Spread Holiday Cheer With These Thoughtful Gift Ideas — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”
With nine days left until Christmas, many of us are scrambling to check off those last few names on our holiday shopping list. So, if you’re wracking your brain in search of the perfect gift for a loved one, don’t get your tinsel in a tangle: I’ve got plenty of gift ideas to help you spread joy and cheer. Check out my latest segment on CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” and continue reading for more on the products shown on air!
OLAY HYALURONIC + PEPTIDE 24 SERUM AND GEL MOISTURIZER
No one wants to grapple with dry and dull-looking skin during the season of all things merry and bright! So, to help your loved ones maintain a dewy, healthy, supple complexion this season( and beyond), check out two of Olay’s newest glow-boosting, ultra-hydrating products: the Olay Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Serum and the Olay Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Gel Moisturizer. Both products feature dermatologist recommended ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and peptides that provide supercharged, long-lasting hydration and leave skin positively glowing.
Plus, Olay is offering a special deal this season! Through December 24, you can get $20 off when you purchase both the Olay Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Serum and Moisturizer twin packs at Sam’s Club stores or SamsClub.com
FOY ANTIOXIDANT SERUM
Storied author Kurt Vonnegut once wrote, “Science is magic that works.” Well, allow me to introduce you to a skincare line that’s both magical and science-backed: Foy.
Founded by Austin-based dermatologist Dr. Kristina Collins of Austin Skin Physicians, Foy is an innovative, doctor-designed skincare collection that marries evidence-based ingredients (among them hyaluronic acid, peptides, probiotics, and retinol) with botanical and herbal extracts that have long been used in beauty and medicinal remedies (among these moringa butter, kokum butter, sea buckthorn oil, and illipe seed butter). This fusion of eastern and western skincare philosophies constitutes a holistic approach to skincare.
All Foy products are vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without preservatives or harmful chemicals. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each product is donated to a charity — among them SAFE Austin, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a just and safe space for individuals who have experienced sexual violence, domestic abuse, human trafficking, and more.
Among the standout products in the collection is the Foy Antioxidant Serum, a fast-absorbing, silky serum that protects against free radical damage while also rejuvenating skin on a cellular level. It features a potent mix of vitamins, botanical extracts and antioxidants including: vitamin C, which helps to brighten skin and even skin tone, while stimulating collagen production; plum oil, which features a blend of omega fatty acids and vitamins that improve skin’s elasticity; grape seed oil, which is known to improve skin’s elasticity and help to moisturize and brighten the complexion; astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant derived from algae that defends skin against free radicals and sun damage; and lipochroman, which captures free radicals and protects skin from irreversible DNA damage.
Not only does the Antioxidant Serum make a great gift for a friend, family member, or co-worker, but it will be a gift for the community. A portion of the proceeds from your purchase will benefit the Girls Empowerment Network, a non-profit organization that mentors and guides 3rd to 12th grade girls through life’s challenges by instilling confidence through collaborative activities, conferences, and leadership summits.
The Foy Antioxidant Serum $96 at Free People stores, FreePeople.com and LoveFoy.com.
Through Dec. 18th, when you purchase the Antioxidant Serum on LoveFoy.com, you can use the code CBSHoliday at checkout for 50% off any additional product
KITAO MATCHA & CHIA EXFOLIATING GEL AND KITAO MATCHA & CHIA NIGHT HYDRATION MASK
Matcha has long been touted for its high concentration of antioxidants — among them catechin, which is said to prevent visible aging signs. So, given that matcha was born in Kyoto, Japan, it makes perfect sense why century-old Japanese skincare brand Kitao Matcha would choose this as the star ingredient for its clean, cruelty-free, nutrient-dense products. In fact, Kitao Matcha utilizes only ECOCERT certified organic matcha from the Uji region of Kyoto, which has been considered the finest, purest matcha since the 14th century. Kitao Matcha’s products also incorporate a number of superfoods such as: açai, which is rich in antioxidants as well as amino acids that help to give skin a more youthful appearance; quinoa, a great source of B vitamins that help to improve skin elasticity and even skin tone; chia seed, whoch contains omega-3 fatty acids that help to restore and strengthen the skim’s moisture barrier; sake, which produces kojic acid, a compound that helps to tighten, brighten, and hydrate skin; and camu camu, a superior source of vitamin C.
