Holiday Home Gift Guide 2025
Every year I like to celebrate our fellow small businesses by highlighting some of the items that bring me joy in my home. Promoting other independent artists and living with their handmade items is one of the things I am most passionate about. So without further ado, here is my list of the best gifts this holiday season.
Arc Ceramics by Sarah Mitchell-Davidson
I met Sarah at Field and Supply market this year in the spring and traded her a sweater for a beautiful bowl which I got to pick up at the October market. That bright red bowl which will be featured in the next photo is one of the most beautiful objects I have ever seen. A perfect tactile experience and a lovely centerpiece to my dining room table. I also could not help but get this perfect small vase while I was there. Hand built perfection.
I met the founder of Keap Candles while in a business class with Holly Howard. I joined this particular cohort to learn from more experienced business owners while I was still working full time at Converse. Harry and his business really stood out to me so I had to try out the candles. I typically think candles have a less complex, not so interesting scent but one whiff of their candle scent called "Wood Cabin" had me hooked. Since I got that first candle I have become a subscriber. Their subscription program is super flexible and you can pause, cancel, delay easily. I love being a part of their subscription because I get the scent that I love every time in addition to a new, seasonal scent. People always comment when they come into my home that it smells great and I totally agree- I absolutely love these candles. One thing that is really interesting about Keap is that they are not on social media and their communication via newsletter is always super engaging- a newsletter I actually look forward to reading.
I first knew about Saipua from my time living in Red Hook. Sarah Ryhanen, owner and farmer of Worlds End Farm + Saipua, had curated this incredibly dreamy floral shop with lush plants, deep concrete tones of ceramics, and handmade soaps. While that physical shop closed a while ago, the farm + all of their collaborations + events live on. They champion community over commerce which is something I strive to do with Knit Club. Of course there has to be a pillar of financial support to keep the work going, but its all about the community. I am currently using Saipua's Clary Sage and Dill soap bar + their Rose Hip Scrub Bar. All of the bars come in gorgeous paper packaging.
Is there a better gift than a silly, weird, little tree? I have 'Nene' the Willow Leaf Fig tree living in my home. This little tree is low maintenance and easy to care for- just requiring a little submersion 1 time a week. I water all of my plants on Sundays so Nene fits right in with the rest of the plant household. A thing that is particularly fun about shopping for bonsai on the site is each tree has a symbolism section that describes the connotations, metaphors, and history behind each plant. I selected my tree based on ease of care but was delighted to find out that its 'Zhen' Chi gives this tree the ability to amplify protective energy, especially in one's career and financial journey.
I hope this little gift guide can help spark some inspiration to shop small this year and get some gifts that are deeply meaningful both to the recipient as well as the artist.
