The Ethical, Sustainable, & Totally Rad 2022 Gift Guide
IMBY has always been committed to uplifting companies and individuals who value sustainability, intentionalism, and equity. And though we are an anti-capitalist community space, we know that most of us are expected to engage in gift-giving this time of year (and we’re certainly not beyond treating ourselves during holiday sales), and often want to nourish and share gratitude for those who supported us this year. So, for anyone looking to shop in line with their values this year, we’ve rounded up some rad brands we think you’ll love as much as we do.
Wearable
Free Label creates beautiful, comfortable, and sustainably focused clothing in a system where everyone gets paid fairly. Sizes come in XS-4X all in small batches. Every Free Label garment is cut and sewn in Canada.
This ultra versatile wrap top runs true to size and is easy to fit, making it perfect for gifting to your stylish friend. Made from buttery soft and thick yet breathable bamboo fabric. $91
Roulette 18 Jewelry was founded by longtime best friends Rhonda Welbel and Lyn Pusztai, who co-design unique and wearable jewelry inspired by nature and ancient symbolism. Each piece is conceptualized in their Chicago studio and lovingly crafted by their artisan partners in Bali.
This hamsa charm necklace is a tiny token of beauty you can wear every day. Made of sterling silver and 18K gold. $50.60
Miakoda makes comfortable, sustainable, ethically produced clothing from eco-friendly plant-based materials.
The organic cotton + lyocell fleece beanie is super stretchy and comfy. Great for staying warm, cozy, and cute through the colder months. $24
LAND+OBJECT knitwear is made from ethically sourced and produced fibers from the Mongolian steppes. The same animals that many traditional Nomadic herders rely on for transportation, wool, and milk.
These perfect everyday socks are softer than wool, warmer than cotton, and have serious moisture-wicking abilities. $50
Rosemarine Textiles is a collection of home goods and accessories dyed using plants in Detroit, Michigan. Everything is made by hand with intention and respect for our Earth.
This rust bandana can be worn in countless different ways. Raw-edged 100% cotton gauze is hand dyed with acacia wood. Each piece has natural variations and light mottling effects that add texture and an organic feel. $24
Sotela’s inclusive collections are designed for real bodies by founder Hanna Baror-Padilla, using fabrics sourced and dyed in Los Angeles. The company’s ethos comes down to the fundamental belief that clothes should help us live fully and express ourselves, not cause us stress or shame due to artificial norms created by the media and the runway.
Made-to-order Lotus Overalls have a wide leg style, bib front, and large pockets. Adjustable straps let them flex with your body and allow for a variety of styling options. $249.00
Edible
Diaspora Co. was founded by Mumbai native, Sana Javeri Kadri with the mission of building a more equitable and delicious spice trade that championed Indian farmers leading the way in sustainable agriculture. Their single-origin spices come directly from small family farms throughout India, guaranteed same-year harvest.
The Trio is a pack of their top three most well-loved essential spices: Pragati Turmeric, Arayana Black Pepper, and Guntur Sannam Chilli. $33
Soom is founded by three sisters who realized that tahini in America paled in comparison to the creamy spread they’d enjoyed copiously in Israel, and set out to bring sesame goodness stateside. Thanks to their meticulous sourcing of Ethiopan-grown seeds, Soom sesame paste will be the silkiest and most delicious you’ve ever tried.
A two-pack of this fan-favorite dark chocolate tahini with sea salt makes the perfect gift for a pal for whom breakfast dessert is non-negotiable. $16.99
Lagusta’s Luscious artisanal chocolates combine a deep commitment to social justice, environmentalism, and veganism with a love of bold flavor and obsessive commitment to artisan techniques.
This hand-dipped chocolate dreidel is as much an art piece as a delectable treat. It spins pretty well, too! The 4 oz. cocoa masterpiece is painted with eco-friendly coloring and comes wrapped in a clear bag with compostable ribbon and decorative tag. $10
Janie’s Mill makes stone-milled artisan organic flours from grains regeneratively grown on their multigenerational family farm in central Illinois. Janie’s mission is to restore the soil to its life-giving role as a healthy organism while providing the most flavorful and nutritious flours to first-time bakers and sourdough masters alike.
