20 Unique Gifts From Asian-American and Pacific Islander Brands
20 Unique Gifts From Asian-American and Pacific Islander Brands
According to the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship, there are 2.2 million Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) small business owners across the United States. Brands range from beauty labels to home furnishings to music electronics, and food companies that all seek to meld their traditional values with a modern take on the world. What does this mean for you? It means that there are tons of unique gift ideas that are great for checking off names on your holiday shopping list. Ahead, we've rounded up some top gift ideas from AAPI-owned businesses.
Many of the gifts on this list are under $50, though we've also included a few more expensive ideas for special occasions, such as bridal showers, big anniversaries or milestone birthdays. There's jewelry and beauty for her, food and travel ideas for him and everything in-between that are great options for friends!
Without any further ado, here are some of the best gifts from Asian-American and Pacific Islander-owned businesses to shop this season to spread joy and equity with your spending power.
1) “Junmai Ginjo” Sake
Hakutsuru
tippsysake.com
$23.00
Sake is a traditional Japanese drink, and Hakutsuru offers its own iteration. It's a silky and smooth concoction that has notes of melon, grape and sweet rice. Hakutsuru Brewing Company was founded in 1743 in Nadagogo, and has become one of the top-selling sake breweries in Japan.
2) Instant Colorful Tea Latte Kits
Allison DeVane
uncommongoods.com
$30.00
Allison DeVane grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where she worked as a barista in local cafés, which led her to love coffee but not the jitters that sometimes comes with drinking the beverage. Thus, she created coffee-style beverages from tea. This variety pack comes with a golden latte, pink latte and matcha latte that all create edible garnish for a photo-worthy drink.
3) The Dewy Duo
glowrecipe.com
$49.00
Anyone would love this gift. The 2-piece set includes a toner and dew drops, which work together to hydrate skin, reduce pores and give you the ultimate glow.
4) The Bone People: A Novel
Penguin Books
amazon.com
$15.89
Winner of both a Booker Prize and Pegasus Prize for Literature, The Bone People is completely mesmerizing. It tells the story of an asexual and aromantic artist, who suddenly falls in love, but her love story is anything but classic. "I loved this story first for its tough, sophisticated, and modern intellectual assessments. I loved it for its grittiness. Then I hated its grittiness but was intrigued by the shift into mysticism. Finally, I was inspired," one Amazon reviewer wrote.
5) The Tech Case
Away
awaytravel.com
$55.00
Maybe your loved one is a world traveler, and you're always struggling with what to get them. Well, this tech case from Away helps to keep cords tangle free and organized while traveling. Founded by Jen Rubio and Steph Korey in 2015, Away is all about offering travel essentials to adventurers in modern, stylish silhouettes.
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6) Microcosmos Set
Good Light
goodlight.world
$85.00
David Yi developed the brand Good Light to create highly efficacious yet gentle personal care products. The products are for any gender and are clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainably produced. The microcosmos set includes Cosmic Dew Water Cleanser, Moon Glow Milky Toning Lotion, We Come In Peace Microbiome Serum and Order of the Eclipse Hyaluronic Cream for an effective and simple facial cleansing ritual.
7) 3 Month Coffee Subscription
Bean and Bean
beannbeancoffee.com
$66.00
Coffee is the gift that keeps on giving. And when they experience the organic, fair trade coffee from Bean and Bean, they'll be hooked. You can select to send them a blend from Peru, Ethiopia or Indonesia, or pick the surprise option to see which they will get.
8) Nina Necklace
Joey Baby
joeybabynyc.com
$55.00
Joey Baby is a handmade in NYC that focuses on offering high-quality, trendy natural pearl jewelry at a more affordable price. Starting in the summer of 2020, while the founder Joey Wong was pregnant, the brand has established itself as a stylish and trendy brand. The Nina necklace features mixed-size pearls and is gender-neutral for a versatile piece.
