KOOSHOO'S West Coast Conscious Gift Guide
This year we share 10 of our favourite Canadian West Coast gifts for the whole family that guarantee to delight!
Stocking stuffers have long been a vessel for cheap thrills and candy that - let's be honest - end up in a landfill or leave you with a toothache.
This holiday season we're here to help change that connotation. There are so many cool companies out there doing amazing, good-for-the-world work. The challenge is that most of them you've probably never heard of so it's understandable that you don't know where to start.
In building a conscious business we've come to know some incredible, world-changing brands that everyone should know. In this case, they're locally-based (West Coast of Canada) makers that are creating products that are thoughtful, built to last and absolutely gorgeous. When someone says "vote with your dollar for the future you want to see", these are the brands they're talking about supporting.
Below we present 10 of our favorite stocking stuffers (you may need an extra large stocking for some) that are guaranteed to delight. The list will have the ladies, gentlemen and kiddos on your list all covered.
Best of all, we're giving away everything on this list (!!!) to one lucky winner on December 15.
READ TO THE BOTTOM TO ENTER THE CONTEST. This is the best holiday giveaway you'll find online this year and has a total retail value of $572!
1) ORGANIC COTTON KIDS PANTS & HAIR TIES by Kooshoo
KOOSHOO was founded by Jesse and Rachel, husband and wife yoga teachers proudly based out of Victoria, Canada. Together with a small, tight-knit team, they have set out to create a lifestyle company that does good at every level – from the communities growing the textiles to the beautiful souls wearing the final products.
The company takes common products (like hair ties and kids pants) and redesigns them in an ethical manner to solve customer pain points. The result is a line of fashionable, game-changing products that function better and last longer than the competition.
KOOSHOO's Featured Products in the Giveaway
1) Organic, Plastic-Free Hair Tie Pack (1 pack)
The only organic hair ties in the world? Check. The only plastic-free hair ties in the world? Check. One hundred plus five star reviews? Check. These beauties are the real deal and are sure to be adored by anyone with long hair on your list. They also fit perfectly into stockings!
2) Organic Cotton Extendable Kids Pants (1 pair, Moonbeam Grey)
As new parents, we tired quickly of the hassle and cost of our daughter growing out of her pants every 3 months. Our solution was to design pants of our own and to make them extendable - and way cooler! The result is a line of Baby Pants that fit 3x longer than the competition. They're ethically made from super soft, pesticide free organic cotton and come in a variety of popular colors. They also happen to fit conveniently into a stocking :)
Retail value: $54
15% Off KOOSHOO products with promo code: WCGG17 (expires Dec 14 at midnight)
2) HAND WOVEN AND DYED PILLOW by Drift & Nest
A visit to Drift and Nest's beautifully curated website is like a trip for the brain to a faraway, romantic place. It's a consciously curated space of travel stories and hand made, one-of-a-kind goods. The items they've collected in their shop have either been hand-selected on their travels or hand-made by them. The inventory is always changing so if you see something you love, act quick as it may very well be the only of it's kind in the world.
Drift & Nest's Featured Product in the Giveaway
1) Hand Woven & Hand Dyed Mud Cloth Pillow
The front of this rectangular pillow is made from handwoven and hand dyed mustard yellow and cream mud cloth from Mali. Mud cloth is traditionally woven by men; the cloth is then sewn together in strips and dyed with fermented mud. No two pieces of mud cloth are exactly the same, which makes each piece unique! The backing is a natural-coloured cotton and has an envelope enclosure. The pillow insert is included. Made with love on the West Coast of Canada.
Retail value: $60.00
3) GENUINE CANADIAN SHEEPSKIN by Hold General
Hold General is everything you want to support in a storefront. It's owned and operated by a passionate changemaker named Marla, the store itself is an oasis of beauty and the practicality and sustainability of every good they carry becomes immediately obvious as soon as you step in. If you're not able to visit in person (the store is in Victoria, BC) that's OK because she's also got a gorgeous online store.
