As a Certified B Corp, we like to take time during the holidays to highlight our fellow businesses who are doing good in the world. We also love to share our favorite local family-owned businesses and services that are close to our VA warehouse and our DC office—and close to our hearts!
Donations Make Great Gifts
World Central Kitchen
Before we get to the local and B Corps gifts, if you’re looking for a donation gift, may we suggest World Central Kitchen—the incredible organization begun by our hometown hero and national treasure, Chef Jose Andres.
The WCK Climate Disaster Fund is World Central Kitchen’s $1 billion commitment over the next decade to support communities impacted by extreme weather events caused by the climate crisis. The fund helps with immediate disaster relief and to invest in long-term solutions that help build resilience for communities on the frontlines. Support the Climate Disaster Fund by gifting a donation in your recipient’s name here.
Locally made gifts and small businesses:
It’s great to head out after work and check out the local offerings near our DC office and our warehouse in Merrifield, VA—especially if we can pick up gifts that support local artists and makers, and finish the day off with a beer at Caboose Commons!
Shop Made In DC
We love to visit the Dupont Circle location near our DC office to browse for just the right thing for everyone on our list. It’s at 1710 Connecticut Ave NW. Other locations include: Wharf–10 District Square SW; Georgetown–1533 Wisconsin Avenue NW; ROOST–1401 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Founded by Stacey Price of People Make Place and Michael Babin of Neighborhood Restaurant Group, Shop Made in DC is a retail initiative with a mission to grow DC’s makers and artists. Offerings include apothecary, apparel, art, furniture, jewelry, home decor and stationery. Visit any one of their locations or order online.
Fair Trade Winds
Located in the Mosaic District, at 2905 District Avenue, Fairfax VA, right across the street from our warehouse. It’s a great area to walk, shop, eat and end the day with a beer at the Caboose Commons Tavern.
We love Fair Trade Winds because it’s a family-owned business that supports hard-working artisans and farmers, and empowers women in developing countries around the world. There are beautiful gift ideas for everyone on your list—our favorites are always the unique jewelry and the felt ornaments.
Bard’s Alley Book Shop
This is our favorite indy bookstore, located at 110 Church St NW, Vienna VA, just down the road from our warehouse. Vienna is a great place to do some Christmas shopping, especially on historic Church Street.
Bard’s Alley is an amazing woman-owned bookstore and coffee/wine bar—a must-visit when you’re in Vienna. There’s nothing more fun than sipping a glass of prosecco while browsing for just the right book. They also have a unique collection of gift items and cards, and an awesome children’s section.
Trace Zero Waste Store
140 Church Street NW, Vienna VA. By 2050, the oceans and waterways will be filled with more plastic than fish. Our landfills are already straining under the pressure of the waste we create every day, and contrary to our belief, recycling rates in the USA are dismally low. Vienna resident Mala Persaud opened Trace to help everyone reduce their waste.
Bring whatever containers you have and you can fill them with bulk food items, spices, hand and body soap, even shampoo and conditioner. She also carries beautiful shampoo and lotion bars, refillable scented candles, bamboo toothbrushes, and our favorite–gorgeous kitchen wares like turkish dish towels, cute reusable paper towels, and bamboo utensils. A great gift spot for anyone you know who’s working to reduce their consumption footprint.
Rustic Love Vienna
Rustic Love is an amazing organization in Vienna that raises money to help feed local food insecure families. Founded in the spring of 2020, their fundraising started with one family making rustic wooden heart signs in the backyard with all proceeds going to help organizations that work with local families experiencing food insecurity. The effort grew to include hundreds of families, organizations, and individuals volunteering to join their sign and ornaments builds in their front yard, or at their own homes.
RLV collaborates with area businesses, including a co-branded t-shirt with Ben & Jerry’s Vienna (our fave local B Corp!), a co-branded wine with Vienna Vintner, a collaborative beer with Caboose Brewing Company, an RLV candle at the historic Freeman Store on Church St. and so much more! Come to Vienna for a day of holiday shopping and visit these shops for the collabs. You can also donate directly, or order signs, ornaments, clothing and more online.
The B Corps List:
It’s looking like this winter we’ll still want to hang outdoors around the fire pit or at outdoor restaurants since Omicron is lurking. We’re settling in and rolling with it by stringing up the solar lights, gifting some cozy socks and fleece, and toasting to the season with the perfect container for your beers or hot toddies.
Yellow Leaf Hammocks
These colorful hammocks are comfortable, durable, and they give back. Through training and sustainable job creation, Yellow Leaf is directly empowering weavers and their families to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future. Perfect gift for that college student on your list!
Miir Insulated Beer Set
A reusable, insulated growler and matching steins make a super fun gift for anyone who likes their beer al fresco (and who among us does not?). We also love their water bottles–they go everywhere with us, whether it’s on a hike or to the office.
The best part is that Miir sets aside a portion of revenue to fund projects focused on clean water, a healthy environment, and strong communities. This is one of our favorite B Corps and they are always high on our list of great gift ideas!
Mpowerd Luci Color String Light
No self-respecting solar company can leave this super fun solar light set off their gift list! MPOWERD’s solar light sales fund solar lights in communities without access to the electric grid.
Shown here in the Luci Color String Light, these light sets are a great gift for anyone on your list, and extra-perfect for your favorite camping enthusiast.
Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Fleece pullover
It’s a cozy classic, it’s retro-cool, and it warms your heart too, because it’s made by a company that gives back 1% for the Planet and treats its employees fairly.
They’ve built robust environmental and animal welfare responsibility programs to guide how they make their materials and products. And they have the highest standards to ensure that their products are produced under safe, fair, legal and humane working conditions. Worth every penny–especially because anything you buy from Patagonia will last a lifetime.
Bombas Socks
Speaking of gifts that bring coziness, warm socks are always a welcome gift.
We love Bombas socks because not only are they amazingly comfy, but also because for every pair purchased, they donate a pair to someone affected by homelessness. Socks, underwear, and t-shirts are the #1, #2, and #3 most requested clothing items in homeless shelters, respectively. Bombas has donated more than 50 million essential clothing items, and your purchase keeps that momentum going.
Happy Gifting!
We hope you and yours stay safe and healthy this holiday season. And if you want to give our very favorite gift of renewable energy, please get in touch!
