We love buying gifts for our families and friends but dread getting the same old, same old, especially for our teens and college kids. They are young and a whole lot trendier than we are so we’re looking for some new places for gifts that might surprise. Here are some of our favorite new brands with loads of new holiday gift ideas.
Note: We receive compensation from purchases made through some of the links in this post. Thanks!
Holiday Gifts: Favorite New Brands for 2019
While it is impossible for us to imagine that you have not yet discovered Allbirds Shoes (since we have been singing their praises at G&F here since we first tried them on) this is the time to take the Allbirds plunge for every member of your family and treat yourself, too.
Uniqlo stores have proliferated globally and it is one of our very favorite places to get sensibly priced outerwear. The thinnest jacket they make (the Ultra Light Down Compact Jacket) is a great substitute for a sweater or sweatshirt and comes in a rainbow of colors and we bought them for ourselves AND our teens. Fantastic for chilly nights in early spring.
We also love the socks, underwear and undershirts all at a great value.
Everlane is an online store with a charming shop in Manhattan. It is one of our favorite spots to buy great basics (for guys or girls). Check out The Work Pant for a new favorite pair of versatile pants and look for their gorgeous gorgeous sweaters that come in handy in buildings and offices that have too cold air-conditioning.
Everlane Cashmere Sweaters
One of our sons wore this sweater during the holidays and looked great in it (I know, I am biased!) They come in a dozen different colors, are incredibly soft and well-priced, especially for a cashmere sweater of this fine quality.
Cuyana Leather Travel Case
This boutique site for women has some of the most gorgeous leather bags and knitwear we have seen anywhere. We are a little over the moon with the mini jewelry case that can be monogrammed, as well as their small leather bags, all of which make fantastic gifts.
Jack Black Skin Care
We have become big fans of the Jack Black lip balms, which come in a variety of scents, that are just the right amount of flavor to not be overpowering. Check out all the fantastic products for guys, in particular.
Pura Vida Bracelets These trendy bracelets are made by artisans all over the world. Through sales of their charity collection, Pura Vida has donated over $1.5 million to 174 non-profits.
Timbuk2 has a vast array of backpacks that our kids covet. They are not cheap but the quality is excellent and they are very trendy now, especially the Water Resistant option. Timbuk2’s backpacks are great for any guy or gal with a new job who doesn’t want to look like they just stepped out of the classroom and they can be customized (love this!) in their favorite colors. We haven’t had so much fun since we ordered their first Land’s End backpack in elementary school.
The Laundress has surfaced at Bed Bath and Beyond so it may no longer be a secret. We think their Wash & Stain Bar is a great idea for kids who are unlikely to remember to use a prewash.
We can all save a fortune skipping the dry cleaner and using the Wool & Cashmere Shampoo on our sweaters. And we love that the product is eco-friendly and efficient.
I like to shower in silence. I feel like it is thinking time, one of the few moments to contemplate my day, but my kids never tire of tunes even when they have their heads under water. This Braven wireless portable bluetooth speaker keeps them toe tapping as they shampoo.
Cold heads and cold ears means a sick teen, so Carhartt has a great, inexpensive solution with this Carhartt beanie that our kids will actually wear. This Michigan-based company with vintage vide (founded in 1889) is best known for it work clothes. It has become a favorite new brand with our older kids.
If you are lucky enough to travel to London, you might have visited the original Cath Kidston store or one of the numerous others in her chain. Cath, herself, began by making and selling hand embroidered tea-towels and now her things are sold all over the world. We love her bags and are a little crazy in love with the Disney-collaboration.
Peloton is both a trendy spinning studio in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood and a bike that offers online spinning classes. The bikes, which run over $2,000, have a cult following but you can give Peloton in the cheap. For $12.99 a month you can subscribe to the app and use any phone or tablet device to recreate being live in a Manhattan class. The music is great, the instructors inspiring and the recipient of your gift can stay fit all year.
Darn Tough are simply the best socks on the planet. They are indestructible and guaranteed by the company for LIFE. The thinner ones are perfect for everyday with boots and the thicker ones are perfect for hiking. We have walked countless miles in these great socks.
Tired of the same old, same old workout gear? Try Austin – based Outdoor Voices. The stores are popping up all over as this favorite new brand finds a huge following. Their workout clothes now include great outer-wear, too. For girls and guys.
Have you discovered Kendra Scott jewelry? Based in Austin, Kendra Scott designs have become wildly popular and her stores are popping up around the country in addition to begin carried in several major department stores. Kendra, herself has become an incredibly successful entrepreneur and is a philanthropist – all of which we love about her. Take a look at her beautiful new Charms collection while you are browsing the site.
Thrive Causemetics has become wildly popular and it has as much to do with the wonderful makeup and skin care offerings as it does with their “cause” of donating product to women in need. that is not a typo in the brand name.
Margaux Shoes are incredibly comfortable in a standard size or, wait for it, made to measure. If you know someone who struggles with shoe sizing, this is truly a gift like none other. We are big fans of the suede loafers and the booties. The whole set up comes delivered in a beautiful package but the real beauty will be when perfectly sized shoes are delivered.
Straight out of Brooklyn is Brooklinen, with sheets and bedding for millennials. Linen bundles begin at $99 and appeal to the streamlined aesthetic of a young generation. If you kids need anything for bed and bath, here is a new name for them.
Smathers & Branson has been one of our favorite brands to shop for our kids and we are big fans of the needlepoint cufflinks, “life belts,” money clips, key fobs and more, all of which can be personalized with initials and/or choice of meaningful logos. They also have collegiate and professional sports team patterns, too.
