The definition of a small business is not clear-cut: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) primarily assesses them using financial data, such as total sales and income, and size, which refers to the number of employees. However, specific standards differ by industry, so determining if a business is small is a case of seeing it when you see it. Supporting them during the holidays is also essential since, according to the SBA, most small businesses depend on holiday sales for at least 25% of their yearly income.
For years, I have covered small businesses for local publications around the nation as well as NBC Select. If you’re considering buying this season, I’ve compiled a list of some of our NBC Select employees’ favorites along with others that have interesting products you should be aware of. Remember that many brands’ shipping deadlines have already gone while you’re shopping. Check out our list to the greatest last-minute gifts if you need a gift that will undoubtedly arrive by the holidays. I also advise you to confirm a brand’s shipping schedule before making a purchase.
GO Ahead and SkipBest presents for food and drink, beauty and wellness, the house, the kitchen, clothing, accessories, crafts, and hobbies, and why choose NBC Select?
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Best for travelingCadence Daily Routine Capsule Set
$117.30$138.00Amazon
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Best for relaxingNodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask
$undefined$34.00Amazon
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Best customizable giftArtifact Uprising Pressed Glass Photo Ornament
$undefined$35.00Artifact Uprising
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Best for cookingStaff The Oven Mitts
$undefined$35.00Amazon
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We recommend perfect gifts for a living and these are the best ones we ve ever gotten
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The best gifts from small businesses in 2024
I compiled items that NBC Select editors have purchased or used personally, along with other highly regarded choices that fit with our earlier coverage, to suggest the greatest presents from small businesses. Every brand claims to be a small business, and some participate in Amazon Support Small and other big-box retailers’ small business initiatives. Small businesses that are listed in our minority-owned brand guides—such as those that are Black, Latino, AAPI, LGBTQ, or women-owned—sell a lot of the products on my list.
The best food and beverage gifts
Heraclea The Pairing Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Heraclea The Pairing Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Some of my favorite olive oils are made by Heraclea from olives that are cultivated on the company’s family-owned grove in Turkey. Two bottles of olive oil are included in this set: Mature Harvest, which is great for cooking over heat, and Early Harvest, which is best for salads, dips, and drizzles. I always keep the lovely, robust bottles with cork caps that the oils arrive in in my kitchen.
Siesta Co. Sea Salt Flakes Variety Pack
Siesta Co. Sea Salt Flakes Variety Pack
Your loved one’s home cooking will be enhanced by Siesta Co. salts. With the natural, black, citrus, and ginger crispy sea salt flakes included in the variety box, the cook in your life can try out different taste combinations. NBC Select associate correspondent Bianca Alvarez suggests Siesta Co’s salt, which is made in Spain.
Kloo Mini Tasting Set
Kloo Mini Tasting Set
I’ve tried a lot of concentrations over the years, and as a self-described coffee connoisseur, Kloo’s is among the best. It’s tasty and smooth without being overly acidic or bitter, and I enjoy that I can use it to make cocktails and other hot and cold beverages. The brand sent me this set to try, and it’s a terrific way to get started with Kloo’s coffee. Four 8.5-ounce bottles of concentration are included, allowing your special someone to sample a different roast. They will also receive a coffee tasting wheel and pour measure. The canvas tote bag has everything.
Magno Chocolates Lunar Gems
Magno Chocolates Lunar Gems
These Colombian chocolates from a single origin are nearly too lovely to consume. Hand-painted and embellished with 24-karat gold leaves, each geometric-shaped confection has a shimmering appearance. There are 12 semi-sweet and white chocolate gems in this gift box, which are filled with whisky ganache, caramelized macadamia nuts, creamy caramel or pistachios and blueberries. You can specify the exact date you want your order shipped and add a free gift note.
Soul Chai One of Each Gift Set
Soul Chai One of Each Gift Set
Some people prefer a chai latte over the standard shot of espresso. If that sounds like your giftee, buy them this set of chai powder to make hot and iced beverages at home. The set comes with masala and rooibos chai powder, both of which are packed inside recyclable tins. The set comes wrapped in a reusable bamboo carrier.
