Have you done all your holiday shopping yet? Or are you waiting for the day after Thanksgiving to start? Many Black Friday sales have already begun. Nevertheless, if you’re still on the hunt, here are some perfect picks for post 50 female family members and friends.
It’s time for my 2021 holiday gift guide.
I was happy to attend the 2021 NY NOW Home and Lifestyle Show at the Javits Center in NYC this summer. Masked along with a bottle of Purell in hand, I walked the aisles to see what was new and what items would make nice gifts for the holidays. It was my first post-pandemic visit to NYC. While the Show was engaging, I found it easier to navigate with fewer vendors and a smaller crowd of professional buyers and media attendees — likely due to Covid-19. (Note there was no NY NOW Show in summer 2020. That’s one of the reasons I skipped my 2020 holiday guide.)
I masked up to go to the NY NOW Show at the Javits Center to see what’s new in gift giving
I found many fabulous items to choose from — jewelry and apparel, accessories for the home and self care, and whimsical games and unique items. I hope you’ll find my selections appealing. I only share products that I know are available online or at retail.
LMK which ones make you say “ooh, ooh, ooh, I like that! Or ooh, ooh, ooh, I want one!” I recommend you give a gift to yourself too. You deserve it!
Dress up with jewelry
Julie Vos Jewelry was one of the first exhibitors to catch my eye. Designer Julie Vos draws inspiration from vibrant New York City, her adoration of fine arts and her passion for travel. She says she “absorbs the glorious details of the cities she visits – the architecture, the art, the ironwork – and interprets it to create stylish and sophisticated classics.”
I like these Julie Vos hoop earrings
Dean Davidson collections are designed in Toronto, Canada and delicately crafted in a traditional, family-owned workshop of multi-generational master gem cutters in Jaipur, India. The high-quality brass pieces are finished in 22kt gold or rhodium, and set with custom-cut, semi-precious gemstones. Dean’s jewelry is internationally celebrated with fans including Oprah, Jennifer Lopez, Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. And now JudiBoomergirl is a fan too!
High-end Dean Davidson gems come with a life-time warranty
Whitney Howard Designs is an eco-friendly company that creates meaningful and inspirational pewter jewelry in Los Angeles, California. Each blessing ring, quotable cuff and promise ring is designed with intention, so the pieces have a positive impact on the recipient. “We create tangible, wearable objects that remind us of the people and things we love, and the inspiration and connection we seek,” say artists Whitney and Howard.
Whitney Howard Designs make jewelry to inspire the wearer
Little Words Project® aims to inspire and encourage people to be kind to themselves and to pay that kindness forward, one bracelet at a time. Founder & CEO Adriana Carrig says that she created the brand to serve a greater purpose beyond selling bracelets. “I sought to build a community that represents some of the simple truths of mine: kindness, self-love, collaboration, authenticity and inclusivity.”
Little Words Project bracelets are meant to be worn and then passed on
Larissa Loden Jewelry is an exercise in play. Midwest made (in Northeast Minneapolis), woman-owned, and community driven, Larissa and her team work with various components, metals and techniques to make fun, minimal jewelry for everyday wear.
Larissa Loden gives 5% of its annual profits to charity
Colorful apparel that will warm you from head to toe
Liamolly wraps are knit in the Catskill Mountains in Upstate NY. These geometric-designed shawls are beautiful. They are one of my absolute favs of the Show. Each modern jacquard knitted wrap is made of buttery soft Italian spun 100% organic Egyptian cotton. Even better, they are easy to take care of and because they are long staple cotton they last a lifetime and won’t pill. Ooh, ooh, ooh, I think one of these Liamolly wraps belongs in my closet. How about your’s too?
Liamolly wraps are made of Italian spun 100% organic Egyptian cotton
EVOLG gloves are a Japanese brand of fashionable outdoor gloves. The name “EVOLG,” is a reverse reading of GLOVE. EVOLG’s main feature is “e-fingertip technology.” The gloves come in a variety of unisex styles and designs and are made with a conductive yarn (by mixing ionized copper oxide and titanium into cotton before the spinning process), giving the gloves precise touch screen capability. So you can tap on your phone and your fingers will stay nice and warm. These gloves are one of OPRAH’S FAVORITE THINGS FOR 2021 and JUDIBOOMERGIRL’S FAVS too.
