Omaha Gift Guide 2021
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about being stationed at Offutt AFB has been discovering so many talented makers, artists, and creators in the Omaha area. It can be a challenge to know where to shop if you’re new to a duty station, so if you’re looking for some local small businesses to support this holiday season, here’s your guide!
Stationery + Paper Goods
First things first, you’ll need cards and gift wrapping, right? These two stores have everything you need and so much more:
The Anastasia Co.
This designer has beautiful greeting cards, prints, home goods, and apparel. I love her style and have several of her prints around our home!
Postscript Press
Head over to Ashland, NE to visit this sweet store, which sells stationery, books, and coffee! Three of my favorite things. Everything is so well curated and it’s the perfect place to find gifts for your book or paper loving friends.
For Home
Wax Buffalo
One of the most popular local candle companies, and one of my favorites to burn at home. You can find their signature amber X jars around town at Whole Foods, Mulhall’s, Made in Omaha, and other stockists to smell test in person, but they ship fast if you’re shopping online. I love so many of their scents, and if you’d like a scent recommendation just ask me in the comments!
Salt Creek Mercantile
Another favorite shop to visit in Ashland, NE. This home goods store sells kitchenware, home decor, bath supplies, candles made in-house, books, and cleaning supplies with an emphasis on clean, natural products. If you’re a Joanna Gaines fan, you will LOVE this store!
Tori Denae Art
This artist has beautiful prints and canvases depicting rural Nebraska landscape and botany.
Ember Grove
Another great candle maker. She upcycles antique and thrifted vessels into candles so there’s always one-of-a-kind pieces to choose from. The “White Birch” scent is one of my favorites for the winter, and the wax melts infuse your home with the best smells.
Southern Raised Home
My friend and fellow military spouse, Ashley, makes these cute hand lettered decor pieces, gift tags, and ornaments. Check out her Etsy shop to support a local Air Force family!
Apparel + Accessories
Little Mountain Print
Makes the coolest screen printed clothes, hats, and stickers. I love my “Middle USA” hat, which felt extra fitting for this season of life while we’re stationed here at Offutt. You can find a lot of their products at Made in Omaha.
Elevate
Leather goods. I’ve had a serious crush on their purses for ages and need to save up for one. Love that they’re sustainably sourced and a conscious company. Do you have someone on your list who loves to travel? Take a look at their passport wallet!
The Simple Man
Personal care, lifestyle goods, accessories, and grooming care for men. My husband loves this store and likes to stop in after visiting the barber next door. A great place to shop for the dudes!
Purely Macrame
Handmade macrame earrings in so many cute shapes, colors, and sizes. I have three pairs and I love them!
Darling Daylight
Beautiful, timeless jewelry, specializing in hand-stamped 14k gold filled necklaces. Good for sensitive skin and made to last!
Clay in the Life
Handmade polymer clay earrings. I have a pair of pumpkin shaped studs and I love how lightweight they are.
Bath + Body
Faded Plains
Bath, beauty, and house cleaning products made with natural, clean ingredients. Highly recommend the lip balm (it’s a great stocking stuffer!).
Our Lavender Co.
There aren’t many lavender farms in Nebraska, and this one is run by the sweetest family in Big Springs. They make small-batch goods such as sugar scrub, lavender neck pillows, shower melts, bath bombs, and more. I love their lavender essential oil roll-on bottles. Check out their holiday gift boxes!
For Plant Lovers
Mulhall’s
One of my favorite local nurseries. They have an incredible greenhouse and selection of indoor houseplants, landscaping, and garden supplies. If you have a plant lover in your life, plan a plant shopping date to Mulhall’s, give a gift card inside one of their many cute ceramic planters, or check out one of their holiday pop-ups featuring local vendors.
Chlorophyll by Kinghorn Gardens
Plant boutique in Aksarben Village. Find a plant, plant accessories, or build a custom indoor planter arrangement.
Myrtle & Cypress
This one makes the list twice (see “For Coffee & Tea Lovers”)… coffee shop that also sells plants!
For Kids
Sunshine Blvd Handmade
Handmade dolls, doll accessories, jewelry, and felt toys for kids. We have some of the felt food sets and I love the attention to detail on them. My daughter loves her dolls too!
Paper Kite
Kid store featuring clothes, toys, books, and gifts in Lincoln. I drool over Paper Kite’s Instagram.
Omaha Children’s Museum
Experience gifts are highly valued in our household! If you haven’t checked out the Omaha Children’s Museum yet, treat your little one(s) to a day out or go for the membership.
Henry Doorly Zoo
Another experience gift—odds are, if you have kids in Omaha, you’ve probably been here juuuuust once or twice… but if you haven’t, go check it out! It’s an excellent zoo. There are even some holiday gift ideas on their website!
For Foodies
Fat Head Honey
My favorite local NE honey! They sell raw unfiltered honey, infused honeys, creamed honeys, honeycomb, and more. I love their infused honeys (specifically the vanilla, lavender, and cinnamon flavors) on fruit, oatmeal, in tea, coffee, and desserts. I like to spread their creamed honey on toasted brioche, and will eat a spoonful by itself if I have a dry throat. We keep their raw unfiltered honey in a ceramic honeypot on our counter for everyday use. Save the bees and support your local beekeepers!
Coneflower Creamery
Who doesn’t love ice cream, especially when they use locally sourced seasonal ingredients, have the most delicious creative flavors, and provide vegan and gluten free options? This is one of our most favorite ice cream shops, and I’m convinced my in-laws visit as frequently as they do just so they can pick up some Coneflower. Get a gift card, bring a pint to your next party, or pre-order one of their holiday ice cream pies for your Christmas dessert!
Chocolate Abeille
French-inspired chocolatier. Excellent chocolate bonbons, truffles, drinking chocolate, and more. I can’t wait to try out their garden patio for tea at their new Bellevue location!
For Coffee & Tea Lovers
Hardy Coffee Co.
Our family does regular coffee dates at local coffee shops, and you’ll most likely find us at one of Hardy’s three locations (now four with a new drive-thru in Millard). This is my favorite coffee shop business in Omaha. We use their Benchmark roast for our home espresso machine and love trying out their rotating single-origin roasts. A bag of Hardy coffee beans, gift card, or a bottle of their house-made chai concentrate or cold brew would make an amazing gift for the coffee lover in your life.
Myrtle & Cypress Coffeehouse
My other favorite coffee shop in town, and also listed twice in here since they also sell plants! I love that they use local, organic ingredients and make their flavorings in-house. Their location is the cutest, coziest little house you ever did see. They roast their own beans so you can buy a bag, get a gift card, or check out their retail and plant section.
Zen Coffee Company
Another great coffee shop in town, and has become super popular since they introduced their coffee and toast flights. They have so many creative (and tasty) seasonal drinks to choose from! Make a reservation to do a flight for a fun coffee date, or give a gift card!
Artemis Tea & Botanical
Local tea shop that has the most incredible, intentionally crafted tea blends. If you have a tea lover on your list, they will appreciate the amount of detail and thoughtfulness behind each of the Artemis teas. Go visit their store in Blackstone to smell and taste in person, visit their website to buy online, or you may notice their teas are carried at many retailers around town (such as Hardy, Myrtle & Cypress, Made in Omaha, etc.).
Best One-Stop Shop
Made in Omaha
This is a great place to find local goods, some of which I’ve mentioned above, and everything is curated so well. There’s a location in Countryside Village and Old Market, although you can shop online too. They have apparel, accessories, art prints, stationery, food gifts, jewelry, candles, beer/wine glasses, beer/alcohol, books… pretty much anything you need for a unique local gift!