Our Curated 2021 ‘So L.A.’ Holiday Gift Guide

It’s Cyber Monday and our curated 2021 ‘So L.A.’ Holiday Gift Guide is here! With the supply chain still held up, department, drugstore and big online outlets may not look like the best option for your holiday shopping this year. But they never really were. Buying local – whether it be from small DIY creators or even big companies that happen to be based in your city – feels and looks good, a reminder of the creativity and entrepreneurship that surrounds us. Plus, it’s more unique and personal for the recipient.

Here’s our annual L.A.-centric gift guide to get you started. In the interest of spotlighting new brands, we try to share new ideas every year, but last year’s list was pretty darn great too so we encourage you to shop from there (click here) as well.  Nearly everything here has some kind of Black Friday/Cyber Monday online deal so click links provided for more info.

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

(Courtesy Colourpop)

Perhaps one of the most “L.A.” gifts you put under the tree this year, ColourPop‘s new NBA collab collection, inspired by the Lakers with purple and gold shadows, liners and more, is a slam dunk. (And yes, they offer other teams too!) We’ve long loved L.A. brand ColourPop for its cheeky Hello Kitty and Disney-themed drops, but the pigmented NBA line (there’s even face stickers and high-density glitter gel) and pretty packaging are their biggest winners to date. colourpop.com

(Courtesy Haus Labs)

Lady Gaga fans know that the talented singer and actress doesn’t slap her name on just any product or brand. Her Haus Labs cosmetics line – which is based right here in California – reflects its namesake with glamorous colors and products that also have a subtle edge. Her new Casa Gaga collection, inspired by her Italian roots, has some gorgeous sets (packed in lux gold) that’ll make you feel paparazzi (or at least selfie) ready during the holidays. hauslabs.com

(Courtesy Our Darling)

Our Darling is an L.A. cosmetic company and lifestyle brand influenced by the Victorian era with an emphasis on mourning practices and rituals. Choose from luscious lashes and moody palates for the dark-look loving L.A. woman in your life. ourdarlingbeauty.com

(Courtesy HipDot)

Hipdot, the Los Angeles-based beauty company known for inspired collabs with the likes of Spongebob and most recently, The Addams Family, offers some of the best eyeshadow palettes out there. But their lip products are smacking good, too. Perfect gift for spicy chicks you know? Their Tapatío Gloss set featuring pepper-infused lip shine in 5 shades, from clear to extra red hot. hipdot.com

(Courtesy Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab)

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab makes multi-faceted scents inspired by books, culture, people, places, moods and moments in time that might provide the olfactory near-equivalent of A Christmas Carol, conjuring ghosts of Christmas past and present, if you let them. blackphoenixalchemylab.com

(Courtesy Burst)

Burst’s slim design sonic toothbrush is on our wish list, not just because it polishes teeth with 33,000 sonic vibrations per minute. The local company’s latest design is substantially cuter than Oral B’s brushes and it comes in sweet colors like hot pink and lavender, each with tapered charcoal-black bristles. There’s a refill plan for $8 brush head replacements every 12 weeks. burstoralcare.com

(Courtesy Sacheu)

SACHEU Beauty from beauty influencer Sarah Cheung features skincare tools and products formulated, tested and manufactured right here in L.A. Skincare obsessives will love their Ultimate SACHEU Beauty Kit including a stainless steel facial roller and gua sha (both promote collagen in the facial skin) and 1 oz bottle of their hydrating “Thick Skin” Serum. sacheu.com

FASHION & ACCESSORIES

(Courtesy Von D Shoes)

Kat Von D is no longer involved in the makeup biz, but she’s successfully stepped into another hot market – shoes! The tattoo artist and musician brings the attention to detail of her highly revered ink work to footwear, with Von D Shoes, a vegan leather line of boots in red and black that are truly vixen-ish. Stilettos, platforms and more for men and women are highly covetable, especially to the goth and punk crowd. There’s a new coffin-shaped wallet that’s sure to sell out this holiday season, too. Our fave? Black velvet laser-cut spiderweb heels (top photo) that “strategically cradle your foot” and as Kat says, are “truly a vamp’s shoe dream come true.”  VonDshoes.com

(Courtesy Bao Tranchi)