To help your loved ones discover the wonders of J-Beauty, gift them some of Kitao Matcha’s standout offerings. One of my favorites is the Kitao Matcha & Chia Exfoliating Gel ($25 at KitaoMatcha.com). Packed with superfoods like matcha, quinoa, chia seed and acai, this exfoliating gel buffs away dead skin cells, removes impurities and minimizes pores — all while brightening and hydrating skin. Because it’s so gentle, the formula is perfect for use in winter, when our complexions tend to become drier and more sensitive.
Another great option is the Kitao Matcha & Chia Night Hydration Mask ($30 at KitaoMatcha.com). Formulated with matcha and chia, as well as squalane and shea butter, this leave-on mask works as you snooze so you can awaken to ultra-hydrated and glowing skin. You simply rinse your face off in the morning and enjoy your bouncy-looking skin!
SHIKOHIN KONJAC MOCHI TRIO GIFT SET
Shikohin’s mission is to facilitate immersive wellness experiences that feed the body, mind and spirit, to help people indulge in the simple pleasures of life, appreciate the wonders of nature, and take a step back from the hectic nature of modern life in order to regain balance and perspective. The brand’s 100% natural products are formulated using carefully selected Asian botanicals with curative properties— among them Yuzu extract, rice flour, white peony root and reishi mushroom — and they’re meant to inspire self-care practices rooted in ancient Japanese beauty rituals. Each product, then, can be used in a way that educates others on Japanese history and culture and which helps to pass down ancestral wisdom and traditions.
Shikohin’s holiday gift sets perfectly illustrate the brand’s core philosophies. One of the luminaries in Shikohin’s holiday gift line-up is the Konjac Mochi Trio Gift Set ($46 on Shikohin.com) pictured above.
Now, konjac sponges were first used by Japanese farmers to cleanse their babies’ skin. Eventually, these 100% natural sponges — which are made from the roots of konjac, a porous vegetable grown in Asia — became a staple in beauty rituals because of the gentle exfoliation they provide.
The Shikohin Konjac Mochi Trio Gift Set, then, spotlights these cleansing sponges and their long history. The set includes three mochi-like sponges: the Original Cleansing Konjac Sponge, the Energizing Matcha Konjac Sponge to brighten skin, and the Purifying Charcoal Konjac Sponge to detoxify skin and unclog pores.
Not only are the konjac sponges an ode to ancient Japanese traditions, but the way that they’re presented in this gift set is equally meaningful. The konjac sponges are packaged in their respective boxes and then wrapped in an elegant, navy blue furoshiki cloth made in Kyoto. The square furoshiki cloth is often used to wrap gifts in Japan, and is known for being a zero-waste option as the cloth can be reused to carry other items (such as wine or a bento box). Moreover, the wrapped gift set is accompanied by a hand-made Shikohin daruma doll, which is a great way to set goals and intentions. Daruma dolls are hollow, round, traditional Japanese dolls that are considered a sign of good luck and a gift of encouragement. Each daruma doll starts off blind. As you create a goal, you fill in the left eye and, when you achieve that goal, you fill in the right eye and celebrate your accomplishment. The daruma doll, then, is a visual representation of your own hard work and perseverence.
BAWDY BUTT MASKS
We spend so much time doing squats and hip bridges to enhance, firm, and lift our booties, but how often do we actually focus on pampering the skin on our buttocks? If you’re experiencing breakouts, noticing dimpling or droopiness, or noticing the skin on your caboose is a bit rough and dry, you can give it some TLC with BAWDY’s Butt Masks, which are specially formulated to firm, tone, detoxify, and rejuvenate the skin on your rump. These sheet masks are perfectly shaped to cover the skin on your rear, so you can really get cheeky with it! And, of course, they make for excellent stocking stuffers!
There are four different BAWDY Butt Mask options. The pink BITE IT mask is infused with plant-based collagen to visibly tone and firm, sodium hyaluronate to deliver hydration, aloe leaf juice to reduce the appearance of blemishes, and chamomile to soothe sin. The SHAKE IT mask is infused with marine algae, plant-based collagen, and oat extract to tone and firm skin for a more lifted and contoured look. The SLAP IT mask contains caffeine, orange peel extract, and goji berry to clarify skin, unclogging pores, minimizing blemishes, and exfoliating skin for a smoother overall texture. And the SQUEEZE IT mask contains skin-brightening lemon peel, orange peel, and grapefruit extracts.
They’re $10 each or $36 for a set of four on BawdyBeauty.com and Amazon. And through December 24th, you can enjoy 40% off sitewide on BawdyBeauty.com — no code necessary!
