Want to Really Impress This Year? Shop These 16 Best Gifts from Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Shopping small businesses is one way you maximize your spending power. You're getting innovative, well-crafted items, which is a win for your giftee, in addition to being a means of supporting the entrepreneurs and emerging makers that need your business to feed their families and, fingers crossed, grow their companies. From tiny Etsy sellers to small companies that have reached the stage where they are stocked by larger retailers, here are the products from emerging makers that we are loving—and so will your mom, bestie, child or boyfriend.
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1. Paravel Vanity Case
For someone who loves to travel and can't wait to get back to it, this little case from Paravel has nifty transparent sides (recycled from two plastic water bottles) and is available in four striped colorways. Basically, it's cute enough to display on your giftee's bathroom countertop until that next big flight.
2. Morford and Dog Fair Isle Pet Sweater
Because your four-legged friends prefer not to be seen in last year's cold-weather garb. Not to mention, this classic preppie pattern is trending hard for humans this season.
3. Angela Caglia Vibrating Face Roller
Beauty buffs will squeal with delight when they learn how fancy this face roller is. First off, it's designed by celebrity esthetician Angela Caglia, who specializes in her lifting/sculpting facials. And it's made of rose quartz, beloved by crystal aficianados for the way it promotes healing and self-love. Plus, it vibrates while you roll it upwards on your face, which makes serums absorb better, increases blood flow so you're glowing and relieves the muscle tension in our face.
4. Homebody CBD Bath Soak
No matter how much anxiety your lucky gift recipient is feeling, it can be lessened with a nice hot bath—especially one turbo-powered with relaxing, non-psychoactive CBD and skin-soothing antioxidants. There are multiple uses in this one pouch of this powdered blend with notes of peppermint, warm sweet bourbon vanilla, tonka, frosted mint leaf and sugarcane.
5. Sarah Lou Co. Chunky Knit Throw Blanket
We love us some Etsy hand-crafted goodness, and this warm wool blanket in this au courant shade of mustard (in addition to a dozen other hues) has us curling up by the fire already. Best of all, the yarn is naturally and responsibly sourced, and its rich tones look as good as an interior design element as they are snuggly warm.
6. 32 Degrees Lightweight Puffer Jacket
This men's jacket is bound to be any guy's best winter friend, since it's superwarm but then can be balled up and stuffed in a backpack when the day warms up. At this super-sale price, it's an especially good buy for teens who have sworn off pricey coats after forgetting where they left their jacket when shooting hoops or skating.
7. Grown Alchemist Hand Care Kit
There's so much hand washing happening these days—so elevate your bestie's several-times-a-day practice with this combination hand wash and lotion set. The wash smells of sweet orange, cedarwood and sage, while the lotion has notes of vanilla and orange peel. And, bonus, the shiny silver bottles make anyone's bathroom or kitchen sink look so designer.
8. Bala Bangles
In the wellness world, 2020 will forever be known as the year that Bala bangles pretty much took over the home fitness market. Crafted by a small Los Angeles-based company that asked the question we never before knew needed answering: "Why can't body weights double as fashion accessories?" Popping them on your wrists while you're walking the dog or doing your Zoom workout is going to add some tone. And you can treat yourseld to extra credit holiday points if you also get a pair for yourself, so you can be twins with your mom.
9. W & P Design Reusable Dining Set
Whether you are heading to an office or putting together a picnic, a nice set of matching reusable utensils and plate is going to make you want to pivot away from take-out containers and disposable containers. This dishwasher-safe bowl has a non-slip exterior, a snap-tight silicone strap and a rigid plastic lid. You'll also love using the sleek stainless steel utensils and lightweight glass water bottle.
10. Amphipod Hydration Belt
This streamlined belt bag (um, no one needs to say "fanny pack") can be used with or without the 16-ounce bottle that comes with it. The zippered pouch fits close to the body to reduce annoying bounce and slosh, and it's roomy enough for even larger smart phones.
11. Staud Cargo Sweater
Vintage-inspired brand Staud is based in Los Angeles and has become known for delivering a high-end aesthetic at an affordable price point. Like this supercool sweater that your fashion-forward sister or bestie will wear and get raves on her distinctive style. And in a lightweight viscose-and-nylon blend, this is wearable as a layering piece in winter and all on its own come spring.
12: Lizzie Fortunato Confetti Coin Necklace
The sister team behind Lizzie Fortunato creates bold jewelry based on their travels. This gold-plated brass, glass, and freshwater cultured pearl necklace is statement jewelry at its best. This necklace goes to someone with a big heart—gifting it from Olivela means you're also donating six chemotherapy care supplies through St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
13. Our Place Always Pan
It's rare that a cookware gift is as apt for a young person setting up their first kitchen as for a hardcore foodie. But allow us to present the Always Pan, a distinctive one-and-done workhorse that acts as a fry pan, sauté pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, non-stick pan, spatula and spoon rest. It's created with a nonstick ceramic coating made without potentially toxic materials, which is good, because this is going to be a daily companion to its lucky recipient. One hitch: The pan has sold out so many times that all six of the Instagram-ready hues aren't being delivered until February, so may we suggest wrapping up a Cup O' Noodles with a picture of this taped on it.
14. Rifle Paper Co. Holiday Tea Towel
There's something comforting about unpacking the holiday decorations and coming upon that special tea towel that takes its place in your kitchen to brighten up that space, as well as absorb turkey drippings and splashed egg nog.
15. Pact Organic Cotton Cardigan
Everyone needs a house sweater. Or a desk sweater. Or a robes-feel-too-bulky-but-mornings-are-chilly sweater. This cuddly open-front hug of a garment has pockets, a cuddly cascading lapel and is made of super-soft loop knit terry made by Pact, a company that's dedicated to making eco-friendly clothes.
16. Not So Plain Jane Collection Earrings
Sculptural steel statement jewelry looks elegant and minimalist with a dress or hip hop cool when you pair with jeans or sweats. Bonus: They're so lightweight, your aunt will forget she's even wearing them.
RELATED: The 2020 PureWow Holiday Gift Guide
PureWow may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from PureWow's editorial and sales departments.
