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As the shopping season quickly approaches, finding gifts for everyone on your list can be a conundrum. Instead of going to your favorite major online retailer or big-box store, consider switching it up this year with thoughtful presents from women-owned businesses. From baked goods to book subscription services, these diverse products could be a great way to wow even the pickiest person on your gift list, plus show support for female entrepreneurs. Below, we've selected 10 of the best gifts to give this year from women-run ventures that are bound to leave a lasting impact.
1. Baked by Melissa Latest & Greatest Cupcakes; From $32
In 2008, after being fired from her job, Melissa Ben-Ishay started her dessert business Baked by Melissa with the encouragement of her brother. The New York City-based company is most well known for its bite-sized cupcakes, so for the person in your life who has a major sweet tooth, consider gifting them a box of Baked by Melissa's latest and greatest mini cupcakes, which include flavors like toasted cinnamon, mint cookie, and red velvet.
Buy it: Baked by Melissa
2. The Sill ZZ Plant; From $57
Though many of us aspire to be plant parents and cultivate a lush garden of blooming pals inside our homes, not all of us have a green thumb. Founded in 2012 by Eliza Blank, The Sill is a direct-to-consumer houseplant company that provides detailed care and watering instructions, making it easy for anyone to nurture and take care of what's inside their planters. The ZZ Plant, in particular, is a great one to gift because it's drought-tolerant, so even if your giftee is forgetful, this plant should be resilient enough to still flourish under their care.
Buy it: The Sill
3. Hill House Home The Nap Dress (Ellie); $175
During the coronavirus pandemic, comfy clothes became a staple of many wardrobes. One item in particular that's generated a lot of attention online is the Nap Dress by Hill House Home. The Ellie Nap Dress features a smocked bodice, ruffled shoulders, and an A-line silhouette—perfect for running errands throughout the day and even catching a few winks, all while feeling comfortable and chic. The brand, which was launched in 2016 by founder Nell Diamond, has many versions of this dress available in the Nap Dress Shop, so you can find one that truly suits your loved one's style.
Buy it: Hill House Home
4. BlackLIT Subscription Box; $33 per month
For book lovers out there, discovering exciting new authors and titles can be like finding a needle in a haystack. BlackLIT is a monthly subscription box that can help, as each package contains a brand-new book by a Black author, a T-shirt designed by a Black artist, and three to five products from Black-owned businesses. Founder and educator Nia-Tayler Clark launched the company in 2019 as a way to celebrate Black authors and entrepreneurs, and each box comes with multiple discussion questions, aimed at helping recipients engage in thoughtful discussions about race and other important topics.
Buy it: Cratejoy
5. Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum; $39
Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon struggled with severe eczema growing up in her native Korea. Years later, in 2012, she launched this popular beauty brand as a way to help others with similar skincare issues get smoother, healthier-looking complexions. One of Peach & Lily's most sought-after products is the Glass Skin Refining Serum, which is safe on sensitive skin and formulated with peach and East Asian mountain yam extract to help create a softer, more hydrated-looking visage. For K-beauty lovers, this is definitely a gift worth giving.
Buy it: Peach & Lily
6. Ruggable Star Wars The Rebellion Rug; From $99
For the home decor and pop culture fan in your life, Ruggable's Star Wars collection is a dream come true. Out of the entire collection, the Rebellion Rug is one of the most popular styles, featuring Rebel Alliance starships like an X-wing, an A-wing, and the iconic Millennium Falcon. This pattern is available as a runner, a circle, or an area rug in various dimensions. Another bonus is that all the brand's rugs (including this one!) are completely washable, which was founder Jeneva Bell's mission when she created the company in 2010.
Buy it: Ruggable
7. Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Robe; $99
As a brand, Parachute was established in 2014 by founder Ariel Kaye as a way to provide "exceptional everyday essentials that make you feel at home."For those who want nothing more than to stay warm and cozy at home during the holiday season, Parachute's Classic Turkish Cotton Robe could be an incredible gift. This wrap-around garment is one of the brand's bestsellers, and has over 2200 reviews and a 4.27 star-rating. Several customers enjoy how luxurious the robe feels, with one noting: "It does feel like we are at a spa or resort when we are right in our own home."
Buy it: Parachute
8. Jiggy Puzzles Subscription; $29 per month
As the days grow darker, we'll be spending an increasing amount of time in our homes and will need activities to keep us busy. Jiggy Puzzles is a Shark Tank-approved brand that was created in 2019 by Kaylin Marcotte, who used puzzles to relax after working at a stressful start-up during the day. The company offers monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly subscription boxes featuring a new puzzle designed by up-and-coming artists that could entertain your friend all year long.
Buy it: Jiggy Puzzles
9. Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Uncensored; $25
Though it now seems like practically every celebrity has a beauty line available, Rihanna's Fenty Beauty brand, which the singer launched in 2017, feels exceptional because of its emphasis on inclusivity. One of the brand's first and most popular products is its Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored. This vibrant red color is considered a universal red, meaning it will look good on any skin tone. So, whether your loved one is a beauty-obsessive or has been searching for the right red lipstick, this gift is bound to make them feel extra confident when they leave the house.
Buy it: Fenty Beauty
10. Rent the Runway Monthly Membership; Starting at $69 per month
Fashion often comes at a high price, but Rent the Runway's subscriptions make it more affordable to wear designer clothes. For those on your list who wish they could be sitting front row at major fashion shows but don't want to pay designer-label prices, a Rent the Runway subscription is a must. The brand, established in 2009 by friends Jenn Hyman and Jenny Fleiss, offers different plans depending on the number of items borrowed per month. Simply request the clothes and then send them back when you're done; this service makes it that simple. While some recent studies show that renting clothing may not be as eco-friendly as was once believed, it could still be a good alternative to shelling out thousands on new clothing every season.
Buy it: Rent the Runway
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