms is best known for its locally sourced Kentucky honey, with the majority of the products being produced by bees in the state. You can find classic wildflower honey or a variety of infused honey flavors including Bourbon, Spicy Bee Venom, Cinnamon Vanilla and even some seasonal flavors. Recently, the farm branched out and opened two storefront coffee shops as well in Jeffersontown and Mount Washington.
The honey, jams and preserves would make a great sweet addition to go on a charcuterie board. HoneyBear Farms also sells 4-ounce jars perfectly fit for a board.
COST: $3.50 for a 4-ounce jar
Cultured, 1007 E. Main St., culturedcheeseshop.com
If you're in search of the many items to put on your at-home charcuterie board, Cultured has you covered.
The cheese shop in Butchertown sells several varieties of charcuterie, pickled items, mustards, jams, oils, vinegars, and nuts. To top it off, the shop is home to more than 25 types of cheese, all of which are local brands. Most of the cheeses sold come from Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese, who also happens to be the father of Cultured's owner Jessica Mattingly.
Several of the meats sold at Cultured come from Redhog Artisan Meat, another local supplier. The various items that help build your perfect charcuterie board range from $12 to $110.
COST: $12 to $110
Kentucky Nut Corporation, 606 Moscow Ave., Hickman, Kentucky, kykernelpecans.com
Located southwest of Mayfield and in the very western tip of the state, you'll find Kentucky Nut Corporation. This homegrown company is most known for its Munchin' Pecans which are a special roasted and salted pecan mix. The company also roasts whole cashews and almonds for a deluxe combination of mixed nuts that are peanut free.
The nuts are freshly grown just off the Mississippi River and roasted and salted in-house. The saltiness and crunch of the nuts offer a great compliment to the smoothness of cheese and the sweetness of honey on any charcuterie board. While not sold in Louisville, the Munchin' Pecans along with other nut products can be ordered on the company's website.
COST: $8 to $14 a pound depending on nut variety
Gifts from Kentucky under $15
Hess' Landscaping and Nursery, 1136 Logan St., hesslandscapeky.com
Hess' Landscaping and Nursery opened on Logan Street earlier this year, and while the business is most well-known for landscaping design and installation services, tree care and paver patios, they've got a few smaller plants on the market that make wonderful gifts. The Sansevieria Star Power is a miniature snake plant that's relatively easy to take care of for $9.50.
The shop also has a hearty assortment of succulents available for $7. Small coffee arabica plants ― yes, this is the plant where coffee the beverage comes from ― is a flowering plant that is priced at $6.50. Want to dress your gift up a bit? There's a small assortment of pinch pots on the back shelf for about $7.
COST: $6.50 and up. Varies by item
Carmichael's Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Ave.;1295 Bardstown Road, carmichaelsbookstore.com
Carmichael's Bookstore, Louisville's oldest indie bookstore, is well-known for filling out bookshelves, but it's also a great place to find novelty gifts at an affordable price point.
The shop stocks a wide selection of socks priced from $12.95-$14.95. So, whether you're on the hunt for a cheese enthusiast, a horse fan, a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast or the "Kentucky girl" or "Best mom ever" in your life, the locally-owned shop has fun, personal options to explore.
It also has a stock of game and trivia sets for about $12 and a whole cast of iconic magnetic finger puppets ― Jane Austen, Bob Ross, Nikola Tesla ― for $7.95.
COST: $7.95 and up. Varies by item
Revelry Boutique Gallery, 742 E. Market St., revelrygallery.com
Revelry Boutique Gallery is known for its "all for art, art for all" attitude, and that means this carefully curated boutique and gallery that showcases upward of 150 artists at any given time has quite a few options available for under $15.
Mini portraits from Bri Bowers and Maya Joy are available for $5 and $4, respectively. Revelry's own jewelry line has some necklaces priced at $15. Handmade soap bars from Granola Girl ― in scents such as green tea and mint, beer and oatmeal, and goat's milk and honey ― are available for $7 each.
Beginner embroidery kits from "Awesome by Jenna" with fun sayings like "I need an adultier adult" and "I work hard so my cat can have a better life" are available for $15, too.
COST: $4-$15. Varies by item.
Gifts for the active lifestyle fanatic in Kentucky
ODU Oak, oduoak.com; Can be found in Louisville at the following locations: Frazier History Museum, Taste of Kentucky, Dot Fox, Revelry, Kentucky Derby Museum and Never Say Die.
There is no reason to smell like an old tree stump just because you spend time in the great outdoors. Louisville's Jackie Zykan is an outdoor enthusiast and a professional whiskey blender who worked for years with Brown Forman's Old Forrester brand and now as an independent bourbon blender. She's also studied perfumery and today has combined her two passions.
"I always smelled like bourbon at the end of a work day and I realized that was a scent I really enjoyed," she said. Her locally made ODU Oak fragrances are built upon the already aromatic profile bourbon whiskey derived from the barrel expertly combined with bespoke Eau de perfume formulations.
Zykan has created multiple yummy scent profiles with names that defy what's inside the bottle. Choose from Hiker Trash, Basecamp, Mile High, Walk of Shame, Mint Julep, Wild Fire, and more.
