2020 Holiday Gift Guide

2020. Has there ever been a time when we needed the holiday spirit more? We aren’t going home for the holidays for the first time in eight years, so gifts have taken an even more central role for us. 

Everything on this guide has been personally used and tested by my husband and me. I’ve focused on items that are high quality and versatile; that won’t get tossed after the holidays are over. Many of the products have a social or environmentally-friendly component, from plastic-free shipping to empowering artisans in Guatemala. You’ll find something below that is sure to spark joy for everyone on your list. In the spirit of 2020, all of the items can be purchased online and shipped directly to your loved one, letting them know that you’re thinking of them despite being physically apart.

Read on for a holiday gift idea for everyone on your list!

1. Gold Personalized Initial Necklace – This year, incorporate the initials of your special someone into a handmade gold necklace from AU-Rate. This is actually the gift I asked Patrick to get me! With 14- or 18-karat gold options, this is truly an heirloom piece that will stay close to the heart. It’s a beautiful piece that can be passed down through generations. It’s also super flattering! The delicate gold chain hangs at the perfect height to beautifully highlight the collarbone. I have several pieces from AU-Rate and their quality is truly exceptional. All AU-Rate jewelry is handmade in NYC. Their made-to-order model cuts out the middle man so you can get fine jewelry without the markups. That makes this gift both beautiful and practical.
2. Nuno Flora Skinny Scarf – Nuno makes wearable art that saves the planet! Their “Neosilk” fabric feels like silk but is actually made from plastic bottles. Neosilk is machine washable but will stay as soft as silk. Nuno collaborates with artists to make everything from robes to sleep masks in a beautiful and sustainable way. This is slow fashion at its finest.
3. Sam & Nala Dog Bandana – Given we treat our dog Maddie like our child, getting her gifts for the holiday feels natural. She looks great in her new bright pink Sam & Nala dog bandana. The fabric for each bandana is woven by hand in a small village in Guatemala by female local Mayan weavers. The fabric is then sewn into the final product by a small family-run sewing shop in Guatemala. As a bonus, get a facemask and poop bag holder in the same print so you can match with your furry friend.
4. Safe Home Premium Drinking Water Test Kit – A drinking water test kit from Safe Home will help make sure your loved ones are safe when they are sheltering in place at home. There are two options – an easy DIY kit that tests for bacteria or a single substance like arsenic, or a kit where you send a sample of water to a lab. The lab kits test for up to 200 different contaminants! Most importantly, they equip your loved ones with the ability to make informed decisions concerning the safety of their drinking water. They are great for giving peace of mind – or letting someone know there is a big problem that needs to be addressed!
5. Custom Illustration from Stephanie Anne – For a beautiful and sentimental gift, give a custom illustration from Stephanie Anne. All you have to do is upload a photo and she will turn it into a work of art! This makes a beautiful and sentimental gift, and works beautifully for family and wedding photos as well. She turned one of my favorite Instagram photos into a work of art, which you can see above. She also sells art prints on her website.
6. 24k Eternity Rose – For a romantic and unique gift, send an eternity rose. It is a natural rose dipped in 24 karat gold that perfectly combines the beauty of a rose with the luxury of gold. Trust me, they are stunning! The company also makes gold dipped golf balls and playing cards for the man in your life.
7. Siembra Heritage Hortensia Handbag – Each beautiful Siembra Heritage piece is hand-made by an indigenous community of families in Gran Chaco, Argentina. Each unique handbag is made from textured threads spun from the fibers of the Carandillo Plant, a palm-like shrub surrounding Argentina’s rural landscape. The leaves are dried and then used to weave intricate, unique designs into each of their works of art. They create high-quality, small-batch productions of handbags, hats, wallets, and belts that make a perfect gift. Plus, you can feel good about gifting as Siembra Heritage pledges to give 10% of their revenue back to the communities that create their goods!
8. Illy Elevated Coffee Essentials Bundle – Give the gift of exceptional coffee at home with a bundle from illy. That way your loved one can make the perfect cup of espresso with just the touch of a button! There’s never been a more fitting time to enjoy the art of coffee at home. The Elevated Coffee Essentials Bundle contains a Y3.2 iperEspresso Machine, 2 iperEspresso capsule cans, 2 Demitasse Stirrers, and an illy Essentials Milk Jar. The bundle is currently on sale, so grab one while you can!
