The Asian American Female Founder Gift Guide
Cait Yoshioka | The Willow Field
Thirteen Independent Makers and Small Businesses to Support
This year, as easy as it’d be to say “no gifts, please” to make the holidays simple and to not stress our wallets — I remind myself that our small business owners need us now, more than ever. However, gifting shouldn’t be about buying more junk we don’t need (that’s the Marie Kondo fangirl in me talking), but can be about giving experiences, giving back to meaningful causes, and supporting independent makers.
So here you have this mama’s best gift guide inspired by all the Asian girl bosses I know! (A huge shout out here to our own inspirational founder Julia Huang.) It might be my best list yet. For all this year has been, showing care to yourself, to those you love, and these small businesses is more important than ever.
For the snail mail fanatic
Atiliay, Paper Goods for a Cause
Instagram / Etsy
Olivia, owner and calligraphy master behind Atiliay, is one of the sweetest humans on the planet. Vegan, goes out of her way to be genuinely kind, and is mama to rescue animals — her hand lettered goods are just the icing on the cake. She leads digital workshops, sells kits for beginners and even has some furbaby inspired mugs (and there’s no judgement for what you fill that mug with #2020).
For the eco-friendly
Sarah Paiji Yoo decided to do something that could make a real impact on how clean our planet is when she founded Blueland, a company that wants you to buy cleaning product containers only once. You get some good-looking minimally designed bottles and containers the first time, meant to be used forever, and from then on, just go back for refills. So for the person who loves a clean house and a clean planet (who doesn’t?) this will impress.
For everyone
Asian American Girl Club
Instagram / Website
As someone who identifies as an Asian American girl and is raising an Asian American girl, let me preach — these gifts are for everyone. Your auntie, little brother, cousin, neighbor, any and all people could proudly rock their pins, t-shirts or beanies. On my personal wishlist is their Saucey Dream Tote, and that “sold out” sticker makes me cry every time I check!
For the tiny traveller (or adult who had their travel plans cancelled this year)
Totes Paris: A Dog’s Travel Guide
Instagram / Website
Seriously, is there anything cuter than a dog, in a beret, riding on a scooter, dreaming of macarons? Trick question! The answer is no, no there is not. This adorable guide to the city of lights will engage and inspire even the littlest travelers to want to explore other cities, countries, and cultures. And fun fact: Rosanne Kang Jovanovski is not only the author, but she’s the illustrator too!
For the activist
Slant’d Magazine
Instagram / Website
Their latest issue, Revolution, is a mix of personal essays, poems, art and photography that honors and celebrates sexuality, love and death as beautiful acts of revolution. This is titled “for the activist,” but I think anyone would be proud to have this book on their shelf. I know I love looking over and seeing my copies of their previous issues. Plus, on that Marie Kondo tip, you can choose to give the digital versions of their issues or get their newly released digital cookbook Full Bellies, Full Hearts, with 8% of proceeds of those sales going to Heart of Dinner.
For that last minute crowd pleaser
Japanese inspired botanicals and soaps — need I say more? Their soaps are beautiful, made by hand (even their dyes!) and smell heavenly. Also, I will always root for mama and daughter teams. Run by two of the sisters in the Watson family along with their mama Noriko, this happa-powered duo is changing the way we view family-run businesses, wellness and intentional self-care. We’re here for it! Also, here to test run any products. Email me.
For the fashionista
Chinatown Pretty
Instagram / Website
When I was young, my Grandpa took me with him to get his haircut and when the barber went to show him the back of his hair, asking if it looked alright, my Grandpa laughed and said, “I can’t see it. If it bothers someone else, that’s their problem.” And that was my first piece of fashion advice: confidence is key. You’re sure to find incredible sartorial tips from the elderly and SO MUCH MORE in Andria Lo and Valerie Luu’s book Chinatown Pretty, six years in the making, which “captures the street-style of seniors citizens across six North American Chinatowns…and their life wisdoms, along with histories of each regional Chinatown.”
