The Mega Holiday Guide to Kalamazoo Shopping & Experiences
The holiday season is upon us and if your children are like mine, that means wish lists are already in process.
Whether it’s toys, music, or stuffed animals, the sky is the limit with their imaginations.
Shopping for loved ones is definitely one of our favorite Christmas events of the holidays.
We’ve rounded up suggestions for kids and parents from right here in Southwest Michigan. And if you’re looking for less “stuff,” consider experiences like tickets to events or memberships to a local museum.
Tell Santa to give the elves a night off: the best gifts and experiences are in Kalamazoo. Happy shopping!
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In this guide
Featured Gifts
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These experiences and shops all offer amazing gifts to consider this holiday season:
Offering everything from stocking stuffers to showstoppers, Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo can definitely help you cross names off your shopping list this holiday season! Minutes from downtown in Oakwood Plaza, this toy/collectible/hobby shop has something for everyone (ages 1.5+).
Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo can also put money in your pocket this holiday season with our in-house brick recycling program! After making your amazing LEGO® and aftermarket purchases, you can sell and trade your new, pre-owned and retired LEGO® bulk/Minifigs/sets for on-the-spot cash or in-store credit.
During your visit, save time to build-your-own custom LEGO® Minifigs, shop for LEGO® displays, storage and accessories, practically get buried in pick-your-own bulk bricks, talk shop with LEGO® experts, pick up gift cards and plan an epic LEGO®-themed party or event!
Make Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo part of your holiday shopping tradition this year, and spread some holiday smiles with LEGO®.
Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo can also put money in your pocket this holiday season with our in-house brick recycling program! After making your amazing LEGO® and aftermarket purchases, you can sell and trade your new, pre-owned and retired LEGO® bulk/Minifigs/sets for on-the-spot cash or in-store credit.
During your visit, save time to build-your-own custom LEGO® Minifigs, shop for LEGO® displays, storage and accessories, practically get buried in pick-your-own bulk bricks, talk shop with LEGO® experts, pick up gift cards and plan an epic LEGO®-themed party or event!
Make Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo part of your holiday shopping tradition this year, and spread some holiday smiles with LEGO®.
"I highly recommend this store to kids and adults alike!"
"Staff is professional, friendly and fun!"
"Amazing selection!"
"Always a great experience!"
"What an incredible store!"
"So much variety!"
"Staff is professional, friendly and fun!"
"Amazing selection!"
"Always a great experience!"
"What an incredible store!"
"So much variety!"
Inspire imagination 360+ days with an Air Zoo family membership! With more than 100+ air and spacecraft, hands-on learning stations, memorable exhibits, a world-renowned restoration center, and exciting flight-based rides and simulators, the opportunities are endless!
Members also enjoy:
- member-only events
- discounts on camps
- hundreds of STEAM and Air Zoo items in the Air Zoo Store
... and more!
Free copilot pass for December purchases for new members!
Imagine, explore, and discover at the Air Zoo and airzoostore.org.
Members also enjoy:
- member-only events
- discounts on camps
- hundreds of STEAM and Air Zoo items in the Air Zoo Store
... and more!
Free copilot pass for December purchases for new members!
Imagine, explore, and discover at the Air Zoo and airzoostore.org.
Experience Gifts
For gifts that won’t just take up more floor or shelf space, consider purchasing some local experiences.
Bowling, skiing, painting and climbing are just some of the fun options right here in Southwest Michigan:
Give the gift of health and wellness with a massage or Infrared Sauna gift certificate at A Dose of Sunshine Massage in Mattawan.
Strike something off the list with bowling passes. Airway also offers an arcade, miniature golf and go-karts.
Try out the largest indoor ropes course in Michigan. Also find an arcade, miniature golf and climbing walls.
Pick up some season passes and get ready to hit the slopes in Otsego.
Tired of climbing the walls? Head downtown and try Climb Kalamazoo‘s instead.
Take an art class or host a painting party with Colors & Cocktails.
Foster a love of music with lessons and classes from Crescendo Academy of Music!
From Music Together Classes for infants to lessons for adults and everything in between, Crescendo welcomes all ages and skill levels.