9. Feltman Brothers Holiday Navy Bishop Dress– Feltman Brothers specializes in beautifully made heirloom clothing for babies and toddlers. This darling Navy Bishop Dress features hand-stitched red-and-green holiday embroidery along the smocking and hem. It’s perfect for holiday photos. The intricate details and timeless style make it a piece that will be handed down through generations. Feltman Brothers clothing is perfect for hospital take home outfits, christenings, birthdays, weddings, and all kinds of special celebrations as well as baby shower and new baby gifting.
10. Fotostrap Designer Camera Strap – Get the shutterbug in your life a beautiful leather Fotostrap to replace the ugly branded standard camera strap that comes standard. The strap is 100% leather and comes in six shades. Fotostrap offers two personalization options: a traditional monogram or logo as well as a hidden anthem message – meaningful words or a quote that can be etched on the inside of the camera strap to inspire their work.
11. Unwrapped Life Hydrator Travel Set – For the eco-conscious person in your life, gift them a set of shampoo and conditioning bars from Unwrapped. The bars have super-power ingredients including stinging nettle, which is loaded with antioxidants to repair and replenish, along with rosemary essential oil, which helps to protect against hair loss associated with scalp inflammation and oxidative stress. Does it sound crazy to ditch liquid shampoo?! Trust me, it will change the way you shower. One bar lasts approximately 50-75 washes – equivalent to two to three 16-ounce bottles of liquid shampoo. The kit also includes a soap dish, gold travel tins, and reusable bamboo rounds. Unwrapped is all about empowering an earth-friendly, low-waste, and plastic-free lifestyle.
12. Womentaly Gold Link Earrings – Womentally.co is a black-owned jewelry business. The pieces feature Walking Affirmations – each has a name and description with the intention to be a positive affirmation. They have a variety of earrings from bold and glam to classic hoops. I love these gold link earrings that make just enough of a statement but are still tasteful enough I can wear them to work.
13. Danessa Myricks Illuminating Veil Trio – Danessa Myricks has brought their Illuminating Veil Mini Trio Set back just in time for the holidays. These highly pigmented, long-wear cream highlighters produce a flattering year-round glow to the face and body – perfect for the normally sun-kissed jetsetter who is grounded this year. Danessa Myricks has so many fun beauty products to create unique and colorful makeup looks for the budding makeup artist in your family. The company was founded on the principle that race, gender, age, and personal style should not limit anyone from experimenting with makeup and discovering their signature look.
14. xLeisure Lounge Pants – Upgrade her yoga pants with these xLeisure Lounge Pants that are both ultra-comfortable and stylish. They are breathable and lightweight made with sweat-wicking fabric and an adjustable waist strap. I also love the convenient side pockets! I have the fuchsia color and I love them! They are perfect for sheltering in place in style or for running out for the occasional errand.
15. The Original CoCo Pillow – There’s truly no gift like the gift of good sleep. We recently upgraded to CoCo Pillows and they have been game-changing for our sleep quality. The pillow offers two dynamic sides to give two sleeping options based on your temperature needs – one with a cooling surface and one that is covered with a soft cozy fabric. I’ve noticed a decrease in the neck and shoulder pain I get from sleeping on my side and from being hunched over a computer all day.
16. Living Loudly Ava Tee – Living Loudly makes kids t-shirts that are as fun as they are comfortable. The tees are bamboo-infused to keep kids cool – and they are absurdly soft. The colorful designs are high quality and focus on fun rather than the violent scenes that are oh-so-common in boys’ clothing. Each tee comes with a story printed on wildflower seed paper. Read the story, plant the seeds, and watch them grow.
17. Lilah B. Aglow Skin Prep Discovery Set – Lilah B.’s Skin Prep Set is a mini introductory set for the skinimalist featuring their powerful and nourishing skin prep hybrids that make it easy to prep and set the skin for flawless makeup application. This set includes minis of their popular Aglow Cleansing Butter, Aglow Priming Oil, and Aglow Face Mist. This will be just enough to get them hooked on Lilah B.’s minimalistic collection of skincare and makeup products.
18. Olga Lorencin Skincare Ageless Facial in a Box – Just in time for sheltering in place, give the gift of a spa experience at home. They will feel like a celebrity, thanks to at-home facial kits from Olga Lorencin, facialist to Hollywood’s A-list (Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Eva Mendes, to name a few). The gift of soft, glowy skin is now just one night’s sleep away. Your loved one can treat their skin at home with this kit that infuses hydration and exfoliates thanks to Succinic Acid + Ferulic Acid + Phytomoist. Talk about beauty rest!
