A note from the Mayne Marketing team -
This year we've spent more time at home than ever before. As our lives have slowed down, we've remembered the importance of surrounding ourselves with quality items that bring us joy. We've found the more intentional we are about what we bring into our space, the more we're able to appreciate and enjoy everyday rituals.
It's been a hard year for many, but especially small business owners, unsure of what the future will bring. Every year, we set aside time to curate a select group of products to encourage you to shop small and this year, it's more important than ever to support your favorite makers and brands.
For our 2020 Gift Guide, we packed a few of our favorite small business finds and headed up to Alder Lake Lookout for a holiday getaway. Check out our photo journal of this year's amazing line up of products to inspire your holiday gifting.
While not everyone can make it home for the holidays this year, we hope the items we've curated will bring a bit of holiday magic to your space, wherever you are.
- Katie & Annie
1. Ricochet Wine, Starting at $21
Gifting Ricochet provides the chance to connect with loved ones. If you can't gather and share a bottle of wine with friends this holiday season, participate in a virtual tasting, hosted by head winemaker Erich Berg. We had the opportunity to visit Ricochet for a glimpse at their wine making process and to learn about the ways they're involved in their community. Inspired by Erich's time teaching at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center, Ricochet is linked with The Remnant Initiatives, based in Newberg, OR. This organization helps newly released, formerly incarcerated citizens of Yamhill County to get adequate clothing, jobs, housing and a sense of stability - providing them a chance to bounce back, or ricochet. Five percent of all profits are donated to social-justice non-profit organizations, which is something to cheers to!
2. Le Bon Boyfriend Socks, $14
We can't get enough of these colorful socks from Le Bon! We've been on the hunt for the perfect socks for awhile and the Boyfriend Socks' thick fabric and ribbed detailing was exactly what we were searching for. These make the perfect stocking stuffer and can be easily mailed to loved ones who can't travel home this season.
3. Dust and Form Comfort Mug, $60
During quarantine we've seriously upped our at-home coffee game, and nothing makes great coffee taste even better than sipping it from a beautiful mug. Dust and Form mugs are made by hand in Burlington, Vermont by Brielle Macbeth Rovito. They are an elegant combination of function and beauty.
4. Poppy and Pout Lip Balm, Starting at $9.95
Eco-friendly, 100% natural, cruelty free - and check out all of those flavors! The Poppy and Pout Gift Box is the perfect present for lovers of clean beauty. We'll be piecing apart the 10-Pack Gift Box and adding a lip balm into all of our holiday packages. It's a great addition to any gift!
5. Seedlip Non-Alcoholic Spirits, $29.99
"What to drink when you're not drinking." Seedlip is on a mission to change the way that the world drinks with high quality, non-alcoholic spirits. There are three unique & complex blends available to choose from: Spice 94, Garden 108 & Grove 42. Serve with tonic or create sophisticated, non-alcoholic cocktails for your holiday celebrations. This Espresso Martini recipe using Spice 94 was one of our favorites!
6. Junes Bag, Starting at $14
Our obsession with Junes started with The Mesh Everyday tote. It holds up to 45 pounds (!) and can be easily washed, making it the perfect market tote. Junes was founded in El Paso, Texas and works with an all female sewing co-op in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, offering sustainable income for the women there. For every bag you buy, a donation is made to stop violence against women in Mexico. You can also use Junes Bags as sustainable gift wrapping!
7. Espro French Press & Cold Brew Maker, Starting at $99.95
In the spirit of upping our at-home coffee game, we started making cold brew at home. The Espro cold brew kit has been a game changer, especially with the resealable growler. During our stay at the cabin, we also used it to make an Espresso Martini with Seedlip, a great addition to your holiday cocktail menu! For the coffee snob on your list, the Espro French Press has two micro-filters, providing a smooth, clean cup.
8. Paradigm Puzzle, $28
Nothing is as relaxing as putting a puzzle together by the fire. Paradigm Puzzle Co. was founded in 2020 with the goal of providing an activity to de-stress, something we could all use this year. They offer four puzzles, all featuring photos that demonstrate the possibility of beauty amidst chaos. We had so much fun putting these together during our cabin stay!
