gift guide: teachers + 'life savers'
IF YOU weren’t feeling it before, I think home learning ‘taught’ everyone on the planet just how AMAZING and selfless and creative and dedicated TEACHERS really are. I mean, 5 minutes into our first day at home, I was like ‘yeah, there’s a reason I’m not a teacher.’ It’s hard. And at the same time I was truly inspired and in AWE of the unyielding enthusiasm, patience and commitment that my kids’ teachers displayed on a daily basis in probably the most challenging circumstances of their careers. IMHO, if anyone deserves to be recognized and spoiled at any chance we get, it’s def teachers any day of any year. So, put them at the top of your list for extra recognition. And know that ‘spoiling’ doesn’t have to = extravagant gift; a little kindness goes a long way and the sincere acknowledgement is so meaningful.
AND WHILE you’re at it, don’t forget about all of the other extraordinary people in your daily life who make everything better while ‘just doing their jobs;' the therapists, yoga instructors, housekeepers, soccer coaches, babysitters, guitar teachers, nurses and other ‘life savers’ who support you and your special people on the regular, making your life easier, better or more full.
IF YOU know what your teachers or ‘life savers’ are interested in, great, totally tap into it. If you don’t, you can’t go wrong with a little treasure that makes their day easier or more beautiful, just like they do for you. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo
+ Diaspora Co. sells gorgeous single-origin spices and teas sourced directly from farmers in India and Sri Lanka. They pay 6x the commodity rate to ensure that growers of these exquisite spices make a living wage, so you get super fresh, high quality single-origin ingredients for your favorite dishes and the farmers get supported for their hard work. It’s all sent in THE most beautiful tins, making it a perfect gift. + from $8
+ Keep your favorite Life Saver hydrated in style with a Stanley Flowstate Quencher Tumbler. I love the li’l [by comparison] 20oz size personally, but there’s a wide range of choices and they all have a convenient straw lid for stealing sips when they can. They come in a bunch of pretty colors, too. Fill it with a handful of their favorite candy for a little extra surprise. + from $20
> Nothing feels better after a long day on your feet than kicking off your shoes and pulling on a cozy, soft, luxe pair of Barefoot Dreams’ CozyChic Socks. They’re just a snuggly dream and the perfect gift for pretty much anyone [they make them for men,kids and babies, too, so…]. Buy one pair or a 3-Pair Set,you won’t be sorry. > from $18
+ Leela Inspired is a super lovely husband + wife team that designs and hand-makes really pretty, intentional jewelry right here in Boulder. They have a gorgeous selection of sparkly bracelets and necklaces that are so perfect for layering, but look stunning all on their own. I LOVE my pretty stack and can’t wait to add to it. + from $35
Use code allaflutter15 to Save 15% off your whole order.
+ Help your ‘life savers’ stay super organized with Topo Designs Accessory Bags. They come in 3 different sizes and a bunch of colors and will keep all the chargers and gum and other loose stuff together. Choose a few or stash a gift card into one. + from $15
+ Ok I LOVE Geometry Tea Towels and they are an absolutely perfect gift for almost anyone. BUT, did you know Geometry also makes awesome Dish Towels, Fitness Towels, Yoga Towels, Bar Towels and more? And they’re ALL awesome, so pretty, super absorbent, not stinky and made from post-consumer recycled materials. So, yeah, you really can’t go wrong. + from $13
> Use code DarcieC15 at checkout for 15% off
+ Ignite some taste buds with Mama Teav’s Hot Garlic Chili Crisp. This small-batch, family-made sauce has just 7 clean ingredients and is bursting with roasted chilis and crunchy bits of garlic. Sounds super yum to me. + $18
+ If your ‘life saver’ has a rad sense of humor or style, Happy Socks has the best collection of awesome prints for every age and they’re sooo soft. I mean, who wouldn’t want Organic Cotton Banana Socks? They’ll make everyone smile. + $16
+ Puzzles can be super calming and meditative, which is a fantastic gift to share with for anyone. But Jiggy Puzzles also support emerging female artists around the world, which is even better. The artwork curated for the puzzle collection is so unique and varied and a portion of each sale goes directly back to the artist. Each puzzle comes in a reusable glass jar and includes glue so you can frame and display your art. Love this. + from $29
+ Jax Kelly’s unique molded candles are hand-poured with 100% American grown soy wax. The Short Arch design is just perfect and comes in several really pretty colors. + $12
+ A pretty hand-painted Notebook from Moglea provides a really special place to record thoughts or memories or keep important notes. + $18
+ Lips get dry when you’re out saving the world everyday. Treat your ‘life saver’ to Alpyn Beauty’s Willow & Sweet Agave Lip Mask. It’s full of goodness and smooths out the rough spots. I love this stuff and use it every night. + $28
+ Cookbooks can make beautiful gifts and there are SO many to choose from depending on what your special person is into. Try Coconut & Sambal : Recipes From My Indonesian Kitchen for something new and different. Click here for some others I love. + $35
+ The Tea Spot is a Boulder-based company with the most fantastic selection of teas and tea gifts. This Morning Mojo is a delicious blend of black teas and has a ‘caffeine punch’ that I’ll bet your Life Savers could really use. Or maybe the Lights Out blend to help them unwind at the end of the day. They also have great Sets and Samplers that would be gorgeous gifts. + $10.99
