Gift Guide
Post Summary: My 2023 personal gift guide featuring low waste goods, products from independent makers, and/or items we’ve found to be of great use in our home. (Note: None of the items on this list are sponsored, though I have worked with some of these products or brands in the past.)
The following is what I gift or often find myself recommending throughout the year. Some of these items are new-to-me in 2023, while others overlap with my gifting lists from previous years… because the point isn’t finding the latest thing— it’s about sharing goods that serve a practical purpose with unique style while bringing joy and hopefully reducing waste.
A List of What I’m Gifting (and Why) - 2020 Edition
Post Summary: My 2020 personal gift guide featuring low waste goods and/or products from independent makers. (Note: None of the items on this list are sponsored, though I have worked with some of these products or brands in the past. This is my own roundup. )
The following is what we’re considering gifting to our close family and friends. Some of these items overlap with my 2019 gifting list, because the point isn’t finding the best “new” thing— it’s finding goods that serve a practical purpose with unique style while bringing joy.
Reusable Ear Swabs
Because LastSwab replaces up to 1000 single-use cotton swabs. Their standard swab and their makeup swab both have a soft-feel tip and are easy to clean.
Click here (and get 10% off with the code: tinycanalcottage)
Herbs for Home & Healing in the Anthropocene
Because our bodies and this one shared planet are our true homes, so we need to listen to and care for them. And I have personally come to regularly rely on these Earth Star Herbals by Alyson Morgan.
Click here
Water Carbonator
Because bottle waste — yes, even glass bottles — must become a thing of the past. These Aarke water carbonators are slim and stylish. Our helps us save between 4-6 bottles of bubbly water per day.
Click here
Children’s Audio App Subscription
Because Pinna Audio has been the single most used tool in our bag while sheltering at home with a four year old. This app / audio subscription service has a diverse selection of programming for kids of all ages.
Click here (and use the promo code PINNA3MONTHS for a free 3-month trial)
Plant Keeper Apron
Because I got Adam this apron for his birthday, and he uses it constantly. Designed by the brilliant stylist, author, designer, photographer, and plant-expert Hilton Carter, this unique apron is a valuable accessory for Spring and Summer gardening in particular.
Click here
All of Us Skin Tone Crayons
Handcrafted in the USA without any paraffin or fillers, these crayons are crafted with beeswax, carnauba wax and earth pigments.
Click here
The Naked Stone
Because these low waste moisturizing stones are for the whole body, and are a made-from-scratch revolution against plastics, pumps, and chemicals, and come in a refillable bamboo canister.
Click here
Extra Bright Portable Projector
Because we don’t have a TV or large monitor in our home, but we can watch movies and shows in an oversized format projected on our walls and slanted ceiling thanks to our little Cinemood. (Their newest model is extra bright, which is even better for daytime viewing.) We discovered first-hand what a great gift this is for parents of little ones— particularly during the isolation of the pandemic.
Click here
Planetbox
Because this stainless steel lunchbox (which comes in a few sizes/styles) is one of the most-used items in our home, and eliminates the need for baggies and multiple containers for meals on-the-go. (Our 4 year old enjoys using his daily for meals and picnics at home, too.)
Click here
Hidden Pictures Sticker Booklets (ages 3-6)
Because my 4 year old has been obsessed with these books for an entire year and is still excited to do one or two pages per day.
Click here
Safety Razor
Because we can prevent millions of plastic, disposable razors and razor heads from entering landfills and oceans with safety razors. Oui the People makes beautiful safety razors to last a lifetime, and also sells blade refills.
Click here
Steamline Luggage
Because even though we're not traveling this holiday season, these bags, which have been favorites of mine for years, are so stylish that they can be reused for a myriad of purposes and for storage around the home.
Click here (use the promo code HOLIDAY25 for 25% off* through December 31st, 2020. *Promo can't be combined with any other sales and excludes the Mini.
2021 Smells Better Candle
Because this handmade, 100% soy wax candle makes me laugh every time I see it, and it was created by a female owned small business based here in Venice, CA.
Click here
Toothpaste Bits
Because the hardest part about changing a habit is taking that first step, and 1 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away every year. Bite bottles are refillable, and make great stocking stuffers.
Click here
Handmade Mixed-Media Mask Holder
Because this 4-in-1 handcrafted mask holder / necklace / bracelet is ever-useful as we keep our communities safer by masking up. The holders are made with repurposed/reclaimed brass and silk by Maddalena Bearzi, an Italian jewelry artist, marine biologist and writer.
Click here
Collapsible Water Bottle
Because reusable bottles have never been easier to tote. These collapsible, pocket-sized Stojo bottles even loop over a bike/stroller handlebar or around a backpack with ease.
Click here
Homemade Grape Jam & Bread
Because it’s a delicious, homemade, zero waste treat made right here by our extraordinary next door neighbors and by Adam.
Rechargeable Lighter
Because there are more than 300 uses per charge in this stylish lighter, and it’s rechargeable, eliminating the need for refills or disposables. Plus it has a safety mechanism for homes with little ones.
Click here
Plant-Based Milk Maker
Because the Almond Cow turns any nut, seed, or grain into homemade plant-based milk in moments. We use ours multiple times per week, and haven’t purchased substitute-milk in over a year.
