The Ultimate Gift Guide: The Companies (+ Products) We're Obsessed With

The Holidays this year are extra special because it means the dumpster fire that is 2020 is almost over!!! We get to (even socially-distanced) celebrate the people we love the most and treat ourselves a little kinder for getting through the unexpected events that have occurred this year.

The challenge of shopping for our people still remains though, so here are my favorite things, all made by women, of course.

Before you dive in, make sure to check out all of our gift guides.

Also, make sure to scroll to the bottom of this article for some exclusive coupons from these businesses! 

WORK WORLD

Whether for your mentor, your team, your manager or your squad that gets you through (and sends you texts of encouragement during your Zoom presentation), our favorite coworkers can still be celebrated even if we aren’t in the office. Start with mailing a Statement Card, a way to celebrate and empower women that turns into the perfect desktop accessory to remind them of their worth all year long.

For Your Caffeine Fiends

For your coffee crew, this RV Pottery ceramic mug is as one-of-a-kind as they are, especially when filled with The Te Spa blends (personal favorite is Citrus Rose Te, but we could all use more soothing Jasmine Green Te in our lives).

The Gift That Never (Ever) Fails 

Potentially the most safe-for-work, and always appreciated, timeless gift of all is a candle—especially these from Glow Candle Co. With 70 hours of burn-time, no dyes, and all hand-poured wax derived from American soybeans, this gift is always a welcome gift and the Holiday bundle with White Pine, The Saint Nic, and Aspen Embers can solve your shopping list anxiety!

The Other Gift That Never Fails. Hi, It's Chocolate 

Stuck on how to show your appreciation for the adaptability and tenacity of your team through the unexpected transition(s) this year? There are few things that chocolate can’t solve and whether Seattle Chocolate’s Sweater Weather Care Package (Hot Buttered Rum, Toffee Sea Salt, Winter Orange Spice truffle bars, along with a 12-ounce bag of seasoned truffles and more) or the new jcoco bar 5 dark, (you had me at the new Orange Blossom Espresso!), this is a gift idea everyone will love (and don’t forget one for you!!). 

TIMELESS TOOLS

Whether you were one of many who went through your living area to make sure everything sparked joy, or you cleaned out closets to convert them to your new office, I think we can all agree that a few high-quality, long-lasting tools to get us through would’ve been better than the What-Was-I-Thinking bag that is now donated.

The (Future) Travel Essentials That Will Last Forever 

So while travel may be on hold, Nomad Lane’s Bento Bag will make sure you are ready to hit the road running (or flying, or driving, or just changing your Zoom background. again). A professional bag for work trips, small enough for weekend getaways, and large enough to store shoes without them being on top of your blazer, and a great idea to add to your wishlist!

Or if you prefer dresses, especially for those small remote weddings that you are attending, Hudson + Bleecker has the perfect Garment Bag, a true staple piece for a professional’s closet. Plus, their Voyager Toiletry Bag can double as the perfect toiletry organization hack while you are grounded (there are only so many extra hotel toiletries you can throw under your sink before you need to address it).

The (Sometimes Sleepy) WFH'er

Happily staying home? Embrace the Bearaby Cotton Napper, a weighted blanket that gives the perfect hug in a time we are distanced from our social lives, and will help you get that rest you haven’t had since March. 

On a smaller scale, Esselle has beautiful iPhone and AirPods cases because we will get through this global pandemic, but cannot handle a cracked screen or losing our Right AirPod!

The Perfectly Curated Gift 

Lastly, be kind to yourself by giving yourself a break and trusting the amazing team at Marie Mae to curate a gift box for you.

While my personal favorite is the Blush Box (which includes a monogrammed weekly planner to stay focused, a pair of handcrafted blush earrings to add a hint of confidence in the midst of Zoom Fatigue, and a soy wax candle and lavender body lotion to relax when the day is done), there are plenty of options that balance chasing your dreams while reducing the Sunday Scaries all while supporting local small businesses!! 

STOCKING STUFFERS

Small but mighty, these can make all the difference to keeping your day on track.

For the Uber-Organized (Even in Chaos) 

Whether you are SO ready for a fresh start with a 2021 Planner that is sustainably made. Ponderlily offers multiple layouts so you can pick whatever gives you the most hope for a better year! If you are excited to start penciling in your social calendar (we learned our lesson from the many marker cross-offs in our 2020 planner), Sozy’s Annotator, a Pencil + Highlighter 2-in-1 that comes in 4 packs of brights or pastels, might be the perfect writing tool for you. Initially designed for life as a student, this product feels like the best way to dip our toe in the water with making plans during an uncertain time.

For the Toiletry Queen 

But don’t sweat it if things get canceled or added last-minute—Curie will keep you smelling fresh with their travel-sized Starter Pack, including deodorant stick, spray, and their hand sanitizer that is as good at moisturizing as it is at killing germs! And to make sure you always keep your hand sanitizer on you (even if just from the Kitchen to the Family Room), Lark & Ives just released The Perfect Sanitizer Holder. For the days that your boss wants to video call (don’t they know we need a 10-minute heads up to change out of our sweats!?), throw in a Lark & Ives hair clip to help you be pulled together in no time at all! And potentially the MVP, Gleam’s Blue-Light Glasses not only work better than the Zoom “touch-up” feature, they save your eyes from digital eye strain because I am pretty sure I spend 25 hours a day now in front of a screen! 

TREAT YOURSELF

Turns out social-distancing is a great excuse to take care of yourself! This year has been difficult, with changes that none of us anticipated. Make sure to spoil yourself, or add these to your Wishlist making this a way for others to spoil you while supporting minority-owned businesses!

Treat Your Skin 

I’ve highlighted before my love for the Kinship Mint Mud, which is now included in their Nice 2 Treat U gift set along with the lightest-moisturizer I have ever used and their refreshing Papaya face cleanser. Just getting to know them? Try the Try-Me Mini Trio or sticking to the necessities can be solved with their Bright Side which features their award-winning cleanser and probiotic moisturizing sunscreen.

Treat Your Wardrobe (+ The Environment) 

Grab the Madrid Dress from Mata Traders as a sustainably-made fresh look—even if celebrating from afar. Paired with Seecaas flats will give you a whole new energy, even from within the same 4 walls! To help contain your new stocking stuffers, I highly recommend a new Melie Bianco bag, which is always made from luxury vegan leather for a low-maintenance but premium appearance!

Treat Your Hair 

And last, but certainly not least, for those of us that miss how our hair always seems to look amazing while using Hotel toiletries, give yourself the Roam Hair & Body set for all of the benefits with none of the travel required. All of these are to help give a little extra self-love, as it’s more important than ever to be kind to ourselves. 

Everything You Wanted (+ Some Coupons, too!) 

To sum it up, we listed everything out below—along with some great coupons exclusive to CC readers! 

Work World Gifts

Adulting Made Easier: 

Stocking Stuffers: 

Treat Yourself: 

About this Article

Welcome to The CC Collection. 

The CC Collection is a Career Contessa series highlighting products from Female-Founded brands, a chance for all of us to support the products and tools enabling development while celebrating the businesses that do good in the world.

While I love my two-day shipping, it is time to put our money in the spaces that represent our values and enable leaders who will ensure equal pay and opportunity because $0.82 for every dollar is simply unacceptable. 

Thank you to the brands who provided product samples for pictures and further brand insight. If you have any favorite female-founded brands or products that you think Contessas would love, please share with me at kerrimayper@gmail.com or show me how you use the CC Collection products on Instagram @kerrimayper