Holiday Gift Guide
Happy holidays, friends!
Usually, around this time every year, I haven’t even begun to think about the gifts I’m giving. I come from a family that loves the holiday season but waits until the last minute to do everything. We never get the tree until two weeks into December (but we DO leave it up until mid-January, so there’s that), admire all the greeting cards at the store for weeks, but don’t buy any until there’s mere days left to send them before the deadline, and wait to purchase gifts because no one tells anyone what they want in enough time for the shopping experience to be anything but stressful and panicky. But not this year, ya’ll! This year, I am on TOP of things. I officially finished my shopping on Saturday, have at least ordered my cards (progress!), and have even started the long process of tracking down the decorations that were hastily thrown into boxes 11 months ago. The 2019 version of Sydney wouldn’t even recognize 2020 Sydney, and it’s a beautiful thing! Of course, the thousands of emails I’ve gotten from every store I’ve ever placed an order with telling me that I need to order my gifts ASAP or risk having nothing under the tree probably helped push me along... but I like to think that’s it’s just me finally growing. (Time will tell. Check back next year.)
Since I got such a blessed head start on getting gifts this year, I actually got a chance to take my time and see what cool new things are out there. If you’ve still got a few people to shop for on your list but don’t know where to start, don’t panic! I’ve put together a little guide of some of my favorite finds this holiday season that you may find helpful. Most of the items on this list come from independent businesses, and I encourage you to shop small as much as you can. You’re guaranteed to find unique items of excellent quality, AND you’ll be directly impacting the lives of small business owners everywhere.
Scroll down to see my top gift picks for the cooks, book lovers, co-workers, and best friends in your life, plus some excellent stocking stuffers!
Hedley & Bennett Carryall Apron, $85
Perfect for the serious home cooks in your life, the Hedley and Bennett Carryall Apron has deep pockets to keep essential tools close, strong stitching to withstand years of wear-and-tear, and handy towel loops so that wipes are always on-hand for inevitable workspace spills. If you ever watch baking competition shows on Food Network and wonder who makes the snazzy, colorful aprons the contestants wear, now you know!
Stasher Reusable Sandwich Bags, $11.99
Help your friends save the environment and cut down on waste with these reusable storage bags made of non-toxic platinum silicone. If you happened to read my review a few months ago, then you’ll know how much I love them! They come in beautiful colors, are easy to clean, keep food fresh, and have already saved me quite a bit of money on single-use sandwich bags.
Diaspora Co. Build Your Own Trio pack, $36
Founded in 2017 by Sana Javeri Kadri, Diaspora Co. is a single-origin, small-batch spice company based in Oakland, CA that works directly with spice farmers in India to provide extremely high quality spices to their customers, and ethical pay to the farmers. Disapora Co. specializes in aromatic spices like Pragati turmeric. Nandini coriander, and Baraka cardamom, and can guarantee that each batch sold has been harvested within the year. If you know a home chef who enjoys flavors that pack a punch, why not give them a trio of these amazing spices sold by a person-of-color and woman-owned company?
In Bibi’s Kitchen by Hawa Hassan and Julia Turshen, $35
Written by Hawa Hassan with Julia Turshen, In Bibi’s Kitchen focuses on the cuisines of eight African countries that all touch the Indian Ocean: Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Madagascar, and Comoros - specifically chosen for their rich histories and the vital role that each plays in the spice trade. What makes this cookbook so special, and one of my all-time favorites, is that it provides the opportunity to meet real women, all grandmothers, who tells stories of love, loss, and resilience through absolutely phenomenal recipes. (Read my full review here!)
Ideal Bookshelf “Read.” shirt, $24
Help the book lover in your life spread the word that literacy matters with this super cute, VERY soft cotton t-shirt designed by Jane Mount, author and owner of Ideal Bookshelf! This unisex t-shirt comes in sizes XS-2XL.
Art of Tea French Lemon Ginger Tea, $18 for a 4oz zip pouch
Name a more iconic duo than a good book and a nice cuppa. This soothing organic loose leaf tea blend boasts tasting notes of citrus, grass, and spice.
