The Cool Down team shares our favorite holiday gifts: We did the research so you don’t have to

Our gift-giving strategy this holiday season? Buy unique quality products from good companies.

If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry: we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Here are some of the gifts the TCD team will give – and receive – this holiday season.

The Cool Down may receive a commission on your purchase of some of these products, but our recommendations are independent and based on our own research and reviews. Prices may vary.

✍️First of all, Christmas cards. Sure, an iMovie or digital photo card is always great, but if you want to go old school, our top choice (personally tried and tested) is Paper Culture. The B Corp-certified holiday card company plants a tree with every order (over 1 million trees to date) and uses 100% recycled paper or bamboo. Plus, you get access to great, high-quality designs.

💄 We love lip balm in recyclable packaging, especially because they make great stocking stuffers. Our favorites are the Leaves lip balms ($5.95) and the Poppy & Pout jumbo lip balm trio ($29.95).

🧼 Soaps are always a crowd pleaser and we’re obsessed with Canary’s Foaming Hand Soap Bundle ($55), which comes with a glass pump bottle and refillable soaps that smell and work great. Looking for body soaps? Our picks are the Cleansing Body Bar Trio ($30) and the Smooth and Soothing Duo ($23) from Good Time.

🍫When it comes to chocolate, Tony’s Chocolonely tops our list for responsibly sourced chocolate. We like the rainbow tasting pack ($12.95) and the chocolate advent calendar ($24.99) – and you can also create custom chocolate bar wrappers as a corporate gift.

💋Do you want to ditch the toxins and opt for clean beauty? Grab the popular Ogee contour collection (try code GIFTGLOW20 for 20% off) or “balmies” from Axiology – both are beauty companies focused on non-toxic ingredients. And if you want to go all out, gift MOB’s best-selling lip liner, lip balm, powder, eye shadow and blush – all non-toxic and delivered in backyard compostable packaging.

🕯️We all agree that candles make the perfect gift, but many contain paraffin (a petroleum-based wax), lead-based wicks, and synthetic fragrances. Skip that drama and go for the Siblings DIY Candle Set ($15.99) or Fill Mill ($105), which allows you to reuse vessels and is made with clean, non-toxic ingredients. When in doubt, choose candles made from coconut, soy or hemp and essential oils.

🗣️ Which of these factors are most important to you when choosing health and beauty products?

🔘 Costs 💰

🔘Brand name💅

🔘Ingredients🧪

🔘Packaging📦

🗳️ Click on your choice to see the results and give your opinion

👛When it comes to bags, we opt for this super handy Cotopaxi fanny pack ($60), made from 100% recycled materials, or the everyday essential Rothy’s casual crossbody ($169).

🧦 Conscious Step makes great socks, And the company gives back to nonprofits, so choose your favorite charity and find the socks that match it. We also love everything from Bombas, a certified B Corp, and the warmest socks in the world, Pacas.

🐶 How about giving the gift of an experience instead of something? We love this pet portrait painting class from Uncommon Goods ($35 for the class only, $65 with supplies), and some of us have even tried the virtual magic class with our kids.

🐻 If you’re looking to splurge for your favorite roommate, we swear by this Bearaby Weighted Blanket ($199) that’s made from organic cotton.

🥿 How genius is this: washable fluffy slippers. We love the Rothy’s wear slipper ($139), which is machine washable like other Rothy shoes.

🥑 Food gifts are a great choice, and we have the solution for you. Give the gift of some of our healthy Daily Harvest products here, from smoothie packs to comfort food favorites. If you are looking for delicious basic products with discounts of up to 70%, how about a gift voucher for online supermarket Martie?

What are you going to give as a gift this year? Let us know at [email protected].

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