Mara's 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

Mara’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Fabulous Finds from Female-Founded Companies!

Hello, Holiday Season! Let’s make gift giving effortlessly chic.

While preparing for the holiday season, I found myself thinking about all the amazing brands I have come across this year. You know how much I love discovering new products, especially when they come from fabulous female founders. This year, I’ve curated a list of absolute must-have holiday picks for 2025 including the things I’m currently obsessed with, using every day or inspired by. Make your gifting meaningful by supporting women-owned brands!

Self-Care: Treat Yourself (or a Fellow Powerhouse Woman!)

We all need a moment (or three) to hit pause, and this collection is all about products that do the hard work while we just…relax.

• Cleo + Coco Magic: Obsessed with the smell of their Deodorant Powder, which you can use on your body and hair. Genius! And for a truly needed good night’s sleep? Their Magnesium Lavender Relief Spray is my ticket to dreamland. 

• Saint Jō: So excited to support a female founder in one of my cohorts! The Cleanse offers a deep cleaning without drying out your skin, and the Defend serum is perfectly lightweight and non-oily. 

• Lifetherapy’s: Currently stocking my guest bathroom with both the Body Wash & Bubbling Bath and the Hydrating Body Lotion. I am obsessed with the Grounded scent.

• Vintner’s Daughter: The Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum has been a staple of my self-care routine for years.

• Thrive Causemetics: A loyal user of their mascara, I’m now a fan of their lipsticks too, specifically the Shimmering Plum Lip Set. Love supporting another mission driven company! 

• Jones Road Beauty Gift Card: For the women who know what they like. Let them pick their perfect shade with a gift card that always hits the mark.

• Deborah Pagani Beauty: The Essential Nectar is a hydrating hair serum that smells divine. A little luxury that makes a big difference.

• Jo Malone: I couldn’t resist this Blue Agave & Cacao Perfume. It smells absolutely amazing and feels like vacation in a bottle. 

• Womaness: Because skincare shouldn’t stop at the chin. Let’s Neck is a product dedicated to neck care.

Drinks: Raising a Glass to Quality

If you know me, you know I like to keep it simple – tequila soda is my jam. But simple doesn't mean skipping over the details. Quality matters, and I do not like sugary cocktails or artificial sweeteners!

• This Girl Walks Into a Bar : The Organic Margarita Mix is fantastic because it’s not too sugary. It is the real deal and makes a perfect margarita.

• Sipwell Wine: If you’re not drinking tequila, enjoy some wine! I am lucky to call Hilary a friend, and her Rock Steady Sparkling Rosé is my favorite. This is a winemaker’s wine, not a typical canned wine. 

• Quari Ice: The Perfect Ice Cube. No one wants a watered-down drink! Use a crystal clear ice cube to keep your drink chilled and delicious. 

• Top Note: I love mixing their Club Soda No.1 and their Sparkling Grapefruit Soda. The grapefruit soda makes a seriously mean paloma. 

• Nixie: The Watermelon-Mint Soda is one of my all-time favorites to make a simple tequila soda. So fresh.

• Twisted Alchemy: For that elevated spritz or ranch water, a splash of fresh-pressed juice is fantastic. We’re always mixing it up with their fresh lime, lemon and blood orange juices – perfection!

• Magnolia: I am currently obsessed with this shaker from Magnolia. It’s too pretty to hide away. 

• Misette: Every drink looks incredible in these gorgeous Bubble Glass Tumblers in Candy Blue.

• Blue Henry: Garnish Away! Blue Henry has a variety of dried fruits and delicious salts. It’s the little details that matter! 

• FreeStyle Snacks: Making a Mexican martini? You must use these olives. (You can even watch Nikki on a Shark Tank episode!).

• SAYSO: Their Skinny Spicy Margarita Sticks are lifesavers for an easy drink on the go. 

Home & Fashion: Made Effortless

This section is all about things that make life cozy, chic and genuinely happier. Effortless, comfortable luxury.

• Jumper 1234: I’m crazy about these sweaters. Unfortunately, my daughter is too and she keeps taking mine! 

• Hineni: I love a brand that is mission-driven and I am so fortunate to know the founders behind Hineni. This beautiful Everyday Pearl Chai Necklace has been added to my layering collection. 

• Onitsuka Tiger: Although it is not a women-owned or small brand, I discovered these Onitsuka Tiger Shoes in Japan and have become a huge fan. So light and had enough support for me to tour in them all day. 

• Generation Love: Effortlessly Chic. The Rosario Faux Fur Vest is perfect for adding that touch of polish. 

• Perfect White Tee: So comfy! The Zuri Tee is an absolute must-have foundational piece.

• Boll & Branch: I bought these sheets for everyone in my family. The Signature Hemmed Sheet Set is cloud-like. 

• Veronica Beard: My latest fixation: the Amos Dickey Jacket. (Hint, hint, family!)

• Keurig: (Again not a women-owned brand but I had to share my discovery) The SimpleCafé Frother is an appliance that makes my days happier. I would buy this for everyone on my list!

• Taja Collection: I love all of my Taja candles, they have so many great scents. I personally am obsessed with the Vanilla Bourbon Candle! 

• Inspiro Tequila: This Inspiro tumbler is big enough for my coffee on the go.  I always have the Coffee Mornings, Tequila Nights Tumbler in hand! 

• Homecourt: Channeling my inner Monica Geller from Friends as a totally compulsive cleaner. This Surface Cleaner is pretty, smells amazing and makes the perfect gift. I know I would want one too! 

Travel: Things to Take the Stress out of Traveling

The goal is to make travel as seamless and chic as possible. I don’t know what I did before having these essentials on my trips! 

• PROPS: So excited that I do not have to use the gross luggage racks at hotels! The Ice PROPS luggage is a game-changer.  

• Lolavie: I use all these products and love their Restore & Protect Travel Kit. Perfect for keeping my hair happy on the road. 

• Dosey: The 7-Day Pill Compact is a life saver. It allows me to organize all my vitamins and meds while traveling. 

• White & Warren: The Cashmere Wrap is the best travel essential. Expensive, but so worth it.

• NISHEL: I don’t know what I did before having a Hanging Toiletry Bag. It saves counter space and keeps everything so organized. 

• Hi, Love: I always travel with a belt bag that I can fit on my carry-on and use when walking around on vacation. The Puffer Fanny Pack is absolutely adorable.  

• AbleMade: Comfy joggers for travel are a non-negotiable. The Ava Jogger is perfect. 

• Inspiro Tequila: The Inspiro Tequila Hoodie is my go-to travel sweatshirt. Cozy and repping my brand! 

I’m a big believer in recognizing how impactful sharing can be. I’m happy to shout out to all these amazing founders! This holiday season, let’s go out of our way to support women-owned  businesses. These aren't just great gifts, they're gifts with a purpose. 

Happy Shopping, and Happy Holidays!