From Music Together Classes for infants to lessons for adults and everything in between, Crescendo welcomes all ages and skill levels.
Try your hand at splatter art or a custom craft at Pinspiration Kalamazoo.
Memberships
Some spots are worth multiple trips every year and memberships bring oodles of benefits like exclusive events and discounts on camps and classes.
Museums, zoos and other favorite attractions are perfect gift options for membership gifts in Kalamazoo:
Season Tickets
Theatre and sports fans agree that tickets are fantastic gift options.
These venues in Kalamazoo offer partial or full-season tickets for purchase:
The Civic offers two ticket subscription packages, consisting of either eight or 16 admissions.
Purchase season tickets in increments of either six or 12 at Farmers Alley Theatre.
Snag season tickets for the 2022 Northwoods League championship winning Kalamazoo Growlers.
Purchase tickets to an upcoming show at The State Theatre.
K-Wings hockey season ticket packages offer flexibility: full season, half season, or weekends only.
Give the give of the theatre with a Zhang Financial Broadway in West Michigan subscription package from Miller Auditorium.
The package also enables you to snag discounted tickets to any other show in the Miller Season.
The package also enables you to snag discounted tickets to any other show in the Miller Season.
Apparel Shops
Whether outfitting mom, dad or the kids, Kalamazoo’s apparel shops have you covered from head to toe in fashionable options for all ages and styles.
Mom and Dad can upgrade their closets with premium denim, shoes, accessories and other apparel from Lana’s Boutique.
Score some new snow boots or gym shoes from Little Chick Shoe Shop, featuring brands like Kamik, Stride Rite and Keen.
We are a men’s and women’s clothing boutique, accessories and gifts. Specializing in lake attire
Restock your little one’s wardrobe in style with new outfits from Pink Lemonade in Texas Corners.
Grab some unique apparel, jewelry and artifacts from around the world at Terrapin World Imports.
The Spirit of Kalamazoo is where you shop for Kalamazoo and Michigan-themed gifts, t-shirts, sweatshirts and more.
Follow up your gift shopping in Downtown Kalamazoo by enjoying Plainwell Ice Cream - we offer 24 flavors.
Featured ladies' hoodie is available in cream, aqua blue and tangerine.
Follow up your gift shopping in Downtown Kalamazoo by enjoying Plainwell Ice Cream - we offer 24 flavors.
Featured ladies' hoodie is available in cream, aqua blue and tangerine.
Upgrade Dad’s wardrobe with The Waiting Room. This boutique can outfit men from head to toe with clothes, shoes, watches and more.
And if Dad is looking to spiffy up for the holidays, send him here for a haircut- they are also a full service barbershop!
And if Dad is looking to spiffy up for the holidays, send him here for a haircut- they are also a full service barbershop!
Art & Music Stores
Expand your music collection or upgrade your art supplies with these local stores:
Foster your artist’s creativity with an art kit from Colors & Cocktails.
Green Light Music is Kalamazoo’s independent locally-owned source for vinyl LPs, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, and more.
Kalamazoo Dry Goods stocks a thoughtfully curated selection of supplies for fine and fiber arts, textiles, and natural home and body items.
The shop specializes in unique, beautiful, and useful tools and gifts for creatives.
The shop specializes in unique, beautiful, and useful tools and gifts for creatives.
Find this art gallery, studio and retail store on the Kalamazoo Mall in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo.
MRC artWorks offers unique and affordable art created by individuals with disabilities, providing an outlet to achieve creative self‐expression in a way that promotes personal growth, dignity, and self-confidence.
MRC artWorks offers unique and affordable art created by individuals with disabilities, providing an outlet to achieve creative self‐expression in a way that promotes personal growth, dignity, and self-confidence.
Add some tunes to your kid’s music collection at Satellite Records: they sell new and used LP’s, 45’s, CDs and cassettes.
Books & Toys
Restock those bookshelves and toy boxes with these local stores:
Buy, sell and trade new, pre-owned and retired LEGO® sets at Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo just down the street in the Oakwood Plaza Shopping Center.
