Holiday Gift Guide: Artisanal, Handmade & Inclusive
2023 has sped by at what feels like an unprecedented pace. Or maybe the year has come and gone in the blink of an eye because most of the year we’ve been heads down and laser focused on goals and to-do lists. You might be surprised to learn that the National Retail Federation is projecting a 3 - 4% increase in holiday sales from 2022, reaching an average of $957.3 billion and $966.6 billion. Amidst all the holiday chaos, travel plans and social calendars you may ask yourself if your loved ones really need any more material clutter in their lives. At the same time, you may dread the long TSA lines and airport mayhem that accompany a travel experience. While the holiday season can be a stressful and lonely time, it’s also an opportunity to connect holiday purchases with purpose and impact. We’re not referring to the corporate social responsibility commitments made by global brands. Small businesses account for 44% of the local economy, investing in our retirement plans, end of year bonuses, health care and child care benefits. That’s why it’s so critical to shop small not just during the holiday season, but all year round. An investment in a small business is an investment in the socioeconomic livelihood of yourself, your neighbors, family and friends. You may ask where you can find a comprehensive directory of small businesses - we’ve got just the thing! The Small Business Majority publishes an annual gift guide in addition to its research, resources, advocacy and policy work. Their holiday gift guide features over 250 small businesses across the United States and its territories that allow you to filter by over 14 categories.
We’re honored to be featured in the gift guide for a consecutive year along with a nationwide cohort of social impact brands. Not sure where to start? Take a look at these holiday gift ideas by category:
Best Natural Hair Gift Sets for Her, Him and They
Not sure about her hair texture? Can’t land on ingredients she likes and uses? No problem! Natural hair product gift sets aren’t the only options on the market. Try holiday hair accessories like decorative bobby pins, scarfs, head wraps, silk head bands and more. They are versatile and can be a festive hair option for the next holiday gathering.
Ruby Sampson National Head Wrap Day Bundle Gift Set
November 20th marks National Head Wrap Day! This year we paid tribute to the holiday with an exclusive Ruby Sampson print. Look deeper and you’ll draw a connection between the 4 steps of what we coin the Eryka Badu head wrap style. Not sure your intended knows how to tie a head wrap? That’s exactly why this bundle is important. Not only does the print teach you how to tie a head wrap, but the packaging holds the same step by step illustration. With the National Head Wrap Day Bundle Gift Set, they’ll receive:
- The National Head Wrap Hair Pin
- The National Head Wrap Day Satin Lined Head Wrap
- The National Head Wrap Day Satin Knotted Head Band
- The National Head Wrap Day Cotton Head Band
With this gift set you bundle and save! Take 22% off when you add all items to your cart.

Price Point: Under $100
Ruby Sampson Assorted Hair Accessories Gift Set
Ask anyone who wears their hair in ponytails and buns and you’ll find that bobby pins never seem to stay by your side for long! You can never have enough of this basic, yet critical styling tool. It’s the essential building block to any updo. Never are they more important when you have a special occasion or holiday party to attend. When you purchase our Assorted Hair Accessories Gift, you’ll receive this utility piece in addition to:
- 1 Bobby Pin Pack
- 1 4-Pack Custom Decorative Hair Pin
- Gift box
- Tissue Paper
- Ribbon
- Tinsel Holly
Each gift set varies with a custom mold decorative hair pin. Options include our Guinep Leaf Decorative Hair Pin, our Kissing Leopards Decorative Hair Pin and our National Head Wrap Day Decorative Hair Pin. Each gift set holds a 4 pack of the one decorative hair pin design. Give the gift of festive holiday hair with this natural hair gift set!

Price Point: Under $50
What Should Be Included in a Beauty Care Package?
The answer is it depends on your gift recipient. How well do you know their scent preferences, skin care regimen and allergy sensitivities? Do they opt for powder scents or do they gravitate towards scentless lotions and body butters? Depending on your answers, it may make sense to craft your own beauty package gift set.
SK+N / MUSE Devine Body Oil
In September we met Pretty Well Beauty Founder Jazmin Alvarez at Culture Con in Brooklyn. She carefully curates a holistic beauty and skin retail store at the Oculus in NYC. She put the most incredible oil-based fragrance in our hands SK+N Muse Devine Body Oil. If you love an Egyptian Honey powder scent and light weight oil, this is a must try!

Price Point: $50 - $70
LILAQUE Plant Based Nail Polish
The Small Business Majority selected Lilaque as a woman-owned brand featured in the 2023 Holiday Gift Guide. Founded by a Ph.D. Chemical Engineer, Lilaque offers the first and only soy-based DIY gel nail system. Their manicure kit includes everything needed to do your own salon-quality gel nails at home for less than the cost of one salon visit. Their gel polish is up to 74% plant-based and lasts 1-2 weeks when applied as directed. Their formulas are vegan, 9-free, and cruelty-free and low-to-no odor. They also offer a plant-based cuticle oil. The best part? It’s 20% off black Friday weekend!

