The Ultimate Gift Guide to Shop Women-Owned

Fun fact: 42 percent of businesses in the US are owned by women and 16 percent of startups have at least one female founder at the helm. As we open our purses this holiday season, we’re shopping more sustainably and supporting those badass women makers and entrepreneurs. To help you sort out a gifting strategy that truly gives back, we’ve curated a variety of gifts from female founders and women-owned brands — they’re sure to satisfy everyone on your list!

From the beauty lover to the home chef, we have options for everyone. And hey, nothing wrong with getting yourself a little holiday gift, too.

This hand bracelet is perfect for the stylish friend who isn’t afraid to take fashion risks (maybe it’s you?). Ethical fashion brand MAM was co-founded by Anthya Tirado and produces genderless pieces that are creative and unique.
Bossy Beauty is a cruelty-free makeup brand founded by self-proclaimed “lipstick junkie” Aishetu Fatima Dozie. This gift set includes a combo palette, mascara, and lip gloss, and a portion of all proceeds support non-profit organizations like Girls Inc. and the Women at Risk International Foundation. 
The brainchild of French-born founder Elise Pioch Balzac, Maison Balzac offers hand-blown glassware that adds fun flair to any dinner party or bar cart. We especially love these playful Champagne coupes — they’re just begging to be filled with Une Femme.
HALL OF FEMME HONOREE
Founded and edited by Leah Melby Clinton and Hannah Weil McKinley, In Kind is an independent, biannual magazine focused on capturing the conversations modern women are having as they navigate motherhood, career, and personal style.
You can’t go wrong with a cozy knit, and this one is sustainably made with 100 percent biodegradable yarns (better for your wardrobe and the planet)! The Knotty Ones was co-founded by three besties, Sandra, Akvile, and Danute, and supports independent female artisans and female-founded factories in their native Lithuania.
These cozy blankets come in an array of colorways and punchy prints and can be used for yoga, beach hangs, park days and lounging on the sofa. Each one is hand woven by talented artisans in central Mexico and features a handmade leather carrying strap. Caminito’s mother-daughter team, Elizabeth and Liz Clark, create each item as “a tribute to Mexico’s color and craft.”
This whimsical handbag doubles as a conversation piece. We love the playful feathers and chic rosewood handle, which is carefully hand carved by female artisans in Kenya. Brother Vellies is a lifestyle and accessories brand founded by designer and activist Aurora James, who also created The Fifteen Percent Pledge. 
An ideal gift for someone with a sweet tooth, these holiday-inspired ice cream flavors are made from Direct and Fair Trade ingredients, giving them a uniquely smooth texture and buttercream body. James Beard Award-winning ice cream maker Jeni Britton founded her company in 2002 to “make better ice creams and bring people together.”
Founded by longtime chef Ellen Bennett, Hedley & Bennett makes functional, durable aprons that will make any cook feel like a professional. We didn’t know we needed a denim apron until seeing this piece!
British designer Bella Freud’s 007-inspired trinket tray is a gift any jewelry wearer will appreciate. Her designs have built a cult following among the likes of Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, and Zadie Smith. 
HALL OF FEMME HONOREE
Hall of Femme Honoree Jing Gao made headlines this year with their line of Sichuan sauces. Inspired by the amazing flavors of her hometown Chengdu, Gao wanted to create a brand that doesn’t conform to anyone else’s notions of value, taste, or tradition.
Une Femme Wines, co-founded by Jen Pelka, works with women winemakers and donates a portion of every purchase to women-centered charities like TreeSisters and Dress For Success. The bubbly Betty and crisp Callie are a treat on their own, but together they’re a triumph — this duo is a great gift that really gives back. 
This warm floral fragrance has notes of magnolia, musk, and Bulgarian rose, fit for the bad gal on your list. As Fenty Beauty founder Rihanna says: “This exudes everything I feel, everything I am, and everything I want to be.” 
Brett Heyman is the founder of Flower by Edie Parker, which offers luxury cannabis and smoking accessories. We love this fun cherry pipe, which is very effective and also makes a great piece of decor.
With Golde, co-founder and CEO Trinity Mouzon Wofford aims to make wellness easy, fun, and accessible to everyone. This kit has everything you need to make the perfect matcha at home — just add milk!
Mani-obsessee Sarah Gibson Tuttle is the founder of Olive & June, which makes vegan and cruelty-free varnishes for a salon-perfect performance. This winter set is perfect for the at-home beauty junkies.
 
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This book features 50 of the most admired women in music, film, literature, politics, human rights and more. With colorful illustrated portraits by artist Monica Ahanonu and inspiring biographies from Darian Symoné Harvin, it’ll be a beautiful addition to any desk or coffee table. 
 