While there you can also build your own custom LEGO® Minifig, shop for LEGO® storage and accessories, practically get buried in pick-your-own LEGO® bulk bricks, talk shop with LEGO® experts, pick up LEGO® gift cards and plan an epic LEGO® party. What are you waiting for??? We’re looking forward to building with you…
While there you can also build your own custom LEGO® Minifig, shop for LEGO® storage and accessories, practically get buried in pick-your-own LEGO® bulk bricks, talk shop with LEGO® experts, pick up LEGO® gift cards and plan an epic LEGO® party. What are you waiting for??? We’re looking forward to building with you…
Your gift recipients won’t be bored with the massive board game selection at Fortress of Solitude in Plainwell.
Kalamazoo's old-time newsstand offering newspapers, magazines, paperbacks, children's books, graphic novels, comics, and more.
Level up your Pokemon or Magic: the Gathering collections with a stop at Odyssey Games on West Main.
Pick up some vintage or modern day comics from Rocket Comics, plus toys featuring your favorite characters from 1960s to present day.
This is a Bookstore is owned by the same owners as Bookbug, but made for grown ups. Find a plethora of reading materials here and delicious food from the Table of Contents Café.
With the same owners as Rocket Fizz, Uncle Buddy’s Toy Stash offers unique, nostalgic and other super cool toys downtown.
Pet Supplies
We know Fido is just as much a family member as his humans. Try these shops for ways you can pamper your pooch (or other pets) for the holidays.
Barks in the Zoo in Oakwood Plaza offers a specialty pet store and grooming salon with unique food, treats, toys, and accessories.
Find a new squeaky toy, leash or harness at Beowoof Provisions for Pets. They typically offer pet photos with Santa in early December.
Visit Dog Daze in Texas Corners for quality food, toys, treats and more- plus a self-serve dog wash!
Family owned and operated since 1997, Oak Ridge Feed & Pet Salon stocks supplies for dogs, cats, horses, poultry, goats and birds.
Wild Birds Unlimited, located next door to Barks in the Zoo in Oakwood Plaza, prides itself on bringing people and nature together.
Other Retailers
Kalamazoo and its surrounding cities offer a variety of shops for every interest: try these retailers for rocks, jewelry, plants, and other unique gifts.
Snag some STEAM-based toys or Air Zoo swag at the Air Zoo Store. You can also shop online!
Shop for the eco-conscious friend or family member at Bee Joyful Shop. This zero waste shop features a refill station, food wraps, reusable bags, and many other sustainable gifts.
We are an eclectic store featuring work by local and national artists and makers - and we also offer coveted destination brands.
In addition to seemingly endless creative gift offerings for all ages, plus a wide variety of apparel and accessories, we are also Kalamazoo's go-to for JellyCat stuffed animals and Milkbarn baby apparel.
Be sure not to miss our amazing wildflower mural!
In addition to seemingly endless creative gift offerings for all ages, plus a wide variety of apparel and accessories, we are also Kalamazoo's go-to for JellyCat stuffed animals and Milkbarn baby apparel.
Be sure not to miss our amazing wildflower mural!
This family-owned shop in Paw Paw is worth the drive. With rocks, minerals, geodes, jewelry and carved soapstone animals, there is something for every rock-loving member of your family at Geoscape Rock Shop.
They are open 7 days/week.
They are open 7 days/week.
Upgrade your mug collection with these handmade beauties from Grayling Ceramics. They offer growlers, howlers, steins, mugs, cups, tumblers, bowls, mixing bowls, plates, and various containers.
Helping shoppers with gracious giving and stylish living for over 19 years.
Where trend meets tradition, you'll find a diverse array of gift, apparel, tabletop and custom offerings for giving and home.
Where trend meets tradition, you'll find a diverse array of gift, apparel, tabletop and custom offerings for giving and home.
Shop unique collectibles (including plenty of gnomes!) at Kates Korner Kupboard. Find the gift shop inside Berts Bakery in Comstock.
Create some green space at home with some plants from the Mason Jar Plant Shop downtown.
Not a crafter? No problem. Stop by Quilts Plus for a cozy gift.
If you are ready to make your next project, they assist all skill levels (both by machine or by hand) in creating beautiful, original pieces.
If you are ready to make your next project, they assist all skill levels (both by machine or by hand) in creating beautiful, original pieces.
