A guide for the Holidays: optiMize edition
A short list on opti-Gifts
As the holiday season approaches once again, the optiMize team wanted to ease your worries about finding the perfect gift. Many of these local, student-led businesses offer the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Here are a few products, all from teams funded by optiMize over the last few years, that will take the stress out of gift-shopping and leave even the most eager of wrapping-paper-rippers smiling.
MAKE FASHION CLEAN
COHORT IX
Are you looking for sustainable, international, and fashionable gifts for your loved ones? Check out Make Fashion Clean, a non-profit organization that upcycles fashion products co-designing with artisans from Ghana through the MFI foundation. In an effort to reduce fashion pollution, MFC aspires to promote reusing items in a stylistic way. They offer masks, tye-dyed products, and even have their own Etsy shop for you to browse! Just know that each product you buy is one-of-a-kind for the special people in your life.
COMME HOMME
COHORT IX
Comme Homme is a truly unique brand that focuses on reducing the stigma surrounding hair loss. They offer scalp care products that will help anyone feel more confident and comfortable! Kene, the founder of Comme Homme started this company in an effort to build a community around baldness, showing anyone that they can look good with or without their locks! Their online store offers products individually or you can buy a bundle! Their products have reached people across the country from New York to Oklahoma! Definitely check out their site and peruse their amazing products!
See what products and bundles they have on their website.
MA:E MAGAZINE
COHORT VIII
Any readers or media lovers in your life? Well look no further than MA:E Magazine, a creative collection written and produced by members of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community. Created in 2019, this organization and publication has grown a lot right here on Michigan’s campus. They have produced beautiful pieces all made by the APIDA community, and you can submit your own work for a chance to be featured, too!
Read their online editions on their website.
OLD TIME SURFCRAFT
COHORT X
To any lovers of surfing, the water, and handmade woodworking, check out Old Time Surfcraft, a non-profit organization that aims to environmentally and sustainably engage with water. Their products and designs span across all water-sporting needs, offering kite-surfs, boogie boards, surfboards, and noseriders. Their thoughtful craftsmanship will surely provide the best gift for anyone who is active within the water sports community!
INNOVENDING
COHORT IX
One of the best parts of the holiday is finding time to relax and maintain self-care. Innovending, a vending machine located out of the basement of the Michigan Union, supplies our campus with beauty, hair, and skincare products for historically underrepresented groups in this industry. Innovending’s products celebrate all minorities and offer a diverse range so there’s something for everyone! Check out their machine, locally run in Ann Arbor.
Head to their website to learn more.
STAR LACES
COHORT VII
STAR Laces offers an inclusive fashion line of shoelaces that normalizes sharing pronouns. Their mission is to support trans individuals and easily inform others of desired pronouns. In addition to providing a well-needed, inclusive product, they also donate 15% of sales to help trans-identifying individuals gain access to gender-affirming hormones and surgeries. When doing holiday shopping, consider supporting your LGBTQ+ community through a thoughtful gift to an impactful organization.
See their website to browse their products.
BARB N JEWELS COSMETICS
COHORT VI
For those interested in jewelry, cosmetics, and personal care who are seeking a more inclusively focused brand, check out Barb N Jewels, a company that embraces natural beauty for all skin tones. They are currently offering an eyelash kit, which consists of natural volume mink wispy lashes and nourishing eyelash & eyebrow serum. This product is perfect for those looking for inclusive, high-quality cosmetic options.
SOFTLY SERVED
COHORT X
If you have anyone with a sweet tooth in your life who is often left searching for vegan, gluten free, and nut free products, look no further than softly served, plant-based ice cream. They are currently offering chocolate, vanilla, and twist, available to order via DM on their instagram. Also, keep an eye out for the launch of their Ann Arbor store, coming soon in the spring of 2023!
See Softly Served products for yourself on their instagram.