Hold General's Featured Product in the Giveaway
1) Canadian Grown, Washable Shaggy Sheepskin
This cozy sheepskin is a popular staple at Hold General. Known for its softness, aesthetically pleasing texture and insulative qualities, the sheepskin is perfect as a cozy liner in a baby basinet, placed beside your bed or draped over a vintage chair. Size is 2.5 x 2 feet.
Retail Value: $96.00
4) HONEY TOBACCO ROLL ON AND TRAVEL CANDLE by Picot
Picot Collective was started in 2015 as a brick and mortar shop by Britt Buntain in Victoria, BC's, hip Fernwood neighbourhood. The shop focused on curating modern handcrafted gifts and goods, primarily from BC and other parts of North America. Along with selling their popular Honey Tobacco apothecary line, they hosted events, workshops, art openings and created the incredibly popular #Picotnightmarkets.
The Honey Tobacco line started rather simply. Britt wanted a candle unlike anything on the market so set about developing a custom scent. The scent was honey-tobacco and the candle quickly grew to become the shop's most popular product. In the Fall 2017, the brick and mortar shop's doors were closed and Picot transitioned into an online business dedicated to expanding the Honey Tobacco product into homes and stores around the world.
Picot's Featured Products in the Giveaway
1) The Honey Tobacco Candle
The product that started the whole line. Light this up and a house immediately transforms into a home (it's that powerful!). An appealing scent for everyone. 100% soy candle, proudly made in Victoria, BC. Vegan and phthalate free.
2) The Honey Tobacco Roll On
Take Honey Tobacco every where you go with the popular Roll On. Many of Picot's customers have one in each of their bags so as to never leave home without their favourite scent.
Retail value: $62.00
5) LOCAL WOOD SERVING PLATTER AND SLEEPING BEAUTY PANCAKE MIX by Nourish Kitchen & Cafe
Nourish Kitchen & Cafe is our favourite restaurant in our hometown of Victoria, BC. It's located in a magical character house tucked conveniently away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown core. Surrounded by a flourishing edible garden (where bees and butterflies find their home), the restaurant features 16 foot high ceilings, vintage furniture, all the subtle details that make one swoon and, of course, the most beautiful and delicious food Victoria has to offer.
The space also has a small shop featuring local, consciously-made products including linens, kitchen tools, pottery and pantry goodies. We can pretty much guarantee that you'll suddenly ned everything they carry - it's that good!
Nourish's Featured Products in the Giveaway
1) Sleeping Beauty Pancake Mix
A chance to bring a taste of nourish right into your own kitchen. Their famous Sleeping Beauty Pancake mix is a gluten-free treat all prepped and ready to act as centrepiece to your Sunday brunch. Ingredients : Gluten free oats, our gluten free flour mix (sorghum, oat & tapioca flours), baking soda, baking powder, whole cane sugar, spice blend, sea salt.
2) Locally Salvaged Wooden Food Platter
This salvaged, west-coast-driftwood serving platter is a head-turner. You know what it would be perfect for? The service platter for a brunch of delicious, freshly-made Sleeping Beauty pancakes.
Retail value: $55.00
6) INDIGO DYED LINEN KIDS APRON by Wawaha
WAWAHA creates bohemian fashion for the wanderer and dreamer. The process involves a true island love affair for owner and designer, Leilani Evans, as all garments are designed on Vancouver Island and created in beautiful Bali, Indonesia. Leilani sees the beauty in the fine details within a product which is why she loves artisanal work. WAWAHA makes beautiful, handcrafted garments which, when worn, promote a sense of play.
Wawaha's Featured Product in the Giveaway
1) Indigo Linen Pinnafor for a Toddler
These adorable linen aprons are naturally dyed by hand using Indigo. They're at their best for for arts and crafts, gardening and helping out in the kitchen. There's also a front pouch pocket to stash little treasures. The criss-cross back design expands with your little one, to ensure it will fit for many moons! Fits most children aged 2 to 5.
