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A little slice of Missouri remains the perfect gift for those who love the Show-Me State, its little communities, rural areas and big cities, its history, its art, its culinary treasures, its sports teams and so much more. It would take a mighty big ribbon to wrap the entire state, but with the help of some industrious and creative Missouri neighbors, and a visit to some of our treasured communities, you can find a few slices here and there that, when combined as one, make the ideal gift for those who love the backroads and big cities of our great state.

Show Me Adventure Kids

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Ideal for 7- to 10-year-old children, Show Me Adventure Kids is a series by St. Louis author Deborah Reinhardt. The first one, “Making Friends at the Zoo,” is set in the St. Louis Zoo as Olivia struggles to make friends in a new school. The second book, “Weigh Your Words,” focuses on Andy, who befriends Johnny Fry, the first rider of the Pony Express. They solve a problem about hurtful text messages at school.

What makes these books so much more engaging is the handcrafted dolls that represent the characters in the book.
Etsy.com/shop/GirlPowerPub

Goodnight St. Louis

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A bedtime story for those who love the Gateway City, this children’s book could not be more adorable as it wishes sweet dreams to the Arch, to Grant’s Farm, the Magic House and Fredbird, too. The authors, Julie Dubray and June Herman, have also created coloring books, coasters and notecards. Goodnightstlouis.com

There are additional “good night” books for Kansas City and the state of Missouri available on Amazon, which are equally fun, but not written by Missouri authors. Reading these stories must come with a promise to take your little ones to visit each of the sites mentioned in the book.

Delectable Destinations—A Chocolate Lover's Guide to Missouri

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A book for grown-ups, Deborah Reinhardt explores the Show-Me State with her taste buds, uncovering some lesser-known traditions in chocolate-making and some very remarkable people making chocolate in this state. It’s a road trip that will introduce you to some unexpected places and unforgettable flavors as you explore this yummy side of Missouri.

More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Missouri Women

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Missouri native Elaine Warner highlights 13 women who helped shape the Show-Me State in this book published by Morris Book Publishing. You may recognize some names, like Laura Ingalls Wilder, Rose O’Neil and Kate Chopin. But do you know Mary Tiera Farrow or Cathy Williams? These women will make you appreciate Missouri in an entirely different light.

Askinosie Chocolate

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Shawn Askinosie’s name is recognized around the world by cacao growers and chocolate makers. In a former railroad supply building in the heart of Springfield, he makes a yummy bean-to-bar artisanal chocolate with 10 percent of the profits shared with cacao farmers in Ecuador, Honduras, the Philippines and Mexico. Some of those farmers had never tasted their chocolate until Askinosie brought it to them with their profit-sharing check. It’s so good that Bon Appétit Magazine recommends his Chocolate Covered Malt Balls.

A couple of other candy companies that make it all on site include Grandma’s Candy Kitchen on the Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark (
Grandmas-Candy.com) and the Candy Factory on Cherry Street in Columbia (TheCandyFactory.biz) which makes Mizzou gift baskets for the Mizzou grads in your life.

Osceola Cheese

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What’s a holiday gathering without a cheese ball? Halfway between Kansas City and Springfield on Highway 13 is the Osceola Cheese Store, considered the nation’s largest cheese store with more than 200 kinds of cheeses, as well as jams, jellies, spreads, meats and everything you need for a holiday party. Sure, some of the milk comes from happy cows in other states, but much of the cheese production still takes place as it has since 1944, right here in Osceola. OsceolaCheese.com

College of the Ozarks Fruitcake

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Since the 1930s, students at this southwest Missouri college have made and sold fruitcakes as part of the “Hard Work U” philosophy. Each year, they make about 30,000 pounds of fruit cakes, which do not include alcohol...just lots of fruits and nuts to make your holiday tastier. Store.cofo.edu/products/2lb-fruitcake


Matt Carpenter's Bueno Mojo Salsa

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Now on sale at more than 50 Schnuck’s stores throughout the eastern side of the state, Cardinal slugger Matt Carpenter’s batting average for 2018 was just a little hotter because of this salsa, originally made with veggies from Adam Wainwright’s garden. It’s a perfect stocking stuffer or hostess gift, which also raises money for Cardinals Care.

Mayor's Christmas Tree Ornament

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While Hallmark Cards is one of Missouri’s best known companies, most of its ornaments are made overseas. However, there are a few special ornaments made each year from the wood from one of the country’s tallest Christmas trees. That tree is called “The Mayor’s Christmas Tree,” and it stands at Crown Center, the home of Hallmark Cards. After the holidays, the tree is cut into wooden planks which are then cut into individual ornaments. Only about 3,000 of these are available each year and only at the Customer Service Center at Crown Center. Proceeds benefit the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which provide a holiday meal to those in need.

Blue Stem Crafts

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This colorful store in downtown Columbia is a partnership of Missouri craftspeople who feature their own ceramic jewelry, weaving, potter, and batik work. Bluestem also showcases an extensive collection of handmade functional and decorative work by other artists. Pottery, glass, wood, metal and fiber art, baskets, wooden boxes, toys, cards and clothing are all made in Missouri. Bluestemcrafts.com

Art Impressions

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Similar to Bluestem Crafts in Columbia, this shop at 314 South Ohio in Sedalia represents emerging and internationally known artists from Missouri. Pottery collectors already know the work of Barney Knight, so wrap up one of his pieces as a special gift or consider other work by Potters Tresa Killion, Angel Brame and Jennifer Farr. They are all juried Best of Missouri Hands artists and among the 35 artists represented at Art Impressions Gallery. Artimpressions.net/artists

MOJO Travel Gifts

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For other travel necessities from luggage to guidebooks to apparel, check out the travel items curated by Show-Me Missouri contributor Diana Lambdin Meyer at
Mojotraveler.com/my-favorite-travel-stuff/

Show-Me Missouri Subscription

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Send the gift that lasts all year long by ordering a gift subscription to Show-Me Missouri magazine. The recipient will receive a gift card announcing the gift and sender, followed by four issues of the travel magazine of Missouri. Call 573-888-1100 or visit ShowMeMissouri.net.

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