EVOLG gloves are made with conductive yarn enabling e-fingertip technology
Conscious Step Socks make nice stocking stuffers and will keep your toes toasty. Each pair or trio of socks provide power and purpose with every purchase. You can pick a pair that matches with a cause you believe in. There are socks that support mental health, socks that save dogs, socks that give books, socks that plant trees and socks that give back to other communities in need.
Conscious Step Socks support 17 different causes
Mer-Sea cozy wraps, sweaters, gloves, and other accessories are go-to pieces you can wear at home, at work, or traveling the world. Soft and comfortable, the designers Melanie and Lina created Mer-Sea apparel with a focus on keeping things easy and effortless, like life at the beach. No wonder I like this brand, the beach is my “happy place.” Mer-Sea also offers hand poured candles, lotions, washes and scrubs.
Mer-Sea makes comfy and cozy accessories to remind you of lazy days at the beach
Cheers to gifts that promote wellness and self care
Dash of Pep apparel, accessories, and stationery promote mental health, self-expression, and empowerment. The goal of the company is to support you on your bad days, boost your good days, and acknowledge the vast array of emotions and experiences in between.
Robin Dahan’s Dash of Pep says “Self Care is the New Black“
Cherapy makes therapeutic heat and cold pain relief wrap/pillows filled with cherry pits. The owner, Claudia Fassold Phillips, wanted to create something that helped people to heal naturally and knew that it worked. The Cherapy Therapeutic Heat Pillows can be used to relieve all kinds of aches and pains and soreness.
Cherapy Therapeutic Heat Pillows are filled with cherry pits
ESW Beauty Masks make great stocking stuffers and are a relaxing way to unwind during the holiday season. Founder Elina Sofia Wang started the company after struggling with health issues. Following her work in the beauty industry she ventured out on her own to build a brand that has clean ingredients, is cruelty free, and is made with eco-friendly packaging . Elina chose raw juices as her theme for their first line because they were a huge part of her clean living journey and is one of her favorite drinks. The company makes other beauty products as well as masks.
ESW Beauty Raw Juice Cleanse Sheet Masks come in flavors like Kale Spinach Broccoli Apple for Anti-Aging
Pretty accessories to decorate your home
Braid & Wood Planters and Hold Your Plants are two companies that offer decorative indoor planters. There are planters with shelves and holders so you can elevate your plants. Or choose plant stands, propagation stations, cubes, risers and other ways to stylize your indoor greenery. You don’t have to have a green thumb to buy these pretty planters.
Braid & Wood products will elevate your plants
Lynn Liana handcrafted serve ware are statement pieces for any kitchen. Based in Canada, partners Lynn and Liana combine eco-friendly resin with gorgeous hardwoods to create one-of-a-kind cheese boards and serving trays to adorn holiday tables.
Lynn and Liana make statement serve ware to dress up holiday tables
Whimsical and fun gift ideas
Trivia games seem to be all the rage again. Chronicle sells Games Room boxes of Food & Drink Trivia, Sports Trivia, TV Show Trivia and Travel Trivia and more. Boomers will enjoy a new Boom Again pop-culture trivia game created by Baby Boomer Brian Hersch, the man behind Taboo and other smash board game hits like Outburst and Scattergories. Boom Again takes players on a road trip through the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s with non-intimidating questions focused on advertising slogans, TV shows, rock and roll, movies, commercial jingles, and school memories from the Boomer era.
Baby Boomers will enjoy Boom Again Game of trivia
Golden Gems are a line of cheeky home goods and gifts. The products are designed by sisters Amanda and Susan, who grew up on Golden Gem Road in Apopka, Florida among the orange groves. The sisters make products that inspire and empower. They admit that their products are ” a little offensive and a little inappropriate, but that is just how they like it!” They are little gifts that show big attitude. As the founders say, “We believe there is a badass inside every one. We exist to inspire you to live unapologetically, take up space and live life on your own terms.” I especially like their mugs, journals and motel key chains.
Golden Gems “believe there is a badass inside of everyone”
Ready to go shopping? I bet many of these companies will be having special discounts for Black Friday so don’t delay. Make sure to do good on Giving Tuesday too and make donations to your favorite charities. There are so many in need this season.
Most of all, stay healthy and enjoy the holidays with family and friends.
Judi