Pineapple Collaborative was founded by six women on a mission to connect and celebrate with people who love food. The brand partnered with oleologist and expert olive oil taster Kathryn Tomajan on this organic olive oil, which is sustainably harvested in California and crafted in small batches.
Lunya founder Ashley Merrill set out with a mission to reclaim rest and create comfortable sleepwear for the modern woman. They pride themselves on their attention to detail, use of high quality materials, and sustainable business practices.
Co-founded by Karla Gallardo and Shilpa Shah, Cuyana is all about “fewer, better things” and this pebbled leather laptop sleeve certainly fits the bill. It’s chic, sustainable, and doubles as a desk or mouse pad. Cuyana also partners with H.E.A.R.T., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping female victims of abuse, by donating apparel and accessories to their mission.
Chunks founder Tiffany Ju was on the hunt for the perfect hair accessory when her brand was born. Her fun, colorful clips and barrettes are made from high-quality acetate and work for all hair types.
Blair Armstrong founded Gilded to “craft skincare essentials and accessories that nourish and beautify, elevating the sacred body to its most brilliant form.” The brand’s candles are gorgeous and come in two parts: a quartz vessel and replaceable wax insert that allows you to switch between sumptuous scents like Lavender, Cannabis Smoke and English Garden. 
Nikita Ramsinghani Charuza was inspired by traditional Indian hair oiling and the DIY products that shaped her childhood when founding Squigs Beauty. This award-winning haircare treatment features amla oil, which is derived from the gooseberry plant and has been used in Indian communities for centuries.
Kaylin Marcotte is the founder and CEO of Jiggy, which offers this boob-tastic puzzle illustrated by Julia Heffernan. A percentage of every sale goes directly to the artist and each puzzle comes with glue, so you can turn your finished treasure into wall art. 
This genius travel sleep set is for the jetsetter in your life — it includes a mulberry silk pillowcase, scrunchie, and weighted eye pillow with removable insert silicone beads that can be chilled before use (perfect for those extra-long nights). Founded by Orion Brown, BlackTravelBox products are made for life on the go, with TSA-approved packaging and formulations that are a breeze to pack and carry on.
Founder Stephanie Summerson Hall named her collection of retro-colored glassware in honor of her grandmother, Estelle, who she describes as "a jewel of a person that instilled in me an appreciation of the pastime of treasure hunting for beautiful finds.” For the baking enthusiast, this hand-blown baking stand will be a hit. 
This DIY kit is ethically handcrafted with sustainable materials by Akola women in Uganda and makes a great gift for crafty ladies of all ages. Akola means “she works” in a local dialect, and the brand employs and champions women who live in the margins. Founder Brittany Merrill Underwood is on a mission to create a female empowered workforce that contributes to Africa’s economic development.
If your list includes someone with a green thumb, The Sill is here for you. Founder Eliza Bank’s passion for plants led her to inspire others to cultivate a life and home with greenery. We love this trio of indoor grow kits, which feature a terracotta planter and nested coconut net pot for drainage. All you need is sun and water!
 
