2021 Local & Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide
As the holiday’s settle in, I think we have come to see the power of community and supporting your local businesses through all of the changes we have had since 2020. This year, I feel that it is so important to shop for your loved ones in a way that is in alignment with your local economy as well as the planet. I know how addicting and easy it can be to online shop * cough cough * Amazon, but that choice takes away from supporting a small business that has a dream requiring the support of their local customers.
Through my time living in Monterey, I have gotten to know some pretty cool people and some awesome businesses with a mission to support the health of those around them. Below are some local artisans and businesses that are awesome options for your 2021 holiday season . I have put together a gift guide that highlights the best sustainable and local stores/businesses in the area. Happy Holidays!
Om Studios
This local yoga and fitness studio not only has some amazing class offerings, but they also carry a variety of wellness goods! Om carries different supplements to enhance your wellbeing and locally made jewelry along with many high end yoga props from Manduka. Check out their products or gift someone the gift of movement through a yoga private or a class pack. Perfect for the loved one who just loves to move.
Find their site here.
Chezza Jewelry
Chezza is a delicate and feminine take on everyday jewelry. The founder, Olivia, is focused on creating a product with sustainably sourced materials that are inclusive for any occasion. Her products are beautiful and perfect for a statement piece or something to just accessorize your day.
Find her website here.
Central Coast Studios
What better gift than to share the beauty of our local landscape and scenery through the eye of a local creative. Central Coast Studios is a ocean, surf and landscape photographer in the Monterey Bay. His photos are breathtaking and perfectly share the natural beauty of our coastlines. He offers prints of his work in many sizes to be displayed anywhere in your home. Photos are a great gift for those you know have everything. A picture says a thousand words.
Check out his prints here.
Valley Botanicals
This is my all time favorite skincare that nourishes and replenishes our natural essence for healthy skin. Valley Botanicals focuses on pure raw ingredients that are derived from nature and uses no synthetically produced chemicals. Along with her skincare products she also makes amazing natural hand dyed products and candles that are the only ones I ever use. My favorite scents are grapefruit mint and Palo Colorado. All of her packaging is plastic free as well as her method for shipping. This is the perfect gift for male or female reducing their toxic load on their skin and hoping to connect back with nature.
Find her website here.
Tejido Collective
Locally female owned artisan boutique that highlights the beauty of handmade crafts and beautiful Peruvian textiles. This store carries thoughtful and creative goods such as tea blends, aromatherapy items, rugs, crystals, skincare, jewelry, insanely fashionable sweaters and so much more. This spot is the best go to for someone who is hard to shop for, but Tejido makes it easy with thier unique items.
Website here.
Custom Ceramics by Kurt Hofer
Kurt makes the most beautiful one of a kind ceramic pieces. He’s a young local artist who does unique sketches along with his pottery. He makes anything from mugs, plates, vases, and much more. I have had the pleasure to get to know Kurt very well, and have collaborated on what my vision is exactly for the pieces I am looking for. He is happy to work along side the client and let both creative visions mesh together.
Reach out to him via Instagram @kh_craft
Westend Refill
Westend is a newer Sand City business that specializes in all of your sustainable house hold goods. They offer a wide variety of shampoo & conditioner hair bars, laundry detergent, and many many other eco goods.They are on a mission to reduce the amount of plastic used in our day-to-day life to make a positive impact on our environment. It is also the home base for a local nonprofit called the Wahine project.
Check out their website here.
Elroys Organic Market
Great place to give a gift card for your healthy friend or family member. Elroy’s is a locally owned grocery store that has bulk products, speciality health food items, grab-and-go, apothecary, sustainable household items and local produce. Elroy’s is a newer store to the Monterey area and has everything the others were missing. You can give the gift of natural wine, a gift card, or maybe some of the apothecary items.
Website here.
Luminata Books
This is my all time favorite store for EVERYTHING. They carry books on every topic and can order any books you need and have it the next day. So much fun to support a local family instead of just buying books from amazon. Luminata also has a collection of Tibetan bowls, crystals, and so much more little gift ideas.
Check out their site here.
Local Big Sur Jade Carvers
@the_jade_road
@davidscoastalcollections
@coastside_jade
@sur.jade
Other Gift Ideas
Gift cards! Gift the gift of option which is always my favorite. Support a local restaurant like Enzos in Carmel, or Pangea. Give someone a gift card to a massage or local nail salon. You can also reach out to personal trainers and pay for sessions for your friend who is wanting to work one-on-one with a coach. All easy gifts to obtain and super thoughtful.