COST: $38 for one-half fluid ounces
Fleet Feet Louisville, 117 Breckenridge Lane, fleetfeet.com
Louisvillians feel like we are heads above the rest and you can show that off in one of these lightweight ball caps by Sprint. With iconic Louisville designs including Churchill Downs, The Belle of Louisville, Thunder Over Louisville, Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves, The Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Derby Festival Great BalloonFest, and of course, the miniMarathon and Marathon, these caps show your city pride wherever you go and whichever sport you play.
Popular with both men and women, these ballcaps are perfect for running, walking, hiking and a quick trip to the grocery store.
COST: $32
Gifts of experience in Kentucky
Here are some Kentucky-based experiences to gift this holiday season that create memories rather than clutter.
The National Corvette Museum, 350 Corvette Drive, Bowling Green, National Corvette Museum
If you know someone who is a car enthusiast, tickets to the National Corvette Museum might be the perfect holiday gift this year. Located about an hour and a half from Louisville in Bowling Green, the museum opened in 1994 as an educational tribute to America's sports car. Every Corvette in the world since 1981 is assembled at the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant located just one-quarter of a mile from the National Corvette Museum.
Guided tours are offered at the museum every day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and guests can also purchase tickets to try the Corvette Simulator and get behind the wheel of a C6 Corvette and pilot it around a virtual racetrack.
For more information, visit corvettemuseum.org.
COST: Adults (ages 13-61), $18; Seniors (62 and older), $16; children (ages 5-12), $13; Children 4 and under are free.
Louisville Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave., louisvillemegacavern.com
The massive Louisville Mega Cavern, which is approximately 100 acres large, offers a variety of underground activities for the thrill seeker in your life. Purchase tickets for the Mega Quest Ropes Course, an underground aerial ropes challenge course, or Mega Zips, which features six underground zip lines.
Additionally, for some holiday cheer, you can purchase tickets for "Lights Under Louisville", an underground light show that features 40-themed displays, multiple projection areas and light tunnels, holiday music and more than 6 million points of light.
Children 5 and older can participate in the Mega Quest Ropes Course but keep in mind that guests between the ages of 7 and 14 must be accompanied by a person at least 15 years or older when ziplining. Visit louisvillemegacavern.com for more information.
COST: varies by activity
Kentucky Speedway, 1 Speedway Drive, Sparta, kentuckyspeedway.com
Strap in for a unique post-holiday driving experience. Just an hour away from Louisville, you can get behind the wheel of a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, or a McLaren and go full throttle on an autocross track at Kentucky Speedway.
Exotic Car Driving Experience is a traveling company that sets up shop in specified areas on particular days at certain hours and it will be at the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Kentucky in April 2023. But you better move fast if you want to snag this once-in-a-lifetime driving experience.
Test your reflexes and driving abilities on a course with lots of twists and curves. An instructor will be riding shotgun with you during the driving experience, offering advice as you complete each lap. While the excursion doesn't require participants to have any prior experience driving an exotic car, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license and insurance.
COST: The price varies by vehicle type and number of laps
Pop culture enthusiast gifts from Kentucky
Kentucky for Kentucky, 720 Bryan Ave., Lexington, kyforky.com
Want to wear your blockbuster favorite while supporting a Kentucky company? Lexington-based Kentucky for Kentucky, founded in 2011, has you covered with fun T-shirt designs that evoke beloved movies and television shows including "Star Wars", "Game of Thrones" and "The Lord of the Rings," to name a few.
Is music more your pop culture obsession? Say hello to the "Goodbye Earl" T-shirt with imagery from the much-loved karaoke song from The Chicks. A revolving selection of seasonal apparel typically features some nods to screen faves, too. Find more details at kyforky.com.
COST: $28
Shop Local Kentucky, 1099 W. High St., Lexington, thekyshop.com
Founded in Georgetown, Kentucky, in 2013, Shop Local Kentucky has a wide selection of film- and television-inspired apparel. Been searching for a T-shirt of a horse wearing a Star Wars pilot helmet? How about one with the outline of Kentucky made from a collage of Jurassic Park dinosaurs or The Golden Girls' iconic coiffed hairdos? Say thank you for being a friend and snag one of these shirts for a pal.
Find more details at thekyshop.com.
COST: Adult shirts are priced at or around $28
Louabull, 638 E. Market St., louabull.com
This East Market Street storefront offers a slew of locally made, Louisville-focused t-shirts with a pop-culture twist.
Take, for example, its Cherokee Park shirt with a playful nod to the "Jurassic Park" logo and the park's Christensen Fountain. Or shop ahead of Kentucky Derby season for a "Jaws" movie poster parody T-shirt swapping the title shark for, you guessed it, a horse. And for the friend who can quote "Friends" by heart, there's a shirt with "Louisville" in the style of the show's iconic logo.
Shop online at louabull.com
COST: $24-$26
Reporters Kirby Adams, Dahlia Ghabour, Olivia Evans, Matt Glowicki, Jason Gonzalez, Maggie Mendersk and Gege Reed, contributed to this report.
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