Looking out the window from my desk at the near oppressive Caribbean sunshine and the boats sailing by on the sparkling water below (not to mention the sweat trickling down between my boobs – yeah, you knew I had to temper that fantasy scene), it feels a little ridiculous to be writing a holiday gift list. Is it really almost time for the holidays again? Hard to believe, particularly without the smooth transition that is pumpkin spice everything. And, of course, the changing of actual seasons.
But almost holiday season it is – I can tell by the number of tourists on my rock, multiplying by the day like rabbits. A good reminder for me to get thinking about the gifts I plan on giving this year to all those near, dear, and not so near. One thing you learn living on a rock is the necessity of advanced planning since pretty much everything has to be shipped in and out.
A recent holiday thought: What better way to ring in the season than to support my fellow island entrepreneurs? This year, I plan on buying most, if not all, of my gifts from small business owners, preferably those rockin’ it on a rock too.
If you’d like to join me, I’ve compiled this Ultimate Island Holiday Gift Guide for your shopping pleasure. Not only will you get plenty of good vibes from supporting your fellow islanders (good vibes feel like glitter inside your heart, just FYIsies), but you will also dazzle the lucky friends and fam on your list by gifting unique goodies they likely couldn’t have discovered on their own.
All of these businesses are available for purchase online, though shipping options may vary depending on your location. Now here’s your list, rockers – shop on!
– ISLAND VARIETY STORES –
Absolutely Unique VI – hammocks, swimwear, cushions, and more
Art Box Belize – Caribbean art and culture gifts
Beach Box TV Shop – island beauty, fashion, and home goods
Bonaire Stuff – wise range of Bonaire gifts
Coconuts Fiji – coconut oil products
From Around the Globe – unique finds from islands and elsewhere
Isola Bella – handmade island art, jewelry, bags, stationary, and home goods
My Fiji Store – art, beauty products, and more from Fiji
St. John Spice – spices, island crafts, and more
Ten Thousand Villages – art, home goods, and more by Haitian artisans
The Haitian Bead Project – jewelry and home decor
Visit Dominica – a range of gifts featuring the island of Dominica
– ISLAND CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES –
Caribbean Girls Rock – island girl apparel
Drevait – Trinidad & Tobago handbags
Fanm Djanm – colorful head wraps and other accessories by “strong women” in Haiti
Hiho – Caribbean clothing
Hope Town Canvas – sail bags
Island Bags – colorful totes made in Barbados
Island Contessa – resort wear
Jovew by Makisa – Trinidadian handbags
Live Tropic – island lifestyle clothing
Meme Bete – leather bags from St. Lucia
Merch Carnival – bacchanal clothing and accessories
Mermaid Swim VI – mermaid tails, tops, and accessories
Pascale Theard Creations – Haitian handbags
Rock Girls – island girl clothing and accessories
Roots Seychelles – hand-printed textiles from Seychelles
Salty Gem – whimsical totes and sail bags
Shelly the Creator – crocheted swimwear from St. Lucia
Sirenes Des Tropiques – island made accessories
Sloop Jones – wearable art
St. Kitts Turtles – rash guards that help save sea turtles
Trefle Designs – swimwear and cover-ups
West Indies Wear – beach tunics, sarongs, and more
Vintage Caribbean – t-shirts celebrating island history
– ISLAND INSPIRED JEWELRY –
Alexandra Mosher Bermuda – pink sand jewelry
Bamboo VI – Crucian hook bracelets and more VI jewelry
Bohio Mania – vibrant jewelry made in Haiti
Crucian Gold – St. Croix inspired jewelry
Fashion Cuts Jewelry – wooden and leather jewelry from Anguilla
IB Designs – Caribbean inspired jewelry
Island Mantra – artistic island jewelry
Lisa’s Grenada – handmade jewelry art from Grenada
Ocean and Stardust Studio by Kim Nogueira – artistic jewelry and talismans
RJS Handmade Designs – island inspired silver jewelry
Simbi – handmade jewelry from Haiti
The Blue Seahorse – bracelets and pink sand accessories