The best beauty and wellness gifts
Cadence Daily Routine Capsule Set
Cadence Daily Routine Capsule Set
I pack medication, hair care and body care essentials in Cadence s reusable capsules every time I travel. I ve also gifted them to loved ones to bring on trips across the world. This set comes with seven capsules: three smalls that have a .56-ounce capacity, and four 1.32-ounce mediums. The capsules are magnetic, so they stay together insidetoiletry bags, and they come with interchangeable label tiles to help your giftee identify what s inside each one. I find Cadence s capsules easy to fill and clean, and their leak-resistant caps prevent spillage in my bag.
Character The Go Set
Character The Go Set
If the DIYer in your life doesn t have the tools they need to take on projects, this kit will be a welcome addition to their home. It comes with pillars, an adjustable wrench, a 6-in-1 screwdriver, a hammer and a 25-foot tape measure, all of which comes packed inside a portable canvas storage bag.
Olfactory At-Home Customization Experience
Olfactory At-Home Customization Experience
One of the best gifts I gave my mom was a perfume-making session at Olfactory s New York City lab. But if your loved one can t make it to the Big Apple, this kit allows them to customize their own scent at home. The brand guides them through the whole process with detailed instructions, and you can add a gift note with your purchase. Your giftee gets a full-size bottle of their unique perfume with a personalized label.
Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask
Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask
Nodpod ssleep maskoffers similar calming benefits to aweighted blanket, but targets pressure points on your giftee s face to help them relax while sleeping. They can rest it over their eyes to block out light, and its four pods equally distribute gentle weight between their temples. The mask has a soft fabric exterior and there s a loop closure in the back. Your loved one can also pop it in the freezer before they wear it the cold helps with issues like headaches and puffy skin, according to the brand.
Wthn Body Cupping Kit
Wthn Body Cupping Kit
Anyone with sore muscles will be thankful to receive this at-home cupping kit. The suction from the cups gently lifts up tissue, which releases tension, increases circulation and supports overall recovery, according to the brand. The kit comes with eight silicone cups, a travel case and a detailed how-to guide. I use the cups, which my family gifted me last year, before and after long runs, and when my shoulders are achy from hunching over my computer.
Pink Moon Rose Quartz Gua Sha Facial Toolkit
Pink Moon Rose Quartz Gua Sha Facial Toolkit
Help your giftee establish a daily gua sha practice, which can improve circulation, reduce inflammation and relieve tension, according toexperts we spoke to. This kit from Pink Moon is ideal for those who are new to gua sha. It comes with a rose quartz tool, a storage pouch and an instruction booklet.
The best home gifts
Artifact Uprising Pressed Glass Photo Ornament
Artifact Uprising Pressed Glass Photo Ornament
Preserve a special memory inside this glass photo ornament, which your giftee can display on their Christmas tree, hang up on a wall at home or find a place for at their office. To customize it, you upload a picture to Artifact Uprising s website and choose to crop it in a circle or oval shape. The ornament has a brass frame and is double sided, so your loved one will be able to see the picture from all angles. It comes with a long ribbon that they can tie or cut however they d like.
Nata Concept Store The Pasta Enthusiast Candle Set
Nata Concept Store The Pasta Enthusiast Candle Set
I m always looking for tchotchkes that will make my loved ones smile, and everything Nata Concept sells fits the bill. It s hard to choose just one of the brand s handmade, food-shaped candles to gift, so I usually gravitate toward a set like this one. The Pasta Enthusiast bundle comes with four candles: farfalle, fusilli, rigatoni and mezzelune. Your giftee can place them on a glass or ceramic plate to burn, and they have a jasmine, neroli and orange blossom scent.
Pacas Window Pane Throw Blanket
Pacas Window Pane Throw Blanket
After cozying up with this blanket, your loved one can use it as an accessory by folding it up or draping it over furniture. It s made from soft Peruvian alpaca fiber, which is naturally thermoregulating, meaning it s insulating in the winter and cooling in the summer. The blanket has tassels around its perimeter and comes in colors like camel, charcoal and navy.
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The best kitchen gifts
Staff The Oven Mitts
Staff The Oven Mitts
Bring joy to your loved one s kitchen with these colorful, smiley face oven mitts. They have a silicone exterior that s heat-resistant up to 445 degrees Fahrenheit and a cotton interior that s soft against skin. The brand recommends hand washing the oven mitts, but your giftee can machine-wash them if necessary.