Click here
Vintner's Daughter
Because this company’s skincare philosophy centers on offering multi-correctional performance and the belief that if one product delivers a myriad of benefits, fewer products are needed, fewer are produced, and less natural resources are utilized. Even better, the ingredients are sourced from responsible producers, many of which have used the same sustainable, organic farming practices for generations. It’s not cheap, but for the quality and all the products it replaces, Active Botanical Serum is totally worth it, in my opinion. (This company is also a generous donor to The RightWay Foundation.)
Click here
Play Silks
Because Sarah’s Silks is a family owned company specializing in Waldorf inspired sustainable toys for children. Their silks are simple and versatile, and dyed with non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes.
Click here
Braiding Sweetgrass
Because everyone could do with putting down the phone and picking up a book. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer shows that, “the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world.”
Click here
Eco-Friendly Weighted Blanket
Because many of us could use some help with anxiety and sleep these days. These Bearaby weighted blankets use zero plastic in composition and packaging. They’re GOTS, BCI, OEKO-Tex 100 and Fair Trade-certified, made of organic cotton that’s naturally breathable, 100% biodegradable, and uses 85% less water than conventional farming methods, while being free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, synthetics, or artificial softeners.
Click here
OddBird Robes
Sustainably robes made in small-batches, using 100% natural fibers and woven by artisans on century-old semi-automatic looms.
Click here
Late Sunday Afternoon Ascots
Because these responsibly-made ascots can be worn in a myriad of ways— around your neck, on your wrist, in your hair, on your bag/pack/basket, and around the brim of your hat. Our friends at Late Sunday Afternoon use locally sourced deadstock fabrics to create their ascots in-house. Any scraps are used to stuff handmade dog beds that they then donate to animal shelters.
Click here
A List of What I’m Gifting (and Why)
As my year-end present of 2019, I’ve asked Adam to please take my two pairs of sunglasses to get repaired, because I keep forgetting or running out of time at the end of every day. That’s really all I want.
As for Adam, he requested a For Days membership, which we handled together. West will be getting a Linus bike and a stack of library books, along with his very own library card. The pups will be getting handmade ceramic dog bowls, because they’ve been eating out of wobbly stainless steel mixing bowls that are officially wrecking the nearby moldings.
The following is what we’re gifting our close family and friends,.
(So, close family and friends: please stop reading here. No peeking. Seriously. Thanks.)
LastSwab
Because LastSwab replaces up to 1000 single-use cotton swabs. Their standard swab and their makeup swab both have a soft-feel tip and are easy to clean. (Get 10% off with the code: tinycanalcottage)
Bite Toothpaste Bits
Because 1 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away every year. Bite bottles are refillable.
Stojo
Because if I hear one more person say that their reusable bottles are too cumbersome to carry around I’ll scream. With a collapsible, pocket-sized Stojo (which holds cold or hot beverages), there’s no excuse.
Homemade Grape Jam
Because it’s a delicious, homemade, zero waste treat made right here by our extraordinary next door neighbors.
Shampoo + Conditioner Bars
Because the hardest part about changing a habit is taking that first step, for whatever reason. We hope that these bars will come in handy the next time someone runs out of their bottled haircare products, and then become the new normal.
Ritual Vitamins
Because Ritual makes the only multivitamins that don’t make me nauseous, so I want to share the love. Also, while most multivitamins have ingredients we already get from food, Ritual’s capsules contains only the nutrients you we need to fill the gaps, in bioavailable forms our body can actually use.
The Naked Stone
These stones are my favorite discovery of a 2019. They’re total-body, all-purpose moisturizers in the shape of a stone that melts on contact when applied to dry skin. They’re a made-from-scratch revolution against plastics, pumps, and chemicals, and come in a refillable bamboo canister.
Almond Cow
The Almond Cow turns any nut, seed, or grain into homemade plant-based milk in moments.
CLED Jewelry
Hand-formed jewelry made from recycled glass (a natural material mainly composed of sand). This renewable resource can be recycled endlessly, and can be made without causing harm to animals or the environment. CLED’s pieces arrive in their minimal and elegant circular box, which is made from post consumer contents.
Teddi Joelle Bags
I really love Teddi Joelle. Their designs are unique, the craftsmanship is exquisite, their team is lovely, and their style is impeccable.
Vintner's Daughter
It’s not cheap, but for the quality and all the products it replaces, Active Botanical Serum is totally worth it, in my opinion. This serum is a powerful, multi-correctional face oil infused with 22 of the world’s most nutrient-rich botanicals.
From Jennifer Wooden Toys and Activities
This small company makes high quality, practical, delightful, and pretty wooden toys and activities for children of many ages. From tracing boards to perpetual calendars to arts supplies, they have dozens of brilliant, lovingly crafted designs.
Play Silks
Sarah’s Silks is a family owned company specializing in Waldorf inspired sustainable toys for children. Their silks are simple and versatile, and dyed with non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes. (Children 3+)
OddBird Robes
I recently purchased an OddBird robe for West, and was immediately jealous and wanted my own. Luckily they come in multiple sizes and I was able to find a matching one. Now I want to get them for everyone I know. They’re sustainably made in small-batches, using 100% natural fibers and woven by artisans on century-old semi-automatic looms.
Late Sunday Afternoon Ascots
Ascots can be worn in a myriad of ways— around your neck, on your wrist, in your hair, on your bag/pack/basket, and around the brim of your hat. Our friends at Late Sunday Afternoon use locally sourced deadstock fabrics to create their ascots in-house. Any scraps are used to stuff handmade dog beds that they then donate to animal shelters.