+ Nobody likes hot Chardonnay or cold Toddies, even out in the wild. Help your ‘life savers’ keep whatever they like to drink at just the perfect temp in this Hydroflask Wine Tumbler. There are several colors to make anyone smile. + $29.95
+ Clevr Blends SuperLattes are oat milk-based blends are brimming with adaptogens, mushrooms, probiotics and superfoods to help improve brain function and boost your mood. There are 6 awesome flavors to choose from [my husband loves the Matcha], including one for supporting Sleeptime. They’re dairy + refined sugar free, responsibly sourced and just need water to blend. The Starter Kit would be a really beautiful gift for anyone who’d like to add a little delicious healthy boost to their daily routine. + from $28
+ These gorgeous Amsha Studio sisal basket are hand-dyed and hand-woven by a weaving cooperative in Kenya. Pop in a sunny plant or other treasure for a really beautiful gift. + from $28
+ Support your Life Saver in their mindfulness practice with these thoughtful Mindfulness Dice. There are 6 wooden dice, all with a collection of soothing suggestions to fin calm, peace and balance. There are also Fitness Dice and Yoga Dice that are both awesome. + $18.95
+ Baggu Reusable Bags are hands-down the cutest AND most durable reusable bags you’ll find. They hold a ton of stuff, are machine washable, fold down into nothing and come in a million [ok. 66] print and color combinations to suit just about anyone. They also work perfectly as zero-waste wrap for other gifts. Learn more about why I LOVE them here. + $12
+ If your ‘life saver’ loves to cook, Brightland’s Olive Oils are a gorgeous gift. They’re California-made and there are a bunch of really beautiful infusions to choose from. Gift a bottle with a Spout or go big with a Capsule. + from $40
+ Keep drinks super toasty [or freezing] with a beautiful Fellow Carter Move Mug. It’s so much more chic than the average industrial travel mug and this Move version comes with a splash guard that keeps you from dribbling all over your clean shirt. I LOVE mine. It comes in 3 sizes and tons of beautiful colors and they have an awesome Artist Series with some really unique designs. + from $27.50
+ Stasher makes endlessly reusable platinum silicone bags that can be used for ANYTHING you need to store or tote around. They’re freezer, microwave, oven AND dishwasher safe and come in an awesome variety of colors + sizes. Choose a stripe and a solid and fill them with their favorite candy and a sweet note. Or consider a set or stick a gift card inside. + from $7.99
+ Sometimes you just have to call it as you see it. Steamboat Springs-based Little Moon Essentials’ Tired Old Ass Bath Soak is meant to reenergize you after a long day at work, play or anything else that wears you down. Lemon and eucalyptus will wake you right up and prepare you for what comes next. Plus you might get a good laugh. + from $5
+ There won’t be a sad desk lunch in sight with W&P’s Seal Tight Glass Bowls. Yes, they’re super pretty, but they’re also leak-proof, microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe. They come in 2 sizes and several great colors, too, so you can really jazz up the lunch game. I gifted these to my husband and he LOVES them. + from $25
+ A genius Ember Smart Mug allows you to control the temp on your favorite drink all day long so you never have a tepid cup of tea or coffee [like I do right now. For real]. Use the app to change the temp depending on your drink’s ideal or just set it once to the temp you like best and forget it. It lasts up to 90 minutes on its own or all day on the charger. I got one for my dad for his birthday and he loves it. There are several different colors to choose from, including a few metallics. + from $129
+ Give the gift of a good chuckle + stress release with a silly game where players throw squishy burritos at each other. Throw Throw Burrito is like a card game + dodgeball in one and it is FUN. There’s also Throw Throw Avocado, which can be used on its own or as an add-on to its burrito cousin. + $24.99
+ Field Notes has taken the stunning artwork of 59 artists honoring our National Parks and put it on the cover of their now-iconic notebooks. The insides are filled with graph paper for sketching, note-taking, observing, list-making or day dreaming. + 3-pack $14.95
+ The Tea Spot’s Everest Tea Tumbler is a tea-infusing travel mug that steeps your brew while you’re on-the-go or on your way to work and then keeps it nice and warm for hours. Pair it with one of The Tea Spots gorgeous tea blends [I love their Organic Sencha] for a really fantastic gift. As a bonus, The Tea Spot is a certified B Corp and donates 10% of all sales in-kind to cancer survivors and community wellness programs. + $30.95
+ Help your special people reduce stress and clear negative energy with this Rituals Incense Sampler Pack. It includes Palo Santo Sticks, Mexican Copal Cones, Himalayan Cedar Ropes and Palo Santo Wood. They’ll help clear the air and bring calm, which is the greatest gift. + $28
+ These unassuming little discs literally ‘hug’ all of your leftover bits of fruits and veggies so they’re preserved longer and stay fresher without wasting plastic wrap. I love my Food Huggers, especially for lemons + limes. + from $7.99
+ Spoil your ‘life saver’ properly with Herbivore’s Coco Rose Body Scrub. I love this stuff, it just leaves your skin feeling so smooth and soft. Add some cream or lip balm, too, for a really luxurious gift. + $40
+ Nodpod Weighted Sleep Masks are super soft and block the light, but add the benefit of gentle pressure, too, ‘like a hug for your head.’ They’re perfect for just taking a sec after a long day and for headaches. Plus, they’re unscented and come in a bunch of cute colors. They also make Nodpod Body, a wee weighted blanket and the combo could be game-changing. + $34
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