How we spend our hard-earned resources is an expression of our values. I focus on this point even more during the holiday season, when I tend to spend more on gifts for friends, family, and clients. Therefore, it’s important to me to support small businesses, and to buy from women and BIPOC-owned businesses whenever possible. During this time of year, we should also broaden our concept of gift giving to consider how a charitable gift can express a feeling of love and gratitude, in a way that a tangible gift does not.
I am pleased to share a few of my standby favorites as well as new additions for this holiday season:
Charitable gifts
Consider making a gift in honor of or in celebration of someone. Choosing a cause that is close to someone’s heart is thoughtful and meaningful.
- This year on Giving Tuesday, I was excited to support Touch4Life, an organization that advocates for increased awareness of breast health in BIPOC and underserved communities.
- I was so touched when close friends made gifts in my honor to the DC Abortion Fund and the Greater DC Diaper Bank.
- Gifting a membership to a place often visited is a personal touch. Each year, my brother and sister-in-law gift my son with a membership donation to the Smithsonian National Zoo and I recently became a member of the newly renovated National Museum of Women In The Arts. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens is another wonderful place.
Tangible gifts
- I love to shop at woman-owned DC stores Salt & Sundry and Park Story. I order candles from Sydney Hale and honey from Waxing Kara, both woman-owned small businesses.
- She Loves Me is an incredible flower shop I discovered during the pandemic. REWILD is a favorite plant shop.
I often purchase client gifts from Chukar Cherries, a longtime family-owned small business in Seattle. Soom Tahini products are delicious and the business is woman-owned. Bean & Bean coffee is owned by a mother-daughter team. - You know we love stationery at Little Bean Group and we buy from woman-owned Kitty McCall and Mr. Boddinton, and DC-based Appointed. Our custom stationary is made by the woman-owned company, Lickity Split Press.
Experiences as gifts
- Consider gifting an experience such as a yoga class or restaurant meal. Woman-owned Past Tense Yoga, Barre3, and Tail Up Goat (my favorite DC restaurant) are my go-tos.
Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful winter season and all the best for a happy and healthy 2024.