SVNR Capetown earring, $120 and up
SVNR founder Christina Tung makes each of her handmade pieces from found, re-used, upcycled and natural materials. We especially love this agate and quartz drop earring — 100 percent of proceeds from this style goes to Building Black Bed-Stuy, which provides financial relief for Black-owned businesses and organizations in Brooklyn, NY.
Girlfriend Collective is leading the slow fashion revolution. Co-founded by Ellie Dinh, the brand makes Instagram-ready athleisure pieces from recycled materials like polyester and fishing nets. This gift bundle features a pair of ultralight leggings (for working out or vegging out) and a buttery-soft bra made from recycled water bottles.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop brand is well-known for their wellness offerings, and this clitoral stimulator promises deeply satisfying orgasms and a vulva massage. The device is ultra quiet, water-resistant, and looks chic (and unassuming) on a bedside table. Why not give the gift of pleasure this holiday season? 
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Hall of Femme Honoree Jordan Schenck is the Co-founder and CMO of Sunwink, the first-ever sparkling herbal wellness tonic made with the world’s cleanest herbs that are good for your body and the planet. Jordan is on a mission to build a plant-powered movement to help people reconnect with nature and feel great every day.
OUI the People founder Karen Young has a clear mission: “Rather than pursuing flawlessness, we aim to build efficacious products, designed thoughtfully, that help you feel great in the skin you’re already in,” she says. If there’s someone on your list who needs help chilling out, we suggest the Big Mood bath soak, which melts away tension with a detoxifying mix of aloe, magnesium and dead sea salt. Better still, one percent of every OUI the People purchase is donated to a nonprofit of your choice
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This 8-piece napkin set is made from premium reclaimed fabric in a variety of pretty prints, and comes nestled in a cool lucite drawer box. Atelier Saucier was founded by Nikki Reed and Staci Inspektor, and a portion of every purchase benefits local food and wellness initiatives throughout Los Angeles. 
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As a “proud, loud Asian food brand,” Omsom founders Kim and Vanessa Pham are setting the record straight on anti-MSG xenophobia. Their limited-edition refillable shaker set includes salt, pepper, and MSG, a plant-derived ingredient that packs a punch of umami flavor to any dish. It’s a perfect gift for the foodie in your life. 
Sundree products are the manifestation of a shared vision between friends Sahar Sanjar Dejban and Sahar Vazin Nezhad, who were looking to simplify their skincare routines. This facial globe works wonders to soothe and de-puff, so it’s a morning self-care must have. A portion of each sale goes directly to the Mental Health Coalition, an organization working tirelessly to end stigma and provide tools for community support. 
Our Place’s Shiza Shahid also co-founded the international non-profit Malala Fund, which should tell you a thing or two about her values. The cookware brand’s best-selling products make thoughtful gifts — especially this space-saving set, which replaces more than eight different pieces.
This feminine pendant necklace is crafted in 18k gold vermeil and pink enamel, and features a thread set in tsavorite. Mejuri was co-founded by Noura Sakkijha with the mission of redefining luxury and working directly with the world’s best jewelers. Through their Empowerment Fund, Mejuri works with various partners to provide women and non-binary people with broader financial and educational resources.
This diffuser sets the vibe for any room — not only does it emit scent naturally, but it also has an ambient light for a candle-like glow. Sara Panton co-founded Vitruvi after learning about the toxic chemicals used in traditional air care and home scenting products. All of the brand’s scents are 100 percent natural, vegan, pure, and cruelty-free.
These confetti slides are a conversation-starting party accessory and a fabulous gift for your most glam friend. Each of Llani’s vintage-inspired accessories are embellished by hand in small-batch, limited runs. They also emphasize their commitment to sourcing high-quality, sustainable materials.
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Diaspora Co. was founded by Hall of Femme honoree Sana Javeri Kadri to grow an equitable spice trade and push a broken system into an equal exchange. The spice company started with one product and has expanded to 30 single-origin spices from 150 farms across India. This build-your-own spice set makes the perfect gift for your favorite home chef. Choose from their best sellers or customize your box to sprinkle some joy into someone’s holiday season.
This fan-favorite sunscreen has been all the rage the last few years – chances are you’ve seen at least one of your friends pull this out of their purse. This reef-friendly, cruelty-free sunscreen spreads so smoothly that it doesn’t even feel like sunscreen. The company’s founder started her business by getting SPF pumps into schools in Texas to make access to sunscreen more convenient. The company continues to donate SPF pumps to schools across the United States.
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The Couplet Coffee Espresso Starter Kit makes a perfect gift for your coffee-loving friends. Couplet’s founder and Hall of Femme Honoree Gefen Skolnick is a first-generation immigrant and proud queer woman who started the company to make great-tasting, specialty coffee less intimidating and more accessible to the masses.
Wildfang creates high-quality clothing pieces that rethink gender norms in fashion. Each piece is sustainably crafted to embrace the feminine, masculine, and everything in between. Their closet staples last for years and can fit with many different styles. The company has given back over $650k to ProjectQ, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Tegan & Sara Foundation, RAICES, Girls Inc, and many more. They continue their commitment to diversity & equality by investing in their team with an active effort to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
After spending over ten years in fashion and digital marketing, focusing on innovative design and emerging brand growth, MLE founder Li Mandri decided to launch her own accessories line based in NYC. Many pieces are made-to-order in New York by a small team of skilled craftswomen, including Li herself. These claw clips make a perfect stylish stocking stuffer.
Alexa Leigh Jewelry - price varies.
Alexa Leigh Jewelry launched in 2010 with the intent to create sentimental value behind each piece of jewelry. They create earrings, chain necklaces, and bracelets with high-quality materials. Each of these pieces are perfect for everyday wear and can be customized to your liking.
Founded by a new mother with a desire to eliminate single-use plastic packaging, Blueland is redefining the way we think about household cleaners. Instead of getting a new bottle each time you buy a cleaning product, Blueland provides glass bottles and soap tabs that easily dissolve in water. Their Clean Essentials kit is a fantastic place to start with their plant-based cleaner and includes their Hand Soap, Multi-Surface Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner, and Glass + Mirror Cleaner.
Hotel Lobby Candle was founded by a travel writer & editor who wanted to capture the essence of a luxurious getaway. Thus, she created a candle that transports you to your favorite hotel lobbies without having to leave home. All Hotel Lobby Candles are made with all-natural soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks, making them the perfect gift for just about anyone.
We love Brightland, and for good reason! Their gourmet olive oils and vinegars have no fillers or artificial preservatives, with ingredients sourced from a family-run California farm. Brightland’s founder Aishwarya Iyer was inspired by her ancestors that were salt farmers in South India. “The land provided for them, and in turn they provided salt for people in the South. It’s a beautiful cycle when left untouched,” says Aishwarya. This mini essentials set includes all their best-selling products, perfect for your favorite home chef.
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As a Certified Tea Sommelier, Hall of Femme Honoree Laura Shanley’s passion lies in helping individuals understand the foundation in the history, traditions, preparation, and health benefits of tea. The Modestine Teas Travel Pack is the perfect way to try all their teas at a relatively low cost.
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