I’ve been working hard behind the scenes to bring you this gift guide I’ve decided to name El Gift Guide 2020! You’ll soon start to notice that many of these gift ideas were created by members of the Latinx community. Did you know that Latinxs are the fastest-growing demographic among all US entrepreneurs? ¡Arriba mi gente!
Let me stop rambling because I know why you’re really here… But before I jump right in, here’s the gift guide again (in case you need a visual reminder):
1 First on the list is Gran Cocina Latina, $45 by Maricel Presilla. This cookbook includes dishes from various Latin-American countries from Mexico to Argentina. Before you decide to Google the title and purchase from places like Amazon or Target, I highly encourage you to purchase from a small, independent bookstore. Why? Small companies need our business the most. You can also check out your local bookstore. I ordered my copy from Brazos Bookstore right here in Houston!
2 Next, I found this amazing art print titled Me Importas Tú, $36.95 by artist Anna Alvarado. Her Etsy shop boasts over 4,000 sales in just two years! Her art is stunning, so it’s no surprise that her shop is continuously growing. Check out her Etsy shop for many more options on finding that perfect gift!
3 Little Culture LA knocked it out of the park with this Bad Bunny Air Freshener, $7.74! Who doesn’t love Bad Bunny? Yo perreo sola is now playing in my head, and I can’t make it stop. Ok, but seriously air fresheners never looked more cool, am I right? Check out the rest of their Etsy shop for Bad Bunny stickers, too. Yasss!
4 If the name of this candle doesn’t motivate you to want to buy it, then I don’t know what will! Resistente – Dulce Flor de Nopal, $12 is one of Brujita Min Candles’ best-sellers! All their candles have powerful and strong names, just like all the Latinas in my life. Check out their website for more candle options.
5 If you’re Mexican and haven’t been to Mexico in a hot minute (like me), then you’ll love this gift idea! Go to MyMexicanCandy.com and see the many options of candy they offer OR purchase the one on my gift guide titled Classic Mexican Candy Mix, $9.99 – this one includes all my personal favorites. I promise, you won’t regret this one. It’s like taking a trip down memory lane.
6 Who doesn’t love their cafecito? I do! These Cafecito Stickers, $2.75 are super cute and perfect for that caffeine lover in your life. These are brought to you by Glime Candy, owned by Candice Maritato, a proud Cuban/Uruguayan/Italian living in South Florida. She has a very tiny Etsy shop that could really use your help. Check out the rest of her original designs today!
7 If you grew up in a Mexican household, then you probably played Lotería. This is when the raw pinto beans came in handy, am I right? Awww the memories of our childhood. Anyway, fast forward 20 years later and now we have the Millennial Lotería, $24 taking over. It has become an overnight sensation. Have you played it? It’s a great gift that can easily be used at any social event (once we’re able to meet up again, of course)!
8 If you haven’t already guessed it, I’m a big fan of cookbooks! This is the second cookbook in my gift guide because I love spending time in the kitchen. If you have a friend that’s just like me, then this will make a great addition to their cookbook collection! La Vida Verde, $21.99 by Jocelyn Ramírez is a plant-based recipe book for all those vegetable lovers in your life. What I enjoy most about the book is that Jocelyn, the author, took her Abuelita’s recipes to create these delicious meatless options. Yummy!
9 Ok, my holiday gift guide would not be complete without some w-i-n-e! Did you know that there are only a few Mexican-owned wineries in the United States? You can imagine my surprise when I came across Alumbra Cellars. This is a family-owned winery, and the founder, Baudelio Rodríguez Sr., is an immigrant from Durango, Mexico! They currently only ship to 21 states, but their wine is absolutely delicious and super affordable. Check out their 2018 Estate Pinot Noir, $30 here.
10 If you’re looking for beauty gift ideas, well look no further. This Oily Skin Facial Kit, $40 by Eva’s Garden is the perfect match! Founder Eviel Taveras started this product line in the Dominican Republic to combat her acne. Their website states that all their ingredients are ethically sourced and plant derived. Shop their website for more!
11 I’ve shopped at Artelexia before, and I have yet to be disappointed! They’ve been in business for over nine years and specialize in providing arts and crafts that represent the Mexican culture. Their Serape Silicon Watch Band, $20 is one of my favorites because I love color. Check out their website because they have so many goodies! Seriously, they have so. much. stuff.
12 How many of you love using monthly planners? If so, Aicitelt Designs is the place to shop to help you up your planner game. Owner, Leticia, created this super cute Conchitas Washi Tape, $4 that I’m just dying to get my hands on! It’s actually one of her best-sellers, but she has so many other washi tape designs that are equally as cute. Check out her Etsy shop for more.
OK, wow… I just took a deep breath because that was a lot! It took me days to come up with El Gift Guide 2020, but I do hope you enjoy all the items I described above.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and tag me if you decide to use my gift guide to shop for that special someone in your life. Don’t forget to shop small, shop local, shop Latinx-owned, and shop BIPOC-owned all year round.
Happy holidays! O mejor dicho, ¡felices fiestas!