This sampler pack will let you try four ancient and heirloom grains, prized for their taste and nutrition: aromatic Einkorn, robust heirloom wheat varieties Turkey Red and Red Fife, and mild and versatile Spelt. $25.95
Actionable
Inner Workout is a self-care support system founded by coach, speaker, and facilitator Taylor Elyse Morrison, who wants to help people reclaim their role as the true experts on their own wellbeing.
Instead is a 50-card deck that offers prompts, activities, and affirmations as an alternative to scrolling. Divest from distraction and reinvest in your self-care. Who couldn’t use an invitation for mindfulness during the holiday season? $16
Jennifer Patterson is an herbalist and grief and trauma worker who uses plants, breath, and words to explore survivorhood, bodies, and healing.
The Fucking Hell Tincture calls on wood betony, mimosa, st. john’s wort, and cinnamon to help you get your head above water just a bit during hard times. Jennifer says ‘This formula isn’t meant to erase the hard stuff we’re navigating but rather, help us stay afloat, help us find our way, lift some of the heaviness so that we can hold steady.’ [Please always check contraindications and consult with a medical professional as needed before trying any new to you herbal products.] $20
Material’s co-founders started the brand to honor their families’ Korean and Vietnamese cooking traditions, and foster an appreciation for coming together over a meal. Since its founding in 2018, Material has donated over $100,000 to organizations at the intersection of food and underserved groups across the U.S.
This set of 4 stunning colored glasses which are made from ultra-thin (and ultra-strong) borosilicate glass are stackable, dishwasher-safe, and designed for everyday use. A fancy feeling vessel for water, wine, or your tonic of choice. $50
Beam Paints is the result of a multi-generational love of pigment, paint, color, and innovation. The founder was taught from a young age how to harvest hematite pigment in the LaCloche mountain range near their home in M'Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island. Beam makes handmade saturated colors that are a joy to paint with. Watercolors are shaped into paint stones and wrapped in beeswaxed canvas. Pans are packaged in slices of cedar and birch offcuts from an Indigenous sustainable lumber operation.
The Birch Gift Set comes with 11 beautiful paint colors, a brush, and handmade paper in a reusable cotton bag. A crafter’s dream! $58
Way of Being is a zero-waste shop founded by two friends on a mission to help others wield their power as consumers in the best possible way. Their thoughtfully curated marketplace offers supplies, education, and encouragement to support a sustainable, low-waste lifestyle where everyday actions create a better world.
These colorful ‘unpaper’ towels would make a great gift for any zero-waste curious friend who appreciates a stylish kitchen. $18
Designer and founder Leah Singh works directly with artisans in villages across India using embroidery, weaving, and printing techniques that are native to the region. Her philosophy is to rejuvenate these age-old, traditional crafts by transforming them into modern objects.
The colors and pattern of this reversible grid pillow are simply *chef’s kiss*. Ethically hand-woven by artisans in Rajasthan, India, using traditional techniques. $150
Founded by creative writer, artist, and environmentalist, Latrice Littleton, Ador Bin makes wood-wick candles with a focus on clean ingredients, daily essentials, and garden-inspired aesthetics. All of their products are vegan, ethically sourced, and certified cruelty-free.
Lavender Moon promotes relaxation and exudes warm notes of lavender, rosemary, buchu, and cassis essential oils. Ideal for winter ambiance setting. $46
We know the IMBY community has impeccable taste, so we’d love to hear about where you’re shopping this season! Send a shout out for your faves to hi@imby.io.
Maia Welbel is a writer, dancer, and environmental advocate. She strives to help people treat our planet with more compassion through storytelling of all sorts. Find her at maiawelbel.com and @mwelbel.
