Support Tucson entrepreneurs and shop local this holiday season
With holidays just around the corner, Startup Tucson would love to encourage you to support local entrepreneurs as you do your holiday shopping and plan your parties this year. Below is a list of some of the awesome gift/party ideas from Startup Tucson members and partners.
We're also happy to share that Startup Tucson itself is offering Holiday Gift Cards for our Fundamentals program. If you know have a family member or friend that's always wanted to launch a business and just needs that extra "push" show them you support them taking the first step and gift them their first entrepreneurship course!
Guide Categories
Household Goods
CERO's team sells ethically made, zero-waste, and vegan products online and at their local shop. It's a great place to find something for that eco-conscious family member since they also proudly carrying over a dozen local businesses and makers.
The Company Eco team makes gifts that are carefully curated by local Tucsonans for everyday people. Check out their custom engraved kitchen sets!
La Luna specializes in handmade concrete home decor & accessories. Checkered vases, disco ball planters and unique warm green coasters, need we say more!
Alex creates CUSTOM dream furniture that has the ability to transform your space. Using a collaborative development process, he can build you something truly unique to wow that special person.
Spring & Vine creates small-batch, handmade goods inspired by the nature and landscape of the beautiful Sonoran Desert. Want to go beyond a gift? Their team also offers backyard clay workshops.
Fashion & Accessories
Alexa at Adela Artisan sells handmade clothing and accessories inspired in the culture and tradition of Mexico with all of their products are made by Mexican indigenous artisans. You can find her bags at The Monica.
Bralessly is a woman-owned small business sewing clothing with care in Tucson, Arizona. Their ‘no bra’ products are eco-friendly and sustainable. Check out their super comfy shirts and more. Erica and her team also run Sonoran Stitch Factory and support tons of other local entrepreneurs.
With all earrings handmade and little duplicates or restocking, all Dreamy Things earring are unique. Just check out those femurs (yes, femurs as in leg bones) and amazing color combos!
Ellie Rose has you covered with high quality, stylish accessories that are sure to get you likes IRL (In Real Life) or on your feed! These accessories will keep your tech powered up and protected while looking flawless.
The FRAQTALS system is the most innovative manual screen-printing press in the industry. Check out the Fraqtals shop for one-of-a-kind tshirts, hats, rugs and more. Their team is also the Main Stage winner of IdeaFunding 2022!
WE LOVE THESE BAGS! Made with so much thought, Iwona's lightweight, designer genuine leather hands bags are designed in beautiful bright and solid colors for everyday use. Seriously, we love these bags!
Jenna is an Artist, and designer based in Tucson. Her store celebrates Tucson through beautiful products such as bandanas, cards, and prints.
This desert inspired jewelry is sure to wow the copper queen in your family. Using metal clay to capture the intricacies of the little lives that can easily be overlooked, these pieces are unique and sure to please.
The most festive of our recommendations, Eva makes beautiful and unique Santa hats from the highest quality materials and sometimes the unexpected materials. A perfect edition to any winter wardrobe for years to come.
Points Jewelry is a small, Latina-owned and operated business with delicate jewelry meant to embody an appreciation for the breathtaking and satisfying beauty found in the most simple of shapes.
A longtime Startup Tucson fave, Sigfus creates fun and whimsical pieces to bring joy into your life. We are constantly inspired by the new designs Lauren creates, including now two rounds of special TENWEST earrings. Seriously EVERYTIME we wear her earrings we get asked where they are from, safe to say we're obsessed :) Check out her new household goods as well!
Art & Photography
Galeria Mitotera is a space to celebrate Chicanx culture, uplift artists of color in the community and create a safe space for community members and artists to inspire one another through art and togetherness. Their online store offers art, jewelry and more.
Arte y Cultura, celebrates heritage and culture through beautiful art. The etsy store includes beautiful ornaments and wine glasses.
Martha Retallick is a Tucson-based documentary photographer and journalist. Drawn to documentation projects that feature people in action or flora and fauna, her website features prints for sale and her book is coming soon. Startup Tucson is also a big fan of her newsletter!
Wellness & Beauty
Higher Vibrations offered alternative and holistic health service natural medicinal, spiritual and herbal solutions. Their site sells therapeutic oils, tea and sea moss blends.
Serene Essentials sells vegan skincare, soy candles & other amazing essentials for self care & serenity.
Kids & Games
Julie creates unique desert art using acrylic on canvas. Her work is available in prints and as greeting cards or as our favorite -- Desert Dwellers Flash Cards! Great gifts for kiddos here in Arizona or afar and very easy to mail!
