While behemoths like Amazon and Walmart have more than doubled their profits in recent years (raking in an estimated $133 billion in combined revenue), small business owners have been fighting to keep the lights on. This winter, rather than throw your money into the hands of big businesses, we encourage you to check out our holiday gift guide and shop from these women and BIPOC-owned companies instead. From handcrafted olive oils to woven bags that support global artisans, these gifts both impress and put money into the hands of female entrepreneurs.
Gifts for Foodies & Cooks
Milk Bar – Founded by chef Christina Tosi, Milk Bar is a sweet and savory bakery that creates unique treats. Order from their holiday shop to surprise your loved ones with some Milk Bar goodies. I love their compost cookies and crack pie.
Brightland – This family-run, Californian farm cultivates custom-blended olive oils with zero preservatives. I bought their Chili Olive Oil a few months ago and put it on absolutely everything. From salads to pasta to soup, it makes all my food taste better.
Diaspora Co. – Diaspora Co. is a single-origin spice company dedicated to building a better spice trade and supporting Indian farmers. I’m especially loving their Pragati Turmeric, which you can add to just about everything, from eggs to roasted veggies.
Emily G’s – Emily G’s is known for its natural jams and sauces, which are crafted from seasonal and locally harvested ingredients. The jams are perfect stocking stuffers that can be used as marinades or condiments, adding flavor to any dish.
Daily Harvest – Rachel Drori is the founder behind Daily Harvest, which has a mission to create easy-to-make healthy meals. Daily Harvest has bowls, smoothies, flatbreads, and hearty soups that can be frozen until you’re ready to enjoy them. Check out their gift boxes.
Jars by Dani – Created by Danielle Beckerman, Jars by Dani shares baked goods in a bitesize, easy way—in jars, making this the perfect stocking stuffer.
Alison Roman’s cookbooks – During the pandemic, I cooked my way through Alison Roman’s Nothing Fancy and Dining In, where I enjoyed delicious recipes including, paprika-crusted chicken, frizzled chickpeas with crumbled feta, and spicy stews with preserved lemon. Her recipes are simple, straightforward, and easy to follow. This year, she announced her new book, Sweet Enough, which will focus on all things dessert. Sweet Enough is now on pre-order!
Fly By Jing – Immigrant and woman-owned Fly By Jing brings the rich and savory flavors of China’s Sichuan province to your plate. You can’t go wrong with anything from Fly By Jing, whether you opt for their frozen dumplings or their spices — but the one thing you absolutely should make a pantry staple is the spicy Sichuan chili crisp, which also makes for the perfect stocking stuffer.
Big Night – Woman-owned Big Night is an independent shop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn selling a stellar collection of pantry staples, gorgeous glassware, taper candles, and so much more. To walk into Big Night is to imagine your dream kitchen with an expert-curated selection of women and BIPOC-owned products. Thankfully (and just in time for the holiday season), Big Night has launched its online store.
Gifts for Pet Parents
Jonathan’s Journal – Jonathan’s Journal is my favorite dog Instagram account. Illustrated by a local dog mom in my neighborhood, her Etsy shop sells everything from cute Christmas cards to holiday sweaters to custom pet portraits.
Stellar Villa – Designed by an independent artist, Stellar Villa creates stunning line art and painted portraits. You have the option of a custom line art pet portrait or a custom portrait of you and your pooch. Or, to save on both money and time, opt for one of Laura’s original works.
Found my Animal – This is the only leash I use for my dog, Chico. After a scary incident where Chico’s leash unclipped itself from his harness, I found these locking leashes. Found’s leashes are hand-crafted and made to withstand hundreds of pounds of pull. Each end of the leash features a solid brass lockable carabiner, which ensures dogs can’t Houdini their way off-leash.
Beauty and Self-Care Gifts
Around the World Beauty – Founded by Stephanie Flor, Around the World Beauty is a travel company offering beauty tours and experiences. Her curated beauty boxes feature hard-to-find ingredients ethically sourced from around the world.
The Qi – I absolutely love their blossoming rose tea, which is cultivated in Shangri-La at 10,000 feet above sea level. Order their daily ritual set, which is just about the prettiest before bed, self-care practice you can ask for. For more on this company, check out our interview with The Qi’s founder.
