Holiday Gift Guide 2023
We are excited to present the This Is My Brave 2023 Holiday Gift Guide!
We are thrilled to curate this collection, a blend of our personal favorites gifts, and items that resonate with messages close to our hearts. In keeping with our tradition, the majority of these treasures originate from black-owned businesses, contribute to noteworthy causes, or include a charitable aspect. Join us as we unwrap the magic of thoughtful choices and the art of giving.
The Game That Goes There
Over the summer, we were working hard to prepare for our inaugural Teen Mental Health Month campaign for August 2023. One of the perks of launching this campaign was that we got to meet some great mental health advocates and learn more about their organizations and efforts. By far one of my favorite organizations was The Liv Project. Not only are Honey and Tess two amazing human beings working relentlessly to share the story of their daughter/sister Liv who they lost to suicide in 2019, but they have created some magic in her honor – a lifechanging documentary and a GAME that helps usher conversations about mental health. A game about mental health? Yes, please! Co-created with Humanaut, Think Apples to Apples but mental health edition. Designed to engage teens in varying levels of discussion about the “monsters in our minds”, TGTGT makes for a perfect family night in letting your teens know that they are not alone and that you have your monsters, too. The more we share, the less alone we feel. Isn’t that what the holidays are all about?
Where to Start
Mental Health America (MHA) put out an amazing resource this year when they published their book Where to Start. Separated into four parts (Am I Okay?, Talking About Mental Health, Getting Professional Help, and DIY Mental Health) this book can be read however you (or a young person in your life) see fit. Sometimes it is challenging to find out where your mental health fits into the big picture or how you even go about explaining yourself to someone else. This book is a perfect tool for validating your experiences and holding your hand as you decide what steps are best for you. Another one of my favorite aspects about this book is that it is illustrated by Gemma Correll, a British cartoon artist and illustrator and the creator of one of my favorite Instagram accounts. Add this to your cart for a special person in your life or just to keep handy on your coffee table for your holiday guests to peruse while visiting!
Watercolor Hope Shop
I may be biased, but if you are on the hunt for some whimsical, original artwork, I am going to point you directly to WatercolorHopeShop on Etsy. Jennifer Marshall, Co-Founder and former Executive Director of This Is My Brave, started painting in 2020 during the pandemic. She would send us handmade cards for holidays, birthdays, or just to say hello, and I cherish everyone I have. I was so impressed by how quickly she was able to learn! After stepping down from TIMB, Jenn took her watercolor painting from a hobby to a passion project by opening up a shop on Etsy. Her pieces are unique, vibrant, and created with so much love and heart as a way to cope with her bipolar disorder. I have Jenn Marshall art all over my home, and I think that you and your giftees should, too! Gift someone special a Jenn Marshall original, and use it as a conversation starter or a chance to share your story, and make the gift even more special than you intended.
Musee
I love good bath and body products. I think part of it stems from the COVID-era of hand sanitizer being much higher of a priority over skincare, and now my skin constantly craves hydration. While trying to choose a This Is My Brave Holiday Gift Guide-worthy bath and body product this year, I happened upon Musee. Specifically, it was Musee’s Women of Change Bath Balm Bundle that first caught my eye, but then when I dug a little deeper, I found even more that I liked about them. As I scrolled down their website, a specific spot struck me – “Empowering women to rewrite their stories and create a brighter future.” followed by “Our Story”. Yes, I want to empower women to rewrite their stories, and YES I want to read yours! It turns out that they have an adorable assortment of reasonably priced bath products, and these bath products are handmade in Mississippi by women who are recovering from substance misuse and incarceration. Musee offers them a safe place to work while they rebuild their lives. Heck yes, everyone gets something from Musee this year!
Suit up for Launch with Shay
Do you have a little one in your life who is fascinated by astronauts and all things space? Check out the book Suit up for Launch with Shay written by Sharon Caples McDougle. Known as a “Modern Day Hidden Figure,” McDougle’s story will go down in history. A black United States Air Force veteran, McDougle is essentially the one responsible for processing the orange launch and re-entry pressure suit assemblies worn by all NASA space shuttle astronauts. I honestly have never even thought about why a space suit is orange, much less all of the time, technology, and engineering that goes into each one of them! Grab Suit up for Launch with Shay, so you and your little one can learn about it firsthand from the woman who started it all.
Breathing Buddha
Taking deep, mindful breaths is something that many of us keep in our mental health toolboxes to help us calm, center, and reset. But sometimes, the easiest, most accessible task – taking a few deep breaths – is farthest from our minds when we need it most. Let me present to you the adorable Breathing Buddha. When I first saw this product, I was enamored with how cute he was, his soft blue color, and his sweet little face. Then I realized that he was a meditation tool, and I loved him even more. With two easy-to-use modes and timed color changes, this little Buddha will be your own personal breathing and meditation guide. Created by Mindsight, Breathing Buddha is perfect for all ages and will be a great addition to your office or home to remind you to slow things down, take a few deep breaths, and bring yourself back to the present moment.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself, a friend, or a loved one – don’t forget to shop local and support your community! Your local restaurants, bookstores, boutiques, and coffee shops need your support to continue thriving in your communities. Grab some gift cards, and hand them out as last-minute gifts or stocking stuffers. Your purchases will be greatly appreciated.
Stay Brave this holiday season!
