2023 Holiday Gift Guide
It’s that time of the year:
Holiday parties are coming, holiday gifts need purchased, and the cry to “shop small” is stronger than ever in these bleak economic times. We know we should, we all know the immense value in supporting small businesses, and giving unique, thoughtful gifts, but with all of the * gestures broadly * thats going on, it can feel overwhelming and unattainable.
Trust me, I get it.
And that’s why I’m here, making this gift guide, not as a list of more things that you need to do, but as my gift to you of removing several steps from the immense mental load that is planning and purchasing holiday gifts. Look, I’m not a fan of long-winded, beat-around-the-bush marketing, so I’m just going to lay all my cards out on the table right now:
This entire gift guide is composed of holiday gift ideas for MANY people that may or may be on your holiday gifting list (my apologies if you thought you were done and I reminded you of someone else to shop for!!!), that are all available for purchase right now, on one website, for 15% off with the code GIFTGUIDE). I’m really here to make this as easy as possible for you to get a ton of shopping done, all in one step, WITH THE ADDED BONUS of feeling really great that you supported a WOC-owned small business. Aren’t you so lucky to have me in your life????
Ok, ok, enough preamble lets get into the actual gift guide, which I’ve organized by difficult-to-shop-for recipients because yes, I am that thoughtful and amazing, thank you for noticing.
Yep, I’m coming right out of the gate with the HARDEST one, and guess what: this gift is also likely to make her cry and/or upgrade you to favorite child status. It’s a customized birthstone necklace. Not only am I a mom, but I also have a mom and know TONS of moms. Moms LOVE customized things, and they especially love customized things that remind them of their kids and grandkids. Not all moms are a cricut decal Stanley cup mom (which we totally respect in this house, all genres of mom are welcome here), but that doesn’t mean that our subtle, classy moms can’t participate in the customized mom-gift festivities. That is, specifically what I am here for. My custom birthstone necklaces obviously have all 12 birthstones available (it would be silly if they didn’t), AND have options for one, two, three, or four stones to be included on the necklace (which is on a very dainty 18 inch chain in solid .925 sterling silver OR 14k gold filled, I mean, I’ve really thought of everyone here).
And NO, this gift idea is not limited just to moms wanting the birthstones of their own kids. Here is a helpful and non-exhaustive list of other potential recipients and appropriate birthstone configurations:
Newlyweds (both spouses’ birthstones)
Sisters (matching necklaces with all sisters’ stones)
Grandmas (with grandkids’ birthstones)
People who just love customized things (their own birthstone)
People you want to always be reminded of how great you are (your birthstone)
I mean truly, the list goes on and on.
Ok so now you need a gift for that person that is way classier than you and everything they have is so much nicer than anything they sell at places you shop.
Is that extremely specific? Yes. But if we’re all really, truly honest with ourselves, do we ALL have somebody like this in our lives? Also yes. If we’re being completely honest here… This is the exact person I was thinking of when I designed my Freshwater Pearl Collection.
Pearls are a classic, with a beauty that transcends age groups and fashion trends and social demographics, and my Freshwater Pearl Necklaces blend this timeless elegance with my signature minimalist styling for pieces that are truly special, and there are three different style options: tiny tiny seed pearls, organic round pearls, and Biwa stick pearls to suit all kinds of classy tastes.
So whether the headline conjured up the mental picture of your grandma who is always dressed to the nines, your super successful sister-in-law, your college roommate who is about to get married (these make great bridal jewelry!!!!), your boss who you were horrified to draw in the office secret santa… I’ve got you covered.
What are you getting for your witchy friend, who is super into astrology and crystals, but you don’t know enough about either to be sure you’re getting the right thing?
I know, this is where you THOUGHT I was going to start, but what can I say, I am FULL of surprises.
But back to our point. The answer to our conundrum is actually super simple: The Zodiac Collection. If you know their birthday, you are one quick google away from knowing their Sun Sign, and you have everything you need to know to get them a necklace, pair of hoops, or even a matching set. Yes, I have all 12 of them.
