One-of-a-Kind Holiday Gifts in Hendricks County, Indiana

1. 2023 Hendricks County Calendar

Location: Visit Hendricks County website 
Price: $12

For the first time ever, Visit Hendricks County will highlight images from our beautiful county to create a gorgeous yet functional 2023 wall calendar. More than 150 photo submissions from the public produced beautiful imagery, and the dates within the calendar are filled with the county's top events. At just $12, these calendars make the perfect gift for locals and visitors.

HOW TO GET YOUR CALENDAR

You may purchase these calendars online or pick one up at Bread Basket Cafe & Bakery in Danville. 

Get Free Shipping for 2023 Calendar

For a limited time only, you can sign up to receive free shipping when you purchase the 2023 Hendricks County Calendar. Get Promo Code >>

2.  Justin Patten Clothing & Accessories

Location: Michele's Boutique & Gifts in Brownsburg
Price:  $8-$60

We found local artist Justin Patten's art, popular for its vibrant energy, on T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, stickers, flags, ornaments and more inside Michele's Boutique & Gifts in Brownsburg. Known for his amazing artwork featuring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and local universities, you should find something for everyone on your list with IMS, Butler, IU, Purdue and even the Colts featured. Prices range depending on the item from $8 for a sticker to as much as $60 for a sweatshirt.

3. Hand-Crafted Ornaments

Location: African Plum in Plainfield, Copper Top Customs in Clayton, Seize the Night Designs in Danville
Price: $5-15

Handcrafted ornaments also make a great gift, and we found a variety of options in shops throughout the county. Our favorites are sold at African Plum in Plainfield featuring first anniversary, first Christmas, teachers and many more themes. We also loved the wooden ornaments we found at Copper Top Customs in Clayton made by local artist Casey Purvis that included carvings of the state of Indiana and Avon Haunted Bridge and the personalized metal ornaments at Seize the Night Designs in Danville. Prices of the ornaments vary from $5-15.

4. Wristlet Keychain & Personalized Pendant

Location: The Fudge Kettle in Avon
Price: $18

While we still highly recommend The Fudge Kettle's fudge as a gift, we chose to highlight a different item in their Avon store this year. We thought the wristlet keychains for $18 in their local handmade gift section of their store would be a stylish and useful gift. Each includes a personalized pendant with a variety of quotes and sayings. Additional pendants cost $4 each. The wristlets provide a perfect way to store your keys while out on a walk or run.

5. Experience: Baking Classes

Location: Sweet Minis Cakes & Bakes inside Brie & Bartlett in Brownsburg
Price: $35-160

We love giving the gift of an experience. Sweet Minis Bakes & Cakes, which just recently joined forces with Brie & Bartlett in a new storefront in Brownsburg, will offer baking classes through the holiday season and beyond. While you are there, make sure to order a holiday charcuterie board from Brie & Bartlett, which we highlighted in last year's Gift Guide.

6. Glass Fusion Nail File

Location: Copper Top Customs in Clayton
Price: $5

We loved the Fused Fanatic Indiana booth at Copper Top Customs in Clayton that included handmade necklaces, earrings and even reusable glass gift tags all made using a glass-fusion process. But the most unique item we found had to be their glass nail files. We were amazed by how well they worked and how sanitary they are because they can be rinsed after every use. At $5 each and in various colors, they would make the perfect stocking stuffer.

7. Color-Changing Glasses

Location: Paw Street Bakery in Plainfield
Price: $25

Paw Street Bakery in Plainfield may be known for their doggie products, but this year we found an assortment of glass Christmas cups with wooden lids and accompanying straw. Some of them even change colors once they're filled with liquid and can be purchased for just $25.

8. Smelly Jelly

Location: Pittsboro Candle Company in Pittsboro
Price: $5-8

At the Pittsboro Candle Company, we immediately spotted a wall full of what they call Smelly Jelly, aroma beads soaked in scents and colored and baked into various shapes. We envisioned them hanging from a vehicle's rearview mirror, which is a common use, but we were told they also work in any small space including lockers and dorms. They had letters, logos, the state of Indiana and many other shapes on hand, and for $5-$8, they would be a great stocking stuffer.

