The “Better for Everybody” Gift Guide

Updated: December 6, 2021

Everybody and their mothers is creating a gift guide. So why must I create one of my own when I have possibly a fraction of readers compared to those who have a much more substantial following? Well, I don’t have an answer for that (nor does that really matter, frankly). But what I do know is that I care deeply about helping others, helping the planet, and helping your wallet—all of which have been slow, simmering personal goals of mine that I’ve been arduously achieving throughout the past 1-2 years. It’s been incredibly rewarding to know that almost every action I’m deciding on and every choice I’m making is benefiting someone else in extension to myself. Wouldn’t that be something else—when everybody on the planet did something that benefitted not just themselves and their immediate circles, but also someone or something beyond our direct realms? We’re so consumed by our own worlds and how to manage what’s within it, which is no fault of our own given the individualistic society we’ve been bred into. Even I can barely get my own life in order so I don’t have that extra energy when I barely can help myself. But sometimes, I consider how much further my actions can push forth our future and what is important to the overall foundation of something better, which doesn’t have to mean exerting extra energy but rather an extension of what you’re already doing.

That’s why I really felt compelled to create a “gift guide” that was broken into how you can help someone else. If you’ve read enough of my posts, you know that I’m a huge believer in zeroing in on what is most valuable to ourselves to steer our advocacy for the things we care about. From understanding where your mental energy is at when it comes to activism to understanding where you emotional energy is when it comes to making the most of you days off, I hope to empower you into understanding your power in contributing to the greater good of our shared realities.

The list below is meant to be some sort of guide to help you gift things that also gift the world, hence the name “Better for Everybody.” I’ve used a lot of these ideas in the past for multiple occasions and from personal experience, I can say that it is another kind of satisfaction and reward knowing that you’ve brightened someone’s day—someone you care about in your life—while helping someone else in the world, or even the world itself. I think the best gifts are the ones that pass forward your thoughtfulness to someone you care about so that they feel inspired to do the same. It’s like a tying a little bow around doing some good and gifting that instead.

Sustainable and low waste ideas

My natural dish brushes (from Etsy) and dish soap from Wally Shop

My natural dish brushes (from Etsy) and dish soap from Wally Shop

  • Sustainable bathroom essentials

  • Sustainable kitchen essentials

  • Charcoal water filter sticks - this is a recent switch of mine because I was tired of replacing and throwing away my Brita filters every 3 months. Not only is it wasteful but also gets really expensive, so charcoal sticks are a great alternative that are sustainable and better for you

  • Public Goods care package

    • Use my discount code: MaiPGA

    • Bonus: they even have pet goods if your recipients have pets, too!

  • Stojo cup

  • Reusable straws & utensils kit - great for frequest travelers!

  • Thrifted/secondhand dinnerware sets or wine glasses

    • This is something I love doing as housewarming gifts for my friends who have just moved into their own adult space. Most of the time, they’re either living on their own or with a partner so finding special curated pieces that I found specifically with them in mind is really thoughtful and unique (and inexpensive!)

BIPOC and small-business owned

  • Omsom Asian spices & sauces kit (super simple to make and truly brings Asian dishes easily to your home)

    • For this week only (until 12/1), they’re donating a hot meal to homebound Asian American elderly via @heartofdinner for every Omsom Bundle sold!

  • Nguyen Coffee Supply coffee grinds and Phin filter

  • Golde matcha

  • Potli CBD-infused honey

  • Custom cocktails by If By Cocktails

    • My friend started this business out of quarantine since he no longer could bartend as normal. So he created this service where he creates custom batch cocktails to deliver to people in the Tri-State area. He includes things like Asian ingredients or a “Dealer’s Choice” where he’ll surprise you based on what you’re feeling. Such an amazing way to experience special cocktails without being in a bar.

  • Updated: Figment jewelry — founded and designed by a friend where the entire brand mission is about creating affordable gold-filled jewelry with a low-waste mission (and I help with branding!)

  • Updated: Ceramic goods by Naje & Rose — also founded by my friend who hand makes all the ceramic home goods & knits

  • Updated: Chillhouse nail press-ons (and other fun self-care products)

    • Use my discount code: MAI10

  • A book that reminds you of them (or your favorite that you want them to read)

  • La Parea Wellness candles and other wellness products

  • Fine art jigsaw puzzles by a Black artist

  • After the Rain self-love guide and memoir by wellness consultant Alex Elle

  • You can also gift them my Mind/Madder tee, especially for the mental health message and 100% of the proceeds is donated

  • Updated: This year, I released my own journal with writing prompts called Rewrite to Release, which you can purchase here

DIY and/or Homemade

Gifted this propagated pothos plant for a friend

Gifted this propagated pothos plant for a friend

  • Propagate plants and put into upcycled glass bottles

  • Reuse old wine bottles to fill with eggnog or homemade cocktails

  • Reuse old pasta jars or Mason jars and fill with homemade jam or homemade body scrubs

  • DIY essential oils with an instructions booklet on how to use them for everyday uses

  • Send a painting kit

    • This place has great kits and use my discount code: MAI20

  • OR make them a painting of your own and frame it

  • Artwork from a local artist/photographer - if you have any friends that like to take photos (like me!), you can support them by buying and then framing it yourself to give as a gift

  • Send a DIY Boba kit

  • Bake your favorite dessert or food to send to them

  • Make them a special playlist, specifically curated for them (it’s like the modern day mixed CDs)

    • My friend made one that was ordered in a way that told a story through the lyrics

  • Natural tie dye socks, tees, or anything really

    • This is a great guide using vegetables

Non-materialistic gifts/experiences

  • Donate to a nonprofit organization/social justice cause in their name

  • Ethel’s Club membership (pay for a month or two and hopefully, they’ll like it enough to continue on their own)

  • Send them to a dance class or take the class together

    • This is my old dance studio in NJ, The Hive Dance Studio, that provides either drop-in classes or group classes to take with just friends. I love this place and they have a variety of classes!

  • Energy Healing session

  • Meditation session

  • Creative Writing Workshops

  • Deep tissue massage (or any kind of massage, really)

  • A very nice, full haircut experience

  • A save-the-date hangout to take them on your favorite activity (hiking, thrifting, road-tripping, favorite restaurant, impromptu photoshoot)

    • This is really about gifting quality time. A lot of us just want to spend more time with the people we care about doing the things we love and value, and what better way than to share these special moments together. Especially since this year seems to have robbed us of these moments, it is needed now more than ever.

BONUS!!

I created this IGTV video with Public Goods to give gifts and decorate for the holidays in the most zero or least waste as possible: Top 5 Tips on Reducing Your Waste During the Holiday Season

Happy better-for-everybody shopping! Please continue to support local and small businesses and your hustling friends!

 
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