Gift Ideas that Give Back

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Gift Ideas from Local Artists

Facing your holiday to-do and shopping lists? Make gift-giving easier with inspired and original presents that can be found as close by as the co-op! Lakewinds employees and family members recommend some of their favorite gift ideas, with a focus on supporting women artisans, helping the environment, and strengthening local businesses. With presents that do good and are fun to give, holiday shopping can be a joy this season.

Lovely Woven Basket with a Unique Dish Towel

Alaffia woven baskets

These beautiful, unique baskets are handwoven in Ghana and signed by the weaver. A portion of the baskets’ sales goes to improving drinking water access in the country. These baskets are recommended by Be, who’s a cashier at our Chanhassen location. Gifts | $30.99 – $73.99

Unique, festive hand towels

Playful designs add fun and utility to any kitchen space and help prevent paper towel use. This is a suggestion from Sarah, Chanhassen wellness department. Gifts | Towel selection and prices vary.

Romi, Bee Spa, and Pranarom Gift Idea

Romi skin care
Beautiful skin care is handcrafted using locally grown medicinal herbs and suggested by Sam from the Chanhassen wellness department. Wellness | $14.99 – $34.99 Locally Made or Grown

BeeSpa hand and foot cream

This locally made cream is delightfully smooth and soft plus great at repairing dry skin. This gift idea was recommended by Mary from the Minnetonka wellness department. Wellness | $12.99 – $29.99  Locally Made or Grown

Mistilia diffuser by Pranarom

Pranarom products are made from sustainably harvested, certified organic plants, with a portion of profits going to help pollinators. This diffuser is USB-charged and portable for on-the-go diffused oils. This gift was recommended by Claude, Minnetonka manager on duty. Wellness | $23.99 Locally Made or Grown

Local Chocolate Bar and Pacha Soaps

Pacha soaps 

Pacha supports clean water initiatives and donates soap to schools in Sub-Saharan Africa. Wellness | $21.99/lb. (One bar typically costs between $5 and $6.)

Local chocolate

Lili, daughter of Rachael Eide from human resources, suggests pairing Pacha soap with a local chocolate, like B.T. McElrath or Groveland Confections. The chocolates are hand-crafted in Minneapolis and Minnetonka respectively, with honey caramels, Salty Dog bites, truffle packs, and more, while supplies last. Grocery | $0.79 – $8.99 Locally Made or Grown

 

 

Bulk Candies for You, Bird Seeds for Feathered Friends

Bulk candy and nuts

Mix and match bulk treats for your sweets, like maple-glazed mixed nuts, sun drops, and more. Karna, Chanhassen cashier, says it’s fun to tailor the treats per your loved one’s tastes. Bulk | Bulk selections and prices vary

Jules Loft edible art bird feeder

This local bird seed feeder is made by hand in small batches in Waconia using organic ingredients. It’s a beautiful gift that does good by helping birds during the cold winter months. This gift idea is from Sarah, who works in the Chanhassen wellness department. Gifts | $17.99 – $29.99 Locally Made or Grown

 

Book, Coffee, and Tea Gift Ideas

 

Books to Love

Discover unique books that cover interesting topics, such as the energetic phases of the moon’s cycle. Muse with the Moon is a favorite of Mary from the Richfield wellness department. Gifts | Book selection and prices vary.

Emma Skala pottery

This beautiful pottery is woman-made, one-of-a-kind functional art that can hold your favorite Fair Trade coffee or local tea, and is a favorite of Karla, from the Richfield general merchandise department. Gifts | $27.99 – $35.99

Local Soaps from Rapha and Waverly

Rapha Farms soap

These soaps are hand-crafted, locally made, and use pure ingredients. They’re women-owned, kind to skin and the environment, and smell and feel amazing! This is a recommendation from Mary on the Minnetonka wellness team. Wellness | $5.99 Locally Made or Grown

 

Botanical Lucidity and Comfy Tea Art Socks

 

Tey Art socks

These beautiful, soft socks are made by skilled artisans in Peru, using natural, sustainable fibers, including alpaca. They’re a favorite of Sam, who works in the Chanhassen wellness department. Gifts | $9.99

Botanical Lucidity

Locally crafted chai, matcha, and other tasty concoctions are perfect for warm winter drinks and a recommendation from Alex, from Richfield wellness. Wellness | $2.99 – $29.99 Locally Made or Grown

More gift ideas include:

  • Hot pads
  • Cutting boards
  • Spatulas
  • Pans
  • Lunch bags for kids
  • Bryn Mawr soap
  • Pranarom essential oil blends
  • Artists to Watch holiday boxed cards
  • New York Puzzle Company 4×4 topic puzzles
  • Sunleaf poured candles

See holiday gift ideas from past years, here, including puzzles, Wintercraft globes, Stasher bags, and more.