19. The Three Sisters Apothecary Bath & Body Gift Tote Trio – This gift is perfect for someone who needs some #SelfCare. The lovely set includes bar soap, body butter, and bath salt. It is thoughtfully and sustainably packaged in an elegant, easy to carry tote. Soap Cauldron, the Maker of Three Sisters Apothecary, is a Hispanic, women, and family-owned, local maker of artisan soaps and skincare. Their products are made naturally and packaged environmentally with the smallest carbon footprint possible. They strive to embody the simplicity and beauty of nature with their small-batch products made in Sonoma County, California.
20. Delicacies Foodie Necklace – Delicacies has created a jewelry collection that lets the foodie in your life keep their love of food close to their heart. They even have a quiz you can take to determine their foodie word. Are they Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Spicy, Umami,” or simply Delish? Every Delicacies purchase helps feed the hungry through organizations such as the Food Bank for New York City, Share Our Strength, No Kid Hungry, and New York’s City Harvest.
21. Meebak Cica Sheet Mask Set – Skincare brand Meebak is bringing the k-beauty Cica craze to the United States! Cica is a medicinal plant that has natural healing properties and can calm and soothe skin. Their five-pack of Cica sheet masks makes a great stocking stuffer or advent gift. The masks brighten, calm, and hydrate skin for a dewy, glowing complexion – perfect for the stressful holiday season! Their direct-to-consumer model means you get luxury skincare products without the markup. Looking for more cica goodness? You should also check out their Cica Cream and Cica Eye Cream.
22. Lark Skin Co. Sensitive & Aging Skin Kit – Lark Skin Co. sells natural skincare products that are handmade by their female founder. The Sensitive and Aging Skin Kit contains their amazing Neroli + Lavender Cleansing Balm and CoQ10 + Sea Buckthorn Age Defy Oil. 9% of company profits go to fund women-supporting non-profits and their messaging is consistently focused on confidence-building initiatives. Their focus is elevating women through clean products, empowering platforms, and women-supporting community organizations.
23. Iron Flask Stainless Steel Flask – Is this the prettiest water bottle ever? I think so! Thanks to this 40-ounce Iron Flask with this beautiful ‘Bubble Gum’ finish, I’ve finally found a way to stay hydrated at work. The powder coat gives the bottles a beautiful look and an easy grip – even for my small hands. Icy beverages stay nice and cool for up to 24 hours. Hot beverages preserve their temperature for up to 12 hours. All Iron Flask products come with a lifetime warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee.
24. Love Leggings Capri Crop Leggings – Love Leggings makes high-quality leggings for women and children. Their leggings are soft, comfortable, and completely non-see-through. They have a wide range of colors to make sure the lady in your life feels comfortable and looks great. I love the ultra-flattering fit and how the waistband stays put even when I’m doing yoga.
25. Biaskin Body Gloss Oil & Brush – Biaskin hydrates and nourishes the skin and has a hint of shimmery bronzer that gives skin a flawless finish. It’s like Photoshop in a bottle! Biaskin has a 100% female and 50% BIPOC team. They utilize dermatological grade ingredients that contain only scientifically proven, thoroughly researched active ingredients proven to treat and rejuvenate skin. They also contribute 2-3% of gross revenues towards micro-loans for unbanked women across the globe. Their #INHERSKIN Instagram campaign encourages women of all different body types and ages to celebrate the skin they’re in.
26. Lone Cone Rain Boots – I’ve gotten these fun boots for my nephew two years in a row! They have handles to make them easy to put on, are 100% waterproof, and are made with warm neoprene. Their boots keep kids warm and dry in rain, snow, mud, and muck. Your little one will love the fun patterns like rockets and sharks. They also have rain boots, backpacks, and lunch boxes.
27. KONG x Rover Fun Together Box – Treat your pup with a limited edition box that is a fun collaboration between treat brand KONG and Rover. It features toys and treats from KONG for your dog and some fun human goodies too—including a coloring sheet and pencils, a vintage-style key chain, and travel hand sanitizer. The box comes in four sizes based on the weight of your furry friend.
