The holidays are approaching, which means it’s time to start shopping! This season, we have compiled a list of our favorite, unique things that you can not only give, but many of which also give back. At Camille Beckman our mission is to be kind this holiday season, and think beyond our families to those in need around the community, and our world.
Good Fashion Sense: Express your gratitude in style this holiday season in the “THANKFUL” Stephanie cropped sweater from good hYOUman ($65). This cozy, soft, long-sleeved sweater is made in the USA, and part of a beautiful line of clothing launched in 2011 by David Novek, in memory of his beloved son Brett. Throw it on with the line’s matching “Passion is Everything” leggings for a jog around the neighborhood, or pair it with jeans and a trendy jacket for a fun fashion statement!
Handbag Perfection: Have you ever been on a mission to find the perfect handbag, and ended up settling for something you didn’t love? Bella Modi is here to change all that! This woman-owned and invented handbag company promises to end your purse woes forever, through a personalized design processes you can at the studio in Boise, or through an easy web form online. Whatever color, shape, metal trimming, or accessories you can dream up, Bella Modi can put it all together and ship it to you! Each bag is crafted and sewn by hand, and prices start at $150 and go up based on design and additions. Learn more at http://bellamodihandbags.com/!
Sleep Happy: Cozy up in a pair of delightfully colorful “Punjammies,” by Sudara. Crafted and hand sewn by women who have escaped the horrors of sexual slavery in brothels around India, these pajamas are the most comfortable way in the world to help women maintain their freedom, and rebuild their lives! Besides crafting beautiful, handmade pajamas for men, women, and children the site has expanded to include beautiful leather wallets, handbags, freedom bracelets, and more. Prices range from $29-59.
Put a Heart On It: Nothing beats adding a little personal touch to something you love and treasure. All-American luxury handbag line COACH has begun offering monogramming services on a variety of their handbags and accessories, and the results couldn’t be prettier! From symbols and initials on bags, to crafting a special-occasion massage on the inside patch, the unique possibilities are endless. Prices vary. Go to http://www.coach.com/shop/personalize to learn more!
Be the Light: Purchase an OPTIMIST bracelet from Neiman Marcus, and brighten the future for a woman in need. These beautifully-crafted jewelry pieces make excellent gifts, with hand-rolled paper beads, a recycled glass bead, and two accent discs plated in 18-carat gold. With every $25 bracelet sold, Neiman Marcus donates $25 to the Akola Project, which helps marginalized women across the globe!
Tea For the Minimalist: Bodum’s best-selling ASSAM Tea Press uses the same brewing system as a French press, so you can control how mild or strong you want your tea. Easy to use with loose leaf or tea bags, this beautifully-elegant pot comes in 17oz., 34 oz., or 51oz., and ranges in price from $35-60 at Bodum.com.
Tea For the Maximizer: The Sorapot, by Joey Roth, wins the award for best practical conversation starter on this list. With its striking appearance and futuristic appeal, the Sorapot was designed using an ancient metal casting process, and every pot is hand-polished to a brushed satin finish. It’s easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and gives even the simplest teas an air of grandeur. $285.
And Don’t Forget the Tea… To either pot above, add this special Christmas release from world-renowned tea-makers Kusmi Tea, the Tsarevna 7oz. metal tin. This beautiful black tin with gold star accents, inspired by Russian princesses in the time of the Tsars, is filled with a holiday blend of black tea, spices, orange, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, amiseed, and licorice. $29.90.
Best Face Forward: Give the gift of fresh, clean skin with the Luna Play Silicone Cleansing Brush by Foreo. This mini-version of the wildly popular Foreo vibrating facial cleanser is now available in a macaroon-sized version! It’s easy to pack and travel with, less expensive than the larger version, comes in eight colors, and is a great size for tweens or young ladies just beginning to experiment with their regular skin care routine. Added bonus: after cleansing, put a dab of your daily moisturizer on the Luna Play for a soothing and deeply-penetrating facial massage! $39
Posh Pampering: For many of us, Winter brings more than just cold weather and shorter days; it’s also the season of dry skin. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! It’s not hard to see why the French Vanilla Duo gift set by Camille Beckman is one of our biggest sellers. While the scent of these scrumptious lotions is delightfully reminiscent of fresh-baked cookies topped with hand-churned vanilla ice cream, it’s the feel of massaging them into your skin that has customers coming back again and again. The French Vanilla Holiday Duo also makes an excellent gift, not just during the holidays, but for any occasion! $32.95
Jump to the Future: Amp up the cool factor in your workouts with the new Smart Rope from Tangram Factory. While you jump, LED-embedded lights display your fitness progress in mid-air, right in front of your eyes like a futuristic personal billboard. The Smart Rope comes in chrome, gold, or black, and makes an incredibly unique gift and beautiful for the fitness fan in your life! $90, http://tangramfactory.com/home/htm/pc_eng.htm
Cheers for a Better World: This holiday season, give hope with a Glitter Celebration Gift Pack from One Wine. This super fun set includes a silver glitter bottle of Brut Sparkling Wine, two champagne flutes, and a confetti tube to ring in the New Year! Every gift box sold provides 25 meals to a child in need, through One Hope Wine’s End Hunger campaign. Other wines and gift packages are also available, and every bottle sold provides a donation to one of ten worthy causes across the globe. Cheers to making this world a better place! $18.99 - $134.
Flowers Power: Taiwanese design duo Owen and Cloud designed this beautiful and minimalistic flower vase as a statement against war. The A Peaceful Bomb Vase is not only a beautiful gift, but also a brilliant conversation-starter in any home! Proceeds from sales of the vase are donated to “Act Now to Stop War & End Racism" (A.N.S.W.E.R.). $49.
Globetrot in Style: The new A22 Carryon from RADEN is technology’s latest foray into travel products, and it couldn’t be prettier! This airline-regulation carry on is little enough for plane hopping in ease, but carries a wallop of special perks like location services, weight scale, and a charger for your phone or other electronic device! Available in white, pink, black, hunter green, navy, light blue, or light purple. $295
Light up Your Life: Get the best selfies possible, check your makeup, Skype with a friend, or light a path in the dark with the durable and fun LuMee iPhone Case. Developed by a professional photographer, the LuMee protects your phone and has LED on the right and left sides of the case, which give you soft and beautiful lighting for every occasion. Comes in rose gold, hot pink, navy, silver, black, rose, white, and gold, for both iPhones and Samsung Galaxies. $59.95.
Love this list? For more shopping, fashion, travel, and lifestyle tips visit Tanya’s blog at www.stylespygirl.com.