The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

The Lily’s 2019 gift guide: The 35 coolest women-made gifts

We curated the best of the Internet so you don’t have to

By
October 30, 2019 at 12:45 p.m. EDT

Welcome to The Lily’s 2019 gift guide. Here, you’ll find 35 women-made gift ideas for everyone in your life, from the enthusiastic dog owner to the aspiring mixologist. This year, we’ve organized products according to various spaces in the home: the pantry, bar, living room, closet and bathroom, plus out of the house.

We spent weeks working like holiday elves — crowdsourcing recommendations from people at The Washington Post, scouring the Internet and taking note of what we love in our own lives. From affordable, striking art prints to a do-it-yourself pickling kit, we put a lot of thought into each item (and thoroughly enjoyed trying all of them before giving our ultimate stamp of approval).

As always, every brand featured here is at least 50 percent women-owned; we’ve also included a tidbit about the woman, or women, behind each product. Many of the products also have order-by dates to ensure they’ll make it to your home by the holidays.

So what are you waiting for? Step inside our gift guide and start exploring.

We can’t do this without you. Do you have recommendations for women-owned companies? Let us know here.

Art direction by Ross May. Curation by Lena Felton. Illustrations by Lisa Sheehan. Photos by Ross May and Maya Sugarman.

The Lily’s 2018 gift guide: 52 items made and curated by women

Indoor garden kit

Cost: $25

We’re not the most skilled gardeners at The Lily, but this passive hydroponic kit makes it easy. It comes with a reusable jar and steel net pot, plus growing medium and seeds (choose from basil, parsley, mint and cilantro). We have no idea how, but our basil plant started sprouting within a few days. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Modern Sprout was co-founded by Sarah Burrows, a chef who started her own garden on the balcony of her small Chicago apartment.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 16 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Lactation treats

Cost: $24

These lactation treats are rooted in Ayurvedic recipes for new mothers while featuring flavors like salted caramel, peanut butter and milk chocolate. It’s a delicious snack for the breast-feeding friend in your life who is looking to keep their supply up while pumping and nursing. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Anhoni Patel created Mrs. Patel’s in 2012, basing her recipes on ones handed down for generations by the women in her family.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 12 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Chocolate bars

Cost: $9

We promise that you’ve never seen chocolate bars as beautiful as these. Our favorite flavors include dark milk and pecans, mocha and “Ooh La Lavender,” which features honey, lavender and cacao nibs. If you have a serious chocolate lover in your life, be sure to splurge on the chocolate bar library ($60), which is a feast to behold. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Lauren Blanco, who worked in nonprofits before entering the world of chocolate, is chief executive of Markham & Fitz.

Pickling kit

Cost: $18

Everyone has a friend who’s up on the latest food trend. This gift is made for their kitchen: It includes a glass jar and two pickling blends — one hot and one mild — plus recipes for pickled carrots and cauliflower. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Curio Spice Co. was founded by Claire Cheney, a self-taught cook who has traveled the world.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 16 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Charcoal water filters

Cost: $12

Charcoal is all the rage (see: toothpaste, smoothies and more), and filtered water is tasty. Here’s a way to marry the two: Simply place a charcoal stick in any water bottle, and it’ll start absorbing impurities instantly. The sticks last up to four months. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Kishu Charcoal founder Judith Bershof, a lifelong environmentalist, sources her activated charcoal from artisans in Japan.

Roller disco chocolates

Cost: $8

Say hello to nostalgia in a chocolate. These roller disco bites are sparkly and kitschy and also delicious — their coconut-almond filling literally melts in your mouth. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Maggie Louise Callahan started her career as a lawyer, but after moving to Austin, and studying at Le Cordon Bleu, Callahan discovered a new creative outlet (and career) in chocolate.

Calabash tea

Cost: $8.50 and up

Looking for the perfect cup of tea to kick back with on a Saturday afternoon? What about a blend for an afternoon pick-me-up at work? Calabash has unique and tasty varieties, ranging from Teayoncé (a mix of lemon, ginger and lemongrass) to Sweet Dreams Are Made of Teas (a mix of chamomile, rose and galangal). Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Sunyatta Amen, founder of Calabash, got her start in her parents’ health food shop and juice bar. She was trained as a fifth-generation herbalist and later as a naturopath.