28. Goldenerre Pyramid Apple Watch Band – For the stylish techie, get a fashionable statement band for her Apple Watch from Goldenerre. The pyramid brand comes in rose gold, silver, and gold. The all-metal band is made of plated environmental brass that helps to withstand moisture and abrasion. It has stainless steel buckles and is completely nickel-free. The high-quality band features removable links to customize its fit.
29. MASAMI Hair Mekabu Shampoo & Conditioner – MASAMI makes high performing and luxurious feeling and works for every hair type. Enriched with the nourishing power of the Japanese ocean botanical Mekabu, MESAMI’s luxurious shampoo is low foaming, and adds shine and hydration for all hair types. The deep yet lightweight conditioner also has Mekabu and nourishes to restore softness, shine, and manageability while soothing the scalp. All Masami products are paraben, sulfate, phthalate, and alcohol-free. They are also vegan and cruelty-free.
30. Fissler Adament Wok with Lid – This wok is truly a powerhouse product for the foodie in your life. Fissler has created a nearly impossible to scratch surface using silicon carbide particles. These form an innovative surface texture that is as hard as stone and even permits the use of metal kitchen utensils! The result is a nonstick pan with outstanding thermal conductivity. High manufacturing standards mean the base of the wok will lie totally flat on the stove – the best prerequisite for even heat distribution from the base to the rim of the pot – while saving energy. The handles stay cool on the stovetop making it easy to carry.
31. Von Sorella Italian Silk Fashion Masks – Is there a better 2020 accessory than a beautiful face mask? I love these gorgeous masks made with Italian fabrics from Von Sorella. They are comfortable, fit well, have an adjustable nose piece, and I feel so fancy wearing them! Their masks are ethically and sustainably made in the United States. They can also accommodate custom sizes upon request.
32. Capresso H2O Select Electric Kettle – It wasn’t until we moved to California that we discovered the electric kettle craze – everyone out here has one. Now I get it – they are so convenient and so quick! The Capresso H2O select has brushed stainless steel housing, a programmable boil duration, auto shut off, and the option to keep your water warm for up to 40 minutes. It can also be programmed for precise water temperature for a variety of teas from white and green to oolong, black, herbal, and rooibos. It’s the nicest electric kettle we’ve ever owned.
33. Level Naturals Lemon & Coconut Gift Set – Everyone deserves some pampering! Level Naturals is a clean bath and body brand that specializes in bath bombs, bar soaps, and body polishes. They make the perfect stocking stuffer for the clean beauty lover in your life. Their gift sets include an Epsom salt bath bomb, body polish, bar soap, and a roll-on fragrance – a nearly $50 value for only $35.
34. EvoShield Men’s Terry Sweatshirt – 2020 was the year of loungewear, and it seems like 2021 will be no different. Give him something he’ll actually wear with a terry sweatshirt from EvoShield. The fitted style looks great while still being soft and comfortable. The sweatshirt comes in five colors. One for every day of the workweek?
35. Vertiball Precision Massager – Easily do trigger point therapy at home or on the go with the portable and convenient Vertiball massager. This is a great gift for someone with back pain who has been skipping therapeutic massages or physical therapy during lockdown. It mounts on a wall with a suction cup making it easy to adjust the height based on the body part you want to work on. It feels so good to roll out my shoulders after a long day at the hospital.
36. Young King Hair Care Crown Wash Set – Young King is a black-owned multicultural hair care company created by an Atlanta-based husband and wife team. The products contain no harmful chemicals and are made with high-quality vegan ingredients. This shampoo and conditioner duo is specifically for boys with textured hair to give their crowns the care they deserve. Their products are recommended for 3A, 4A, 3B, 4B, 3C, and 4C hair types.
37. Tea Can Company Caffeine-Free Wooden Floral Variety Box – The Tea Can Company sells premium all-natural tea in little tins that can be customized with a personal message. They make over 40 flavors, but my favorite is this floral assortment with Chamomile Comfort, Hibiscus Flower, Cinnamon Apple Blossom, and Garden Therapy. Their sachets are made from an all-natural plant-based material that is compostable and biodegradable making it good for you and the environment. If you’re looking for a great corporate or bulk gift, they offer drop shipping- send them your list and they will do the rest!