9. Axolotl Weighted Plushies

Location: Valkyrie's Vault in Brownsburg
Price: $35-70

If you have a child or even an adult on your holiday wish list who suffers from anxiety or just loves stuffed animals, we found the perfect gift at Valkyrie's Vault in Brownsburg. This store, known for its gaming supplies also carries amazing weighted plushies featuring axolotls, which are critically endangered species in the wild. The plushies come in three sizes - 4 pound ($70), 2 pound ($55) and 1 pound ($35) - and in a variety of colors. They are designed to be cuddled and relieve anxiety or stress, and a portion of the proceeds help protect and save axolotls from becoming extinct.

10. Experience: Red Curb Improv Comedy

Location: Red Curb Improv Comedy in Avon
Price: $15-20

Another hidden gem in Hendricks County can be enjoyed every Saturday at Red Curb Improv Comedy in Avon. Local improv comics will have you laughing out loud during their 90-minute shows. They host two shows every Saturday, a PG-version at 7 p.m. and a 17+ R-rated show at 9:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on their website in advance for $15 or at the door the night of the show for $20.

11. Children’s Books

Location: Rustic Cactus in North Salem
Price: $20

We found these great local children's books in a new store in North Salem called the Rustic Cactus. Written by Hendricks County authors Tina J. Cleary and Linda Earl, these books provide a great gift for a child while supporting local authors. If someone you know or love is all about western wear, then a visit to this new store comes highly recommended.

12. Fingerless Hand-Knit Gloves

Location: Hippies Closet in Brownsburg
Price: $11-$13

Hippies Closet, a resale shop and boutique in Brownsburg, had these great fingerless gloves for women made of yarn by a local artisan. The gloves are one size fits all and come in various patterns and colors and cost $11-$13.

13. Vintage Coin Necklace

Location: Seize the Night Designs in Danville
Price: $12

Seize the Night Designs on the square in Danville remains one of our favorite locations for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. You will find many great gifts here, but we landed on customizable vintage coin necklaces. Choose any vintage coin from their inventory and have it engraved with a name, favorite word, sports team or anything else you desire for just $12 each.

14. Metal Art

Location: Roots to Wings Barn Market in Clermont
Price: $16-$325

Roots to Wings Barn Market in Clermont is another hidden gem you need to visit, but for this year's Gift Guide we were blown away by the work of White Hot Weld. Their booth had an assortment of pieces including flowers, necklaces and display pieces made mostly from repurposed kitchen utensils. A stunningly intricate dragon caught our eye, and they also will have handmade ornaments. Prices ranged from $16 for a necklace to $325 for the dragon.

15. Experience: Interactive Golf Simulation

Location: X-Golf at The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield
Price: $50+

If you are looking for a fun, indoor experience for a golfer on your list, we highly recommend an X-Golf gift certificate at The Shops at Perry Crossing. Play on any of the best golf courses in the world virtually through this fun, interactive experience. Gift cards can be purchased online or at their location starting at $50.

16.  Wooden Goblets & Bowls

Location: Gallery on the Square in Danville
Price: $45-$125

Gallery on the Square in Danville never disappoints in boasting tons of great gift ideas. The items that caught our eye were these handmade wooden and epoxy resin goblets, bowls and cups made by a local artist that range from $45-$125. Beautiful and functional, they would complement any room and could hold pens, keys and fruit, among other uses.

17. Personalized Santa Bags

Location: MRC Wood Products in Brownsburg
Price: $25

The folks at MRC Wood Products usually surprise us with a new gift, and this year was no different. We loved these personalized canvas Santa bags. They come in four different designs and cost $25 each. And you can have them printed with a child's name.

18. Western Jewelry

Location: Rustic Attic by Angie at The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield
Price: $12-$25

The only thing we love more than handmade gifts are handmade gifts made by siblings. We found just that at the Rustic Attic by Angie at The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield. This handmade western jewelry made from real leather and cowhide by three local sisters ranges from $12-$25.

19. Wooden Snowmen

Location: Forget-Me-Nots in Danville
Price: $25-$42

If you love Indiana barnwood creations, a visit to Forget-Me-Nots in Danville is a must. There are so many great finds at this shop. This year we chose to highlight these cute, handmade wooden snowmen. They come in different sizes with or without lights. If you know someone who loves to decorate for the holidays, this would be the perfect gift. At $25-$42, it is easy on the wallet, too.

20. Experience: Brightly Art Studio Classes

Location: Brightly Art Studio in Brownsburg
Price: $25+

Brightly Art Studio in Brownsburg offers fun classes for all ages making this the perfect gift for anyone who loves art and creativity. Gift cards can be purchased online or in store starting at $25.