The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Ho Ho Ho my friends! Strap in and get ready for a GIANT behemoth of a gift guide list that I have been working on for a while now! I recently put together my ultimate guide to kids holiday gifts and in this particular guide I focused on several different categories including small business sourced and sourced from companies like Amazon, as well as highlighting when possible Black-owned businesses. I recently did a poll asking what type of holiday content you guys wanted and the response was overwhelmingly GIFT GUIDES, and then split about 50/50 between small business focused and items you could get on other e-commerce platforms like Amazon or bigger websites.
My take is this, and this is just the way I personally view gifting for my friends and family - when I can, I use my dollars to support small business, B-corporations, or companies who demonstrate sustainability efforts. BUT, on the other hand, I don’t always have the immediate funds to invest in a gift that checks all those boxes, OR I simply can’t find what I’m looking for on a small business scale. The reality is that there are many many people who rely on Amazon, whether its because of financial necessity, or accessibility to certain goods and I do consider it a personal privilege of mine to avoid Amazon if I choose to. Not everyone has that option, and so to make this as inclusive as possible, I’ve tried to provide a variety of gifts, price points, and access!
I’ve also decided this year to avoid gender typing my gift guide…which is difficult because our world is so easily divided into “these are the things women like” and “these are the things men like” - but honestly there is so much fun to be had in the gifting department when we remove those labels and explore gifts based on our interests or what draws our eyes or attention! I hope you have fun looking through this list and maybe exploring a gift idea you never considered for yourself or your friends/family before!
**Indicates a Black Owned Business
Small Business Focused
Bags and Accessories
Personalized Leather Toiletry Bag: This is a great gender neutral gift for anyone!
Embossed Personalized Leather Journal Cover: I’ve recently started journaling, and nothing makes me reach for my journal more than to see this cover!
Script Personalized Passport Cover: For when we travel again lol.
Leather Wallet: This wallet is a gorgeous gift for anyone!
Jewelry
Custom Double Name Ring: Love the simple aesthetic of this gorgeous ring. Would be great with kiddos or pets names!
**Handmade Colorblock Earrings: GORGEOUS. Spunky. Chunky. Just the way I like my earrings!
Noonday Jewelry and Accessories: If you want ethical and fair trade jewelry AND to support a small business, this company is amazing. I’m including my friend Chloe’s link here who is a Noonday Ambassador.
For the Foodie
Personalized Wooden Cutting Boards: Personalize these to say whatever you’d like! These would look beautiful in any kitchen.
Ceramic Single Cup Pour-Over Vessel: For the coffee lover who wants to beautify their coffee-making essentials. LOVE this specked pour over vessel.
Handmade Ceramic Mugs: I have a weakness for mugs, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. The chunkier and funkier, the better.
Foodie Dice: THIS LOOKS SO FUN. Combines all the elements of a meal, made into a new creative way to plan!
Personalized Muslin Bread Bag: For all you bread makers out there, this is a super classy and minimal way to store your bread!
Full Linen Apron with Minimal Design: I’ve been eyeing getting an apron for years, and I think this is the one!
Around the House
**Custom Pet Portraits: Due to high demand, portrait delivery will be delayed, but THESE ARE WORTH THE WAIT!
**Organic Leafy Greens Gardening Kit: Grow your own greens in the comfort of your home!
Personal Care & Beauty Products
Beautycounter Holiday Collection: Literally something for everyone here!
Primally Pure Safer Skincare Products (use the code JESS10 for 10% off your first order!)
Gifts with a Sustainable Side
These gifts are from the company Uncommon Goods - which is a B-Corporation that cares about people and the planet! If you want to shop exclusively from B-Corporations, download my FREE B-Corporation guide for inspiration.
Personal Care & Beauty Products
Make Your Own Safer Skincare Mask Kit: Quality ingredients with a fun twist to make your own!
DIY Organic Bath Bomb Kit: Also quality ingredients and a fun activity you could do with kiddos.
Paper Goods
Parent Letter Book Set: For any parent, this is such a cool way to connect with kiddos and capture cherished memories.
**I am Everything Affirmation Card Deck: LOVE ME SOME AFFIRMATION CARDS, and these are some of the most gorgeous I’ve ever seen!
For the Foodie
Whiskey Enhancing Oak Tumbler: If you like whiskey, and you like enhancing it, here you go!
Sushi Making Kit: Another fun potential activity gift to be done with the whole family!
These are clothing companies that have a sustainable or ethical side to the sourcing and manufacturing - I’ve indicated some of my favorite must have items from each!
The Bluebird Collective
Capsule Wardrobe: Order a custom secondhand capsule wardrobe with Caroline and I promise you will not regret it! You not only get clothing items picked especially for you, but you get to experience the really cool thrill of second hand clothing!
Patagonia
Better Sweater: Ethically made, this sweater has a lifetime warranty apparently which is something I can get behind. It’s a bigger ticket item, but definitely a quality investment piece if you can!
Athleta
Salutation Joggers: These high waisted joggers are on my personal wish list.
Cozy Karma Asym Pullover: This looks like a snugglers dream.
Ultra High Rise Elation Tight: I’ve been covering these workout tights for over a year, and they’re also on my personal wish list!