Fredericks & Mae Confetti Cutting Board
Fredericks & Mae Confetti Cutting Board
Your favorite home chef can use this colorful, dishwasher-safecutting boardto prep ingredients, while the host can use it as a base for acharcuterie board. It s made from food-safe plastic and comes in small, medium and large sizes, as well as colors like multi-confetti, green/white, black/white and rainbow. The small and medium cutting boards have a powder-coated metal handle, too.
Hedley & Bennett Smock Apron
Hedley & Bennett Smock Apron
Even when I m not cooking something that could splash or spill on my clothes, I throw on Hedley & Bennett s machine-washable smock apron because it makes me feel like a professional. The apron s linen and cotton fabric is lightweight, and I find its crossback straps more comfortable than straps you have to tie. It has a loose fit, so it s not restrictive, and there s two pockets, plus a utility loop to hang tongs or a towel. The smock apron is available in over a dozen solid colors, as well as patterns like florals, checks and stripes. You can customize it with text for an additional $20 or a monogram for an additional $30.
The best apparel and accessory gifts
Verloop Chunky Colorblock Knit Pom Beanie
Verloop Chunky Colorblock Knit Pom Beanie
Help your giftee stay warm during the chilly months ahead by buying them this cuffed beanie. It s made from soft yarn and has a chunky colorblocked design with a marbled pompom on top. You can purchase the machine-washable hat in cobalt, teal or pink.
Amyo Star Flare Huggie Earrings
Amyo Star Flare Huggie Earrings
I swear by Amyo s jewelry because it never irritates my sensitive skin, upholds its quality over time and is comfortable for everyday wear. I ve kept these huggies on for months, which make a great gift because they re a bit more special than a standard pair of small gold hoops due to their sparkly pav charm. You can buy the hypoallergenic earrings in gold vermeil, sterling silver or 14-karat gold, and three sizes: six millimeters (best for second or third holes) and 7.5 millimeters (best for first holes). They click closed and are free from lead and nickel.
831 Stories Enemies to Lovers Trope Hat
831 Stories Enemies to Lovers Trope Hat
This hat lets everyone know exactly what genre the reader, TV lover or cinephile in your life prefers.Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select editorial projects manager, gets compliments on it every time she wears it, and says it s always a conversation starter. The hat is made from a cotton twill material, has custom embroidery and is adjustable thanks to its buckle closure.
Great Indoors Ferus Slipper
Great Indoors Ferus Slipper
Instead of trashing the fabric left over from making its robes, Great Indoors repurposes it to make theseslippers. They come in unisex sizes and will keep your loved ones feet warm around the house. Your giftee can also wear the machine-washable slippers to the pool or hot tub since they re made from terry cloth, they re extra absorbent.
The best crafts and hobbies gifts
The Woobles Bjorn The Narwhal Beginners Crochet Kit
The Woobles Bjorn The Narwhal Beginners Crochet Kit
If your loved one is looking for a new hobby, crocheting is an easy one to pick up, especially if they re learning through The Woobles kits. Each one comes with all of the materials they need to crochet a little character: a crochet hook, yarn, yarn needle and stuffing. Your giftee also gets access to step-by-step instruction videos.
Printworks Tumbling Tower Game
Printworks Tumbling Tower Game
Printworks Tumbling Tower Game is grown-up Jenga. The colorful wood blocks look more sophisticated than the originals, so your giftee can display a constructed tower as home decor when it s not in use. The game comes with instructions and is ideal for groups.
Sweet Water Decor One Line A Day Journal
Sweet Water Decor One Line A Day Journal
Writing one line a day in this notebook helps your giftee record up to five years worth of experiences and get into the habit of journaling. The book has blank and lined pages, so they can write, sketch or doodle. It also has clearly defined sections, so your giftee can easily return to what they jotted down on a given date.
Why trust NBC Select?
I m areporter at NBC Selectwhose written gift guides since 2020, including the best Advent calendars, thebest gifts for coffee loversandbest gifts for bakers. I ve also covered small businesses for years at various publications. To recommend the best gifts from small brands in 2024, I rounded up NBC Select staff picks and highly rated options worth knowing about.
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