There’s something so incredible about shopping local and supporting businesses within our community. It’s something we’re extremely passionate about here at Detroit Mom. Buying local gives back to our community and, I don’t know about you, but that’s something I want to be a part of.
For our Detroit Mom-Approved Holiday Gift Guide, we’ve made it super simple for you to shop. The majority of these businesses have the option to purchase online and ship anywhere. In honor of shopping small this holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of local businesses we think are worth checking out. It’s safe to say that we’ve tried every single one of these businesses ourselves. Check them out!
EXPERIENCES
Scent your space by creating a signature scent unique to you at Urban Wick Candle Bar. Whether you are enjoying a Michigan summer Up North or cozying up to the fireplace on a cold winter’s night, your favorite scents and memories are unique to you and that is the beauty of their one-of-a-kind candle making experience. Urban Wick has 90+ premium fragrance oils available for you to choose from and blend together to create your custom scent. Their candles are made with natural soy wax, organic cotton wicks, and clean-burning fragrance oils. This combination provides the cleanest burn, the strongest scent throw, and a long burn time. With proper wick and candle care, you can expect a 60 hour burn time with their standard 8 oz vessels.
Experience everything Mi-Sci has to offer by becoming a member today! Along with unlimited free general admission to their live stage shows, lab activities, and over 220 hands-on exhibits, members receive discounts and priority seating for their 4D theater and planetarium, invitations to exclusive members-only events and hours, and so much more. A family membership costs $99 and the benefits cover two adults and up to six household children under the age of 18. This membership also includes access to the A.S.T.C. passport program, granting admission to over 200 science museums across the country.
Stemville is a play center for school-aged children with endless STEM activities and materials. Stemville hopes to stimulate the minds of all the children who visit so they too can imagine, explore, design, and create! With a monthly membership, you can enjoy unlimited visits, bi-monthly STEM patch activities, no fees for additional adults, private party discounts, and a monthly buddy pass. E-gift cards are available on their website and traditional gift cards are available in store.
Give a “zoonique” holiday gift that supports the animals at the Detroit Zoo and life-saving animal rescues. You’ll get a supply of Vitamin Z for as low as $127 a family.
Each membership gift includes:
• Daytime admission and parking at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center
• Discounts at Zoo gift shops
• Seasonal members-only entrance, and more
Three ways to purchase:
• Go to detroitzoo.org/membership
• Visit our onsite Membership Office
• Call (248) 541-5717 and press 3
MORE EXPERIENCES
FOR KIDS
Modern Natural Baby is a 5,000-square-foot brick and mortar store in Downtown Ferndale just north of Detroit. They can complete your entire baby registry for your modern natural baby including cloth diapers, baby carriers, wooden toys, strollers, clothing, high chairs, car seats, furniture, and so much more. Modern Natural Baby is currently only open for online shipping and curbside pickup.
Healthy Roots Dolls is a toy company that creates dolls and storybooks that empower young girls and represent the beauty of our diversity.
Meet Zoe! Zoe is the first Healthy Roots Doll and she is far from average. The Zoe doll’s hair is specially-designed with curl power that allows it to be washed and styled in any way you can think of. Kids can use real products and try out countless styles from puffs to box braids! Zoe learned to love her hair after she did the big chop with her mom. Together, they learned step-by-step, how to love every single one of her curls. Now she’s here to help other girls learn to love their curls! Sized at 18” in height, Zoe is the perfect companion with hair that is bigger than life.
Their mission is to teach girls to love themselves just the way they are.
Rue, a brave and ambitious young girl, longs to sail away on adventures. One day, with the help of a magical compass, Rue comes to discover mystical stones and gems that grant her the ability to heal her pirate friends.
Join Rue on a quest to help her dear comrade, Bandana Jack, when he comes to her with a dire problem! Our courageous Rue sets sail to prove that girls have a place in any pirate story, especially as the heroine.
“A book with a message that could influence a generation!” Grow LOVE is a children’s book that is needed now more than ever. Said to be “a book blessing,” Grow LOVE spreads the message of giving love away to keep it growing. Kimberly’s goal is to equip young people with the four super powers needed to be a global citizen in an everyday global world. Kimberly’s books are driven by impact, not profit, and are ethically sourced and produced with respect for people and the environment. Kimberly is also the author of You are my baby. I am your mommy., lovingly referred to as “the Baby Mommy book” by thousands of adoptive families.
Over the Moon Sleep Consulting takes the guess work out of teaching your child to sleep. They work with newborns up to 6-year-olds. They teach you sleep science, create a daily schedule, evaluate baby’s nursery, identify sleep props, and provide daily 1:1 support. Over the Moon Sleep Consulting will guide you every step of the way and use methods based on sleep science. No tricks. No gimmicks. Just sleep.
Think gift cards for that mom in your life that needs a really good night’s sleep!
Livy Lou is creating memories with accessories.
MORE FOR KIDS
FASHION + ACCESSORIES
Fashion is a trend, style is eternal. At Ferne Boutique, they carefully select clothing to help women dress with confidence. Whether it is a little black dress for a night on the town, or a casual tunic and jeans, they want their customers to have access to unique styles that make them feel beautiful. Providing exceptional customer experiences is Ferne Boutique’s main goal. They want everyone to be a repeat customer!
Rebel Nell exists to provide employment, equitable opportunity, and wraparound support for women with barriers to employment. By repurposing meaningful materials into wearable art, they mark life’s important moments and connect them to your personal journey. Rebel Nell seeks to embolden women, to embrace their infinite strength, and to define their own future. Their jewelry serves as a reminder that there is power in being ONE OF NO OTHER KIND.
