SSBS #013: Holiday Gift Guides for Everyone + Black Friday Deals
Well Hello My friend!
We are taking a break from our regularly scheduled skincare education programming and having a little retail fun! Today’s email is here due to demand. I promise you, I’m not making this up, but I polled IG a few weeks ago to see if people are over gift/sale guides or if they’re still helpful, and pretty much 90% said a big OL’ YES to gift guides and gift ideas. I know for me, personally, I always click on gift guides because I’m at the age where when someone asks me what I want/need I LITERALLY CAN THINK OF NOTHING. So this guide is for people like me!
So today, here’s a little rundown of what I’m going to do for you. I’m going to make it so easy for your overwhelmed brain to find a gift idea for either you or someone you love. I’ll mostly be focusing on items I love, and I’ll have a short section for items I’m eying for Tim as well. I’ll also add some links to companies that I’m always shopping from and loving, as well as include any current Black Friday deals or codes that I have at the time this email goes live. I’ll try my best to keep everything as current as possible!
While many of these items WILL be from companies that are more sustainable minded, there will also be some items from companies like Amazon, etc. So if you prefer to shop mindfully for 100% of your holiday needs, you can see last week’s newsletter HERE, where I give you a HUGE list of B-corps to shop from and gift inspo for your friends and family (and yourself!).
Without further ado, let’s get to the goods!
Gifts I’m Loving
Here are an assortment of gift ideas from various places. I’ve either purchased these things before myself and LOVE THEM, or they’re on my personal wish list for this year!
My Wishlist
Healthier Together Cards - These conversation cards look so cool! They’re made by a blogger/podcaster I follow and I would love to receive these as a gift!
Current Black Friday Deal: Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 20% off
Air Tags - Tim and I have these for our keys and are thinking about getting a 4-pack, and splitting them up to go with some DIY gifts for grandparents so lost items will be a thing of the past!
Honest Hazel Eye Gel Packs - Ever since Beautycounter discontinued their eye gels, these have been on my safer beauty list!
Safer Pimple Patches - I bought these for gifting this year, and fully intend to buy some for myself as a stocking stuffer!
Cryotherapy Facial Roller - WANT, no NEED. Great prices, fantastic results when used consistently!
Hair ties - Another great stocking stuff, I love these no-damage hair ties so much!
Plush Weighted Blanket - As someone who deals with stress, anxiety, and restless leg syndrome I have no idea why I’ve waited this long to price a weighted blanket for myself. These look so cozy too!
Safer Perfume - Ever since my favorite safer perfume scent was discontinued, I’ve been on the hunt! This brand and scent got recommended to me and I can’t wait to try it! Get $15 off your first order of $50 or more with this link!
Current Black Friday Deal: 30% off sitewide with code DIME30
Our Recipes Family Cook Book - What a gift to give and receive for the baker/cook in your life! I really want one of these to start documetning my recipes for the kiddos for when I’m gone.
Lumen Metabolic Tracker - If you’ve been following along, you know that I’m on a mission to get my pre-diabetes under control. I’ve been loving the data from the Lumen tracker to help me make lifestyle and food adjustments that better serve my blood sugar! They’re having an incredible BF sale, up to 50% off depending on the track you choose + $50 off using the code JESSG!
Travel Jewelry Case - I’m the person who throws their jewelry in their makeup bag when they travel and then immediately regrets it as I spend too much time untangling everything. Not after this!
Organic Silk Sleep Mask - every night, without feel I wear my sleep mask and it has been a game changer for me!
Shower Steamers - I’m just not a bath person, but I still want that bath experience if you know what I mean?? I love these safer shower steamer options for when I want to treat myself!
Neck Reading Light - I’m the one who is always reading way too late into the night and keeping Tim up, I think I’m finally going to treat myself (and him) to a reading light!
Library Book Bag - I’m also that person who goes to the library so frequently and leaves with literally 30 books at a time and no way to carry them. I love the idea of snagging this library book bag and keeping it in the car for our trips!
Current Black Friday Deal: 20% off sitewide + FREE shipping on orders over $40
Book Club Journal - I’m not part of a book club, but dangit I want to be so badly. Maybe 2023 is the year I start one! And for that, Im making sure I have a journal to keep notes!
Running Belt - Love this trendy running belt to keep important things with me on the run!
Sunglasses - these are literally the only sunglasses I will ever buy again. THey’re affordable ($25!), cool, come in so many colors, and stay put when I’m running!
Current Black Friday Deal: 20% off sitewide!