Lola’s Cocina mini sampler

Cost: $30

Indecisive? We get it. That’s why we love this sampler, which includes everything from vanilla bean sugar to salsa negra. Our personal favorites are the hibiscus jam and the colorful handmade spoon from Oaxaca, Mexico, which your gift receiver can use to dip into each jar. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Known by her friends and family as Lola, Dolores Wiarco Dweck uses Lola’s Cocina as a way to preserve her family recipes, some of which date back many generations.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 18 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Rosé wine

Cost: $20

As you may know, we’re no wine experts at The Lily, but this rosé is, for lack of a better description, delicious. (We’re also proponents of any gift that instantly transports us back to summer.) Buy here.

Meet the women behind it: Lorenza Rosé was founded in 2008 in Lodi, Calif., by mother-daughter duo Melinda Kearney, a wine industry veteran from Napa Valley, and Michele Lorenza Ouellet, a fashion model.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 10 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Rose petal sugar cubes

Cost: $8

This one’s for all the lazy mixologists out there. For an instant party trick, drop one of these sugar cubes into a flute of sparkling wine (prosecco is our favorite) and watch as the sugar melts away and the rosebuds start floating to the top. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Storied Goods is a small company based in Roanoke, Va. Creator and owner Martha Bourlakas got inspiration for her sugar cubes while drinking champagne in a restaurant.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 15 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Chai and turmeric concentrates

Cost: $24

There’s nothing quite as indulgent or cozy as a chai latte — except for maybe a turmeric one. With this two-pack, Dona doesn’t force people to choose. Add a milk of choice to either concentrate, then heat it up or serve it over ice. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Amy Rothstein started Brooklyn-based Dona Chai after getting her master’s degree in food studies at New York University.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 16 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Just add cheese set

Cost: $50 and up

Do you know someone who fancies a good cheese plate? This foolproof kit and beautiful slate board ensure they’ll make a great one every time (or until the included Sqirl jam, Rustic Bakery crackers and Mike’s Hot Honey run out). We particularly appreciate the small touches, including a cheese survival guide and a piece of chalk. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Brooklyn Slate Company has its origins in 2009, after Kristy Hadeka and Sean Tice visited Hadeka’s family slate quarry in Upstate New York.

For U.S. residents, order ground shipping by Dec. 13 and next-day services by Dec. 23 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Double-wall glasses

Cost: $50 for set of two

Hot drinks, cold drinks, even lukewarm — these double-wall glasses provide insulation for every beverage under the sun. They’re also elegant, so they’ll elevate any cocktail hour. (Or, in Team Lily’s case, an afternoon tea at the office). Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Co-founders Rachel Gant and Andrew Deming established Yield Design in 2012 in San Francisco, where the two met at the California College of the Arts. They are now based in St. Augustine, Fla.

For U.S. residents, order ground shipping by Dec. 19 and express shipping by Dec. 21 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Three-pack of candles

Cost: $89

Focused equally on scent and design, Otherland unveils new limited-edition candles every season. Although we’ve smelled quite a few candles in our lives, never have we seen them look this good. Extra points for the customizable matchbox that fits perfectly in the three-pack’s ultraslick packaging. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Abigail Cook Stone got her start as an art buyer for Ralph Lauren, and founded Otherland as a way to bring together art, design and fragrance.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 20 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Tie-dye napkins

Cost: $32

Dinner parties are bound to be awkward, but these beautiful napkins, made by the women-owned brand Fiber and Mud, are a conversation starter. Richly dyed and cut from sturdy fabric, they’re every grown-up hippie’s dream. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Butter Home, run by Claire Corley, is a tiny shop located inside Seattle’s Melrose Market.

