This week, we're covering a very pressing topic: To gift or not to gift? We both believe that friendships don't necessitate gift-giving, but we do love finding a thoughtful gift to show you care from time to time. For this episode we rounded up some of our favorite gifts to give and ones that we loved receiving in the past that we wouldn't have thought to give. Listen along as we talk through what we're giving this year, and be sure to check out our gift guide on Instagram for some stoppable links. At the end of the day, we believe in conscious gifting, and recommend putting money towards BIPOC, local, women-owned and brands whose values resonate.
LULU'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Hand-Picked Ornament: What I love most about ornaments is that they always tell a story. And that you can choose one based on an experience that you’ve had together. Check out Food52 and Picnic SF for some fun ones!
The Laundress Le Labo Santal 33 Detergent: This was given to me by a friend and I always think of her when I use it! It's something I normally wouldn't splurge on, I love the idea of indulging in a product that elevates a mundane task like laundry into something special. Shop through The Laundress or stores like Nordstrom.
Crystals: I've been super into crystals lately and I love how personalized they can be as a gift. Try searching for ones that connect to something that your friend might need in their life – like clarity of balance. We have an amazing store called District Mineral here in DC, which you can shop online, or see if you can support a local business instead!
LYDIA'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Cookbooks: I believe that cookbooks can greatly expand your world, and I love cooking and sharing delicious food with my friends. A few of my favorite cookbooks are Cook Beautiful or anything by Ottolenghi (Plenty, Jerusalem, Simple, they're all great!). They can be a great way to support your local restaurants and chefs and try new cuisines.
Nice Liquor or Olive Oil: I'm a sucker for good packaging, and I love stocking by bar cart with unique brands to expand my palette. If alcohol isn't your thing, one of my favorite hostess gifts is a nice bottle of olive oil. It's something we all use, and having one that looks beautiful in your kitchen is such a nice bonus.
Self Care Products: Okay, so I realize candles might seem like a cop out, but I do love a unique candle. There are so many amazing black-owned candle companies that you can support too! I also love little gifts like a body wash or a lip product, since they're something most people use and can be a fun way to elevate the everyday if you have a product you love. Check our Cupcake and Cashmere's Black-Owned Brands edit for a great range of products.
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