Actually what makes this collection so special is that I spent an entire astrological year (from the beginning of Aries Season to the end of Pisces Season) doing a deep dive into each sign, what their innate strengths are, and where they tend to be challenged, and then curated a collection of 5 stones that enhances/balances those traits. So in addition to being an incredibly thoughtful gift, it also comes with a card that lists the stones and properties that I chose for each sign, so no, you don’t need to know about crystals, or even zodiac signs, to really knock it out of the park with this gift.
And what about the kids, who are simultaneously very cool but also weirdly vague about their interests…
Honestly the answer for this one is STICKERS. So many stickers. I have stickers with pictures I took in Paris on them. Stickers with bold affirmations on them. Stickers with swear words on them. EVEN STICKERS WITH BOOBS ON THEM. Just what everyone needs for their emotional support water bottle. And if you happen to have some youths on your shopping list that are keeping the punk traditions alive: there are also pins.
Also, speaking from my experiences at in-person markets: kids also love the mother of pearl star necklaces.
Next up is your friend that is super into essential oils.
I feel like, we all have at least one of these people in our lives but unfortunately because there are VERY STRONG OPINIONS about brands and types of essential oils (and a myriad of motivations on getting so into them) it can be tricky to find a gift that complements their passion but isn’t accidentally something that they don’t use and are offended by you not knowing which kinds of handmade soaps or candles are “good” and which ones aren’t.
And for them I have my essential oil jewelry collection. Fun fact, essential oil necklaces were the very first jewelry thing I ever made, back in 2016 when my infant son broke the one wore every day and I had to make a new one becasue I couldn’t afford to replace it (and then I gifted all of the others to friends and family for the next year of holidays and birthdays), AND they were the first jewelry I ever made to sell, way back in 2019 when I was a newly single mom with no income trying to figure out how I was going to take care of my kids all by myself (spoiler alert, it was by selling jewelry).
My essential oil collection is all made with natural lava rock. The lava rock beads are porous, so when you drip a drop or two of your favorite essential oils on them, they act as your own personal little diffuser, and the therapeutic benefits of the oils will remain on the beads for 2-3 days (one note of caution, please do not put citrus oils on a necklace thats sitting directly on your skin and then go out in the sun unless you want to be very surprised by a mystery burn that looks like you’ve been strangled, citrus oils increase photosensitivity and should always be used with care).
Also, side note, I’ve been making/selling essential oil jewelry for A WHILE, and while yes, essential oil necklaces are something that you see other places and a very passionate essential oil person may already have one… Essential oil EARRINGS (which I have several styles of available!!!) are far less common. So, just putting it out there if you’re feeling like you need a more unique gift.
Do you have a minimalist on your list?
My 15mm tiniest crystal hoops are as mini as they come. For true minimalist vibes I’d reccomend clear quartz, hematite, black obsidian, moonstone, or herkeimer diamond on either sterling or gold filled, but there are 33 other crystals to choose from to get the perfect pair.
Oh, and no matter what stone you choose, each pair is lovingly gift-wrapped AND comes with a card explaining the healing properties of the stone that you picked.
Shopping for a maximalist fashion icon is a fun challenge, and I have just the thing:
That’s it, thats the gift. They are bold, they are swingy, they are shiny, and no two pairs are alike.
Ok maybe we need some more options. Labradorite Maiden, Mother, Crone necklace.
Again, bold and one-of-a-kind pieces for your favorite person that embodies 100% bold and one-of-a-kind-ness.
And finally, as a Libra, I am legally obligated to build a little treat into literally every single thing that I have to do as a reward for doing the thing. And because you sat with me here, and did so much holiday shopping, I think theres one more person you need to get something for:
Yourself. Look at you, you just did an incredible job getting so much holiday shopping done, while supporting a WOC-owned small business, AND saving so much money (because you used the code GIFTGUIDE to get 15% off). I’m so proud of you and if anyone deserves a little treat, its you.
And for you, I picked these precious little mother of pearl flower hoops. I love these, they haven’t been given the attention they deserve. Also, just between us, these were a limited run and when they’re gone… They’re gone for good.