‘Tis the Season for My Love Language
Happy December! Although the introvert in me struggles with the frenetic energy of this month, I do love the act of gift giving (and receiving ;-))!
It can be hard not to get trapped by the materialism of it all, so I try to put my dollars where my heart is. With women-owned businesses. With things that pleasure the senses. Today, I offer my suggestions for recent discoveries that have brought me joy and will be on my list this year.
My #1 favorite condiment is Fly by Jing’s Sichuan Chili Crisp. I put it on eggs, rice, stir-fries, you get the idea. Since I first discovered it, at some point during the pandemic, it’s become widely distributed. But I recommend buying from them directly. Founder Jing Gao is also an immigrant daughter!
I have been slowly switching to women of color-owned skincare and makeup products. Among my favorites are Live Tinted’s Hue Stick in Change, a color that makes you glow year-round, regardless of your skin tone. Other great products on their site are the Hyperpigmentation Serum Stick and the Rays Copper Eye Masks. And the founder Deepica Mutyala is also one of us!
Babba Rivera, a Chilean Swede, created Ceremonia, which I love for their amazing-smelling hair products that are especially good for curly or wavy hair.
Other places I plan to buy gifts are Urban Native Era, because we all need the reminder that we’re on Native land. And Lara Kaur’s affirmative sweatshirts that remind us we look hella good.
I also love to give the gift of books, which I’ll buy at my local bookstore Yu & Me Books or at Bookshop, where you can support other independent booksellers.
Our team at No.1 (Leslie & Nina) has also shared their favorites, including the best-smelling candles to ever exist, at The New Savant, and more hair products at Briogeo. For apparel, they suggest Kin Apparel’s satin-lined hoodies (from Ghanaian American Philomina Kane) and Melody Ehsani’s boutique that features exceptional everyday jewelry and elegant casual wear.
Lastly, Chani Nicholas, whose daily horoscope starts my day, has just published a list of delicious-looking gifts by astrological sign, most of which are from female-founded companies.
Happy gift giving and getting!
Sayu