Thoughtful and conscious holiday gift ideas

I’ve never done a gift guide on the blog before, mostly because it seems very daunting to create one! But with the pandemic and the civil unrest this year, I want to be sure everyone has the resources to shop locally, shop small, and shop minority-owned this holiday season. The small businesses are really struggling, so if you have an income it’d be really great to use your influence there!

I also have to say I was very excited (not just overwhelmed) by the thought of making a gift guide because I LOVE giving gifts. And everyone I know says I’m very good at finding the perfect gift (which I don’t take lightly). Last year I did some of my Christmas shopping at various Christmas markets across Europe, but mostly in little shops in Rome and Florence. Yes, my luggage was overweight on the way back to the states. It almost always is, but I can’t help it!

I’ve divided this gift guide into ideas, and places to shop. I wanted to include a list of ideas to serve as inspiration, especially because we’re all buying different things this year and I think it’s important to buy gifts that are relevant to our life right now. One tip I have, which might be useful for the future, is just to buy year-round. If I see something I know someone will like, I buy it (even if Christmas is still months away!).

I hope these ideas and shops help you find the perfect gifts for the people in your life! Need help organizing? Download my Christmas List template.

If you’d like to give back this holiday season while you do your shopping, check out the gift drive I am fundraising for on Instagram. All of the proceeds will go to buying gifts for the youth at Face to Face, which is the only drop-in shelter in Saint Paul for homeless youth. Face to Face also helps young adults who are low income or at risk of being homeless, and offers health services to thousands of youth. If you donate, you can enter the giveaway (which is full of amazing gifts from artists and small businesses!). Check out the “HOLIDAY DRIVE” highlight on my profile, or this Instagram post below for details.

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A post shared by Maggie | The Artful Everyday (@theartfuleveryday)

gift ideas

gift cards to local restaurants/cafes
plants
framed photos or photo book
photo prints
painting of family or pets
face mask
something for home office
cozy items like blankets and robes
loungewear
slippers or boots (I love my mini Uggs)
creative project supplies
airpods or wireless headphones
books, including anti-racism reads and poem books
lotion (I love Aveda)
coffee or tea
essential oil diffuser
online experiences like cooking classes, language course, etc.
prints or artwork
personalized leather goods (when I’m not in Italy, I like Mark & Graham)
travel voucher for future trips
water bottle or travel mug (I love Hydroflask)
jewelry
mini waffle iron
cookbooks
magazine or box subscription
puzzles
records or a record player
meaningful ornament
board for cheese or charcuterie
journal or planner
travel things like packing cubes, travel jewelry case, laundry bag
wine
vase
bath salts or bath bombs (Aveda, again!)
fitness watch (I love my Garmin)

where to shop

LOCAL TO TWIN CITIES (ONLINE + IN-PERSON)

Golden Rule Gallery: one of the few stores where I want to buy literally everything!

Grace Hajlo Pottery: my cousin’s shop where she sells beautiful ceramics

Guilded Grey: for beautiful jewelry, including one-of-a-kind pieces

MAVEN Style Shop: vintage goods, especially for the home, newly created by the team behind MAVEN events

Ergo Floral: for houseplants and beautiful vases

Proper Shops: the best small boutique in Minneapolis for accessories and clothes

Stephanie Nardi Photography: for concert nostalgia and nature prints

Calihan Yliniemi Art: handpainted scrunchies, bandanas, ornaments, and other artwork!

Carousel and Folk: houseplants and antique finds in Minneapolis

BLACK-OWNED

Black Garnet Books: new bookstore in the Twin Cities, currently just online and at pop-ups!

Luv Scrub: mesh body exfoliator you will want to buy for yourself, and all the ladies on your list

Talula Skincare: natural skincare products that smell amazing

Scent and Fire: everyday luxury candles with clever names

SMALL ONLINE SHOPS

BRUSHSTROKZ: original paintings and prints by my friend Taylor

Louie & Harry: like wearing a message in a bottle, great for long distance relationships

Art By Aleisha: handmade maps and prints of your favorite cities and campuses

Cincha Travel: the perfect strap for traveling

Chatbooks: the makers of my favorite photo books, I always print them after big adventures

FacecoverUS: what’s more fitting in 2020 than a facemask? these are my favorites, and they donate one mask for every three they sell!

MyCharmWorkshop: a new favorite Etsy shop that makes personalized goods, like jewelry cases

ITALY LOVERS

Sant’Eustachio il Caffè: the best caffè in Roma, they ship their goods across the world!

Ortica Boutique: elegant jewelry handmade in Tuscany

Smitten Italy Shop: for stickers, prints, and other goods with Italian sayings

Before We Forget 2020: for the writer in your life, a journal handmade in Florence, Italy to remember the pandemic

Girl in Florence also made an amazing gift guide for other Italy lovers out there, who want to support Italian artisans who have been hit hard by the pandemic. In addition, try looking up your favorite shops from Italy and see if they ship to wherever you are!

ETC.

We’re Not Really Strangers: I’m obsessed with this brand and their thought-provoking merchandise, one of their journals or card games is at the top of my list this year!

Phenomenal Women: the BEST merchandise for your feminist and politically active friends

Parabo Press: for prints, especially cardstock ones straight from your Instagram

Shakespeare & Co Paris: the famous Parisian bookstore needs help, order a book or a tote for your favorite Paris lover

Thrift Books and Half Price Books: for the book lover in your life, if you can’t shop local, shop secondhand!