2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Like last year my gift guide focused on small business but this year there is an emphasis on handcrafted, sustainable, unique, thoughtfully curated gifts which will spark and inspire self care, care for community, nature and the planet.
1.Valleybrink Road Wellness Bundle
Barrett Prenderdgast, founder of Valleybrink Road has created thoughtfully curated gift boxes with unique, artisanal, and quality products for a wide range of interests from the foodie, the chocolate enthusiast to the wellness enthusiast and beyond. I am featuring her Wellness Bundle which includes some of my favorite products of the moment. She recently shared with me, Valleybrink Road was started in 2013 and born out of a desire to create beautiful gifts that would leave a lasting impression. Whether it be a luxurious box filled with artisan sweet treats or a bundle of organic spa essentials, we are dedicated to spreading joy through unique and inspired gifting moments.” There are so many wonderful boxes and bundles to choose from.
Valleybrink Road is generously offering a 25% discount on the Wellness Bundle (only), now through December 21st. Use code amalgam25 when checking out. Limit to one use per customer
2. Canelle et Vanille Bakes Simple: A new way to bake Gluten-Free by Aran Goyoaga
Aran Goyoaga has been a great inspiration to me as a cook, baker, food stylist and photographer. Aran hails from the Basque region of France and has incorporated her region’s food culture into her voice as a chef. She and her family have been gluten-free for many years and she specializes in gluten-free baking. Gluten-free baking can seem daunting but in Canelle et Vanille Bakes Simple, Aran offers recipes which are beautiful, attainable and delicious. As always, the photography is stunning. This book is a must for anyone gluten-free or wanting to try gluten-free baking.
3. Oracle Olive Oil
Last year I came across the beautiful dark blue bottle with an eye catching label of an ethereal woman holding a vase painted in water color, and I had to get it without knowing anything about the olive oil. When I tasted the Greek extra virgin olive oil I was blown away, being transported back to my summer in Greece when I was 20. Made from 100% organic Koroneiki olives, creator Christiana Sadigianis, who grew up in Greece, hailing from a family whose ancestors have produced oil there for generations, has brought us an exceptional, low-acid, fresh, smooth with a tiny kick at the end small batch olive oil. Her goal was to create an oil that could bridge the gap between the old world and her new world of culinary arts. I believe she did a fine job.
I drizzle this oil on my soups, salads, desserts and more. And I love how her stunning bottle looks on my counter
Amalgam readers receive a 15% discount today through December 10 at 11:59pm.
Please use the code AMALGAM15 at check out.
4. Sabah Blue Travel Backgammon Board
Now that we are beginning to travel a bit more, I plan on stocking up with some handy travel games. I love the Sabah travel backgammon board because it rolls up into a tight convenient roll which can be easily stored. It is large enough to enjoy a proper game and small enough to conveniently pack in a plane, train or automobile. Great camping too. The blue is on my Christmas list but it also comes in red, green and camel, hand crafted in Istanbul. The leather is from the highest quality, full grain hides, tanned with a semi-vegetable dyed, drum dying process using only natural ingredients.
5. Shiva Rose Rosewood Vanilla Candle
Anyone who knows me, knows I am a lover of toxic-free, well made, sensual candles. Vanilla has always been a favorite scent of mine and coupled with the warmth of rosewood, makes a perfect soothing candle which will lend its warming sent and light to a late night bath or an early morning meditation session. This candle is hand poured, hand crafted and is made of natural coconut wax with a lead free cotton wick. All of Shiva’s products are 100% toxic-free, and made without any chemicals and she sources thoughtfully procured organic ingredients. Check out her bath salts, face creams and serums, and body oils, infused with quality essential oils, evoking the essence of nature, connecting you to the natural world through your senses.
Shiva is offering 20% discount, site wide to Amalgam Kitchen followers now through January 1st. Enter code amalgam20 at check out.
6. Kate Kilmurray Earth Collection Pot Holders
Kate Kilmurray creates lovely crocheted weavings and offers in person and online weaving instruction classes. Weaving supplies are available on her website for purchase. For Kate weaving is “embodied meditation.” She says, “making beautiful handwoven textiles helps me to tap into my inner stillness and creativity.” I adore her hand woven potholders and feel her intentionality when I hold them in my hands. They come in an array of beautiful colors but my favorite ones are single toned from the Earth collection, the willow green and ochre are at the top of my gift giving list. They’re elegant in their simplicity. They are utilitarian, unique and practical. I for one adore receiving hand made one of a kind gifts.