Cloudlight Relaxed Muscle Tank: Here for the muscle tank trend.
Able
The Letter Necklace: Beautiful, simple gold necklace that can accommodate single or multiple letters.
Convertible Backpack: This is a big ticket item, but it’s something that’s been on my one day list for a very long time! Love that it’s convertible from bag to backpack.
Debra Wallet: An incredibly priced, sustainably and ethically made wallet.
Pact (use THIS link for 20% off your first order + Free shipping)
Wrap Front Jumpsuit: WANT.
3/4 Sleeve Fit and Flare Dress: Has pockets. Say no more.
Sweater Sweatshirt: This looks like the COZIEST sweater Ive ever seen.
Cuyana
Leather Jewelry Case: I have been looking for a jewelry organization tool and this caught my eye!
Gifts Available on Amazon
Kitchen and Home
At-Home Compost Bin: Love the earth and start your own compost at home!
Extra Large Picnic Blanket and Tote: Love this giant blanket that has an attached handle and tote capability. Perfect of outside time!
GreenPan Ceramic Cookware Set: We own this set and LOVE it. Safer cookware that really works!
Light Therapy Lamp: I call these Happy lights! As we enter the winter months, with less sunlight, I know these can make a huge difference in mood!
Oeko-Tex Certified Weighted Blanket: Designed to stimulate deep, restful sleep, this one is so affordable and has over 25k ratings!
Backyard Firepit: Top rated and affordable to boot!
Smartsleep Sunrise Clock: THIS LOOKS SO COOL. Waken naturally and gradually with a sunrise simulation!
Solar Powered Rainbow Maker: Rainbows anytime I want? Yes please.
The Noma Guide to Fermentation: Teaches you how to ferment literally everything. I’m into it.
Glass Cold Brew Coffee Maker: If you’re like me and can make and drink cold brew, year round, then this is for you!
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Coleman Extreme Marine Cooler: If you don’t know about the Wirecutter, you need to go visit now! This is a NY Times affiliated site that literally rates EVERYTHING. We have been looking for a new camping cooler and turns out, this one has both function and affordability for our next camping trip!
100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas: This book will be epic for planning our next socially distanced vacation tour of national parks!
Charcoal Smoker: Tim is on a smoking meats kick and this is top of his list!
Portable Hammock: Another wire cutter top pick, this is on our list!
Collapsible Cornhole Game: This is on our list for our next camping trip!
To Wear
Hammered Gold Stacking Rings: My wedding rings no longer fit, and I personally ordered these for myself!
My Favorite Tie-Dye Workout Crop Top: Not a sustainable fashion pick, but I do personally own this crop top and I’m obsessed with it. Compliments every time I wear it to the gym!
Paper Goods
Zen as F*ck Journal: Eying this for myself. Glowing reviews from therapists and non-therapists alike. Great if you like a little cursing in your life lol.
Empowering Questions Cards: These question cards look really thought provoking, eying them for myself!
Personal Care and Beauty
Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Salts: Safer bath salts with a heavenly scent!
Foreo Silicone Facial Exfoliator: I own this and love it! Perfect physical exfoliator for your skincare routine!
Stocking Stuffers
Tile Phone/Keys Tracker: For those of you (us) that lose all the things.
Stasher Bags: My favorite safer sandwich bag alternatives!
Animal Ring Holders: This three set is adorable, and would look amazing on any dresser or countertop!
Copper Measuring Cups/Spoons: Beautiful high quality kitchen accessories.
Multi-Fabric Sweater Comb: Trust me, if you struggle with pilling of your sweaters, this is a fun accessory!
Fun set of 6 Silicone Tea Infusers: For all you tea drinkers out there, these fun animal inspired tea infusers are adorable!
Fleece Lined Fuzzy Socks: Because who doesn’t need comfy socks?
Smart WiFi Plugs: Ok, maybe it’s just me who geeks out about stuff like this, but these plugs help you turn things off and on, including wifi whenever you set!
Bigger Ticket Items
These gifts may be an investment, so meant as a family gift, or a good splurge if you find a good Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deal!
Red Light Therapy : I’ve been eying a higher priced face lamp from a different company for a while now, but my friend recommended this one and it’s so much more affordable! She says her skin has never ever looked better!
AirDoctor Home Air Purifier (this link will get you HALF OFF - it is an affiliate link for the blogger Empowered Autoimmune)
iRobot Roomba 675: We have a Roomba and love it. We still have to sweep from time to time, but this Roomba keeps our house with two giant white dogs so much more manageable!
Other Gifting Favorites
Masterclass
Give one, get one! Tim has his eye on Masterclass, the online educational platform where experts teach everything from beat making to Italian cooking - Tim has his eye on this for the brisket making class and wine tasting classes!
Equilibria
Joy of Sleep Gift Set (use the code REFJESSG for $20 off your first order): I use this CBD brand regularly for sleep and anxiety assistance, and I love that they’ve put together some really amazing gift sets for the holidays!
Dazzle Dry Manicure System
The Mini Kit: I love that these mini kits are a great way to dip your toe into this safer manicure system! At $35, you can’t beat it!
Oui the People
**Safety Razor: I’ve been shaving with a safety razor for months now and I’ll never go back!