Bonus: Order through their BookShop affiliate link because every month they donate 100% of those proceeds to different charities!
For the meditative types
Yumi Sakugawa Webinars
Instagram / Website
Headspace and Calm are great meditation apps, but for something different that is very personally deliberate and alternative, Yumi Sakugawa offers meditation webinars open to humans of all levels and experiences. While something magical happens when you tune in live, these experiences are also available for unlimited replay so the healing can keep going. About this upcoming one, Yumi writes: “Healing is letting yourself truly know and believe that EVERY aspect of yourself has a seat at the table, and no part of you is left behind in the dark… Everything about you can be treated with curiosity, compassion, awe, and non-judgment.”
Original image created by Margaret To
For that friend who doesn’t need any more “stuff”
Make a donation in their name / their kids name / their dog’s name to a local museum, botanical garden or library. Think of something that makes them insanely happy — now go give money to an organization that does THAT. Book lover? Library. Aspiring plant lady? Local garden. Loves to cook? Meal delivery service for local seniors. Dog mama? Rescue or shelter.
Why do I think this is the hands-down best option? You’re letting your loved one know you care about what they care about. That’s love, friends. Also, you can take care of all your gifts in under 15 minutes, on your phone.
Bonus: If you need some ideas, here are four non-profit organizations led by Asian American women whose missions everyone can get onboard with.
Wing On Wo and Co: Grows, protects and preserves NYC Chinatown’s creative culture through arts, culture and activism
Asian Pacfic American Labor Alliance: The only national organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander workers and allies advancing worker, immigrant and civil rights
The Center for Asian Pacific American Women: Developing AAPI women to be impactful and influential leaders
Aspire: Builds and empowers a community of Asian American women leaders through identity development, mentorship, and education
For the plant lover
Look — keeping plants alive can be challenging. I have a toddler, so if anyone understands the picky, sometimes frustrating nature of a small living thing unable to communicate its needs, I DO.
If that’s the case for your (plant-killer, not toddler-parent) friend, but they still dream of one day becoming a blooming plant parent, Hemleva is for you! The pins Samantha Leung creates are intricate, beautiful, and will make your inner plant lady shine. Plus, pins can be added to backpacks, coats, curtains or already wrapped presents… so the versatility of this gift also pushes the ranking in my book up a couple notches.
In addition to my previous gift recommendation, if you have a loved one that does successfully keep plants alive, I can’t say enough good things about The Sill. Founded and run by Eliza Blank, The Sill truly embodies their tag line — Plants Make People Happy. Not only can you choose to ship real, live plants, the care library and resource section of their website will make sure you understand that plant’s needs, hopes and dreams. And if you need help picking, the Hoya Hearts Duo is the cutest stocking stuffer!
For the kids
Keiki Kaukau
Instagram / Website
As the happa mama of a happa daughter (For those wondering, two happa parents = happa kid, the math works, I promise), finding toys that look like things we actually have in our home is important. She’s at an age where pretend play is all the rage and Keiki Kaukau, started by mama April Hail and based in Hawai’i, is our go to for bento box puzzles and food sets that include soy sauce bottles! Like, the glass ones with the red pour top your grandma has. It doesn’t get more authentic than that. (Plus, Keiki Kaukau donates five meals to the Hawai’i Food Bank for every Play Food Set purchased.)
For the coffee lover
Nguyen Coffee Supply
Instagram / Website
Sahra Nguyen is, if I may let my IG fangirl show for a minute, the Asian Boss Girl I aspire to be. My favorite quote of hers: “I’ll never forget the day my dad said to me that since he has three daughters, his last name will probably end and he felt sad about that. From that moment, I decided to make “Nguyen” the most famous name in the world through NCS.” (Side comment, F patriarchy.)
It’s fitting that the caffeinated item comes at the end of this gift guide, because we could all use a boost to get through the rest of 2020 and whatever it takes to start the next year on the right foot. Happy gift giving!
