Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Supporting our community is important to us. With Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 9) a few weeks away, we’ve put together a gift guide featuring local, BIPOC female-owned businesses in Edmonton and Calgary. Whether you’re shopping for mom, a mom-to-be, aunt, grandmother or any other special figure in your life, show your support for BIPOC businesses by shopping for these great gifts.
Please note: This list is not at all exhaustive and we apologize for missing one of your favourites. If you know of a local BIPOC-owned brand that isn’t listed here, send us an email with your suggestion and we’ll include it here. Email us your suggestions at media@homewardtrust.ca
Keep an eye out for our Father’s Day gift guide next month.
Edmonton-based
buno-design.com/ #YEG-based
Rooted in sustainability, Buno creates jewelry by repurposing old, vintage and salvaged materials to reduce fashion wastage and its environmental impact. Each piece of jewelry in Buno’s collection is handcrafted in St. Albert, AB.
We recommend: Coral Collection Necklace, $80
Perfect for spring and summer, these necklaces are inspired by the beauty of coral reefs.
Each necklace, available in six different colour combinations, features handpainted wood beads in various sizes, ceramic beads and a Maasai bead embellishment on a nylon cord.
shopgikan.com/ #YEG-based
Gikan creates high-quality products through timeless pieces inspired by the creator’s Filipino heritage and strive to preserve their Filipino culture and cultivate a better future for generations to come. As part of that, Gikan donates a portion of their funds from purchase to a “Create with a Purpose” jar that is used to give back to the community whenever needed. Through contributions, Gikan has given back to Black Lives Matter, Black Visions Collective and the Lebanese Red Cross.
We recommend: Lupa Earrings, $15
“Lupa” in Taglog means ground/soil, which is a perfect name for these earrings that feature a brown/white marble with terracotta frame.
ilovethemoon.bigcartel.com/ #YEG-based
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind gift, consider opting for a custom-made product. Mabel Garcia, the illustrator behind I Love the Moon, creates custom watercolour portraits stylized based on a photo you provide and other details and offer portraits for individuals, couples, weddings, families and pets. Prices vary depending on the type of portrait made.
We recommend: Family Portrait, $230
Forget going to Sears for a family portrait, get one illustrated. Plus, this beautiful piece can be hung in the family room for all to see.
jshinedesigns.ca/ #YEG-based
Jessica Sanderson-Barry, the creator and owner of JShineDesigns, produces beautiful handmade beaded jewelry that incorporates elements from the land such as tanned-hide (elk, moose and deer hide), porcupine quills, bone, etc. Designs sell out fast, so make sure to save the date for the next drop, which is April 28, 2021.
We recommend: Any of the items that are releasing on April 28
kanatanhealthsolutions.ca/ #YEG-based
Kanatan Health Solutions is an Indigenous family-owned business that produces high-quality culturally appropriate hand sanitization products and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Their products, such as the hand sanitizers, include ingredients from traditional medicinal plants like cedar, sweetgrass, sage and sweet tobacco, while providing a safe alternative to the strong alcohol-based varieties currently sold in the market.
We recommend: Sacred 4 Bundle Hand Sanitizer Sprays, $40.00
This four-pack bundle includes essential oils from the Four Sacred Smudges and honours the traditions of their ancestors. The sanitizers are Health Canada approved and contain 75% medical-grade isopropyl alcohol.
kynapparel.ca/ #YEG-based
KYN Apparel produces unique and bold fashion pieces, clothing and accessories, that blend vibrant African prints with common fabrics such as lace, tulle, denim, tweed and more. The result is a unique garment that is bold and colourful that will make any outfit pop.
We recommend: Foldover Clutch, $35
This clutch, which comes in two different sizes, features a colorful African wax print and multi-functions as a bag for small electronics or cables.
motherearthessentials.ca #YEG-based
Mother Earth Essentials is an Indigenous-owned company that creates luxurious bath and beauty products from natural ingredients and traditional recipes used in Indigenous culture.
We recommend: Mother Earth: Plants for Health & Beauty, $24.95
The founder, Carrie Armstrong, created a book with recipes and traditions for anyone who wants to improve their life with ethically-crafted health and beauty products that can be made at home. The recipes and traditions found in this book reflect the culture and the knowledge of the Medicine Wheel, featuring 26 edible and medicinal plants that can be gathered in nature as Carrie and her grandmother did.
newclassics.ca/ #YEG-based
New Classics is a sustainable e-retailer that merges social responsibility and environmental awareness through its curated edit of slow fashion brands. The Edmonton-based company sells everything from clothing to shoes to housewares.