Michigan's Largest Rock Shop is right here in Kalamazoo County. Located is downtown Galesburg, Michigan, you'll be amazed at how big this store is and how much product they have. Room after room and two buildings worth.
If you ❤️ rocks, this is your happy place. Not only do they carry every type of rock you can imagine, but they have fossils, meteorites, home decor, tons of Sterling Silver jewelry, metaphysical items, books, kids toys and so much more. You won't believe this place is right in your own back yard. Stop in and check us out!
If you ❤️ rocks, this is your happy place. Not only do they carry every type of rock you can imagine, but they have fossils, meteorites, home decor, tons of Sterling Silver jewelry, metaphysical items, books, kids toys and so much more. You won't believe this place is right in your own back yard. Stop in and check us out!
Samson’s offers a great cut and style AND some amazing, locally-made haircare products for men.
Try some shampoo, conditioner, pomade or beard oil, available for purchase at their shop or Lana’s Boutique.
Try some shampoo, conditioner, pomade or beard oil, available for purchase at their shop or Lana’s Boutique.
Skip the beauty counters at department stores and build your own custom fragrance with The Aroma Labs downtown.
UniQ Jewelry Gallery features custom and designer jewelry, unique engagement rings/wedding sets, and distinctive gifts.
Their team offers repairs, appraisals and personalized designs. This fun store is located next door to Fieldstone Grill in Portage.
Their team offers repairs, appraisals and personalized designs. This fun store is located next door to Fieldstone Grill in Portage.
Food & Beverages
Need a delicious stocking stuffer or a unique, tasty gift? SW Michigan’s shops are up to the challenge with cocoa bombs, popcorn, cheeses and plenty of candy.
Known for its custom cakes, Berts Bakery offers holiday favorites including Stollen, yule logs and almond sticks.
Berts offers locations in both Kalamazoo and Comstock.
Berts offers locations in both Kalamazoo and Comstock.
Pick up some hot cocoa bombs or other decadent chocolate from Cherri’s Chocol’art.
Help warm up those cold, winter mornings with locally-made treats and over 200 varieties of loose leaf tea from Chocolatea in Portage.
Give the gift of gourmet popcorn this holiday season with Pop City Popcorn!
Indulge in festive flavors like Kalamazoo’s Moose Munch, Dutch Crunch, Sugar Cookie Caramel Corn, Candy Cane Caramel Corn, and English Toffee Caramel Corn.
Choose from gift boxes, festive tins, and popcorn-related items perfect for holiday or corporate gifts. Whether it’s a stocking stuffer or a show-stopping popcorn tin, Pop City Popcorn has something for everyone on your list!
Treat your loved ones to a delicious surprise this season!
Indulge in festive flavors like Kalamazoo’s Moose Munch, Dutch Crunch, Sugar Cookie Caramel Corn, Candy Cane Caramel Corn, and English Toffee Caramel Corn.
Choose from gift boxes, festive tins, and popcorn-related items perfect for holiday or corporate gifts. Whether it’s a stocking stuffer or a show-stopping popcorn tin, Pop City Popcorn has something for everyone on your list!
Treat your loved ones to a delicious surprise this season!
Mix and match some bubbly sodas and browse the massive candy selection at Rocket Fizz.
Grab some fudge, chocolate covered strawberries or cocoa bombs from Schultz’s Treat Street. They also offer custom desserts if you have something special in mind for a stocking stuffer.
Shop hand-blended spices, loose-leaf teas, and gourmet delights at Spice & Tea Merchants Kalamazoo.
As the shop name implies, there is no shortage of cheese at The Cheese Lady in Texas Corners.
Over 100 cheeses are available for purchase, along with accompaniments such as crackers, jams, nuts and pasta.
Over 100 cheeses are available for purchase, along with accompaniments such as crackers, jams, nuts and pasta.
If you need baked goods for the holidays, The Victorian Bakery should be on your list. Pick up bread, quiches, scones, croissants, mousse cakes and other deliciously prepared items here.
Where Are the Best Spots for Kalamazoo Shopping?
Leave us a comment with your favorite places to shop locally for the holidays- or anytime! PS: If you’re headed north, try these gift ideas in Grand Rapids.