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Is Amazon the new Etsy? These unique, handmade gifts are $35 and under — and arrive by Xmas
Newsflash: Etsy isn't the only handmade game in town. Amazon is now riding that train...and we're loving every minute of it. There are a ton of beautiful handmade items selling on the site right now that would make touching gifts — and, yes, you can get them in time for Christmas. Because they are handcrafted, supplies are limited, so snap them up quick. They're so darned special.
Avital's Apiaries Lavender & Patchouli Conditioner Bar
$15Hereafter Succulent Wood Blank Nature Journal
$29Brooke & Jess Designs Mama Bear Coffee Mug
$19Old Whaling Co. Seaweed and Sea Salt Body Butter
$32Perched Natural Pine Stacking Rocks
$33Lorenzen Candle Co. Christmas Tree Soy Candle
$27Monstera Earrings Leaf Earrings
$34Relaxcation Handmade Organic Bath Bombs Gift Set
$25Mojo Spa Make Me a Morning Person Face and Body Scrub
$23Dianpearl Opal Compass necklace
$27
Without further ado, here are 10 handmade standouts that will ship in time for the big day — and they're all 35 bucks or less!
And it carries a calming lavender scent with a hint of patchouli. It's handmade in New York's Finger Lakes region.
"Works and lasts," said a shopper. "I have waist-length hair that is coarse, curly, and graying so a good conditioner is a must. ...I get the equivalent of three bottles of my normal conditioner...So, less waste, happy hair and happy woman. I'll be looking into the shampoo bar when the current bottle runs out."
Inside are 160 blank pages just waiting to be filled. Crafted by independent, woman-owned Hereafter in Los Angeles. "This is the most beautiful journal I have ever seen," declared one fan.
It'll be hard to choose between the coral, plum and teal, but don't dilly-dally. These won't last! Brooke & Jess Designs is co-owned and created by two sisters.
"Mug was not only cute, but felt good in my hand," wrote a happy shopper. "Thickness was perfect. Not a delicate mug at all. It came boxed and would be perfectly giftable."
Plus: No mineral oils, parabens, sulfates, phthalates or dyes in sight. Just the good stuff. And you get two, so you can knock out two gifts in one go. (Or just keep one!) It's available in lots of great scents that the company claims ships faster than what's stated on the site, but the popular Seaweed and Sea Salt is guaranteed to arrive before Christmas if you order soon.
Fans give this body butter a 4.9 rating. But one shopper explained it's not just for the body: " Body butter nothin’! I use this on my face!...it doesn’t leave any shiny, oily residue and it made my skin feel really soft."
Great for the child who loves to build and the adult who needs a touch of Zen alike. The Montessori-inspired wood building blocks, handmade in Utah, are designed to promote developmental motor and problem-solving. And they're so easy on the eyes.
"A slightly sweet and woodsy scent. The stain and wood grains are beautiful," wrote a happy shopper. "These blocks are lightweight so I wouldn’t worry about them getting thrown or falling down (because kids!). We specifically bought these to use as part of a 'mindfulness' box of sensory items for my daughter who struggles with anxiety and emotional regulation. I’m pretty sure my husband and I will also be using this to decompress! I think I might buy a set for my husband to keep at work when he needs a stress break. Plus, it will look like a cool display on his desk or shelves when it’s not in use."
Ages 3 and up. Drawstring pouch included.
This candle — a top seller at Amazon — smells of fir, pine, cedar and eucalyptus thanks to a festive blend of essential oils. It's certain to delight those who have an artificial tree but pine for a real one. Vegan and free of everything naughty (phthalates, parabens, cruelty), this delightful candle will burn for up to 70 hours.
Said one happy customer: "We didn’t get a real Christmas tree this year and we were missing the fresh tree scent but this candle definitely did the job! It smells as if we had a real Christmas tree in the house or even better!"
Made of brass with 14k gold plating, they drop to just an inch in length, so they'll always enhance, never overpower the beauty of the wearer.
"10/10," wrote one shopper. "So pretty! I love wearing these, they are the perfect gold color, and a nice dainty size."
They're made in the USA and are dye-, phthalate-, paraben- and SLS-free.
Shared a thrilled shopper: "I love these bath bombs! I bought a six-pack for my daughter for her birthday and ended up buying these for me. I had never used bath bombs before...[these] dissolve smoothly, smell amazing, and are non-irritating to the skin. Plus, they’re made in the USA!"
The USA-made scrub helps cleanse and moisturize, plus it leaves the skin feeling soft and silky.
One skeptic shared: "I didn’t expect it to exceed my expectations and do things I didn’t even think of. It made my face so soft and it evened my skin tone. I always wear light makeup (just foundation and mascara) and after using this product, for the first time in years, I haven’t worn makeup since."
The 14K gold-plated necklaces look delicate, but they're plenty sturdy.
"I love this necklace," shared a fan. "I wear it every day and my best friend has the other one. I’ve been wearing it for a while and it doesn’t feel cheap...I get tons of compliments on it! It’s a great gift!"
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)
We’ve got your holiday shopping list covered with fantastic gift ideas for everyone on your list. You’ll find expert picks on the best tech gifts on Engadget, the best gift ideas for car lovers at Autoblog, gifts for the young (and young at heart) at In the Know, and picks for just about everyone else on your list (moms, dads, teens, nurses, you name it!) in Yahoo’s holiday gift ideas section. On AOL, you'll find for gift ideas for seniors shopping for moms, dads, teens and toddlers.
