So, I've awakened from my Thanksgiving food coma, and I'm ready to start thinking about Christmas! And, of course, along with all the religious parts of Christmas comes the gift-giving. Of course, experience gifts are best (in this girl's humble opinion), like tickets to a concert or a gift certificate for a massage, because they don't take up space or create waste, and they build memories, which are way better than stuff. BUT, if you're looking to actually buy something, I say look for something that is not only beautiful, but that will last a long time, and that was produced in a socially conscious way that helps people, not harms them.
Most of the stuff you see in stores or online are mass-produced crap made in third world country sweatshops that crush the bodies, souls, and spirits of the workers. Nobody wants that! Well, maybe the psychos out there who have sold their souls to Satan and eat puppies for breakfast do, but they are probably not on your list of people to give a gift to. SO, I've gathered some gift ideas for you that meet all the good criteria.
Each day this week, I'm going to feature a certain company or shop that I think all you socially conscious peeps out there would LOVE to support this Christmas (or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or whatever other holiday I'm forgetting). I'm going to cover all different price points, but I know that everyone's idea of a reasonable price is totally relative, so if something seems really expensive, just think of these as being for the EXTRA special person in your life. Or, just add it to your lottery list :) Enjoy!
The Citizenry
I've been dying over their stuff since I first read about them on Apartment Therapy. Their products are seriously gorgeous, like, stop the press GORGEOUS, people! And, it's all ethically made. The products are handmade in small batches in happy work environments in a few select countries, with only the very best quality materials, and the people that make their stuff are paid totally fair wages for what they make. Sounds like a utopian company, right?! Their stuff is PERFECT for giving a gift that will last forever (because the quality is so good) to the super stylish person you know. Here are some of my favorite things from their site (Dear Citizenry, feel free to send me any the stuff listed here below, k, thanks!):
Amani Baskets - Set of 2 - $195 - Takes weeks to make, and they're beeeeeeautiful, so they're totally worth the price.
I LOVE these. Not only are they super beautiful, but they are super functional. If you're like me, you have a lot of kid stuff everywhere, and it all needs to be stored, so why not store it in something that is nice to look at. Or, you can use these to put plant pots inside them for a cool jungle vibe. Or you can store towels in your bathroom, or a million other uses!
Primavera Vase - $45 for a single one, $125 for a set of 3 - handcarved from Tzalam wood - omg. look at that wood grain! I love good wood! That's what she said...
These vases may look like a small gift to you (which size-wise, they are), but they pack a seriously pretty punch. One (or all 3) of these would make an awesome little vase for a bookshelf of beautiful things, or a sleek pencil holder, or a great little succulent planter (as pictured), or grouped together as a centerpiece, or many other uses. Anyone that appreciates quality and beauty will appreciate this.
Now, if you're loving that idea, but you're more into those geometric shapes and want something a bit bigger, you could also try this (see below).
Adia Planter - $65 for a single one, $185 for a set of 3 - handcarved from Mugavu wood - and new trees are replanted by the coop makers to replace the trees used.
Ceniza Lumbar Pillow - $195 - Takes 3 days to make - If I got this as a gift, the giver would be my best friend for life! (also comes in black, white, and gray for those of you that love neutral colors)
I just fell over and died again. Seriously. I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE with this pillow. I rarely buy a throw pillow or any other kind of pillow because I worry about all the chemicals that went into dying it (because I LOVE bright colors), or the crappy acrylic materials that are on the cover. But this, This, THIS! pillow is made from sheep's wool and dyed with native plant extracts, and it comes with the cotton insert.
Nevados Pillow - $85 - Takes weeks to make - made in a mountain village in Peru
This would look soooo good in a modern home or a globally inspired bohemian home. Yum!
Puebla Hand Towels - Classic - $18, or $36 for set of 2 - each is handmade of cotton, and takes over a day to complete.
Puebla Cloth Napkins - Classic - Set of 4 - $45 - Cloth napkins are the best! And these are really pretty and modern.
La Piedra Coasters - $55 - Set of 6 (THIS IS A GREAT DEAL) - these are hand-carved in black volcanic rock and white marble stone, with cork bottoms to protect your tables - Takes several days to complete.
Okay, these coasters are sooooooooooooooo cool. OMG. This is the perfect gift for someone that is into design or loves modern little details. You will win many style points for these.
Noche Blanket - $275 - 100% baby alpaca wool - Takes several weeks to complete - hypoallergenic. HEART EYES! DROOL CHIN!
Now, I generally prefer bright colors to neutrals, but this blanket is so freaking hot, I can't stand it. I want this! It is definitely a pricey gift, but if you can afford it, it's a great gift. And seriously, though it is pricey, you have to consider that it is handmade from the best quality materials. And it takes WEEKS to make. If it took me weeks to make this, I would charge about $50,000...which is why I am not a maker. The only person that could afford me would be a Kardashian....and...yeah, no.
The Rowan Apron - $85 - Handmade in Northern Ireland from Irish linen with adjustable brass slide, waist ties, and pockets.
The Darcy Apron - $85 - Also made from Irish linen with adjustable brass slide, pockets, and waist ties.
The aprons above are PERFECT for the chef or chef-wannabees in your life! They're probably the first functional aprons that I think are really stylish. My former-chef hubby would definitely approve. If you're like me and don't like to cook, or don't like to encourage others to expect you to cook, then pass on this one for yourself.
Warning: Vegans: Close your eyes for the next picture and keep scrolling!
Sheepskin Throw - $95 - Made in Argentina from ethically-sourced sheepskin that is a by-product of the local meat industry. And, yes, Citizenry does sell that chair as well!
Okay, so. A real sheepskin is SUCH the perfect gift. I have one (not from here though), and I use it ALL the time...and, I named it Sheepie (my husband thinks I'm nuts). I lay it on our leather couch because it keeps me ridiculously warm when I sit on the cold leather, I lay on it in my bed in the winter because it's INSTANTLY warm, which is nice when you first get into a cold bed, and when I'm not sitting or laying on it, I drape it over a chair in my living room or at the end of my bed just because it looks so cozy and adds amazing texture to the room. I can't thumbs up this enough.
Or, get a digital gift voucher (you print) or a Citizenry printed gift voucher (pictured above) so that your friend can pick something they love out for themselves!
Digital Gift Vouchers Starting at $25
Citizenry printed Gift Vouchers Starting at $50
Now, if you didn't love my picks, don't worry, they have a million things that are just perfect for late night drooling-over-gift-ideas sessions. That's a thing, right?
Also, if you didn't love my list, they have put together a few awesome and way better organized gift guides on their site. Click here for their 2016 Holiday Gift Guide.
Tomorrow, we'll look at the next company on my list: Ten Thousand Villages.
Until then...