38. Darling Spring Dream Cereal Bowl – The Dream Cereal Bowl is fired at high temperatures and inspired by nature to help your loved one start their day in style. Darling Spring is a great place to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. They have a collection of carefully curated products from independent female designers all over the world. You’ll find everything from home decor, jewelry, to cookware all shipped with plastic-free shipping.
39. Aubert & Amadine RENEW Lilac Aromatherapy Soy Candle – This large 3-wick candle will fill the room with the relaxing and calming scent of lilac. It burns easily and is made with pure soy wax and fiber wicks. One candle will burn for 30-45 hours! It comes packed in a beautiful gift box and a wooden lid to keep the candle fresh.
40. Ecolips Mongo Kiss Lip Balm Variety Pack – For an easy stocking stuffer, try a variety pack of Ecoplips’ fun lip balm flavors. The secret ingredient for this eco-friendly lip balm is mongongo oil. The oil is sourced from rural villages in Africa, where it is harvested from the wild by organized groups of women. The men actually use mongongo oil to cleanse and moisturize their skin and protect against the harsh desert environment. Ecolips is a certified B corporation and was the first USDA-certified organic lip balm on the market. Their facility is powered by renewable and solar energy.
41. xMask Mesh 3.0 Men’s Mask – Masks are set to replace old standbys like socks/ties/gloves/scarfs as the top stocking stuffer for the holidays. Make sure you choose a mask that looks good and is certified for safety. xMask makes masks for men and women that are high tech and look great! To further improve the fit of the mask and efficacy, each mask has an adjustable nose clip. The soft stretch fabric adds comfort when wearing for an extended period of time. For every xMask sold, they donate an essential mask to a hospital in need. To date, they’ve donated over 40,000 masks to hospitals across the US.
42. Rykr Roll Handheld Massage Roller – This portable and convenient self-massage roller is designed for people of all activity levels to easily apply acupressure and massage to the muscles, promoting better oxygen flow and blood circulation to achieve optimal pain and tension relief. It helps improve range of motion and increases blood flow and oxygen to the muscles to help recovery after workouts. It’s also small enough to be portable so you can roll out any knots that come up when you’re on the go.
43. Läderach Alcohol Truffles Assortment – These Swiss truffles are a little happy hour in a box, featuring Marc de Champagne, Batida de Coco, and Bailey’s filled bites of heaven. There is also a non-alcoholic version available. Läderach sells bean-to-bar chocolate with only the best ingredients by artisans in Switzerland. Their FrischSchoggi (fresh chocolate) and milk chocolate popcorn are also delicious.
44. Man Crates Personalized Pizza Grilling Crate – If you’re like me and the man in your life is the hardest one to shop for, you’ll find the perfect gift at Man Crates. They have kits or “Crates” that contain everything to tackle a topic, like grilling pizza, making beer, or even a watchmaking kit. I got Pat a pizza grilling kit and I was so impressed by the quality and thoughtfulness of the components of the kit. It comes packaged in a burly crate and even has its own crowbar to open it.
45. Noble Rose & Frankincense Face Oil – Noble makes plant-based luxury face and skin products Their products feature high-quality ingredients without the bad stuff like parabens, artificial fillers, and dyes. Their beautifully-scented Rose & Frankincense Face Oil is deeply nourishing and absorbs completely. With just a few drops and your giftee will feel completely radiant. The oils offer antioxidant and free radical protection as well as nutritional properties that minimize wrinkles and reduce the signs of aging and scarring. 
46. Common Assembly Storm Tie-Dye Joggers & Pullover – Common assembly sells ethical, effortless fashion that encourages women to look good, feel good, and do good. I’m obsessed with their Storm Tie-Dye Sweats that feature the reverse white tie-dye design that is so popular right now! They are super comfortable and so stylish! The pullover also comes with a matching face mask.
47. Bellefixe Holiday Hair Bundle – The girly girl in your life will love the Holiday Hair Bundle from Bellefixe. The set includes a headband, scrunchie, and “Jolly” bobbie pins – all in red and bundled in a cute festive red gift bag. It’s perfect for getting into the holiday spirit.
48. Shinesty Christmas Tree Camo PJs – Getting a pair of fun holiday PJs from Shinesty has become a tradition for us. They have so many patterns that range from quirky to downright outrageous! They have a variety of styles for men and women so it’s the perfect opportunity to grab one for both you and your significant other to snap your holiday card photo this year. Other favorite prints include Tinsel Tigers and The Caribou Lous.