Purchasing from local small businesses gives you the satisfaction of knowing exactly where your dollars go, and many of the homegrown DC-area companies in this gift guide are on the cutting edge of sustainable manufacturing as well, which means buying their products over mass-produced items made far away is scoring a win for the environment. So whether you’re shopping for a holiday, for a host/hostess gift, or just looking to restock your cupboards with products you can feel good about, our list contains some local gems as well as some unique national companies we admire.
Note: We’re getting this post up in advance of a weekend of fairs but will be adding to it through the season. Send us suggestions to jessica (at) mindfulhealthylife (dot) com or post our mention of this list on our Facebook page. We’re also accepting donations for a holiday gift basket giveaway to launch next week.
Body Care
Lotion, soap, lip balm, loofahs and more. Natural ingredients from the U.S., handmade with herbs grown in the company’s Del Ray, Alexandria garden. The company recycles all materials, uses biodegradeable packaging and makes deliveries on bicycle for local orders.
Deodorant, soap, lotion, body butters, lip balms and more. All ingredients are raw, vegan and biodegradeable.
Herbal apothecary. Creams, lotions, salves, tinctures, elderberry syrup, teas, bath salts and more. Personalized assessments for individualized product recommendations and customized orders available. Prepackaged gifts also available.
Soaps, scrubs, oils, creams and more created by the mompreneur founders of The Still Point Spa at three locations in Maryland.
Yummy Treats
Whole food energy snacks, made for supporting milk supply, but enjoyed by everyone. Delicious, easy for on the go, healthy snacking. You can find them on the shelves at local Mom’s markets and gourmet boutique stores in the DC area or order them online for a quick and yummy stocking stuffer.
Element Shrub, recently featured in the Washington Post is a great local resource for apple cider vinegar based cocktail mixers for cocktail and ‘mocktails’! It is a necessity for any gift baskets that you may be giving away this year. My personal favorites flavors are Honeydew Jalapeño and Lemon Mint. On a side note this is a great gift for the pregnant ladies in your life. A wonderful additive for health and heartburn!
Local produce, dairy items, meats, cheeses and breads delivered to your door! Sourced from local farms and artisans, The Farm Table offers multiple box options and add ons each week. Unlike other CSAs, you can customize your box to ensure that it is packed with your favorite fruits and veggies.
Joy Bliss Raw is Washington, DC’s first and only artisanal raw chocolate & dessert company with creations made in small batches using premium organic and raw ingredients.
Consider treats from or gift cards to these local establishments.
If you need a holiday treat, check out the custom baked goods at Grass Roots Gourmet. They offer breakfast baked goods, both savory and sweet, cupcakes, cookies, pies and more. Small batch baking, so flavors change daily. Custom orders available.
Experienced roasters and a DC staple for the past 100 years. With their commitment to sustainability and transparency, you can enjoy your coffee knowing that it was ethically sourced.
Restaurant with grassfed meats and local suppliers plus farm store with local food and locally-sourced products. Menu includes 72-hour bone broth, salads, entrees and gluten-free options plus locally-made MTO Kombucha.
This cupcakery is a great place to purchase a gift card or hostess gift. With great cupcake flavors and organic ingredients they are a must have this holiday season.
Another great gift card stop for the health conscious foodie. With a menu catering to special diets, their food and drinks are delicious.
We’ve written previously about MOM’s, so it’s no secret we are fans of this local natural foods grocery store with locations in DC, MD and VA, including the newest additions in Arlington and Woodbridge. They’ve got lots of holiday specialty items, and gift cards are always a good thing.
Toys & Goods for the Home
Located in the Del Ray area, this creative making space is a not for profit business using donated and locally found items to create pieces of art through their studio programs. They offer many events and programs for the entire family!
Located in Ashburn, VA, this shop offers creative and fun baby apparel that encourages adventure! This shop offers cotton clothing and nontoxic ink on their adorable printed onesies.
A great selection of curated health focused baby and child products. It’s easy to love their organic cloth dolls and the knowledge their staff demonstrates regarding ingredient content and safety standards. Their store is a go to local stop for baby and child products. Locations in Fairfax and Reston.
Organic clothing and eco-friendly toys shop with locations in Bethesda and DC.
Handmade items for the home including Waldorf-inspired toys and textiles. Holiday sale December 5.
Custom logos, business cards, felted ornaments and fairy craft kits. Whimsy and wonder can be found in each item.
Greeting cards designed by a letterpress print shop with a warehouse studio in Northeast DC.
Journals with covers of custom artwork created by a DC-area mom.
As seen at local events devoted to gardening, like Rooting DC and Grow Your Health, original watercolor prints featuring fresh fruits and vegetables and delicious foods of all kinds in the cookbook, Mi Comida Latina. Studio Retail Space Grand Opening December 17.
Fairs & Markets
- Farm Women’s Market, Bethesda: Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30am-4:00pm until December 23rd
- Del Ray Holiday Market, Alexandria: December 4-6, 11-13, and 18-20
- Downtown Holiday Market, DC: Noon-8pm Daily until December 23rd
- Brentwood Brentwood Arts Exchange Craft Fair and Beer Tasting Lounge, December 12, 11-4, Brentwood, MD
- Green Crafter Fair with Winter’s Eve at National Colonial Farm in Accokeek, MD, December 5, 4-7 p.m.
For more local goods, check out Tiny Trots’ list of highlights from Crafty Bastards, a twice-yearly DC tradition. Tiny Trots founder and local mom Danielle put together a fantastic review of homemade goods that parents will love!
For books with a with a local connection and other parenting and natural living items , see our Shop page.
Finally, check out Etsy local for craft events in and around DC.
Mindful Healthy Life and its contributors have not received any financial compensation for listing any of the above companies.
Our Affiliates
The links below point to consultant or affiliate programs that financially benefit Mindful Healthy Life contributors
AANT offers 100% all natural and certified organic products for your home, body, children, pets and more! No more worrying about deciphering labels, each of the AANT products contains safe, and easily identifiable, ingredients. Their candles, safe to burn around all of your loved ones, smell especially delicious. Check out the candy cane body scrub!
Pure essential oils that help parents manage their family’s health with nature’s most powerful elements.
Cassava flour is a terrific baking alternative for anyone avoiding gluten. It is grain-free and nut-free too, so it’s safe for those on the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol (AIP).
This is super helpful, Jessica. And just in time. Thank you!
This is so great! Thanks for sharing!