Enjoy a 10% discount November 26-December 15 with code akholiday10 at checkout.
Limited to a one time purchase of Earth Collection weavings only. No limit to the number of weavings, just the style.
7. The Body Guasha Aura Collection
The Guasha seems to have taken the health and wellness sector by storm. All over social media, influencers post how-to guasha guides for the face and body. I have used a guasha on my face for the past four years and notice it stimulates circulation in my skin and I love the feeling. I have just begun using a body guasha and it wakes up my tired skin, relieving tight and sore muscles as well as well as increasing blood flow. It also purportedly stimulates lymph flow. I also am a big proponent of dry brushing and have been doing so for over 20 years. I swear it keeps my skin youthful. What I love about the Aura Collection is that it includes both. The Aura Collection, inspired by traditional Chinese medicine includes a body guasha, body brush as well as two accompanying, organic body products, together they work synergistically to help release tight muscles, stimulate lymph flow, and smooth out the skin’s surface. Check out Wildling’s “About” page which explains the company’s extensive sustainability initiatives. Good for you and the planet.
Free shipping nationwide.
8. El Cosmico Robe
Last summer while driving through West Texas, I had the pleasure of spending the night in a glamping tent at El Cosmico in Marfa. The whole place was super chic and funky, both at once. They had a killer gift shop with gorgeous Guatemalan rugs, Native American jewelry, cool t-shirts and Western style bath robes. I had to grab a couple of the bath robes, his and hers for me and my hubby, one size fits all. The robes are cozy, made from soft 100% organic cotton and colorful with El Cosmico’s signature red and green Southwestern stripe. Made by small batch artisan weaving and sewing co-ops in India, who are committed to preserving and promoting indigenous weaving and dyeing techniques. And they come in kid sizes too!
9. Leaves and Flowers Tea Immunity Ally Trio
According to Chinese legend, tea was accidentally discovered by an emperor in 2757 B.C., when a servant who was boiling water beneath a tree whose leaves fell into the hot water. The emperor decided to drink this infusion and thus the culture of tea was born. Tea is one of my favorite rituals, and I recently stumbled upon the Digestive Seed Tea by Leaves and Flowers tea. It is the perfect antidote to the tummy troubles caused by rich holiday meals, filled with fennel, cumin, coriander, cardamom and ginger. Utilizing California, locally grown botanicals, Leaves and Flowers handcrafts premium small batch teas and infusions.Their holiday Wellness trio (I am seeing a theme in my gift guide) includes Herbal Ally, Digestive Seed Tea and Turmeric Wellness, the perfect gift to get us through the winter season.
15% on all teas with discount code AMALGAM15
Active November 26 through December 10 (11:59pm pst)
10. Cast Iron Mortar and Pestle
People often ask me what can I not live without in the kitchen and one of the first things which comes to mind is a mortar and pestle. In fact I have a small collection of them. I use them to grind up spices, make pestos and salad dressings. The act of grinding up garlic with pestle in hand in the bowl of a mortar is so grounding and gratifying, compared to processing it in a food processor. Don’t get me wrong I can’t live without my food processor either but there is something old world and low-fi and wonderfully raw about a mortar and pestle. This Zassenhaus, German made one is cast iron, super sturdy and great to look at (place it next to that blue bottle of Oracle olive oil) and comes with a bonus nesting bowl and will last a lifetime.
11. Pondicherry Spices
In my humble opinion, it is essential for every chef and cook to have a prolific library of herbs and spices to assist in the flavor signature of their kitchen creations. A simple sauté of vegetables can turn into magic with a dash of garam masala. Perfect example, Alice Waters dresses up scrambled eggs with her favorite toasted cumin and salt condiment, she grinds in a mortar and pestle, she shared on Masterclass. Step in Pondicherry Dry Goods who carries a lovely selection of whole spices, powders, blends and podis (small batch chef crafted blends). Pondicherry’s emphasis is on regenerative, bio-dynamic whenever possible, and organic from small farms. They also carry teas, coffee a wide range of palm leaf compostable tableware.
Pondicherry’s selection of pantry staples make a perfect gift or stocking stuffers.
Pondicherry Dry Goods is offering a discount of 15% available today through December 31st on all products from the Artisan Pantry. Limit to one time purchase.
