2021 Holiday Shopping Guide

The holidays will be upon us before we know it, and while they may still look a bit different this year than in winters of old, I know many of us are hoping to bring a little magic to our loved ones with thoughtful gift giving. As a virgo, I have always been a big gift giver. I find so much joy in the pursuit of an object or experience that really reflects what I love most about the recipient, and that I know will light them up. In the last decade, I have tried to become a more conscious consumer, sharing gifts that are sustainably made and/or locally produced by small businesses, that are nontoxic to the user, and that induce a sense of wellbeing. I have assembled below a gift guide that mostly meets these criteria, and that I hope will inspire you this holiday season.

For the discerning tea drinker:

Masha Teas are sustainably sourced and packaged by naturopathic doctor Maria Geyman in Brooklyn, NY.

For the fun & funky chef:

Tart Vinegars are small batch raw vinegars made in Brooklyn, intended to enhance the flavor of foods, or to be added to water or your favorite cocktail.

For the skincare enthusiast:

Apis Apotheca is a farm to face skincare brand based in the Hudson Valley that is founded and run by farmers, herbalists, and educators who are dedicated to soil health, sustainability, and quality herbal medicine that works with the skin to promote radiant beauty.

For the romantic:

Beeswax Candles by Alysia Mazzella, handmade with simple & sustainable materials in the Hudson Valley. Most candles on the market are made with paraffin wax (a petroleum waste product that is chemically bleached), which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene (both are known carcinogens) when burned, and those that contain fragrances are even more toxic. Beeswax offers a classic, clean smelling, nontoxic solution.

For the excessive screen user (ahem, literally all of us):

BluBlox blue-light blocking glasses protect us from the harmful lightwaves that penetrate our eyes from our screens and other sources of artificial light, which can cause eye-strain, headaches, hormone disruption, stress, anxiety and mood disturbances. BluBlox makes stylish glasses with blue-blocking technology for screen use, outdoor use, and evening use for sleep support.

For the lover of luxury:

Lunya silk sleep masks also help to block out light and promote restorative sleep. They’re great for every night usage, as well as airplane travel and meditation. Sustainably made with 100% naturally dyed silk.

For the well-appointed home:

Walter Filter, the sexiest water filter on the market. Each clay Walter is made by hand using traditional techniques, and is compatible with Berkey charcoal filters, which in my opinion are the best filters for purifying water on the market. Not convinced that you or your loved one needs to purify your water? Plug your zip code into the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database and see for yourself!

Head to your local thrift shop:

Growing up, my family had one rule for Christmas gifts: they had to be used, handmade, or under $20. A well-loved treasure such as a book, vintage glassware, cute china teacups and dish sets, a cozy sweater or a piece of art can be one of the most meaningful gifts to receive, while also being a more affordable and more sustainable option. Stigma be gone! Plus, the search for a used gift can be a joyful experience in and of itself.

Give a handmade gift:

There’s nothing as special as receiving a gift that was handmade with love, and making a gift yourself can save you money and help you spread a little warmth without buying into the consumerism of the season. Knitted goods, homemade soaps or salts scrubs, paper mache ornaments or sculptural pieces — get creative! When I was a kid I would make coupon books for my parents for different chores they could cash in on, and honestly I can’t imagine a new parent not loving the idea of getting a little help around the house, or a partner not cherishing a 30 minute back rub.

For the wine lover:

A natural wine subscription - If you’re not familiar with natural wine, it is wine that is made with organically grown grapes that does not contain any additives. Conventional wines tend to use grapes that are laden with pesticides and can have up to 200 additives, including harmful chemicals. Natural wines are better for the body and for the earth, and in my opinion you can really taste the difference!

For the one who is doing the work:

A subscription for To Be Magnetic - workshops developed by Lacy Phillips, the leader in neural manifestation, a manifestation process that is centered in psychology and neuroplasticity. TBM workshops help you identify and unblock the limiting beliefs that shape the subconscious, so you can step into your worth and co-create with the Universe to create the life that you want and deserve.

For the one whose fitness routine has been disrupted since the beginning of the pandemic:

Barre3 is one of my favorite workouts because it combines cardio and strength training with balance, mobility, stretching and breath work. Pre-pandemic, I would attend Barre3 classes in the studio in Portland, and it was one of my favorite routines. These days I find their online subscription to be the most consistent way for me to maintain a fitness routine that I thoroughly enjoy, because after all, exercise should not feel like punishment.