Not Your Average Gift Guide
Thoughtful ideas for giving time, experiences, and locally crafted gifts—because less can mean so much more.
Gift Guides were initially designed to be helpful, but let’s be honest they only fuel over-consumption. So I whipped up a little list to help us be more mindful gift-givers, this year and every year. Instead of just giving to give (we’ve all been there), let’s be intentional.
Sure, it’s the thought that counts, but not when it burdens the recipient with finding space for something they likely didn’t want or need in the first place.
You’re better off writing a heartfelt note, meeting up for coffee, cooking a meal, or going on a hike. There’s truly no better gift than spending quality, one-on-one time with the people who matter most. A cozy cup and a chat with a friend? It doesn’t get better than that.
Experience Gifts
The best gift you can give is your time—experience gifts are your next best bet. Give moments, not things.
If you have a favorite local maker or potter, there’s a good chance they offer one-on-one lessons or group classes. I’m treating myself to a lesson with Ink & Mud in 2025!
I can’t think of a better experience gift than booking a photo session with a local photographer to capture a moment in time with your family, friends, or pets. My favorite? Rouxby Photography.
Plan a trip! It’s amazing how much having something to look forward to can lift your spirits. Just knowing you’ve got something fun coming up makes the wait that much more exciting, and the memories last a lifetime. Win, win!
One of the best gifts I’ve ever received was a museum membership. It was the gift that kept on giving—not to mention the peace and quiet of member-only mornings.
Then there’s the classic walk-and-talk. Nothing beats quality time strolling the city streets or wandering in nature with a close friend. Walking side-by-side always guarantees core-memory moments and good feels all around.
Consumable Gifts
If you must give a physical gift—supporting artists, makers, and creators is the way to go!
With a healthy sweet-tooth habit, Bon Bon Bombardier’s confectionary delights are unbeatable! They source the highest quality ingredients, ship across the U.S., and they are one of my favorite IG follows!
A beautiful basket of seasonal fruit—think persimmons, pomegranates, and pears—oh my—is an understated, thoughtful gift that’s always appreciated.
Everything is full of PFAS and questionable “natural” chemicals these days—thankfully, not Dram Apothecary! Shae and Brady, a husband-and-wife duo, source their PFAS-free(!) water straight from the Rocky Mountains and flavor their products with only whole organic plants. No vague “natural flavors” or “flavor extracts” and absolutely no trendy celebrity-backed gimmicks. Whether you gift their bitters or bubbles, it’s sure to be a hit!
Spend your money where it counts by gifting Aja Barber’s book Consumed1. I encourage you to read it yourself and support $$ her work on Patreon. Aja has been leading the conversation on the uncomfortable truths behind why we consume the way we do—and she’s been doing this critical work for over a decade! No gift guide focused on mindful consumption would be complete without mentioning Aja’s book and contributions.
If you’ve seen Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy on Netflix, much of the documentary draws from Aja Barber’s work—without crediting her. Aja, a leading voice on fast fashion, exploitation, and climate change, is also a Black woman, which makes this oversight even more glaring. It’s frustrating to see a film critiquing exploitation while exploiting the work of others. Fast fashion disproportionately harms Black women and women of color—both through climate change and exploitative supply chains.
Please support and gift Aja’s work to your conscious (or not-yet-conscious) consumer friends and family.
Handmade, One-Of-A-Kind Gifts
Now more than ever, support local makers and small businesses for unique, quality goods.
If you’re looking for a truly unique piece of handmade jewelry, The Universe Conspires, aka Bri, knows how to do it. Each piece is a literal treasure.
I’ve written about Light Provisions in the past (take a peek!), and I still stand by those words. They are the only candles I burn—then refill and reuse!
I’ve always been an avid thrifter—secondhand is the best, but some pieces don’t always have a full lifetime left in them. When I made a conscious choice to start investing in staple wardrobe pieces, I turned to YUCCA. Woman-owned, they carry exceptional brands and sustainable pieces designed to last you a lifetime.
Do you have a design-minded, creative type in your life? They’ll love the high-quality writing tools, art supplies, journals, planners, calendars, and desk goodies from Point Creative Supplies. Quality over quantity, always.
Calling all sensitive skin babes. YayForEarth’s face lotion is the GOAT. Made with just four high-quality ingredients, it’s as pure as it gets. And don’t miss their Olive Odyssey collaboration with Palestinian farmers. 🫒🇵🇸
How do you gift mindfully?
What experiences are you gifting this year?
Note: Aja Barber’s Consumed audiobook features a different cover than the paperback.