We do very little gifting of objects in my family for the holidays. I grew up with practical parents who preferred to give us cash for gits. And while I always appreciated it, I also thought it was no fun. Now that I’m older, though, I recognize this no-nonsense approach as optimal for not contributing to stuff that people don’t want or need or for taking up time making returns or exchanges.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t like to surprise someone with a present now and then. Or, um, buy something for myself.
I’m starting my ethical holiday sale list early this year because one particular maker I love has a sale right now. I’ll keep updating this post as I learn about more Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
** this post contains affiliate links **
Amour Vert – Based in San Francisco, Amour Vert makes the majority of their clothes in the area. As their name implies, they’re inspired by French style. In addition to their own clothes, they also carry shoes, bags, and jewelry by other brands, like Coclico shoes. 20% off everything with GREENFRIDAY through 11/26.
And Comfort – Minimalist plus size clothing. 15% off with THANKS15 through 11/26.
Baggu – My favorite reusable bag! They also make leather goods, like this circle purse I adore. 20% off sitewide. 25% off orders of $50 and more. 30% off orders of $100 and more.
Bash + Sass – Minimalist and gender neutral tees, hoodies, and rompers for babies and toddlers. Made in San Francisco. 20% off with PUMPKINPIE through 11/26.
Carol Young | Undesigned – Sustainably designed clothing for women made in Los Angeles. 20% off with THNKFUL.
Coyuchi – Minimally processed and ethically sourced bedding and textiles. (I keep eyeing one of their blankets but they’re still expensive. Sigh.) 25% off, ends 11/26.
East Fork – Earthy ceramics made in Asheville, NC. 20% off non-pot items with TRIMMINGS through 11/26. (Sucks that it doesn’t seem to apply to ceramics, though.)
Erin Templeton – This Canadian brand makes bags with minimal hardware, some of them out of reclaimed leather. 20% off with BLACKFRIDAY18 through 11/26.
Everlane – Leave it to Everlane to do things a little differently. Their tradition is not to hold a sale. Instead, they contribute to a Black Friday Fund to raise money for a cause. One year, it was helmets for their factory workers in Vietnam. This year, they’re donating $13 per order, up to $250,000, to the Surfrider Foundation to clean up 20,000 pounds of plastic off beaches. $13 is the cost of cleaning up one pound of plastic. They do, however, hold periodic “Choose What You Pay” sales and one is taking place now and includes the V Heel, which I reviewed recently. Curious about how something fits? Check out my reviews of Everlane items.
Graf Lantz – Bags, laptop sleeves, accessories, and housewares made in Los Angeles. I love the simplicity of their merino wool felt placemats and coasters. 30% off with THANKS30 through 11/27.
Hook & Stem – The makers of the midcentury modern style plant stand I raved about earlier this year, started Black Friday early with 25% off their stand and cylindrical pot combo! For example, a 10″ pot with a short stand is now $73.49 instead of $97.99 (before shipping). And if you want just a stand, they’re 15% off. The sale goes through 11/26.
Hopp Studios – This brand of comfy shoes is made in Texas. 30% off with CYBER30 through 11/26. The discount applies to sale items too. I may or may not have just ordered some wedge shoes.
Ilano Design – This Oakland-based brand partners with artisans in Mexico and the Philippines to make their sandals, bags, and rugs. 40% off with THANKFUL through 11/26. Plus, Ilano will donate a portion of proceeds to Al Otro Lado, which provides pro bono legal services for asylum seekers and deportees in Tijuana, Mexico.
Jenny Lemons – Limited edition clothing and textiles in whimsical prints that are hand painted or block printed. 20% off with THANKS18 through 11/26. Applies to their workshops too, which are held in San Francisco.
Lo & Sons – Makers of stylish travel bags. Some items are marked up to 50% off. Also, enjoy extended returns (60 days instead of 30). Sale ends 11/26.
Londontown – I was impressed by this cruelty-free, 9-Free nail polish brand in a recent review. 40% off polishes and nail care with code EARLY40. Free shipping on order $30 and up.
Marley’s Monsters – Reusable goods for the home like washable “paper” towels, cosmetic rounds, and baby care. 25% off with GIVETHANKS through 11/26.
Nettle Studios – Small batch production of flowy clothing in natural fibers. Made in San Francisco. 10% off $200, 15% off $250, 20% off $300, 24% off $400. Through 12/3
Nisolo – This ethical shoe maker has put a selection of shoes and sandals on sale. Plus, take 15% off with EXTRA15.
North of West – Based in Portland, OR, this retailer offers simply-designed women’s clothing and kids clothes in fun prints. Housewares too. 20% off with SHOPLOCAL.
Nordstrom – Items marked down up to 60% off. Plus, if you spend $250 online, you’ll receive a $50 egift card in January. Through 6am PST on 11/28. I look for the ethical brands, like Eileen Fisher, Baggu (pssst, this Duck Bag is 50% off), Rachel Comey, and Reformation.
Reformation – Speaking of Reformation, everything is 30% off on their site. Many sustainable brands have a minimalist aesthetic going on, but not Reformation, which I think of as certain kind of L.A. style. Get your form-fitting tops and dresses with high slits here.
Pigeon Toe – Ceramics made in Portland, OR. 25% off site-wide through 11/26.
S’ip by S’well – My favorite reusable water bottle. (Review here.) 20% off with BF2018 through 11/26. Their sister brand S’well is offering
The Stowe – Leather bags ethically made in Spain. 20% off with TGIF.
Stratia – Mark your calendars for 11/26. That’s when skincare brand Stratia is putting everything on sale at 20% off (except for gift cards.) I’m a fan of their Liquid Gold moisturizer which strengthens your skin barrier. Yes, it really works, at least on me.
Taylor Stitch – Responsibly-made men’s clothing. 20% off through 11/25.
First Image: Amy Hirschi/Unsplash