9. Bare Hands Manicure Kit, $39
This at-home nail kit nourishes and strengthens for healthy, natural nails. We love this kit for gifting, because it's beautiful and everyone who tries it is obsessed (seriously, read the reviews).
10. Evio Beauty Skincare Kit, $46
Another quarantine find, this 3-step skincare kit's hero ingredient is hemp seed oil, which is naturally packed with antioxidants and natural fatty acids to nourish and protect the skin during cold, dry winter months. This product is cruelty-free, non-toxic, and ethically produced, so you can feel good about what you're putting on your skin. The Beauty Skincare Kit comes in a reusable bag, perfect for gifting.
11. Bess & Color Nail Polish, $16
An essential non-toxic beauty swap is natural nail polish. Bess & Color makes 10-free nail polish, which means it's free from 10 of the most toxic chemicals commonly found in nail polish. Unlike other natural nail polish brands we've tried, Bess & Color is very pigmented and long lasting. Their packaging is also compostable & biodegradable! If you know someone who loves wearing nail polish, encourage them to make the switch to non-toxic by gifting them Bess & Color this year!
12. Dapper & Wise Coffee Beans, Starting at $14
Packing Dapper & Wise was one of the best decisions of our holiday getaway! Gift a Roaster's Choice Subscription to brighten someone's season with ongoing coffee deliveries. For your holiday celebrations, we recommend picking up a bag of Winter Wonderblend! With notes of chocolate orange, fruitcake, and roasted chestnuts, this blend is perfect for brewing after a comforting holiday meal.
Future Gin is bright, citrusy and made in LA by an all-female team. Ten percent of their profits are donated to social justice work - we'll raise a glass to that!
Using Future Gin, we crafted the perfect Rosemary Gin Fizz. Here's everything you'll need:
2 ounces Future Gin
1.5 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 egg white
Club soda, to top (about 1 ounce)
Add the first four ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake for 10 seconds before adding ice and shaking vigorously until well-chilled. Double-strain into a chilled glass and top with club soda. Garnish with Rosemary and a thin lemon slice for a festive, holiday drink.
14. Linenbee, Starting at $90
Investing in linen pieces is worthwhile - they're timeless, lasting, and very wearable. Linenbee is owned by the sweetest mother daughter duo from Latvia. The care they put into their work is so evident. Each piece is tailor made to your measurements and individually cut, sewn and pre-washed. Gift a look they'll reach for time and time again.
Click here to shop Linenbee.
Every piece from Isobell Designs is handcrafted in San Luis Obispo, California. The pieces are minimal and timeless, drawing inspiration from owner Melody Shirazi's Persian heritage. Isobell Designs donates a portion of profits of each item sold online to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.
16. Faunamade Pet Beds, $129
We first connected with Faunamade via an Instagram marketing inquiry. Faunamade is the work of Meredith Swinehart — longtime Remodelista editor. While living in Philadelphia, Meredith was followed home by a homeless street cat looking for a place to stay. The cat did stay, and after countless, fruitless searches for good-looking pet accessories, became the inspiration for Faunamade. Purcy, Annie's cat, is obsessed with this pet bed and Hobey, Katie's Sheepadoodle, wishes it came in his size!
17. Wolf Republic Dog Backpack, $96
Last, but certainly not least, our gift guide wouldn't be complete without something for our favorite assistant, Katie's Sheepadoodle, Hobey. This pack is ideal for day hikes and overnight adventures outdoors. With excellent fit and functionality, it lets your best friend help with the gear load wherever nature takes you. Hobey likes that he can carry his own treats when assisting with on-location shoots.
Thanks for visiting our 2020 gift guide! We hope this lineup begins to inspire your giving and reminds you to shop small this season. Let us know which items you gifted and be sure to check out all of these amazing brands on Instagram as well!
If you're looking for a remote, tranquil destination to visit in the coming year, you can reserve your stay at Alder Lake Lookout where we photographed our gift guide. The view was breathtaking and there were so many thoughtful amenities - we didn't want to leave.
A huge 'thank you' to all the brands that participated in this year's gift guide!
Happy holidays!