RatherKeen “Night Owl Book Club” enamel pin, $10
Who hasn’t said “just one more chapter” with half-closed eyes in the wee hours of the morning? Now your favorite bibliophile can wear their around-the-clock dedication to reading like a badge of honor with this lovely enamel pin!
Book of the Month gift subscription, $50 for 3 months
You’ll never hear the words “I have nothing to read” from your loved ones again when you give them the gift of Book of the Month. Here’s how it works: each month, a curated list of 5 new releases ranging in romance to non-fiction is announced, and members are invited to choose one from the list to make their book of the month for $15. If more than one title catches their eye, they can add up to two more books (either from that month or previous ones) to their box at a deeply discounted price. if they don’t like any of that month’s books, they can always choose to skip, won’t be charged, and their credit rolls into the next month. I’ve been using this service for almost a year and absolutely love it!
Raaka Chocolate 3-Bar Gift Box, $25
What’s better than delicious, high-quality chocolate in gorgeous packaging? Treat your favorite co-worker to chocolate bars with unique flavors like “Ginger Snap,” “Pure Cacao & Strawberry & Coconut,” “Bananas Foster” and more!
FlowieStyle Camila Zipper Pouch, $26
This beautiful floral pouch is perfect for the co-worker who likes to keep all her belongings just-so. It’s a great size for storing make-up, tech cords, small office supplies, or even some out-on-the-town essentials!
LOOK Cotton Candy Stripe Mittens - Mint, $24
Depending on where you live, the weather might not be all that chilly yet, but summer’s still a long ways away! Make sure your work buddy’s hands are protected from the elements with these soft, pastel-hued mittens.
SugarSpoonMugs “Creative Juices” mug, $11.25
Nothing like a morning coffee to get that brilliant mind of theirs firing on all cylinders during your daily brainstorming sessions. Let your other co-workers know that the secrets to success lie within this “creative juices” mug!
7Sages “Woman Up” tote bag, $15.95
Make sure your favorite feminist has a vessel to carry everything she needs to smash the patriarchy with this awesome “Woman Up” tote bag made out of 100% cotton canvas.
Otherland “Daybed” candle, $36
Perfect for a self-care spa day, this pretty and pink candle from Otherland, made out of a coconut and soy wax blend the burns for 55 hours, boasts the irresistible scents of rosebud, peony blossom, and pear water.
Runcible Studios Cyan Grid Face Mask, $18
A gorgeous cyan-colored mask like this one will help your bestie stand out in the crowd and stay safe at the same time. Made from 100% quilting cotton, this handmade non-medical mask features two layers for extra protection, and a pocket for a filter. Best of all, for each mask purchased, a mask gets donated to a healthcare professional working tirelessly on the front lines!
S’Well Rose Jacquard Bottle, $35
Whether she likes to stay hydrated with an ice-cold flavored seltzer or piping-hot green tea, this rose-patterned, stainless steel, triple-layered, vacuum-insulated bottle from S’Well will become her constant companion.
McCrea’s Single Malt Scotch Caramels, $24.95 for a case of 6 boxes
I stumbled upon McCrea’s caramels last summer when I was visiting a gourmet kitchen store on Martha’s Vineyard. These caramels are rich, decadent, whiskey-forward but not too overwhelming, and totally addicting. Plus, they’re made right here in New England, which to me makes them extra special!
Beetle Ink Co. Peach Sunnies enamel pin, $12.95
Perfect for warm-weather days or when you just want to remind your favorite person of how cool you think they are, this adorable enamel pin goes with everything: backpacks, scarves, and even jean jackets.
Amplified by Adrielle sunflower coasters, $35 for 4
If you're looking for a great housewarming gift for a person who brings endless sunshine to your life, look no further than these hand-knit sunflower coasters from Ampified by Adrielle, a Black and female-owned business out of Atlanta, GA!
Areaware Little Puzzle Thing Series 5: Ice Cream, “Affogato,” $15
Who doesn’t love a good puzzle on a snowy day? Help your friends keep their minds sharp with this quirky ice cream puzzle from Areaware! Part of a series, this 70-piece puzzle is ideal for someone who doesn’t want a big commitment but still wants a big payoff.
What are some of the gifts that YOU are excited to give this season? Sound off in the comments below!