The Verse Gift Guide 2020: Support Small Business
Our second annual gift guide: do-better edition
Last year, before we officially launched The Verse, we created a gift guide to give readers a taste of the type of BS-free advice we’d be doling out. We advocated for treats that would actually get some use, since we all have plenty of things. This year, we are saying “yes, and” by adding another dimension of meaning to our selections: Most all of these picks are from small businesses, many of which are woman-owned and/or Black-owned.
Cece DuPraz x The Verse Milestone Gift Collection
Ok, so we’re a little biased here, but when we had the chance to double up with our super gifting spirit twin to create personal, curated gifts, we leapt. The result is packages perfectly tailored to three recipient personas: The Good Sport, The First Lady and The Dreamer. Choose how spendy you want to be, and then personalize your choice. Oh, and what defines a milestone? You do. And “survived 2020” totally counts.
Lomar Farms Honey Love Set
Just your everyday family-leaves-city-to-restore-a-farm-and-save-bees story. We honestly love so many of this company’s products, but this sweet little set will have your recipient buzzing.
Finance Hat from Rowing Blazers
No, literally, a hat that says Finance. For the person in your life who binged “Billions,” sailed through “Succession” and considers Gordon Gekko their spirit animal. (Or for the one who throws a “wink, wink” their way.)
Bychari Sade Hoops
Never have we ever seen a more aptly named product (immediately pulls out turtleneck and red lipstick). These will definitely put some smooth operating in their Zoom game.
Whiled Jigsaw Puzzle
You know we never shade our Millennial friends, especially when they make cute puzzles like this. With lots of cheerful, fittingly offbeat choices, we can’t think of a more spot-on 2020 gift.
Burlap and Barrel Holiday Feast Collection
It bears repeating: If we are all running a home restaurant right now, we may as well have some solid accoutrements at the ready. We love these high-quality spices (the cinnamon is out of this world) and while any of them would be welcomed, this set has us smelling the gingerbread baking from here.
Apparis Blanket
We’ve coaxed ourselves out of our sweatpants, but we’re not ready to leave behind all things cozy just yet—especially with winter on the horizon. We love how luxe faux fur has become, and this blanket will confer comfort while looking the part.
Bespoke Binny Apron
Our Tide pen has been getting a real workout, as we’ve splashed and splattered around the pandemic kitchen. No doubt these aprons will come in handy while minimizing mishaps for home chefs, and their cheery prints are bound to spice things up.
Brightland Olive Oil
After months of stalking this on several “best of” lists, we decided to give it a whirl—and we concur with the superlative. With names like “Awake” and “Alive,” we can actually detect the flavor profiles of each varietal, and have enjoyed topping off dishes accordingly.
I Heart Kits Macrame Kit
It’s simple: Creating things fills our soul. As the Thomas Merton quote embraced by this charming brand so aptly observes, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." No crafting pro herself, the kits’ maker supplies DIYs that even novices can dig into. And yes, macrame is back en vogue thanks to the advent of jungalow style.
Uncle Nearest Whiskey
Previously known only to those truly schooled in the whiskey world, Nathan “Nearest” Green is the slave who taught Jack Daniels how to make the spirit. Now, it is the name of an award-winning whiskey using the recipes of the first recorded Black master distiller. A portion of the profits from this gift with heritage will fund college for Green's descendants.