We recommend: Soap Dream Collection, $34.95
These artisanal soap bars are handcrafted in small batches here in Edmonton. The soaps are made from a luxurious blend of olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil (sustainably grown and ethically sourced) and castor oil that is infused with moisturizing sodium lactate and kaolin clay to polish and refine the skin surface.
onenesholistics.ca/ #YEG-based
OneNes Holistics produces skincare made from high-quality raw ingredients from the earth, just as earth intended. Their products are 100% natural and do not contain any bad stuff like chemicals, fragrances, alcohol or preservatives.
We recommend: Skin Detox Coffee Body Scrub, $22.22
Get rid of dry skin with this coffee scrub that is described as a “deeply penetrating detox exfoliation in a jar.” Made out of raw and natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil and coffee, this scrub will help moisturize and nourish the skin and can help improve blood circulation with regular use.
tikkhu.com/ #YEG-based
Tikkhu is a contemporary jewelry line inspired by earth’s natural elements and textiles designed to elevate one’s everyday style. Curated and handcrafted in Edmonton, Tikkhu offers a range of minimalistic jewelry including necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings that offers connectedness with its wearers and allows them to experience their own meanings within them that bring the pieces to life.
We recommend: LOVE YOUR MAMA Necklace, $38
This MAMA nameplate is the perfect gift for a mom or mom-to-be. Made out of gold-plated brass, this necklace is simple but packs a statement.
zenliondesign.ca/ #YEG-based
Edmonton’s Zen Lion Design offers super comfy, customized apparel, including crewnecks, hoodies, and t-shirts, which are hand pressed with custom designs. Some items are completely customizable that allows you to choose the type of garment, colour and text.
We recommend: Custom Kids Name Shirt, Hoodie or Crewneck, $44-$60
Forget wearing your heart on your sleeve, wear your kids names on your shirt! This customizable top features your kids names in the colour of your choice.
workhallstudio.com/ #YEG-based
Workhall is founded with the mission of artistry over commercialism and designs clothing using plant-based or plant-blended fabrics. They offer life-long alterations and tailoring to reduce garment waste.
We recommend: Jema, $98
This is one of their top-selling dresses, which is made of a lustrous and soft cupro knit fabric (a recycled fabric generated from discarded cotton plant waste. This dress is also anti-wrinkle and antibacterial making it the ideal garment for travel and long-term wear.
Calgary-based
alora.ca/ #YYC-based
Alora sells handmade jewelry for people to feel unique, empowered and beautiful and inspire women to reach higher, dream bigger and be confident. What’s more, they donate 5% of their profits to help women in their community.
We recommend: Mother and Child Pendant, $48
This handmade recycled brass necklace represents the unbreakable bond that exists between a mother and child. It’s a perfect gift to the moms in your life: new or expectant, wife, sister, or grandma.
landofdaughters.com/ #YYC-based
You can never have too many candles, or that’s what we like to think, anyway. Land of Daughters is a Metis and female led company that specializes in handcrafted candles, aroma room sprays, solid perfumes and wax melts available in a variety of scents. Not sure what scent is for you or that special someone? Land of Daughters offers sampler scents available to help you choose your perfect scent.
We recommend: LET’S STAY HOME Candle, $30
“Let’s Stay Home” is an effortless blend of woody sandalwood and soft lavender that is one of the company’s bestsellers. Plus, it’s a gentle reminder to stay at home during these turbulent times.
vuoyen.com/ #YYC-based
Vuoyen offers unique yet functional products made for everyday use. Products range from tote bags to 3D masks to scrunchies, which are all handmade and carefully curated in Calgary.
We recommend: The Utility Tote, $45
The Utility Tote is a versatile product that can be used for school, work, groceries, the gym—the possibilities are endless. This particular style features multiple pockets that are convenient for small items like hand sanitizer, masks, or keys.
All prices are quoted in Canadian dollars. All prices quoted were checked shortly before publication, but prices change often and might not match what is found online. Readers should make sure to check in-stock and delivery status this year.
