13 Perfect Presents With Thoughtful Backstories
Need a meaningful gift fast? Want to support female-founded brands? Looking for a cheat sheet of cool companies to support? I got you.
If you’ve been here a minute, you might remember my opus, How To Win At Giving Presents, which might be the most honest title I’ve ever written. While I can admit that gift giving is not a sport, and I know this isn’t a healthy attitude to take, I cannot help myself: I am ferociously competitive, and aspire to nothing less than total domination. And by that I mean: the most thoughtful, the most outrageous, the most I-can't-believe-you-remembered gift giver ever.
That said, at this exact moment in time, my skills are not exactly as razor sharp as they used to be. At risk of being a cliche, the combination of an intense workload, raising two small children, and attempting to be a somewhat decent wife, friend, and daughter means I don’t have quite the same bandwidth dedicated to extreme gift giving. However, I do have one secret weapon: My podcast, Second Life.
Over the last (almost) five years, I’ve had the chance to sit down with some of the most interesting entrepreneurs and creators, hear their stories and learn about their careers, and fall in love with the companies they’ve created. As a founder myself, I know how important it is to support the brands you really believe in, and how voting with your wallet can make an enormous difference.
So with that in mind, I’d like to offer a handful of my favorite products that I’ve learned about from guests on Second Life. These are all female-founded brands and small businesses that could use your support this holiday season.
The Gifteen Holiday Pop-Up Shop by The Fifteen Percent Pledge
Perfect for: Anyone interested in incredible products.
The brilliant Aurora James is behind this amazing virtual and IRL pop-up shop, which is where you should start your holiday shopping. James is the founder of The Fifteen Percent Pledge and the sustainable luxury accessories brand, Brother Vellies, and this pop-up curation of excellent gifts from Black brands is beyond worth checking out.
The foodie in your life needs the Black Power Kitchen cookbook from culinary collective Ghetto Gastro, while your favorite fashion lover is sure to relish A Visible Man by Edward Enninful, the Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue and European Editorial Director of Vogue or this chic card case from cult designer Brandon Blackwood.
Perfect for: Anyone who’s bookmarked Jenni Kayne’s Ranch or loves Goop lip balm.
I had the good fortune to sit down with Aishwarya Iyer earlier this year to talk about her incredible company Brightland, which makes, among other things, some of the best olive oil I’ve come across. It also comes in incredibly aesthetically pleasing bottles that are sure to delight even your most discerning friend. I personally like the Awake Olive Oil, or for slightly more, you could try the Set of 4 Mini Essentials.
Perfect for: Fashion industry friends and chic girls who collect crystals.
True fashion insiders are deeply obsessed with the wildly chic Yasmin Sewell, and a gift from her new brand Vyrao will please them to no end. Try the incense in Verdant if your giftee is going through things (it’s perfect for transformation), Witchy if they’re in need of courage or creativity (or are a Scorpio), or Ember to expel and expand. Want to splurge a little bit more? If you’re shopping for a friend who needs a little love in her life (self-love or otherwise), I recommend the Rose Marie Candle, which is infused with rose for enlightenment, violet leaf absolute for self-expression, and wood notes for energy clearing.
Perfect for: Minimalists. Maximalists. Literally anyone who loves some sparkle.
There is something for everyone at my new favorite jewelry brand, Dorsey. Founded by one of your favorite CEOs, Meg Strachan—I got more DMs from folks who were touched by her episode than you can imagine—the brand is inspired by high-end vintage costume jewelry, but made with modern techniques and lab-grown gemstones.
I’d recommend the Emerald Cut Emerald Drop Earrings for your friend who admires LSD and all things Moda Operandi, the simple, striking Triple Ear Cuff for your minimalist pal, and the Pave Septum Cuff for the friend who’s not like a regular mom, she’s a cool mom.
Cadence Customizable Containers
Perfect for: The friend who loves a weekend trip or the precision packer.
Started by founder/CEO Steph Hong, Cadence makes a truly miraculous product: Magnetic, customizable, refillable, leakproof containers for all your lotions, potions, and pills, made from recycled ocean-bound plastic. I don’t know how to travel without them; they’re that excellent. You can buy them pre-labeled or make up your own, pick a set in sleek neutrals or more earthy hues, whatever you choose, your travel-loving friend will be thrilled. And yes, they’re TSA-compliant. (Also, I’ve personally stress-tested them and they truly don’t leak.)
Perfect for: Your friend who loves to luxuriate in a bath or simply needs an escape.
Makeup artist-turned-esthetician-turned-founder Lesley Thornton makes incredible cult-favorite products that are clean, ethical, and inclusive, and also deeply luxurious, elevated, and sophisticated. While all her products are mind-blowingly good, my favorite is her Elements of Comfort Body Oil. No matter how frazzled I feel, this oil literally transports me to a peaceful place. It gives your skin a gorgeous gleam too, leaving you luminous, but never sparkly.
Cuyana Classic Structured Tote
Perfect for: Your most scheduled friend, who takes care of everyone but herself.
The perfect tote is strangely hard to find, but Cuyana co-founders Shilpa Shah and Karla Gallardo have managed to do it. Ideal for busy women at any stage of their lives or careers, the Classic Structured Tote fits everything the overscheduled need, and then some, and the price point is excellent for the quality. Like everything Cuyana makes, it’s incredibly thoughtful; in this case the bag is made from Italian leather in a woman-owned factory in Turkey, and the leather is LGW Gold certified, meaning the manufacturers are using best environmental practices. It’s also simply gorgeous, subtle, and can be tastefully monogrammed. What’s not to love?
Okay, that’s all for now. If you’re stumped on what to get someone in your life this holiday season, feel free to drop me a comment about who you’re shopping for and I’ll try to help. You can also always reach me via @hillarykerr, if you’re so inclined. Thank you, as always, for stopping by.