Think chemistry is boring and hard? Think again! The M.C. Detective Agency series of chemistry comic books are filled with colorful characters and exciting storylines that translate complex chemistry into comic books. These imaginative comics have turned the Periodic Table into a playground of chemical adventure, and have allowed elementary school students to master chemistry concepts often taught at the college level. A perfect gift for early eager learners ages 8+.
Meet the Math Squad! Page a Day Math provides award-winning Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division practice that helps children remember essential math basics so they can understand and answer math problems easily and confidently! There are also GAMES!
Why & Wiser's makes artful games & gifts for clever kiddos & their grown-ups. They are all completely original designs, full of bright and colors and unique art created by up-and-coming artists and designers. Our favorite is the Prickly Pairs card game -- like Go Fish but instead you send someone to "Take a Hike" -- instant crowd pleaser!
Food & Beverages
Who doesn't love COOKIES?! AZ Baking Company creates mesquite chocolate chip cookie mixes for anybody who wants an easy-to-finish baking mix that comes together in minutes. Fun for the whole family and a great gift for travelers in the Southwest, AZ Baking Company is such a yummy gift this holiday season and holds a special place in our hearts.
Better Than Provisions believes in creating granola that's Better Than …Because Each Day Can Be Better Than Your Last. Their 5 nut grain free granolas are keto-friendly and gluten free. Our team loves the OG Cinnamon Vanilla flavor.
Love in a Cup offers teas, herbal and custom blends. They are enjoyable, bold, full-bodied, and flavor-filled blends that connect you and those around you to create one-of-a-kind, never-again moments.
Oatman Farms™ is a fearless food company with a mission to revitalize and sustain family farms in hot and dry desert environments. You can find pancake and sourdough mixes on their website.
Recently launched Mora Condiments offers big flavor, condiments that are handcrafted in small batches from authentic ingredients. The triple combo pack is the way to go to try all the things!
For the coffee lover in your life, Ombre provides locally roasted, high-quality beans and consistency in each blend. Are you a in a Picky Nicky or Buttercup morning mood?
Consider this Carniceria your one-stop market for fresh Mexican products, delicious Mexican food, and refreshing Raspados!
Tucson Tea Company offer unique small-batch and herbal tea blends using high quality loose leaf teas from around the world, including organic and fair-trade loose leaf teas. Check out their online options or their brand new location at Park Place Mall!
Special Order Items for Holiday Parties, Gifts, etc.
Hosting family or friends during the holidays? Relax and let some of these entrepreneurs help you with your entertaining!
Beautiful boards, boxes, and more for special occasions. Check out options and order through instagram.
Another Startup Tucson fave, Everything Tart is a Tucson-based bakery that specializes in Tarts, Quiche, & gourmet fluffy marshmallows. With a focus on local & seasonal fruits, they make the best flavor-packed tarts in town. Special orders available through their website.
We love Liz and everything she bakes! Cookies, bread, cakes, custom POP-TARTS and more are baked with care in a home kitchen. Check out instagram for ideas of what's possible and to place an order.
Ready to give protein shakes a try? Syd provides freshly homemade plant-based protein shakes made with nutritious ingredients that support your health goals, especially on the go.
Looking for specialty gourmet cookies, Yummy Crumbs has you covered! With flavors like Cinnamon Roll and Smores, the sweet tooth in your family will thank you.
Unique Gifts
Do you have a Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering fan in your life? Help them protect their high-value trading cards with Ambr Grading's Next-Gen TCG Cases, authentication and grading services from experts who know the games.
Gaia provides creates hemp-based health and wellness treat for pets of all sizes. Check out their wellness chewables for all your furry friends.
Spencer's Shroomery is a great local source for all things mushrooms. They offer high-quality organic grain spawn, substrates, and tools for mushroom cultivators of all skill levels. Grow your own!
Experiences
Another Startup Tucson fan favorite, the Arizona Wine Tours team makes a day down to Arizona wine country one to remember. We've been... twice!
Fria is a Tucson-based ice cream truck serving up your childhood faves, paletas y más! Available to book for parties and corporate events.
A little bit of everything!
Still looking? Check out Why I Love Where I Live's curated collection of local goods and products that will make you feel connected to Tucson. We never leave with only one thing!
Happy Holiday shopping and thank you for supporting local entrepreneurs!
--The Startup Tucson Team
Isa it possible to be added to the shopping list of resources for my Vocal Technique Studio? I offer regular voice and music lessons as well as Holiday specials on gift certificates to the "Joy of Singing." jjjazz@mac.com I am a member! I can supply a blurb if needed. Thank you, Janice Jarrett