What do you get the kid or adult in your life who has everything? Seek unique made-in-the-metro gifts sure to wow or inspire! Take a look at some of our favorites:
The Oklahoma City Culture Box
Seven of Oklahoma City’s most popular cultural institutions have come together to create the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday wish list. Science Museum Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Contemporary, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum and Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden designed a one-of-a-kind gift recipients won’t forget! The hand-assembled box includes admission tickets from each institution as well as unique souvenirs.
Each OKC Culture Box is priced at $50 but the retail value is more than $200. Boxes are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The OKC City Culture Box is on sale now at all participating cultural institutions and proceeds will remain at the institution that sold them.
High tech toys made by metro kids
Last year we brought you the story of 10 Norman middle school students working with mentors through Loveworks Leadership to create a line of augmented reality wristband toys. Since, these talented tweens presented their prototype at the New York International Toy Fair, raised more than $20,000 to fund product creation and officially released Wristworld in local stores and online.
The wristbands create holographic game experiences when scanned with the Wristworld mobile app. Designed for ages 6 through 14, the safe-content-for-kids game allows users to explore lands, solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Working with Trifecta Communications, the middle schoolers were responsible for the coding, designing, engineering and marketing behind the products. The kid-team also secured a license to develop AR bands for the Hatsune Miku character, expanding the product line.
“Hatsune Miku is well known for performing holographic concerts, having appeared with Lady Gaga and was scheduled to perform at Coachella,” said Harrison Gillman, Wrist World team member.
The new Hatsune Miku band lets players to watch Miku perform new songs and dances, right on their wrist, and unlock new Miku missions on the original bands. The new bands will debut on Dec. 18 and will be available online and at OnCue stores. OnCue stores will offer exclusive, collector Miku box sets, signed by the Wrist World team, packaged with a figurine from the game, while supplies last.
At $8 per bracelet or $30 for the full set of four, this low-cost gift is sure to make a big impact on the high-tech tweens and teens in your life.
Tempt taste buds with locally-made products
Dale Rogers Training Center is a vocational and employment center for adults with developmental disabilities providing paid training, work opportunities and connection to competitive community employment. The organization’s gift shop allows members to support themselves and hone interests and abilities, while also offering high-quality products to the public.
The shop’s best seller is the Prairie Spices Gift Set, four popular blends made through a partnership with Cedar Hills Seasonings in Edmond. The same line also includes salsa and dip mixes, all perfect as a hostess, teacher or colleague gift. Dale Rogers workers also craft notecards, apply nameplates to custom art glass and stock private-label coffees, with Snickerdoodle Prairie Coffee a top choice. Prettily packaged gift baskets with an assortment of products make impressive individual or corporate gifts.
Make a big impact on the foodies on your list and help keep Oklahoma adults with developmental disabilities employed by shopping at www.drtc.org/shop or 2501 N. Utah Ave., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.
Bonus: Wrap your locally-made gifts in wrapping paper from The Curbside Chronicle, an organization that empowers people experiencing and transitioning out of homelessness. Curbside Chronicle vendors will be selling artist-designed wrapping paper around town throughout December.
