We super-duper care about putting our money where it does the least harm and the most good. We also care about giving quality, meaningful gifts that don’t clutter up our loved ones’ lives—thoughtful giving, in other words, from the item’s inception to its place under our tree.
With this hand-curated list, we’ve done our best to select gift ideas that reflect these values. We’re grateful that some of these companies and makers directly support The Art of Simple and keep our lights on, so if you’ve been blessed by our work this year, we’d love it if you supported these good businesses, too. Do good with your dollars.
November 28 is Cyber Monday, so check these businesses for any sales! There’s some good ones. All coupon codes are valid through December 31, 2016 unless otherwise stated.
Click on the tabs below to see our curated selections:
Kids
LEGO
These Danish-originated bricks stand the test of time. Go with an open-ended box of bricks (but Star Wars & superheroes are big around here right now, too).
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Around the World Stories
Our favorite audiobooks! Use the code SIMPLE20 for $20 off their Full Story Pack, or the code SIMPLE1 for one free month of the Story-a-Week subscription.
Kindle Paperwhite
Our reading kids each have one, and they’re so great for travel + syncing to your local library. Paperwhites mean nothing but books on ’em—great for encouraging a love of reading.
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Speed Stacking Cups
My kids are fascinated with the sport of cup stacking right now, and this affordable kit comes with a carrier and instructional DVD.
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TeePee/Play Tent
Creating a personal, imaginative nook, an indoor/outdoor teepee is great for both little ones and well into tweenhood. Etsy has a great selection.
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Klask
On one of my kids’ wishlists this year, this Danish tabletop game is a cross between foosball, air hockey, and….magnets. It looks super fun.
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Tweens & Teens
Q&A 5-Year Journal
A small, hardback diary, this book poses a new daily question and space to answer it four more times as the years go on. A great way to document these significant years and watch the changes.
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Eye-Enchancing Palette
Au Naturale cosmetics are ethically-made with good ingredients, and they have lovely palettes to enhance all eye colors. Great for older kids wanting to experiment more with makeup.
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Funny/Nerdy T-Shirt
Tweens and teens are in to humorous/ironic/witty/insert-adjective-here shirts. Busted Tees (started by college students) has a great collection—my daughter has about 12 on her wish list.
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SOLO Eyewear
Environmentally-responsible shades that help fund eyecare—like this Fiji style. Get 25% off your entire order (whoa!) with the code Art25—they all fit really well.
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Setting Sun Necklace
Made from brass bomb casings in Cambodia, Ten Thousand Villages partners with makers who use local materials. Get 25% off 1 regularly priced item with the code SIMPLE25.
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Chrysalis Cardi
One garmet that can be worn limitless ways—dress, blouse, scarf, wrap… Perfect for travel. I love this concept. Use the code ARTOFSIMPLE to save 10% off your whole order.
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Chevron Necklace
This 34-inch, waterfall-finish necklace from Purpose, available in brass or silver, is crafted from a survivor of slavery. 100% of the proceeds go to International Sanctuary.
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Craftsy Class
My tween loved getting an online how-to class from Craftsy last year, and she’s asking for another one this year. They have everything from crochet to cookie decorating.
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Halong Necklace
This stainless steel triangle necklace is handmade from Threads Worldwide. Get 15% off all full-price items with the code artofsimple (not valid on gift sets).
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Women
SOLO Eyewear
Environmentally-responsible shades that help fund eyecare—like this Fiji style (I personally wear the Belize). Get 25% off your entire order with the code Art25.
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Setting Sun Necklace
Made from brass bomb casings in Cambodia, Ten Thousand Villages partners with makers who use local materials. Get 25% off 1 regularly priced item with the code SIMPLE25.
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Landscape Nesting Bowls
Made by artisans in Cameroon, these bowls from Serrv reflect their mission to support disadvantaged artisans. Get free shipping on $75 or more with the code ETHICAL2016.
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Chrysalis Cardi
One garmet that can be worn limitless ways—dress, blouse, scarf, wrap… Perfect for travel. I love this concept. Use the code ARTOFSIMPLE to save 10% off your whole order.
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Vellabox subscription
All-natural, non-toxic, clean burning candles are delivered to your door each month. Get $5 off any gift or regular subscription with the code theartofsimple through 1/31/17.
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Madeline Brandy Bag
Full-grain leather bag with a signature jade lining organizer and silver hardware, this can change from a diaper bag to backpack to messenger bag. I have one—it’s stunning.
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Chevron Necklace
This 34-inch, waterfall-finish necklace from Purpose, available in brass or silver, is crafted from a survivor of slavery. 100% of the proceeds go to International Sanctuary.