12. Kelci Potter Spoon
“My utilitarian collection was inspired by every day acts as ritual . I wanted to create tools for these simple acts that would bring devotion, intention and ceremony into our daily lives .” - Kelci Potter
Kelci Potter is an Ojai based jeweler whose jewelry is organic, earth, raw and sensual. Her jewelry is often made from recycled gold and is hand-sculpted and casted. Her jewelry for me evokes poetry, light and magic and song and now Kelci is creating a utilitarian collection called Tools for Alchemy, including an oyster shuck, various serving spoons, forks and other delights you can incorporate into your hosting repertoire. I am in love with this spoon and it is on the top of my Santa wish-list. Kelci potter spoons are sterling silver and a made to order item so act fast. She always uses recycled gold in her gold jewelry.
Kelci is offering a site wide 20% discount for Amalgam Kitchen followers and that includes jewelry too! Use the code TOOLSFORALCHEMY at check out.
13. Tobisho Pruner Garden Apothecary
“Born of an excess of rose petals and peppermint following an abundant harvest season, Garden Apothecary began as simple line of flower waters, made one-at-a-time in our Coastside kitchen.” Garden Apothecary now carries a complete line of handcrafted face and body care botanicals. Based out of Half Moon Bay in Northern California, one of my favorite places ever, they are a certified Green Company, focusing on growing, processing, manufacturing all their body care products from Half Moon Bay. They also carry products for the green thumb, like these Japanese made Tobisho Pruners.
Hand-forged, of high quality carbon steel they are excellent pruners that will last through all your garden needs. Great for pruning roses in the winter, shaping fruit trees, clipping herbs and perennials. Picking up a pair of these for my hubby.
Mention Amalgam Kitchen in the notes at check out and receive a complimentary gift of one of their iconic teas or body care products.
14. Frēda Salvador James Shearling Slipper in Natural Haircalf
My home is a shoe-free house hold as to avoid trekking in dust and particulants, therefore I am always trying to find cozy and comfortable slippers. I learned about Frēda Salvador recently and love what they are about. A women founded and led business, a couple of friends out of Sausalito, CA, making responsible small batch and made to last shoes and accessories in Spain and Italy. Not only do they have chic and comfortable slippers but an array of boots, sneakers, purses and more as well. They work with artisans in family-run factories who use leathers of the highest quality, responsibly sourced with high transparency of the raw materials and certified by Leather Working Group. The slippers come in a fun variety of styles for everyone. Also on my personal wishlist is their best-selling Emi black lace up boot with shearling lining.
Freda Salvador is doing a Black Friday Sale on various items, including the slippers.
15. Swell Azurite 25 oz Water Bottle
According to National Geographic Kids
Americans buy more bottled water than any other nation in the world, adding 29 billion water bottles a year, adding to the worldwide fossil fuel and pollution problem. And of every six bottles purchased only one makes it to recycling, the rest winding up in landfills. One of the simplest way to minimizing plastic waste is by using a reusable water bottle. I bring mine with me everywhere and refill it. I have tried many reusable bottles on the market and my favorite one is made by Swell. I have a small mouth and find many of the bottles have to large of an opening and so I have often spilled on myself. The Swell bottle has a small opening, comes in various sizes and great colors (jasper, pink topaz and onyx are cool) and it has amazing insulation. They offer kids sippy bottles, travel mugs and more.
You can also customize the bottle by adding your gift recipients name which is such a nice touch.
16. CGOOD TV gift subscription
Already before the pandemic people began turning away from movie theaters and tv screens to their computer and iPad screens for original content worthy of binge watching. The difference between CGood TV and sites like Netflix and Hulu is, they exclusively offer inspiring and uplifting films and programming. Thought provoking documentaries and shorts and impactful podcasts, ranging from spirituality, self help, art and creativity, nature and beyond. Founder Trina Wyatt’s mission is, “as the first Tribeca Film Festival Executive Director I know that films can change the narrative of the world. CGood TV strives to create a streaming experience that delivers inspiring and uplifting content to our members. They partner with the world’s top conscious filmmakers to deliver the beauty of visual stories. Enjoy!”
This holiday season CGood TV is offering gift subscriptions to those you care about and wish to inspire through moving imagery and story.
Visit CGood TV Holiday Gift Subscription and use code Holiday2021 to enjoy special pricing of $25.99/year.