Children’s paint kit

Cost: $32.95

Our Lily art directors wish they’d had these paints as children. Kids (or adults) can add water to the powder to create their own consistencies, from thick tempera-like mixtures to watercolors. The paints are nontoxic and come with biodegradable mixing cups and lids. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Natural Earth Paint was founded in 2011 by artist, mom and environmentalist Leah Fanning, who disposed of all her toxic and synthetic art supplies after becoming pregnant with her first child in 2009.

Knot incense burner

Cost: $55

In our stress-filled world, sometimes we just need a moment to light a stick of incense, sit back and relax. What could make a moment like that better? We know: this aesthetically pleasing knot burner. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Marah Jones is the creative moniker of Australian ceramicist Danielle Watford.

Portrait print

Cost: $70

A Pasadena housewife. A woman lost in Miami. These portraits are timeless, almost surreal. We could spend hours scrolling through them (which we’d justify because they’re far more gratifying than Instagram selfies). Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Janet Hill is a Canadian-based oil painter, and Janet Hill Studio is a family business that creates fine art prints and stationary of her works.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 6 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Abstract print

Cost: $57 and up

This is a gift for someone you know who desperately craves a hip apartment but doesn’t know where to start. It’ll transform any wall into a modern art gallery — and as expensive as it looks, it won’t break your bank. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Mexico-based Luisa Salas is an artist and illustrator. Many of her paintings and illustrations, she says, are inspired by the landscapes of her home country.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 18 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Framebridge framing service

Cost: $39 and up

This is the perfect gift for a faraway friend. It makes framing simple by allowing you to upload a photo or mail one in. Then, choose from a variety of beautiful frames. In a little over a week, they’ll do all the work and send your museum-ready piece of art to your lucky loved one. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Chair executive Susan Tynan, who worked in President Barack Obama’s budget office, stated Framebridge in 2014.

For U.S. residents, Dec. 3 is the deadline for mail-in orders placed on Framebridge.com, and Dec. 11 is the deadline for custom digital upload orders placed on the site.

Earrings

Cost: $39

These polymer clay earrings are the closest we’ve come to believing in mermaids. We love the designs and pastel hues — so much so that we might just gift them to ourselves. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Elyse Tolles established Elysian Theory in 2015 in Sacramento. Every piece is individually designed, sculpted, baked, sanded, painted and packaged by hand.

Gender-neutral underwear

Cost: $42 for three-pack

Described as “super soft” by one Team Lily member, these gender-neutral underwear are perfect for anyone — and everyone — in your life. We love how many options there are for color and print combinations, too. Buy here.

Meet the women behind it: Partners Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez launched Tomboyx to cater to larger women, women in male-dominated careers and tomboys.

Wheelchair covers

Cost: $152.63

If you haven’t caught on yet, Team Lily is very focused on design. That’s just one reason we love these wheelchair covers, which were created by various artists. Out of the dozens of options, you’re bound to find one that complements the dazzling personality of its user. Buy here.

Meet the women behind it: Dublin-based Izzy Wheels was founded by sisters Ailbhe and Izzy Keane. Izzy was born with spina bifida and is paralyzed from her waist down, which inspired Ailbhe to start designing the covers.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 2 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Sports socks

Cost: $15

These socks, which feature performance fabric and compression, are the real deal. It doesn’t matter that we didn’t just win the WNBA championship, like the Washington Mystics — the rest of us can show these socks off at our next overpriced workout class. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: In 2018, Massachusetts Institute of Technology women’s basketball coach Esther Wallace founded Playa Society after realizing she had been deterred from sports at a young age because of a lack of female representation.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 21 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Unisex fragrance sample set

Cost: $25

These aren’t so much fragrances as they are essences. One scent, Larrea, evokes the leather section of an old antiques shop, while Odyssey smells like something otherworldly. Our personal favorite is Incendo; with “fir needles, embers, sage incense, pine and sun kissed dark skies,” wearers will smell like campfire all day long. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: La Curie founder Lesli Wood initially got into fragrance to create something for those searching for an uncommon scent. Since 2013, she has released one fragrance a year.