Bon Appetit Subscription - for the foodie in your life, getting this magazine in the mail every month feels like an absolute LUXURY. I love taking my time on the weekend with a cup of coffee and just perusing all of the beautiful food!
Outdoor Movie Theater - we haven’t yet used this yet, but we did snag it on Prime Day, and can’t wait to use it in the backyard - for less than $100 I’m stoked on it!
Just Between Us Journal - I love this idea! These fun journals can be shared back and forth between parent and child to share notes, stories, and hard things. Def getting one for the kiddos and I this year!
New Luggage - A splurge, but these are the best luggage sets EVER. I promise. Get $20 off your first purchase with this link!
Buy any two suitcases to get $50 off, or any three to get $100 off*. All colors, sizes, and styles included. Ends Monday, 11/28.
Under the Desk Treadmill - I’m eying more movement in my life in 2023, and I’ve seen so many people with these under the desk treadmills that look awesome! If you work from home like me, this could be a perfect investment for your health!
Skincare Fridge - this is next level skincare my friends. A teeny fridge for your rollers and your eye gels and your creams, cold skincare take de-puffing to the next level!
5 minute journal - I have loved using this journal at various times throughout my life, it’s such a gift that can foster immense gratitude!
Mug warmer - If you don’t want to go all in with the Ember mug, and love using special mugs from home like me, this mug warmer is a good option!
Brass bar set - VERY into cocktails right now, not drinking them, but making them for others, and learning more about them. I love this beautiful brass set for the home.
blend jet blender - I was gifted a blendjet blender, and it sat in my cabinet for over a year until one day we went on vacation and I decided I wanted to take it with me. NOW I USE IT EVERY DAY. TO me, it’s better than a frother at blending my coffee and can do so much more!
Current Black Friday Offer: 15% off 1, 20% off 2, 25% off 3
Tim’s Wishlist
Huckberry - anytime I want to scout a gift for Tim, I visit this site. He loves literally everything on it, so I can never go wrong selecting something from here. They have clothes and so much more!
Current Black Friday Deal: Up to 40% off
Splays - Tim is a minimal shoe kinda guy and he loves loves loves these Freestyle shoes so much we just got him a second pair for his birthday. He’s all about the gum soles! You can use this link and get 10% off your purchase (we also buy kids shoes here too!)
Buy one get one 40% off with the code BLACKFRIDAY40
bullet journal - Tim is an old fashioned kinda guy in a lot of ways, and especially when it comes to tracking his day. He loves bullet journaling and asks for a new one every year.
Ember Mug - Tim is also into gadgets and tech, he still uses his Ember mug daily. He loves to sip his fancy black coffee slowly and this keeps it warm the whole time!
Electric Kettle - A recent purchase in our house for pour overs, this electric gooseneck kettle is sleek, and beautiful as well as highly functional!
Pourover Coffee Maker - Nowadays, we only do pourovers with our chemex on the weekend, but for day to day, we use this coffee maker that mimics the pourover process and is programmable. That way we get fancy coffee very quickly, every morning without all the fuss.
Safer Beard Oil - Tims a bearded guy and loves this safer beard oil. He can smell like an old fashioned or a mojito and it’s DIVINE.
Best news, this company will have stellar Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers AND you can use the code BFCM-JESS20 for 20% off sitewide + FREE Holiday Lip Balm Kit.
Strike Movements - Another shoe option (Tim’s a shoe guy!). We purchase a new pair of strikes every year. They’re minimal, functional, and very stylish.
Current Black Friday Deals: Up to 60% off select styles
The Kiddo’s Wishlist
Our kids are 9 (Bear) and 6 (Cami), and their interests have varied wildly over the years! I’m going to link below some things that are currently on their lists (or ours for them), but also feel free to refer back to previous years guides for different ideas across all age ranges!
Yoto Mini player - We’ve been looking at kidding the kids some sort of audio book device that is not a phone. After much research, this feels like a good fit for our family! I love that it also doubles as a white noise machine and an ok to wake clock. You do need to buy the yoto cards to listen to books, but seems like a good trade-off for us to keep the kiddos screen free.
Puzzle Fidget Cube - Ok, listen to me on this one. This was gifted to Bear for his birthday and it is one of those toys both kiddos cannot stop playing with. I gift it now to every kid on every birthday! It’s a great stocking stuffer! Better yet, grab the four pack and gift one to every kid on your list!
Books - we are always always gifting loads of books to the kiddos. I love to actually shop Half Price books for this or Costco who generally has really great boxed sets. This year Bear is really into non-fiction fact books, like the Guiness Book 2023, and he loved this graphic novel set. Cami wants The Questioneers Series so we can read them together!