9) Very Berry Freshwater Pearl Bracelet
I'mmany
immany.co.uk
$117.00
Tina Xu founded the brand I'MMANY in 2019 in London with the intention of creating handmade and sustainable pieces inspired by the little joys in our lives. Very Berry Freshwater Pearl Bracelet is a beautiful piece that has a mother-of-pearl flower charm and a lamp work glass blackberry for a dainty yet fun look.
10) Gabbi Ruched Hobo Handbag
JW PEI
jwpei.com
$89.00
Stephanie Li started the brand JW PEI with the goal of creating handbags that were an eco-friendly alternative to PVC and PU. The Eva Shoulder Handbag is made with croc-embossed vegan leather and features silver hardware.
11) The Copper Set
Material Kitchen
materialkitchen.com
$80.00
Friends Eunice and Dave co-founded Material Kitchen to honor their traditions while also offering modern kitchen utensils to savor simple moments. This coated pan, sauté pan and sauce pot set incorporate copper for a durable finish that cooks food evenly.
12) Dark Roast Coffee Trio
Nguyen Coffee Supply
nguyencoffeesupply.com
$48.00
America's first Vietnamese specialty coffee company was actually Nguyen Coffee Supply. It was founded in 2018 by first-generation entrepreneur-activist Sahra Nguyen, who was on a mission to diversify the coffee industry through various methods. The dark coffee trio gives you a taste of its dark roasts. They also give you the option to receive coffee beans or grounds.
13) Plush Pillow
Swell
sleepwavy.com
$79.00
For those who are never afraid of giving their loved ones the gift of comfort, Wavy offers restful options. The brand was created with the mission of making great sleep more accessible.
14) Bloom Glass Teapot
The Qi
the-qi.com
$109.00
The Qi is all about giving back to family-owned farms across Asia while also focusing on being a wellness brand that wants to empower you. The bloom glass teapot takes 18 months to create, and it also comes with three different flower tea varieties.
15) Oven Pot
Vermicular
vermicular.us
$260.00
In 1936, the Hijikata family was known for its ability to cast and machine iron with accuracy. It's what led up to the Vermicular brand, which now specializes in elevating home cooking into an art form. The brand's oven pot is made with enameled cast iron and comes in five sizes and four color shades.
16) Shisha ‘Potli’ Bag
Abacaxi
abacaxi-nyc.com
$200.00
The mission of Abacaxi, founded by South Asian-American designer Sheena Sood, is to create "mindfully-made clothing inspired by travel, vibrant hues, and the infinite beauty of nature." The Shisha ‘Potli’ Bag is darling and features hand-beading and mirror work detail. It gets its name from a traditional bag used by the mother of the house or to let the mother of the bride collect cash gifts in desi culture.
17) Weighted Blanket
Luna
amazon.com
$119.99
The Luna weighted blanket was created out of the founder's need for a better night's sleep. The blanket comes in 14 designs and a multitude of dimensions and weight amounts.
18) Jasmine Blooms Scented Candle
Trail575
amazon.com
$35.00
Candles are also a touching gift that shows you care, and this option from Trail575 smells like honeysuckle jasmine, pine and eucalyptus. It is perfect for meditation or aromatherapy. The brand is inspired by haiku and nature and hails from Berkley, California.
19) Grandiose Classic Black Box
Audae & Co.
Audae & Co.
$349.00
Audae & Co. specializes in selling beautiful flower arrangements that will make anyone's day. The roses come in many different box sizes and colors.
20) S-PLAY earbuds
Soul Nation
soulnation.com
$69.99
Co-founded by Ludacris, Soul Nation is a brand that provides quality sound equipment. The brand has collaborated with talent like Usain Bolt, PSY and Tim Tebow. The S-Play earbuds are perfect for gaming and entertainment. They have the latest Bluetooth v5.2 technology and industry-leading 40ms low latency connection for enjoyable pure sound.
Shop small and spread equity with your spending power by buying one of these top gifts from AAPI-owned brands.