Reusable cotton swab

Cost: $12

Cotton swabs, when flushed down the toilet, are bad for birds and other aquatic animals. If you know an obsessive Q-Tipper, gift them a LastSwab — and help them flush their guilt down the toilet instead. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Co-founder Isabel Aagaard — along with her brother, Nicolas Aagaard, and Kare Frandsen — started a successful Kickstarter campaign for LastSwab after looking for ways to eliminate single-use items.

Arnica massage and body oil

Cost: $26

One Lily team member first experienced this arnica oil during a massage. She ended up asking what it was so that she could use it later for do-it-yourself massages at home. The scent — subtle, yet luscious, lavender — is lovely. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Christi Apodaca founded C&Co. in 2012 and has opened two brick-and-mortar stores in Asheville, N.C.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 18 for delivery before Dec. 24.

Belly mask

Cost: $12

These biodegradable “belly facials” bring self-care to motherhood: They’re a nice treat for a changing part of your body during pregnancy and postpartum. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Ariane Goldman, a mother of two, created Hatch in 2011 to fill a void in the maternity market.

Reusable cleanup kit

Cost: $38

The neat freaks on Team Lily love this kit: It comes with reusable, shatterproof bottles and ready-to-mix tablets. Just add warm water to create hand soap, multi-surface, glass and mirror and bathroom cleaning solutions, and buy refill tablets for life. A plus: Everything comes packaged in compostable paper. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: When co-founder and chair executive Sarah Paiji Yoo became a new mom, she set out to use less single-use plastic, which eventually led her to conceptualize Blueland.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 15 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Waste bag holder

Cost: $24

If you’re tired of buying dog toys and treats for the dog owner in your life, look no further. Finally, here’s a gift that humans can use, too. These colorful holders snap onto leashes and come with a roll of eco-friendly poop bags that fits perfectly inside. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: The Foggy Dog, which is based in San Francisco, was founded by Rose Shattuck. She spends her days at the office with her goldendoodle, Utah.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 19 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Morning glory greeting cards

Cost: $20

Nothing annoys us more than when we rummage through our desks for a birthday card to send — and all we can find are thank you notes. Here’s a solution: Stop buying occasion-specific cards. These blank and beautiful morning glory ones are fit for any occasion. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Claire Nereim, a Chicago native, creates her Plant Planet screen prints in a small studio in Los Angeles.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 13 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Fairy house building kit

Cost: $49

Although this is ostensibly a children’s present, we suggest gifting it to a family with creative parents, too. Chances are that everyone will all enjoy assembling the delightful fairy house. Bonus: A mini glue gun, plus glue sticks, are included. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Sarah Baldwin started Bella Luna Toys after 15 years of working with young children in Waldorf classrooms and raising her own two sons.

Portable eat and drink tool kit

Cost: $22

We don’t know about you, but stylish utensils and bowls are all the rage at The Washington Post’s newsroom, where we try to make sad desk lunches happier every day. We love this set because of its variety. A spork, chopsticks, straw and the classics? What more could you need? Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Rachel Speth created Bambu with Jeff Delkin. They collaborate with woodworkers in China to make locally sourced products.

Tiny card set

Cost: $10

These are definitely the tiniest cards we’ve ever seen — and may be the cutest. Each provides the perfect amount of space to send pithy one-liners to your loved ones, and they come in a variety of simple, smile-inducing designs. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Allie Biddle is a designer and artist working in Knoxville, Tenn., who started her studio practice shortly before graduating college in 2015.

For U.S. residents, order online by Dec. 10 for delivery by Dec. 24.

Kids’ book box

Cost: ~$50 and up

If you haven’t heard of Lily Lit Club, it’s our Instagram-only book club. Naturally, we’re fans of Literati, which is a children’s book subscription service that sends your family five books at a time, allows your children to explore them for a week and then gives you the option to purchase the ones they love. We’re big fans of the age-specific book boxes for one-time gifts. Buy here.

Meet the woman behind it: Literati was founded by Jessica Ewing and Kelly Carroll, a former Google employee and a writer, who both love the world of books.

All products ship USPS, so please visit Literatibooks.com to determine delivery timing.