Hot tip for boyfriends and girlfriends out there: wanna make your woman feel really sexy? Buy her something from L.A. designer Bao Tranchi. As we wrote in 2018, Tranchi’s body-conscious designs meld lingerie with couture-inspired quality, with signature cut-outs both sultry and sophisticated. From dresses to bodysuits to bras and panties, the local designer’s pieces are statement-making; J-Lo is a fan. With NYE around the corner, Tranchi’s latest looks – incorporating leopard and floral prints with her signature mesh – will be fun to unwrap in more ways than one. baotranchi.com

Pop culture, horror and holiday cheer collide at Poltergeists & Paramours which offers alluring pajamas and lingerie sets, most inspired by scary movies and imagery. From bodysuits and activewear with Freddy and Jason designs to sleepwear with Freddy Kruger, L.A.’s P&P fills a niche for horror fans. Also, check out their new holiday line mixing up traditional Christmas prints with iconic slasher imagery. poltergeistsandparamours.com

(Courtesy Chrissa Sparkles)

Everybody knows a pretty in pink girl/boy/non-binary – fond of ruffles, bows and anything femme. L.A. native model and performer Chrissa Sparkles makes pieces for that pal, from frilly skirts and dresses in velvet, feathers and sparkly stretch materials to Barbie-eque knit sweaters for friends and their pets to match. shop.chrissasparkles.com

(Courtesy Aerrem)

We all know we need to stay hydrated but doing it in an eco-conscious way that’s also stylish isn’t always simple. L.A.-based entrepreneur/activist couple Paul Kradin and Steve Bauerfein and L.A.-based designer George Esquivel have a new streamlined option. Their customizable bags offer different color combinations and reclaimed leather straps on tote bags made to carry two refillable bottles or tumblers daily. Aerrem says their bags can help save the average person “720 plastic bottles, 250 coffee cups and 684 pounds of carbon dioxide” if you use them as intended but we can think of a million other uses too. aerrem.io

(Courtesy Joseph Brooks Jewelry)

Joseph Brooks is an L.A. music and nightlife legend who made a name for himself as a DJ and club promoter, but with Joseph Brooks Jewelry he’s setting new trends. Best known for handcrafted designs using stones like tourmaline, quartz, onyx and turquoise, JB makes simple yet striking necklaces, bracelets and more. His pyramid studded cuffs, crystal skulls, and one-of-a-kind amethyst pendants all make for exquisite stocking stuffers. josephbrooksjewelry.com

(Courtesy House of Divinity)

House of Divinity, based in Echo Park, creates silver and brass stamped jewelry with whimsical and delicate beaded and wrapped touches that reflect folklore, nature and bohemian vibes. Good things come in small packages and these designs prove it. etsy.com/shop/HouseofDivinity

(Courtesy Glitter Death)

Glitter Death, the punky Hollywood boutique known for crazy-cute clothing and audacious art show parties, closed a few years ago so owner Rio Warner could focus on styling work. Fans of the shop got a special treat Thanksgiving week when Warner re-launched the store online. It’s filled with glam goodies and gift ideas. shopglitterdeath.com/

(Courtesy Dead Cool Shop)

Don’t forget the kiddies! Alternative baby gear always makes for a fun gift idea for nieces, nephews and breeder pals, and the Dead Cool Shop has some unique designs celebrating pop culture imagery (including lots of cute Emily the Strange stuff) that everyone should grow up knowing and loving. etsy.com/shop/DeadCoolShop

(Courtesy Michelle Deville)

The bamboo and door-knocker hoop has become a certified cultural style expression, worn by cool girls in urban NYC and L.A. for decades. Michelle Seville‘s version brings a whole new vibe to the classic style that’s attracted pop stars and stylists alike. Wrapped in fine Italian leather, the light and lovely ear jewelry (in various colors and prints) appears in countless magazines and music videos regularly. And who wouldn’t want a littte slice of Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and Alicia Keys OG glam? The L.A. transplant gives back too; Seville has an educational company presenting activities around jewelry design and she creates programs for the Los Angeles County Housing Authority and Los Angeles Public Library division of creative arts. sevillemichelle.com/

HOME & DECOR

(Courtesy Amy Longshore)

Ashley Longshore’s artist residency at the Peninsula Beverly Hills yielded some vibrant art show pieces and now you can get and give some. Drawing inspiration from the Peninsula’s stylish suites, the illustrator’s acrylic trays, embroidered linen napkins (set of 6), and small, mixed-media artworks conjure old Hollywood luxury. ashleylongshore.com

