The Swoop

Ya'll. I forget how much I love Christmas shopping until it starts again. I love it like a little too much, like so much I sometimes forget about things like budgets. And my love language isn't even gifts... yet there is something about hunting for the perfect present for your loved ones that just gets me jazzed.

Speaking of budgets, I present you the latest Swoop Gift Guide. You could call it stocking stuffers, you could call it presents for the people you like less and don't want to spend money on.... but here at The Swoop, we are just going to consider it spreading the joy around to more people.

ONE: FEED is just crushing it with their gift suggestions this year, and this tiny planter is no exception. What friend wouldn't love a tiny fresh basil plant in their kitchen? Whether its for topping your homemade pasta or your pizza takeout (judgement free zone here), it would happily cheer up any space in between meals. And because you are buying it through FEED, it provides 3 School Meals.
TWO: Sure, I'm star obsessed and I'm happy to share that with others. But these earrings represent more than that-- add a little spunky reach for the stars inspiration to your gift recipient's life while also supporting Fosterie, a globally inspired brand promoting Columbia artisans and philanthropically reinvesting their projects.
THREE: Buying things in sets is a super great trick for bulk gift buying because you can split them up! I love this set of four adorable handmade Moroccan mugs-- perfect as a set or just as lovely as a solo gift. If you want to add something a little extra, consider gifting the mug with one of these inside:
- A: As I mentioned before, I love self care as a gift and these masks are almost too much fun. Their vibrant colors will not only brighten the holidays but also promise to clarify, firm, and refine skin. Plus, these babies are free of all the bad stuff like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
- B: Madécasse was founded by former Peace Corps volunteers and is focused on sourcing and making chocolate in Madagascar-- a rarity in an industry that sources 70% of chocolate from Africa but produces only 1% of it there. Be a part of increasing farmer income and removing unnecessary layers in the supply chain by gifting some of their chocolate.
FOUR: I literally chuckle at this gift every time I look at it-- A "lump of coal" that's actually charcoal soap from Brooklyn based soup maker APOTHEKE. The meaning behind the soap is anything but funny-- women in developing countries experience significant health risks from cooking over open fires, the equivalent of smoking two packs a day. By purchasing this soap, you will be providing a charcoal-efficient stove through The Adventure Project to a woman in need in Kenya, ending her deadly exposure to smoke inhalation. And... the receiver will still laugh. I promise.
FIVE: Hand molded by artisans in the Philippians, this planter is sure to bring cheer to all! It would be so adorable on a drab work desk situation-- if you are feeling extra generous, add a plant of your choice for your friend to treat as a love fern a la How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
SIX: For the person who you need to get a gift but you don't know them well enough to put energy into it... let me suggest this journal. Universally useful now or later, this journal is made by artisan refugees on the Thai-Burmese border. So this mystery person will at least learn that you are an AWESOME person.