Looking for a unique gift idea this holiday season?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Share the Gift of Kansas This Holiday Season

December 1, 2011 – Topeka, Kansas – Looking for a unique gift idea this holiday season? Consider a gift that supports local businesses and local artisans, and look no further than a gift of Kansas.  Handmade and locally grown and supported products make the perfect gift for any Kansas enthusiast. 

Coordinate by the state of Kansas, SimplyKansas.com features Kansas-made products and agritourism experiences by Simply Kansas members. The site is not a retail outlet, rather a guide to where Kansas lovers can support Kansas businesses, artists and farmers.  Simply go to www.simplykansas.com and click on “members,” and then “categories,” to quickly find the perfect Kansas gift.  Visitors will find places like the Prairie Lavender Farm in Bennington, Blacksmith Coffee Roastery in Lindsborg, Rabbit Creek Products in Louisburg, Sifers Valomilk Candy Co. in Merriam, and many, many more.

Kansas Artisans:

Elk Falls Pottery offers beautiful and unique hand crafted pottery designs, made from native Kansas clay.  Visitors can stop by the studio, set up a school tour or group demonstration and watch the magic happen.  For more information visit www.elkfallspottery.com.

Find gift ideas at the Kansas Originals Market and Gallery.  From fine and folk art to food products, Kansas Originals offers a fun mix of local Kansas products, perfect for gift giving.  Select a Snack Gift Basket to share with family and friends; each is artfully packed with snacks made by Kansas food producers.  To see more, visit www.kansasoriginals.com.

Everyone’s going green! This holiday season, be a part of the movement with Up-cycled Handmade Accessories.  Mandy Stos from Overland Park creates up-cycled handmade jewelry and accessories that are reused, repurposed, and reinvented.  For more information visit www.iamthemandy.com.  

During the holiday season, everyone needs a functional yet stylish accessory while cooking the big feast. Kerry Schuckman from Hays makes stylish, functional and oh-so-adorable aprons. Full aprons, mom-and-daughter matching aprons and Buttercup dish towel half aprons are available in prints ranging from a Christmas theme, sports, Kansas/sunflower theme, shabby chic, gardening and more. For more information visit Kerry’s online store atwww.etsy.com/shop/ButtercrunchAprons. 

Looking for something original?  Stop by Woolflower Boutique, owned by Eden Detrixhe.  Items include handmade scarves, cowls, purses, wall décor, toddler/preschooler skirts, knitting patterns and more.  Each design is an original and made with fresh yarn, new and upcycled fabrics and buttons. For more information visit www.woodflowerbotique.etsy.com. 

Kansas Tastes:

'Tis the season for fruitcakes, pies, cookies, turkey and the never-ending platters of goodies that come with the holidays.  Satisfy every sweet tooth in the family with mouth-watering food and a bit of Kansas flavort. 

Give the familiar taste of the holidays with a toffee sampler from Tallgrass Toffee.  Each sampler includes a combination of milk chocolate almond, white chocolate macadamia nut and dark chocolate hazelnut toffee packed into a 1 lb. box.   Try the Midwest Sampler Basket for a variety of toffee and chocolate Prairie patties packaged in a holiday gift basket.  For more information, or to place an order visit www.tallgrasstoffee.com.

Looking for something both salty and sweet?  Try Nut Nation, which offers six flavors of seasoned and smoked pistachio nuts.  Flavors include Zesty Garlic, Curry Mango, Parmesan Ranch, Sweet Mesquite, Chipotle Chili and plain smoked dairy-free.  For the holidays, Nut Nation features a six-pack basket, which includes a package of each flavor.  Purchase a basket today at www.nutnation.net. 

Get back to the roots of Kansas fruit with Grandma Hoerner’s all natural fruit recipes.  Originally founded on Grandma Mabel Hoerner’s one-of-a-kind applesauce, Grandma Hoerner’s now offers sauces, jams, preserves, pie fillings, toppings, chutneys and relishes, gourmet coffee and candles. For more information visit www.grandmahoerners.com.  

Kansas music, books and more:

Experience some of the best Western music in the country produced in Kansas. The Diamond W Wranglers were listed in the Fall 2011 issue of KANSAS! magazine as one of the “20 Reasons We Love Kansas.”  Visitwww.DiamondWWranglers.com to buy or sample a few songs. 

Interested in popular places in Kansas?  Order a copy of 8 Wonders of Kansas Guidebook autographed by author Marci Penner.  The guidebook showcases more than 800 photographs by Harland Schuster and features each of the 216 entries from the 8 Wonders of Kansas contest.  Visit www.kansassampler.org to purchase one today.
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