(Courtesy Academy Museum)

The Academy Museum is now open, housing classic Hollywood artifacts old and new. It’s a marvel but its gift shop is nearly as impressive as the exhibits. The store even has its own gift guide for entertainment fans. We think local artist Konstantin’s illustrated hand towel featuring different cinema-related landmarks in town might be the ultimate L.A. home gift. “I created this map specially for the Academy Museum, as a utopian dream of Los Angeles,” says the artist. “The city that we love, full of trees, plants, and gardens, where everybody is a Star.” academymuseumstore.org

(Courtesy Plaza de Cultura)

LA Plaza de Cultura’s “La Tienda” (store) is full of one-of-a-kind gifts but their 10 Year Anniversary ornament is tops. Made in the likeness of the historic Vickrey-Brunswig Building (1888) and Plaza House (1883), the sculptural tin creation will give Christmas trees an authentic sprinkle of Los Angeles magic. Also check out Plaza’s custom masks, tees, totes and other creations from local crafters. laplazatienda.org

(Courtesy The Bod Con)

Self-love & body confidence are things we should all be sharing. The BodCon, based in L.A., has created a virtual community and podcast to do just that and they’ve got a novel gift item to help spread the message – mirror decals that read “My body is…” and “Today I am…” that come with a custom dry-erase marker. Your loved one fills in words like “beautiful and empowered” to help them see what you see when they get ready each day. thebodcon.com

(Courtesy Tansey)

Tansey, Shawna Christian’s inviting shop in Burbank, has gifts to make anyone’s home feel like an oasis. Gorgeous garlands, suncatchers, pillows, textiles and plenty of green plants create an environment you want to take with you. There’s also tons of cool stuff to gift-give for outside – like the eye-catching wind chimes pictured – the abode. shoptansy.com

(Courtesy Audrey Herbertson)

We’ve long been a fan of local artist Audrey Herbertson’s 60’s and 70’s illustrations and her new blacklight posters are the grooviest. Like this retro sex position design called Zodiac Lovers from her website, which makes a hot gift for lovers or strangers (White Elephant gift exchanges will never be the same).  audreyherbertson.com/blacklightposters

DRINK & OTHER GOODIES

(Courtesy Grisley’s Cosmic)

Alcoholic beverages can make fun gifts if the packaging is unique. Grisly’s Cosmic is a bourbon and cola drink created during the pandemic by Samantha Franklin (formerly of local band The Holograms) and Eric Trueheart with art from Billie Buck, known for her rock poster work. The creature-covered canned cocktail is tasty but it also looks good as an elf on your shelf this season. royalbatch.com/grislys-cosmic-black-4-pack

(Courtesy Kikoko)

The local ladies behind Kikoko turned “high” tea parties into escapist female bonding events, and now Jennifer Chapin and Amanda Jones have expanded their empire with cannabis tablets and mints (X by Kikiko) in varying strengths, perfect to pop before those big family gatherings. California’s top-selling cannabis beverage brand is still making teas too, of course, and their beautifully packaged herbal mixes are precision dosed for help with libido, sleep and anxiety. We love their manuka honey shot packs for giving and adding to warm holiday drinks and grown-ups’ stockings. shop.kikoko.com

(Courtesy R6 Distillery)

L.A.’s first bourbon distillery, R6 DISTILLERY, has a boozy doozy to give the liquor lover in your life. The R6 Mini Gift Set features R6’s award-winning spirits (five 50ml minis in different flavors to be exact). Crafted from locally sourced, high-quality ingredients and presented in an ornate wooden box made from the same oak found in R6’s barrels, it’s an unexpected and classy item for cocktail fans and collectors.  r6distillery.com

(Courtesy Rescue Rose)

L.A. stylist Nola Singer has a great gift for drinkers and do-gooders alike: Rescue Rosé. Each Bottle sold donates 20% to benefit nonprofit organizations including Love Leo Rescue, A Purposeful Rescue, and I Stand With My Pack, all of which work to save dogs and help them to find their forever homes. The wine itself– which is vegan, Gluten Free and produced at a certified Sustainable vineyard– is might tasty too. rescuerose.com/

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