Price Point: Under $50
SHOP and/or Follow
Mission Enspire New Year Workbook
The Small Business Majority also selected Mission Enspire, a black-owned female-owned brand from Chicago for their 2023 Holiday Gift Guide. Jennifer D. McClain, CEO & Founder of Mission ENSPIRE LLC, helps professional women prioritize themselves so they can lead impactful lives without sacrificing their own personal growth. Do you want to create more of what you want in your life? Are you stuck on autopilot doing the same things again and again? Do you have a vision for breaking free and being more than what you are? With the Embracing a Positive Mindset for the New Year workbook, you’ll discover how to start changing your mindset, inspire you to think about the content you’re focusing on, and encourage you to make friends with other positive people. Transform your life with a positive mindset!

Price Point: $30
Which Fashion Brands are Environmentally Friendly?
Ruby Sampson Satin-lined Robe Coat
Ruby Sampson supports sustainable, eco-friendly production methods in the development of its garments and accessories. Limited run, small batch production and digital printing allows us to manufacture fabrics to the exact quantity needed to minimize waste, save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our garments are predominantly cellulose and biodegradable fabrics, such as cotton and silk. Our fabric is printed in China and made in the USA and Guyana, supporting our local businesses and artisans with fair, ethical wages. Our Satin-Lined Robe Coats are handcrafted in Guyana by skilled seamstresses.

Price Point: $150
Ale O Moda
The Small Business Majority Gift Guide also highlights woman-owned, LatinX-owned brand Ale O Moda. They’re on a mission to revolutionize the fashion industry through sustainable clothing. Their passion lies in creating a genderless collection that not only looks good, but also does good for the planet. In a world where fast fashion is taking its toll on the environment, Ale O stands as a beacon of change. Their clothing is meticulously crafted from eco-friendly materials, ensuring that every piece you wear leaves a minimal ecological footprint. By embracing a genderless approach, they promote inclusivity and self-expression, allowing individuals to wear what resonates with their unique identity. At Ale O fashion meets sustainability and every garment tells a story of mindful consumption and empowered self-expression. Together, let's shape a world where clothing doesn't just make a statement, but also makes a difference.

Price Point: Over $100
Bromelia Swimwear
Bromelia, a woman-owned swimwear label 100% made in the USA also made the Small Business Majority Gift Guide! Their designs begin with intention. Every suit is crafted for a specific body type and constructed to follow your curves, rather than restrict you. They embrace the artful blend of function and comfort, without compromising aesthetic. Their skilled team has spent decades in the garment industry and truly understands what a 'real body’ deserves. Embracing conscious operations and using responsible materials, they add depth to our product by creating local jobs and showing their unyielding commitment to quality and socio-environmental responsibility. They have phenomenal specials this holiday season including mystery gift bags! Not to mention their fit experts are also always available to assist in helping you size and style your look.

Price Point: Over $100
Where Can I Find Last Minute Holiday Deals?
Holiday shopping can easily become overwhelming and it can be hard to keep track of gifts! That’s why discounts and bundle and save deals work so well during this time of year. Check out these giftable brands:
OZEM Candle Co
OZEM is an acronym, embracing and living an Open, Zealous, Energetic, and Meaningful life. It is a state of mind which prioritizes self-care, while uncovering your inner serenity. Their candles welcome positive energy into your space while providing amazing aromatherapy in order for you to relax and release. This luxury candle brand is dedicated to people who seek comfort, peace, and style. They intentionally design candles with a minimalist aesthetic to create a calm but visually pleasing product. Try out their premiere product line “Rejuvenate,” meaning to refresh, revive, renew, restore, and regenerate. This line consists of two 8 oz candle scents: Pink Champagne and Ocean Breeze. Products can be purchased individually or as a bundle package. Did we mention they offer gift cards? From November 20, 2023 - Dec 31st they are offering 25% of all orders (discount automatically applied at check out). If orders exceed $50, customers also receive free shipping (nationwide only)!

Price Point: Under $50
Xocolatl Small Batch Chocolate
This Asian American and Pacific-Islander, woman-owned brand makes chocolate from sustainable, ethically-grown cacao farms throughout the Americas and East Africa. Throughout the process, they strive to enrich the lives of everyone involved with their products -- from the phenomenal farmers who grow and harvest their beans, to their customers who delight in their finished product. With a commitment to social justice and tastes deeply planted in honestly made foods, they hope their chocolate provides you with the same sense of contentment and adventure from which it originally came. This Black Friday they’re offering 25% off your purchase. Visit their site on Small Business Saturday to unlock 20% off and Sunday for 15% off. Their deals sunset on Cyber Monday with free shipping.

Price Point: Under $20
SHOP and/or Follow
Happy holiday shopping! Don’t forget to shop small this holiday season, whether they’re white elephant gifts for the office or intentional gifts for the favorite people in your life. Drop us a line in the comments and share your thoughts! Are you a part of our social community? Follow us at @shoprubysampson on all channels. Subscribe to our mailing list to unlock secret sales, early access to product launches, natural hair and styling tips
Happy holiday shopping! Don’t forget to shop small this holiday season, whether they’re white elephant gifts for the office or intentional gifts for the favorite people in your life. Drop us a line in the comments and share your thoughts! Are you a part of our social community? Follow us at @shoprubysampson on all channels. Subscribe to our mailing list to unlock secret sales, early access to product launches, natural hair and styling tips