LOVE TALLA CUSTOM FINGERPRINT NECKLACES
She’s the light of your life, so why not help her shine with a meaningful and beautiful piece of jewelry? Love Talla specializes in beautifully crafted, one-of-a-kind, keepsake jewelry that’s rife with sentimental value. The Austin-based brand specializes in custom fingerprint necklaces, so you can engrave your loved one’s fingerprint onto your necklace and keep them close to your heart at all times. Each necklace, then, is meant to capture and solidify the connection between you and the people you hold dearest.
How does it work? Well, you can pick the necklace style of your choice — whether it’s The Rise, which resembles a sun; The Love, which looks like an organically shaped heart; Divinely Yours, a dainty cross; Butterfly, which is shaped like everyone’s favorite winged insect; or The Sun & Moon, a best-selling double pendant. Each necklace style is available in silver, yellow gold, rose gold, as well as 14k yellow gold, 14k rose gold, and 14k white gold.
Once you’ve selected the piece and purchased the piece you most love, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to submit the fingerprint you wish to be engraved therein. You can take a picture of the finger pad that you want engraved on the pendant or you can even get fingerprints the old-school using household items like a pencil, paper, and tape and following the directions on LoveTalla.com. Once you’ve submitted the fingerprint, your necklace will be custom-made and delivered to you within 3-4 weeks.
Worried that you don’t have 3-4 weeks until Christmas? Fear not! Love Talla offers gift boxes that include a gift card in the value you choose, along with instructions on how to obtain a fingerprint, and a thoughtful message. That way, the recipient can decide which necklace style they prefer and also whose fingerprint they’d like to have engraved on the pendant.
Prices range from $200 $1800 at LoveTalla.com
THE ELEPHANT PROJECT BABY CHABA STUFFED ANIMAL
What kid doesn’t love a cuddly plush toy, right? Well, this one is particularly adorable — plus, its back story will make your little peanut’s heart smile. Baby Chaba is the newest addition to The Elephant Project’s Save Us stuffed animal collection. It’s the company’s first and only plush toy named after a living elephant: Baby Chaba’s real-world, once-captive counterpart currently resides in Elephant Nature Park, an elephant rescue sanctuary in Thailand. The real Baby Chaba was rescued alongside her mom in August 2021.
Baby Chaba stands at just 6” tall so she’s three-fourths the height of the other stuffed elephants in the collection, Kiki and Tembo — a visual representation of the real-world Chaba’s young age and her smaller size in comparison to the other elephants with whom she cohabits. Baby Chaba comes dressed in a delicate dress wit h a tutu skirt, and the plush toy is accompanied by a small children’s book that recounts the real Chaba’s story. It’s $39 at TheElephantProject.com
Not only will this be a treasured gift, but your purchase will help save more elephants like the real Baby Chaba. The Elephant Project donates all proceeds from Save Us toy purchases to non-profit organizations dedicated to rescuing and providing care to injured, abandoned, and orphaned elephants — among them Elephant Nature Park, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and Elephant Cooperation.
MAN CRATES
We all know how exciting unboxing can be but, for the fellas in your life, no experience will be quite as memorable and unique as that of opening a wooden crate filled with curated goodies that appeal to his unique tastes. Man Crates facilitates these moments with its curated gift boxes which are centered around flavors (coffee, donuts, beer, whiskey, jerky, pizza, and popcorn among them), activities (such as fishing, grilling, knife making, poker, and hunting), and sports (from football to golf) so that there’s an option to surprise and enchant every fella in your life.
This holiday season, you can elevate his cocktail hour with the Personalized Whiskey Appreciation Crate ($109.99 at ManCrates.com), which features a personalized hand-made whiskey decanter, 2 personalized heavy bottom rocks glasses, 2 ice sphere molds, 2 slate coasters, a “33 Glasses of Whiskey” journal, and tasty snacks like citrus chili cashews, butter toffee almonds, and salted pistachios.
For the golf aficionado in your life, check out the Personalized Gold Ball Mini Crate ($79.99 at ManCrates.com), which contains 24 monogrammed golf balls, a golf towel, and a ball-marking divot fixe.
And for the snack lover, pick up the Exotic Jerky Camo Ornaments ($69.99 at ManCrates.com), a whimsical gift featuring 6 spherical, camo-themed ornaments that open up to reveal tiny jerky bits. There are 12 different jerky flavors included (2 per ornament), among them: black pepper elk, honey bourbon venison, garlic wild boar, and whiskey maple buffalo.
Personalization is always available — and free of charge — so you can always add that thoughtful touch to your gift. And, of course, each gift comes in a sturdy crate and is accompanied by a crowbar so it can be pried open to reveal the treasures inside!
Check out these options and more by visiting ManCrates.com