Arrow Beauty – There really is no excuse not to shop for clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products nowadays. I discovered Arrow Beauty through Birchbox and fell in love with their daily face lotion. It has a subtle sheen to illuminate your skin and hyaluronic acid and aloe to hydrate and soothe.
Sunday Riley – Because this is my go-to skincare brand, it comes as no surprise it has made its way onto this holiday gift guide. Their products are cruelty-free, clean, and vegan, with the promise of instant results. My two favorite products are their CEO Glow Vitamin C and Tumeric Face Oil and their Luna Sleeping Night Oil.
Briogeo – I recently discovered this BIPOC female-owned company and had to add it to this holiday gift guide. My scalp gets particularly dry and itchy in the winter months. I’ve tried everything from smelly tar-like shampoos to vitamins, but Briogeo’s charcoal and tree scalp oil is a game-changer, especially when paired with their scalp massager.
Little Shop of Oils – This apothecary shop sells handmade ritual candles and oils meant for setting intentions. From creative wishes to inspiring joy, this shop promises to add a little magic to the everyday. I am especially loving their winter solstice ritual candle.
Gifts for the Home
The Sill – The Sill offers indoor potted plants delivered directly to your door. Shop their holiday collection or choose from one of their faux plants. After trying (and failing) to grow a cascading vine on my bookshelf, I ended up ordering their faux pothos, which I absolutely love.
Kelly + Jones – I first discovered Kelly + Jones when staying at a cabin in upstate New York. I stumbled into a local store and discovered frosted glass candles with the perfect cozy autumn scent. Since then, I have been obsessed with their Wine Cabin Candle. Beyond candles, Kelly + Jones sells unique perfumes inspired by the art of wine tasting.
The Madison Collection – The Madison Collection sells ethically-made, eco-luxury bath linens and textiles. They’ve reimagined the classic bathrobe with stylish, lighter, and more absorbent alternatives. Their robes are perfect for pampering someone special.
Cocus Pocus – Cocus Pocus is an international lifestyle brand that designs and curates clothes, art, accessories, gifts, stationery, and more. I’m particularly obsessed with their neon signs.
Salt & Sundry – This woman-founded home and lifestyle store curates an incredible collection of items. We love their BIPOC-made gift guide.
Gifts for Travelers
Purposeful Nomad – This female-founded company curates small, immersive group tours to countries like India and Cuba. I had the pleasure of traveling with them to Guatemala and had the most incredible time meeting local Mayan weavers. Check out our interview with Purposeful Nomad’s founder to learn more about their trips.
Origin Travels – Another great female-founded tour company is Origin Travels. Specializing in adventures for women, their trips take you everywhere from Kenya to Costa Rica. Not sure which trip to surprise your loved one with? You can purchase gift certificates that can be used on any future booking.
Ms. Jetsetter – This Black woman-owned company creates unique organizing solutions for female travelers. From toiletry bags to jewelry organizers, you can find stylish and convenient gifts for women on the go.
The Little Market – The Little Market is a fair-trade gift and decor shop that sells ethically-sourced, artisan-made products. The shop’s larger mission is to empower artisans around the world by extending their products’ distribution and supporting sustainable income opportunities. Check out their artistan-made woven bags and kitchenware!
Stellar Villa – Beyond custom pet portraits, this independent artist also creates hand-illustrated portraits inspired by travel photos. For the travelers in your life, this is the perfect way to turn their globetrotting memories into art.
Wanderess – Of course, we have to include our new book, Wanderess, which equips readers with expert tips on how to travel safely, solo, and confidently. Written by the co-founders of Unearth Women, along with a diverse group of women travel experts, Wanderess is available online and wherever books are sold. Get your copy here!
Gifts for Children
Lockwood – Lockwood is a woman-founded shop in Queens and Brooklyn that sells everything from clothing to candles. For children and babies, Lockwood has an adorable collection of toys and onesies to choose from. Learn more about Lockwood and its founder by watching our #WomenOwned episode.
Little Adventures – Little Adventures makes comfortable dress-up clothes for everyday play. From princess gowns to dragon outfits, they even have adult-sized outfits so you can play right alongside your kids.
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