Finding the right gift can be one of the sweetest parts of the holiday season, but it can also be surprisingly hard to know what to get for the people who seem to have everything. We love gifts that are useful, thoughtfully made, and a little different from what someone might pick up for themselves. If you're shopping for a friend who enjoys her skincare routine, a family member who appreciates handmade goods, or someone you'd like to introduce to Flying Cow, we've gathered a few of our favorite ideas to help you get started.
Why Natural Skincare Gifts Make Sense This Time of Year
The colder months can be hard on skin. Between chilly mornings, dry indoor heat, and hands constantly in and out of warm dishwater during the holiday cooking and cleaning, this is often the time of year when a rich, nourishing balm comes in handy. Skincare can be a practical gift that still feels special, especially when it's made with care and ingredients you can feel good about.
It's also a nice option when you're not quite sure what to buy. You don't have to know someone's clothing size or home decor style; a little knowledge of their preferences can go a long way. Maybe they'd enjoy a soft floral scent, something fresh and citrusy, or a simple unscented balm. And if you're unsure which blend they'd like best, a sampler set gives them a chance to try a few.
Choosing a gift from a small, family-owned business adds another layer to the experience. Our balms are handmade in small batches, and we love being able to share the care that goes into making them with the people who receive them. Whether you're shopping for someone who already knows and loves Flying Cow or introducing a friend to us for the first time, we're glad to be part of your holiday gifting.
Our Favorite Skincare Gift Sets for Easy Giving
When you're shopping for someone who hasn't tried Flying Cow yet, a sampler set is a great place to start. Each set comes in a gift box with four 1 oz jars, giving them a chance to explore a few different blends without committing to a full-size jar. They're also easy to tuck into a suitcase, keep at a desk, or bring along for a weekend away.
Best Sellers Sampler Set ($46.99)
A little bit of everything makes this set a fun introduction to Flying Cow. It includes Golden Tallow, with its warm frankincense blend; Renew, with bright lemon and peppermint; Wild Orange; and Shield, our hardworking hand balm. The 1 oz Golden and Wild Orange jars are exclusive to this set, too, making it a fun find for someone who already knows their way around our balms.
Classic Sampler Set ($40.99)
This set brings together four of our classic blends: Peppermint, the very first Flying Cow tallow; Light Lavender Peppermint, made with half the usual essential oils; Fresh Citrus, with grapefruit, lemon, lime, and orange; and Unscented, for those who prefer a balm without added essential oils. With four different options to try, it's a thoughtful pick for someone who likes keeping their skincare simple but enjoys having a little variety.
Holiday Favorites Sampler ($46.99)
New this year, this one is all about the season! It brings our four holiday scents (Candy Cane Latte, Mint + Vanilla, Winter Breeze, and Gingerbread) together in 1 oz jars, so whoever opens it gets to try every cozy scent we make for the holidays. It's the set we'd pick for the friend who starts playing Christmas music on November 1st. :)
All three sets are under $50 and make easy gifts for coworkers, teachers, neighbors, or friends. They're also a good choice when you know someone would enjoy trying Flying Cow but aren't quite sure which blend they'd reach for first.
Thoughtful Gifts for Her
If you're looking for a full-size balm, it helps to think about the scents the person already enjoys. Does she gravitate toward floral fragrances, or does she prefer something warm and earthy? A little clue like that can help narrow things down, and these two blends are lovely places to start.
Frankincense & Lavender (from $29.99)
Frankincense brings a warm, earthy note to this blend, while lavender softens it with a familiar floral scent. It's a lovely option for someone who enjoys a more subtle, grounded scent in her skincare routine.
Magnolia ($59.99)
For someone who loves a floral scent, Magnolia is a beautiful choice. Its soft, blooming scent brings flowers to mind, and the jar itself looks lovely sitting on a bathroom counter or nightstand. It's a special option for someone who appreciates those little everyday luxuries.
You can always pair a full-size balm with a handwritten card or another small gift to make it feel more personal. And if you're not sure which scent she'd like best, one of our sampler sets lets her find a favorite for herself.
Christmas Gifts for New Mamas
A new baby brings plenty of excitement, but it can also mean a lot of change for the mama behind the scenes. If you're shopping for someone who's expecting or has recently welcomed a little one, a thoughtful gift that helps her feel cared for, too, is a sweet way to celebrate this new season of life.
Baby Moon (from $35.99)
Baby Moon makes a thoughtful gift for an expecting mama or someone in the postpartum months. It's a rich, comforting balm made with growing bellies in mind, and it gives her a few quiet minutes of self-care through all the changes that come with pregnancy.
New Mama Set ($159.99)
If you're looking for a more complete gift, our New Mama Set brings together essentials for both mama and baby. It's a lovely option for a baby shower or a Christmas gift for an expecting friend, especially if you'd like to give something a little more substantial.
If you're putting together a baby shower gift, we've shared more ideas in our Baby Shower Gift Guide, too.
When You're Stuck: A Gift Card and Last-Minute Ideas
We've all had someone on our list who is just plain hard to shop for. Maybe they already have their favorite products, or maybe you're not sure which scent they'd enjoy most. A Flying Cow gift card (from $25) lets them choose their own favorites, whether they're restocking a well-loved balm or trying something new. And if it's super last minute, we offer digital gift cards as well! Just a note: physical gift cards can only be used in stores or by placing an order over the phone, and digital gift cards can only be used online!
A few other easy ideas for the last-minute shopper:
• Pair one of the samplers with fuzzy socks and a favorite tea for a simple "night in" bundle.
• Put together a winter kit for a coworker with our Lip Balm ($5.99), a small jar of tallow, and a packet of hot cocoa.
• Tuck a gift card into a holiday card, and it doubles as a stocking stuffer.
Sometimes the simplest gifts end up being the most used!
Handmade Gifts From A Place for the Maker
If you're shopping for someone who appreciates handmade goods and the people behind them, we'd love for you to explore A Place for the Maker. This collection brings together work from independent artists and small makers, and it's one of the ways we get to share the creativity and talent of people in our community with our customers.
From ceramics to thoughtfully crafted goods, these pieces make lovely gifts on their own or paired with a Flying Cow balm for a little something extra. You can learn more about the makers we feature through A Place for the Maker, including Christina Cohn Ceramics and Southern Flora Farms.
We're especially excited to celebrate the holiday season at our Franklin store this year as it welcomes its first Christmas! If you're nearby, stop in and see what's available in person. You can find all our storefronts and their details on our locations page.
A Few Tips Before You Check Out
If you're ordering gifts online, a little planning can help make holiday shopping easier. Most orders ship within 1 to 3 business days and arrive about 2 to 6 business days after shipping, but things can get busier as Christmas gets closer. We recommend ordering early when you can, especially if you're sending gifts directly to friends or family.
Prefer to shop local? You can also choose local pickup at checkout when it's available for your order. For more details about shipping and delivery, take a look at our Shipping Policy. Please note: local pickup is not currently available online for the Franklin store!
Happy Gifting!
We hope this guide helps you find something thoughtful for the people on your list, whether that's a tried-and-true favorite, a new blend to try, or a handmade piece from an independent maker. And if you're shopping for the guys, too, we've gathered a few ideas in our For Him collection, including our Manly Gift Set.
Thanks for letting us be a small part of your holiday gifting this year. Happy shopping!