Legos - The bulk of Bear’s wishlist involves Lego sets, and this is one of those gifts that I love giving. I really wish they weren’t so costly (and they never go on sale!), but it’s an activity that Bear can do solo or with Tim for hours. Cami also loves getting the Lego Friends sets and her and her brother will build them together!
Art Supplies - The bulk of Cami’s list involves arts and crafts. We love this lightbox for drawing and tracing, she has requested this beaded pet craft set, and these washable no-drip paint brush pens, and we almost always stick one of these paint by sticker books in her stocking!
Snap Circuit Kit - ok, this is another one that isn’t on Bear’s list, but after reading almost 10k 5 star reviews, I know this is a gift he would love!! If you have any kiddo interested in gadgets, building, engineering, etc., I think this is the perfect gift!
Stuffies - Cami is me as a kid. All I wanted was stuffed animal babies. She loves to do imaginary play with her stuffed animals and has requested pretty much every one of these.
Little Passports Cooking Box - This is one that Cami didn’t request, but I’m contemplating getting for her because I saw it on someone elses page. Cami told me she wants to be a chef and open her own restaurant and is always asking if she can help make lunches or dinner or bake something. I love the idea of us doing this together every month! Use the link provided for $25 off your first subscription.
Current deal: 20% off sitewide with code NOVEMBER20
Zelda Breath of the Wild - Bear is 9 and very much into video games. We aren’t one of those parents who never let our kids play video games, but we are pretty choosy about what they can play. Bear LOVES the imaginary world of Zelda and plays it whenever we let him.
Pokemon Battle Board Game - Bear is very much still into Pokemon. He has asked for some card sets and this Pokemon battle game which is cool because it’s something we can do together!
Neck lights - Bear and Cami are getting to the ages where we might consider letting them read a little in bed at night with the lights out. I think I’m actually going to grab these neck lights for the whole family while I’m at it as we are all readers!
Scooters - Both kiddos need the next size up for their scooters - we love having these ready and available for family walks, especially ones that are on the longer side!
Magic set - Bear and Cami are super into magic tricks right now, so we’re eying this set as a joint gift.
Walkie Talkies - The kids have been asking to take small trips around the block together or to the ice cream truck, I love giving them a walkie talkie and me keeping one at the house so we can stay in contact and pretend like they’re on a secret mission.
Calico Critters Playset - I don’t know what it is about this set, but Cami’s friend has one and she is very into it. My girl loves animals, and loves playing with tiny little figurines. This is the perfect gift for her, and I can’t wait to see her have so much fun!
Companies I Shop + Black Friday Deals
My favorite safer skincare and personal care product company and you already know this! A proud B-corporation offering products that are good for people and consider the planet!
Absolutely obsessed with all of this years gift options.
Current Sale info: 20% off sitewide, 30% off orders of $250+, and FREE shipping over $50
Band of beauty members get double product credit from the 18th-20th
Shameless plug! We are discounting our postpartum care boxes for the first time ever! This will be the last run of this current offerings for quite some time while we revamp our box plan in 2023, so if you want one make sure you grab one! There are less than 20 boxes left!
Modern Mamas Postpartum Mama Box: Get 15% off with code BLKFRIDAY until Nov 28th (or while supplies last)
One of the best and well known B-corporations out there, Athleta pieces are always on my list!
Current Black Friday Sale: 30% off your purchase
Check out this pullover that is always on my wishlist!
Another incredible and well known clothing company doing amazing things for the planet!
Current Black Friday Sale: assorted web specials 30-50% off
Check out this Mini Fanny pack that is just perfection!
This Los Gatos Fleece is cozy in a jacket!
If you’re a part of the IBTC then you need these bras in your life. If you don’t know what the IBTC is, then you probably don’t need these bras lol! YOu can use my link also for 20% off your order!
Current Black Friday Deal: Get up to 40% off sitewide!
Tim will tell you these are the best socks he’s ever owned. We love Bombas around our house!
Tim absolutely loves these ankle socks!
Current Sale info: 25% off sitewide with code BIGSALE25
Allbirds are on my wish list this year. Love the design, the sustainability, and the cool factor. Another great B-corp to check out! Get $15 off using this link!
These Allbirds Tree Skippers look minimal and right up my alley!
Current Sale Info: 50% off select styles
This is another one stop shop for everything from home goods, to fine food gifts, to clothing and more! I’ve gifted several United by Blue bags over the years, and they’re always a hit! Get $10 off your order of $75 or more using this link!