Treasured Sands – beach sand jewelry
Vibe Collection – island inspired jewelry
Virgin Islands Local Fashion – “Island Girl” jewelry and “VI” jewelry
– ISLAND BEAUTY / PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS –
Amora – essential oils, butters, and airsprays
Calypso Glow – organic Caribbean skincare
Choiselle – body oils and body butter
Ital Blends – beauty products made in Jamaica from goat’s milk
Itiba Beauty – lotions, soaps, and more
Kreyol Essence – natural and ethical beauty products from Haiti
Southern Hare Bath Company – bath products
St. Maarten Nectar – body care and home fragrances
Wholesome You – face and body products
– ISLAND ART –
By Lisa Art – island girl folk art and crafts
Eileen Seitz Art – tropical island watercolors, prints, rugs, and fabrics
Haiti Notecards – cards for all occasions featuring Haitian art
The Allamanda Gallery – photographic art, prints, coaster, magnets, and more
– EDIBLE GIFTS –
Agapey Chocolate Factory – Barbados chocolate
Anguilla Jammin’ – locally made jams and sauces
Java’Mon Coffee – Caribbean coffee
Kitchen Creole – island spices
La Placita Bonaire – sea salt and bath salts made in Bonaire
Rococo Chocolates – made with Organic Grenada cocoa
Sint Maarten Guavaberry – hot sauces and seasonings
– ISLAND BOOKS –
A Face in the River by Kristine Simelda
Books about Dominica via A Virtual Dominica
Children’s books by Miss Heidi
I’m Your Siren: Poems by Tara Hill
Island books via Caribbean Reads
Moving to Paradise e-book by The Squishy Monster
Norman the Nurse Shark by Jillian Morris
River of Fire by Kristine Simelda
– OTHER TROPICAL GIFTS –
Androsia – handmade batik prints from the Bahamas
Bottles Reimagined – glass home goods made from recycled bottles on St. Croix
Friends of the National Park Auction – gifts for good, all proceeds benefit the VI National Park
Funky Crochet – handmade Spanish cotton coasters from the Dominican Republic
Garden of Grace – handmade soy candles from Trinidad and Tobago
Love VI – St. Thomas car emblem
Potcake Collars – for your island dog
Sharks 4 Kids – shark education apparel, books, and more
St. Johnopoly – the Monopoly board game of St. John
– – –
Do you have an island business that missed the list? Add it to the comments below!
Wishing you all a happy holiday season!
Current Rock of Residence:
Virgin Gorda, BVI
Island Girl Since:
2006
Originally Hails From:
California
Chrissann’s home rock in the British Virgin Islands feels bigger to her than it actually is. Though after spending five years on a teensy one acre island, the current 13-mile long rock she’s residing on now IS ginormous, at least by comparison. As with everything in the tropics, it’s all about perspective.
Once upon a time she used to care about things like matching her purse to her pumps but these days, any activities that require a bra and shoes go under careful, is-this-even-worth-it consideration. If island life has taught her anything at all, it’s that few things are more rewarding than time spent in the pool with a cocktail in hand.
As the Editor in Chief of this site, she spends her days working from home with her blue-eyed sidekick, Island Dog Diego, writing, editing, and cultivating content in the hopes of bringing some laughter and lightness to her fellow island souls. She recently published her first children’s book, When You’re a Baby Who Lives on a Rock, and is pretty pumped to share it with all of the island mamas out there. Her days off are typically spent boating, hiking, and meeting up with the neighborhood’s imperious roadside goats, who she shamelessly bribes into friendship. While normalcy was never listed as one of her special skills, Caribbean life may indeed be responsible for new levels of madness. She attributes at least a smidge of her insanity to the amount of time she spends talking to drunk people.
If you’re somehow still reading this and feel inclined to find out more about this “Chrissann” of which we speak, you can also take a gander at her eponymous website or follow her daily escapades on Instagram @womanonarock.
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