It’s hard to believe we are in the final weeks of 2021! Wow! I know of no better way to close out the year than to gift yourself and others with a few special things. You deserve it, and they do, too.
Many of my recommendations are small businesses, sustainable brands and local stores, which are always wonderful to support. Without delay, here are my top picks for holiday gifts!
Scout & Cellar Wines by Ashley LaRocca
I discovered Scout & Cellar in 2020, one of my better discoveries last year. Drinking clean-crafted wine means you are not consuming all the sugar, chemicals and dyes of mass-produced wines. The day after drinking Scout & Cellar, you feel… good!
Ashley LaRocca, @thecleancraftedwinefairy can help you celebrate the people you love with this sommelier selected Celebrate the Season Wine Set. Ashley has been my personal wine concierge, and she can be yours, too.
This 6-Bottle (375ml) set is $129, and it includes:
- 2020 Bookbinder Cabernet Sauvignon (375ml)
- 2020 Fieldhouse White Wine (375ml)
- 2020 Middle Jane Cabernet Sauvignon (375ml)
- 2020 Middle Jane Chardonnay (375ml)
- 2020 Conte de la Terre Merlot (375ml)
- 2020 Fieldhouse 301 Pinot Noir Barrel Select (375ml)
All gift sets come complete with a personalized branded card from you! See the Celebrate the Season Wine set here, and shop all offerings from Ashley’s site here. I’m holding the Bookbinder Cab in the photo. We look forward to enjoying it this holiday season.
Diadem Jewelry by Andrea Reich
I recently had a client ask for lightning bolt earrings. Guess who had a pair? Andrea Reich! It’s no surprise. Diadem Jewelry is imaginative, bold and just plain gorgeous. I am a huge fan. For the jewelry-loving person in your life, you don’t need to look any further. There’s no reason to buy from a department store when you can own a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art from a local jewelry designer like Andrea. Andrea is active at local pop-ups, and her collection is available at these retailers. Visit her website here.
If you don’t see what you are looking for on her site, get in touch with Andrea. Together, you can collaborate on the perfect thing. Light up the room at your holiday parties in one of Andrea’s creations, and get something for a friend while you’re at it!
Goodies Texas
I know food gifts aren’t always a great idea at the holidays; however, a party hostess would be delighted to receive these beautiful truffles from this local business in historic downtown McKinney. I’m partial to truffles, but there are many chocolate goodies to choose from. They do corporate gifts, wedding favors and baskets. I’m going to try to forget I saw chocolate dipped Oreos! If you’re going to eat chocolate this season, it may as well be from a local business whose head chocolatier has spent a decade perfecting his craft.
Spice & Tea Merchants of McKinney
I recently wandered into this lovely store in historic downtown McKinney for a cup of decaf tea, and what a delightful discovery! One side of the store is dedicated to spices and edible delights like Frontier Soups, olive oils and more. The other side of the store is a wall of teas. Whatever tea you can imagine, they have it. Choose one, and they will make you a cup to go. They sell 150 teas and 180 spices.
For the foodie or chef in your life, this is your gift shop. They ship, too! We also carry Texas-made salsa, honey and infused vinegars. I’m holding the pecan balsamic vinegar I bought. I also picked up roasted garlic olive oil, a Frontier Soup and a bottle of Voodoo blend spices. The Louisiana girl in me could not resist!
Morgan Mercantile Quality Goods
On a recent trip to Near Southside in Fort Worth, I stepped into the coolest store and wanted to buy everything in it! Morgan Mercantile creates custom T-shirts and goods known for their comfort, quality, and design. They carry clothing for men, women and kids, as well as accessories and home goods.
During my visit, I bought my new favorite shirt (the striped one in the photo) and a fantastic Fort Worth t-shirt (photo above). The twins were delighted with their Panther City pins. By the way, I had no idea Fort Worth is nicknamed Panther City. Huh! I loved this jumpsuit, but I didn’t buy it.
Old World Christmas
Do you have an ornament exchange with friends? I love this shop for ornaments, tree toppers and snow globes. Last year, a sweet friend sent me a peach ornament. Peaches are a nod to my hometown of Ruston, Louisiana, where my first job was packing peaches at Mitcham’s Peach Orchard! Any ornament you can imagine, Old World Christmas has it.
Branche Beauty
I didn’t realize until I visited their website that their products were on Oprah’s 2021 Favorite Things. Nice choice, Oprah! I agree. Choose from pillow cases, eye masks, hair scrunchies, robes, slippers and more. I recently bought a box of black hair scrunchies. Crazy, I know. However, they do not pull out my hair and help keep it smooth. Plus, they look rather chic.
Uncommon Goods
A Certified B Corporation, Uncommon Goods is one of my favorite websites for “different” kinds of gifts. I love these slippers, these birthstone studs and these state dish towels. There are so many good things here. For the last 22 years, Uncommon Goods has connected makers and their creations with those seeking unique goods. There is something for everyone on this website, and supporting a small artist through this business is one of the best holiday moves you could make. Enjoy the browse.
Huckberry
For the adventurous, outdoorsy man in your life, Huckberry is your site for fantastic gifts. I like their outdoor slippers, the Loftie alarm clock and the tabletop fireplace. See their 2021 gift guide here.
Set the Table Home
My friend Lisa Cole started sewing cloth napkins during quarantine to keep calm and to channel her creative energy. Lucky for us, a beautiful business was born. There’s no better way to finish off your holiday table and these napkins are a “no brainer” gift for anyone who loves to entertain. I love the Fa La La La La napkins in the photo above. Browse all available styles here. The napkins I’m holding in the photo are my favorites!
Juniper Ridge
They use sustainably harvested plants and steam-distillation to craft fragrance for home & body. I know fragrance can be a tricky holiday gift, but at the very least, everyone needs a fresh Christmas fir candle right now. Juniper Ridge is a women-led, independent company of thirteen people based on the O2 Artists Aggregate, a sustainable eco-industrial lot, in Oakland, California. From this homebase, their diverse, committed team formulates, manufactures and ships their home and body care offerings around the world.
Hall Newbegin founded the company in 1998 with a goal to share the restorative fragrances he experienced while backpacking across the western U.S. Mission accomplished. Juniper Ridge offers tea, fragrances, room sprays and more.
Need Help?
Comment on this post or email me at bethany@bethanysiggins.com if I can help you shop for your loved ones this season. There’s no need to stress! I’m here for you.
One More Thing – Favorites Catalog
Several friends and I had a favorites party earlier this week. It inspired me to share what we gave each other plus a few other things that I happen to love. Shop the Favorites Catalog here.
Happy Shopping, and let me know what you buy!
