HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: POC-OWNED BUSINESSES IN LOS ANGELES
Text Lucy Guanuna
December 15, 2020 9:31am PST
This year has been full of uncertainty, upheaval, and change, which have affected all of us. The change has affected the way we see, think, feel, and socialize with one another. This year’s series of events has most certainly changed the way we shop for our food, clothes, and electronics. More time is spent on our phones, making sure we have what we need. The tragic murder of George Floyd with protests to follow has opened the eyes, mind, and hearts to many globally, which has also changed the way many of us shop.
If you haven’t finished with your holiday shopping please consider shopping from a list we’ve rounded up some gift ideas by Los Angeles-based POC-owned businesses to help you bring some joy to your loved ones; whether you’re celebrating together or gifting them from afar.
Loquita’s lip balm gift set includes three cruelty-free lip balms in festive Latinx holiday flavors including Rompopo, Coquito and Chocolate. $17 | BUY HERE
Selva Negra’s unisex Somos Humanos sweatshirt comes in two colors: Fuego and Taupe. A portion of the proceeds of every Somos Humanos sweatshirt purchase is donated to United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth-led network in the country. $80 | BUY HERE
The Reflect Collection Box by Calivolve contains six chocolate truffles made to revive your energy, boost your immunity and calm your mind. Each truffle contains 20 milligrams of CBD and comes in three flavors: spicy quinoa, turmeric ginger and lavender. $32 | BUY HERE
POT LA’s DWS mug, short for “dismantle white supremacy”, is hand-thrown and designed in Los Angeles by POT’s cofounder Ambar Arias. The inside of the mug contains Arias’ signature Jawbreaker multi-color glaze. $55 | BUY HERE
Give the gift of plant parenthood with a Latinx With Plants gift card. The Boyle Heights plant shop started as a series of pop-up fundraisers to help a family member during the coronavirus pandemic. Latinx With Plants carries everything from cactus to ferns and is now selling plant-themed face masks. $25 - $200 | BUY HERE
Sip & Sonder’s BYWU (Be You With Us) Tea Gift Set includes four bags of loose leaf tea, 40 single-use teabags and a pair of cozy mustard-colored socks. The set includes Sip & Sonders’ signature flavors: blck cherry hibiscus, vanilla lemongrass, bara vara and Morrocan mint. $50 | BUY HERE
Post 21’s curated Phenomenal Gift Box includes a calming goddess soap infused with lavender and rosemary, a sage bundle with crystal and palo santo, a luxurious hair oil, a two-ounce tin of Eu’genia Shea’s Everyday Shea Butter and your choice of a shampoo comb or pick in gold granite.
$110 | BUY HERE
Frolic & Sage’s “Keep Calm” candle has an earthy and floral scent with notes of amber, gardenia, sage and lavender. The candle has a 60 hour burn time and comes ready to gift in Frolic and Sage’s signature black and white packaging complete with a matchbook. $29 | BUY HERE
Brujeriagirl the Fragrance is a bewitched eau de parfum that is ritualized to bring prosperity and abundance to every aspect of the wearer’s life. The self-proclaimed “baddest bruja on the block” has concocted a fragrance that is a sultry blend of coffee, vanilla and floral notes. $55 | BUY HERE
Miwak Junior’s Licancabur ceramic pipe comes in dark brown with a metallic black glaze in the bowl. The pipe’s hollow interior provides a large chamber for smoke and is hand-finished for a smooth feel. $80 | BUY HERE
Millennial Loteria yet again puts another modern spin on the Mexican classic, Loteria. La Shiny AF Edition of the game comes with 56 iridescent cards, 20 game boards, 160 “bitcoins” and one enamel pin. $44.95 BUY HERE
Besito’s Sativa Minis tin comes with 10 mini joints. Each joint contains .35 grams of Sour Diesel flower hand-rolled in unbleached rice paper. Indica and Hybrid Minis are also available through Besito’s online shop.
$40 | BUY HERE
This Vinovore Host/ess With the Mostess Box features a curated selection of products by Vinovore staff. It includes 100% Gamay Red Wine, a Raaka chocolate bar, lavender cheese, crackers, a wine opener and an interactive card game. $70 | BUY HERE
Help the little ones in your life learn their first words in both English and Spanish with bilingual books by Lil Libros that feature notable people, places and holidays of Latinx cultures. $9.99 | BUY HERE
Give the gift of fresh flowers delivered weekly, bi-weekly or monthly with a Mallory With the Flowers floral subscription. Choose from small, medium or large arrangements. $100 - $200 | BUY HERE
The “Justice” mask is part of a capsule collection made in collaboration between artist Jeanetta Gonzales and fashion designer Eva Franco. Gonzales created the artwork featured in the “Justice” collection as a visual representation of the ongoing fight for racial justice and black lives. The mask is 100% cotton with a flexible nose wire and a pocket inside the lining for disposable filters. $20 | BUY HERE
Progress Brewing’s beer of the month club is the gift that keeps on giving. The monthly offering of 10 pint cans of beer can be picked up or delivered with an additional shipping fee. Members also receive a beer goblet and exclusive merch throughout the year.
$88 - $104.50 | BUY HERE
Jungalow’s Summer Time Pillow set, designed by L.A. lifestyle guru Justina Blakeney, features a sun that when placed next to each other comes full circle. Both pillows in the set are 14 by 14 inches and made of 100% wool and cotton. $89 | BUY HERE