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Indigo & Sari Bedcover
Supremely soft bedding from Serrv, handstitched in quilted layers of recycled saris and double-sided. Get free shipping on $75 or more with the code ETHICAL2016.
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Book of the Month
Gift your bibliophile the treat of picking one of five new hardback books every month (I personally love it!). Right now, get a free month trial for yourself when you give it as a gift.
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Catrina Jacket
This jacket as the feel of a sweatshirt but the durability of a jacket—perfect for warmer climates (like my Texas). prAna prioritizes sustainable materials & processes to ensure their goods are ethical.
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Nice PJs
I always feel like a more put-together grown-up in a new set of quality pajamas. Boden is committed to a high standard of ethical conduct, and their products are always top-notch. These are on my gift list.
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Halong Necklace
This stainless steel triangle necklace is handmade from Threads Worldwide. Get 15% off all full-price items with the code artofsimple (not valid on gift sets).
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Men
Story Worth
Weekly emailed questions for your loved one to answer transforms to a keepsake book a year later. Such a great concept. Currently on sale at $20 off its usual price.
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SOLO Eyewear
Environmentally-responsible shades that help fund eyecare—like this Fiji style (Kyle wears these all the time). Get 25% off your entire order with the code Art25.
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Book of the Month
Gift your bibliophile the treat of picking one of five new hardback books every month (I personally love it!).Right now, get a free month trial for yourself when you give it as a gift.
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Screenprinted Tee
Fun t-shirts of sloths, dinosaurs, manatees in canoes, bees, and more. Zen Threads uses a green screenprinting process on super-soft tees.
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Exploding Kittens
Yes, this is a nonsensical game. But we own it, and it’s actually pretty fun. From the creator of The Oatmeal, so you know it’s bizarre.
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Full-Zip Fleece
A classic cool weather staple, a full-zip fleece doubles as a jacket or sweater. Columbia makes fantastic, durable goods, and this is a solid price.
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The Whole Family
Story Worth
Weekly emailed questions for your loved one to answer transforms to a keepsake book a year later. Such a great concept. Currently on sale at $20 off its usual price.
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Madécasse Brownie Baking Box
For the foodie on your list, this keepsake recipe box comes with 3 Sea Salt & Nibs chocolate bars, a bottle of 2oz vanilla extract and a printed recipe card.
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Indigo & Sari Bedcover
Supremely soft bedding handstitched in quilted layers of recycled saris, the two sides create fun versatility. Distributed from Serrv, who supports disadvantaged artisans.
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Cornhole
A fun lawn game for all ages, get an unfinished, raw wood set on Etsy and customize it for your gift recipient. (There’s lots of great stained/painted ones, too.)
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Bean Bag
We got a set of bean bags several Christmases ago, and they’re still used daily. Lands End makes a great one, and they’re a fantastic sustainable company.
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Family Game
Every Christmas we add a new game to our collection, and last year, we got Suspend from Melissa & Doug. A fun game by a great company.
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Stocking Stuffers
Narwahl Tea Infuser
Goofy and slightly weird, this narwhal tea infuser from Mod Cloth is great for a college student, teen, or anyone with a good sense of humor.
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Bundle-Up Scarf
Unisex jersey scarf from Alternative Apparel is a great, cozy medium-weight for lots of climates. Great for layering, great price.
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Wikki-Stix
My kids adore these; they get ‘em every year. Great for waiting for food at restaurants, on road trips, or just for creative epiphanies.
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Experience Passport
Try new foods, new experiences, and hobbies—then capture them in a passport journal. A great gift to pair with tickets.
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Movie Tickets
Who wouldn’t love the excuse of going to the movies? It’s a simple treat, good for all ages. (Other cinema brands, too.)
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(Unisex) Cashmere Gloves
For someone who’d like a little fanciness without too much fanciness, these from Everlane are classics to keep.
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Joke Book
Groan-worthy, yep—but our kids have several of these kid-friendly joke books and love them all. We keep them in the car to fight traffic boredom.
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Fun Socks
If your kiddos need socks, might as well make them durable and fun. Boden prioritizes sustainability, and they have a wide variety of sock sets.
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Lip Gloss
Women of all ages like the excuse of playing with new make-up, and Au Naturale is a great natural, sustainable brand. Pretty colors in this set.
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Pin this gift guide to bookmark it for reference all season long:
p.s. – Also check out this Very Merry Gift Certificate Bundle—for just $15, you’ll get $180 in store credits from 12 online businesses that align with a simple, natural lifestyle. Perfect for crossing off things from your list! Available now through December 5. Check it out.
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