Coveting this wool blend trucker jacket that is so discounted I almost can’t believe it.
Current Sale Info: UP to 80% off
I have a backpack and a fleece from Cotopaxi that I love! I love the colorful unique style of this company doing really great work!
I have and love this Cotopaxi backpack and use it almost daily!
Tim has the male version of this fleece that I stole and wear constantly. I like to size up to feel cozy!
Current sale info: 25% off new fall and winter favs
The best pre and post conception supplement line I’ve seen on the market! A company dedicated to supporting women and men through all phases of life, especially the conception phase! Use the code MODERNMAMAS for 20% off a one time purchase order.
Current Black Friday Deals:
The safer hair care system I’ve been using for over a year now! I love it and I love that it’s a B-corp too! Use this link for a discount on your first order!
Pact - I love this organic clothing company! We buy a lot of our undergarments from here, and I especially love their lounge bras! Use this link for $20 off your first purchase!
Current Black Friday Deal: 20-50% off the entire site
Primary - love this organic and sustainable kid’s clothing company (they have stuff for adults too!) Cami loves the leggings and shirts, and so does Bear! Use this link for 25% off your first purchase and free shipping for a year!
Current Black Friday Sale: 40% off everything + Free shipping for a year when you spend $25 or more
Able - Every year I have one of Able’s bags on my wish list. It’s one of those heirloom items that would just be SO COOL to receive. I also have one of their wallets and some dainty rings from them as well. Such a cool sustainable company! Use this link to get 20% off your first purchase!
Current Black Friday Sale: 35% off sitewide, 40% off signature specials with the code ITMATTERS and up to 75% off sale
Quince - I’ve fallen in absolute love with this company. I have so many items on my wish list from here! I recently purchased an alpaca sweater (warning: this material is dry clean only which i didnt know!) and it is so soft and beautiful! Almost everything else, even the cashmere is able to be washed at home, and IT IS SO AFFORDABLE. I can’t wait to shop here for my next purchase! Use this link and get $20 off your first purchase!
Current Black Friday Deals: 5 days of sales with different deals every day!
Primally Pure - One of my absolute favorite safer skincare companies! I love the body butters/oils, our whole family, including Bear, uses their deodorant, their dry shampoo is perfection, and their lip balm is to die for!
Current Black Friday Deals: check back in for the release of limited edition Black Friday products (candles, etc.) and for a limited time you can use the code BFCM-JESS20 for 20% off sitewide + Free holiday lip balm set!
Paleovalley - a long time podcast sponsor and truly some of my favorite products EVER. I use something from Paleovalley every single day of my life. Whether its a meat stick, bone broth protein, the organ complex or a superfood bar, I don’t know where I’d be without this company!
Current Black Friday Deals: The offer is 30% OFF for life with a subscription or 20% OFF a single purchase
Free shipping on all orders over $75 + a mystery gift!
Use the code MODERNMAMAS for 15% off always
Foria Safer Intimacy Products with CBD
I know this is a more personal thing to talk about, but I'm going there because you know what, sex is normal! We are so proud to work with Foria through the podcast, and truly both Laura and I love and use their intimacy products and can't say enough about them!
Sourdough Goodies - if you want to get started on your own sourdough journey, I can’t speak highly enough of Laura’s shop! Love everything she puts out into the world!
Ecoterra Mattresses - The most affordable safer mattress I’ve ever found. We absolutely love ours. They have incredible black Friday deals and if you use this link you should get an amazon gift card back after your trial period ends.
Current Black Friday Deals: $350 off
Bluebird Collective Custom Capsule Wardrobes - I love love Caroline at the Bluebird Collective! If you’re looking for hand picked custom wardrobes that are secondhand and in amazing condition, you have to check out Caroline!
Dazzle Dry Safer Nail Polish System
I am eyeing some fun winter fall colors to snag for my favorite safer nail polish system! I LOVE THIS SYTEM and I've tried them all! You can use this link to get 20% off your first order of $65+!
Current Black Friday Deal: 25% off everything!
There you have it folks! My best gift ideas of the year all in one spot for you! I hope this helps you curate your gift list thoughtfully and intentionally this year, or at the very least your interest gets sparked for other gift ideas throughout the year! If you’d like to see gifts from sustainable companies, please visit my blog post HERE all about it!
Otherwise, stay tuned for next week when we get back to our regularly scheduled educational programming when we deep dive into “anti-aging skincare” and what that means!
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