Retail value: $40.00
7) WAXED CANVAS TIN HAT by Anian
Gentlemen, we'd like to introduce you to ANIÁN, makers of technical outdoor apparel. Their products are all the more awesome once you learn about their ethics:
As we grew from artisan makers to manufacturers we learned about the real cost of goods made overseas and we chose here [Vancouver, BC]. Manufacturing here means we can oversee the whole process and, just as importantly, know everyone involved is being paid a living wage. We like knowing the people we work with on a first name basis. It’s just a better way to do business and to live.
In case that wasn't cool enough, they also have Canada's first off-the-grid retail shop (in Victoria, BC).
Anian's Featured Product in the Giveaway
1) Rust Tin Cloth Hat
This waxed cotton hat will keep you dry in the woods and comfortable in the city. There's a leather back-strap to accommodate heads of every size. Proudly made in Canada from 6 oz 100% cotton waxed Tin Cloth..
Retail value: $50.00
8) SEAGRASS BELLY BASKET by Some Of A Kind
Some of a Kind helps you to bring the uniqueness and beauty of the world's cultures into your home through a carefully curated selection of handmade textiles, vintage furniture and decor. Based out of Squamish, BC, founders Isa & Lizanne have created an online marketplace full of treasures hand picked from travels around the world.
They define their aesthetic as an "easygoing California style mixed with Scandinavian sensibilities" and their goods are sure to have your home beaming with life, colour and stories to tell.
Some of a Kind's Featured Product in the Giveaway
1) Seagrass Belly Pot
We love the understated versatility of this handwoven seagrass basket. It's wonderfully soft and light weight, yet sturdy. Use this basket to enhance every room in your house, or take it with you to the beach and farmers market. Other use ideas include: toy storage, toilet paper storage, plant pot or, given this special time of year, a Christmass tree stand cover. Hand woven from sustainable fibres in Vietnam by female artisans.
Retail value: $30.00
9) WOOLIES SOCKS 2-PACK by Sitka
Sitka is a Canadian surfboard, clothing and lifestyle brand that's rather well known in our neck of the woods - and for good reason! They make purposeful goods for exploring and enjoying the natural world and they do it in a way that you can truly get excited about. Here are a few of their pillars when it comes to making their awesome products:
• Ethically manufactured
• Created with natural fibres
• Made close to home (much of their line is made in Vancouver, BC)
• Built to last
Sitka's Featured Product in the Giveaway
1) 2-Pack of Sitka Wool Socks
A time-honoured material, natural wool moderates your temperature while offering excellent breathability and retaining its warmth when wet. Slip your feet into these cozy woolies all winter long.
Retail value: $35.00
10) THE RIB TOQUE by Hendrik Lou
Hendrik Lou is a sustainable knitwear brand, based on Vancouver Island. Their designs are handcrafted from natural and ethically sourced fibres in their downtown Victoria studio/shop. They have an open house vibe so be sure to visit if in the city.
Hendrik Lou's Featured Product in the Giveaway
1) Hand Knit, Oversized Ribbed Toque
Made by hand in Victoria from fair-trade alpaca wool that's ethically sourced from Peru.
Retail value: $90.00
Win ALL of These West Coast Conscious Holiday Gifts
We've brought every product in this Guide together to create the ultimate gift package and will be giving it away to one lucky winner on December 15th.
The package, with a retail value of $572, will ship December 15th so should (we'll do our best, but can't promise) be to you in time for Christmas. Must be shipped to a Canadian or US address.
Maximize your odds by getting as many entries as you can. Contest opens Tuesday, December 5th, and closes at midnight Pacific on Thursday, December 14. Once notified, winner must accept their prize within 24 hours. If we do not hear back, we will draw a new winner. Winning ballot will be checked to confirm the entry was earned. Enter below:
a KOOSHOO giveaway