Detroit Mom exists to connect and support moms through motherhood + life. We’re here to make sure no mother ever feels alone through this journey. Sport two of your favorite things: motherhood and Detroit.
Kiloh + Co is a woman-owned apparel brand focused on all things local love and game day! They are based in Michigan and have a fun holiday pop-up experience this season!
Mend on the Move is a space for healing + empowerment for survivors of abuse in Detroit through sustainably handcrafted jewelry.
Better Life Bags‘ mission is to hire women who have various barriers to employment to make their custom leather and fabric bags. The women are adopted into their Better Life family and given a chance to succeed in life, family, and friendship.
Even from the beginning, all of their bags have been custom and made-to-order for you–the customer! And their interactive website makes it really fun to design your own bag. Click on the “Design Your Own” tab at the top and play around for hours if you have to. When you are ready to have their ladies make it for you, just add it to your cart and check out! They’ll get working on it right away!
MORE FASHION + ACCESSORIES
SELF CARE+BEAUTY
Beauty in Science Medspa offers medical grade treatments within all budgets in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. At Beauty in Science Medspa they specialize in highlighting natural beauty and prioritize personal growth through knowledge and education. They look forward to curating treatment plans for everyday people in their St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, and Detroit community.
AKT is a full body workout that combines cardio dance intervals with strength and toning. AKT empowers members to become stronger in their bodies, minds, and communities–and they have fun doing it! AKT Royal Oak features amazing instructors that create original programming every three weeks. At AKT they train, they sweat, they get results, and they have a hell of a lot of fun doing it.
This season Chelsea Krafchak is offering shopping services for custom beginner makeup kits. Each kit is personalized to the receiver to fit their unique needs. These kits are perfect for beginners in makeup, teens experimenting with makeup, or people who need a makeup refresh. The products selected are easy to work with and will fit nicely into a beginner’s makeup routine. Each kit provides a FULL FACE of makeup. Bonus, all products are 100% cruelty-free! All products are personally sourced specifically for each client. Chelsea does not have any affiliation with any cosmetic brands.
HOME DECOR
Stock up on intentional gifts! At Modern Supply, it’s about the intention behind the pieces they curate, and how well they hold up over time. They work with local and like-minded cities’ artists to source goods and wares that are sustainable, storied, and possess that give-you-goosebumps beauty.
Applewood Candle Co. is a home fragrance collection, handcrafted in small batches using thoughtfully-curated, pure ingredients for a clean and luxurious candle-burning experience! Candle Connoisseur and Founder, Allison, started pouring candles because her dog, Magnolia, was getting sick from the candles Allison was purchasing and burning in their home. If candles were making their pup sick, what do they do to us? Applewood Candle Co. candles are made using 100% soy wax, crackling wooden wicks, and fragrances free of phthalates and parabens for a candle that is safe to burn around the whole family!
Pingree Detroit is a worker-owned, triple bottom line design and manufacturing cooperative that hand-makes accessories and footwear here in Detroit with leather upcycled from the auto industry.
When car seats are turned into coasters, your drink always has the best seat in the house.
Each Corktown Coaster is handmade in Detroit by their team of veterans and Detroiters with leather upcycled from the American auto industry. They unite this durable automotive leather with cork crafted from leftover wine bottle corks. They then hand-emboss their logo on each coaster. It’s a great gift that smells like a new car–because it nearly was.
The MamaRiseUp mission is to uplift and motivate moms through the journey of motherhood using stationery products. Their products can be treasured by you or given as a gift to a mother. Whether you’re a mother or a supporter of one, please visit their shop to browse their heartfelt, empowering collection designed exclusively for moms to find their strength.
Give a gift that special mom in your life can enjoy all year long!
FOR FOODIES
2022 Detroit Mom-Approved Foodie Gift Guide
Stay tuned for the updated Detroit Mom-Approved Foodie Gift Guide
Jashan Chocolate –pronounced Juh shun. They make handmade artisan chocolate! They help people celebrate all of life’s moments. Their specialty is that their handmade chocolates are infused with Indian flavors and spices, and made with 100% belgian chocolate that is gluten free, halal, and kosher certified. Their chocolates are 100% vegetarian.
Jashan Chocolate offers a unique gift idea for all celebrations–birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, hostess gifts, teacher’s gifts, corporate holiday gifts, and party favors.
Currently, they have nine flavors: Chai, Saffron, Rose, Pistachio Kulfi, Orange Clove, Coconut Jaggery, Mango Lassi, Nimbu Paani, and their new 2022 holiday flavor is Almond Sparkle.
Their brand, like its name, was created to celebrate life! And, they make a perfect gift for all celebrations.
Olga’s Kitchen is a favorite for so many reasons and now through a partnership with Goldbelly, your favorite menu items from Olga’s can be delivered across the country. Goldbelly is a website that connects people with their greatest food memories so it’s the perfect gift for those former Detroiters who have moved away and miss the flavors of Olga’s. Goldbelly delivers to 50 states so no matter where your friends and family are they can enjoy a taste of home. The items currently available for shipping are Olga’s Snackers, The Original Olga, Peasant Soup, Spinach & Cheese Pies, Dessert Snackers, and a Greek Dinner Kit. All of the menu items serve between four and eight people. You can order Olga’s for your loved ones at goldbelly.com.
We hope you love these local businesses as much as we do! They are truly some of the best gems in Detroit. You’ll find something special for everyone on your list. 2022 is the year to shop local, shop small, and support our community. We know just how much our favorite small businesses appreciate you! Stop by or shop online, and tell them Detroit Mom sent you!
