The season of giving is officially upon us, and finding the perfect gift for your friends and loved ones during the holidays can be an overwhelming mission. An item to make a living space feel more like home is the best gift you can give, especially if someone close to you has recently moved and is looking to customize their new pad.
While there are plenty of major retailer options available to the masses, you may find yourself wanting to give a gift that’s more personal and unique, and potentially one with the added value of being ethically sourced and responsibly curated. We’ve browsed the best of the best in small businesses and unique sellers to provide our 2021 holiday gift guide for apartment dwellers.
These 17 selections are sorted by retail location in three major cities, as well as online retailers with nationwide shipping. Keep your eyes peeled for special codes and promotions offered by some of these curators for you to utilize as you browse.
Online retailers with nationwide shipping
Grounded
via Grounded 
“Introducing plants to your space has the capacity to improve your health and overall happiness”. What better gift can you give someone than a botanical item that fosters creativity and mindfulness? Grounded makes owning a plant easy, even for the least gardening-savvy individuals. With beginner-friendly plants starting at $15, Grounded not only provides care instructions for each item but also details the benefits of bringing each piece of greenery into your space in terms of both air quality and Feng Shui. For friends and family on your list with furry members of their household, Grounded has a list of pet-friendly plant options to make choosing your gift anything but “ruff.” Use code ZUMPER15 through 1/31/22 to get 15% off all purchases.
Our favs under $50
- Marble Pathos – $42
- Neanthe Palm – $35
Our favs under $25
- Pilea Peperomioides -$20
- ZZ Plant – $20
Madre Linen
This female-founded business creates exquisite linen with the goal of having all materials produced and crafted domestically. Derived from the flax plant, little to no pesticides are needed to grow this textile, making linen nearly naturally organic. Madre offers kitchen, bedding, and tabletop linen that is crafted to stand the test of time. They even offer an assortment of colorful plant-dyed napkins and tea towels.
Our favs under $50
- Marigold tea towels – $36
- Oyster linen napkins – $44
Tossware
Sustainable and shatterproof, Tossware is the perfect destination for exquisite drinkware that can withstand even the clumsiest of owners. Made from recycled BPA-free polymer, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of trendy yet casual glass and recycled plastic drink sets. Just in time to toast to the New Year, Tossware has colorful designs of champagne flutes and high ball glasses that can also be made customizable with your own graphics or text. Even better yet, this company’s mission to sustainability has resulted in saving 5.6 grams of recyclable material every second.
Our favs under $25
- Gold foil marble 9oz flute (set of 6) – $15.99
- Plant mom 16 oz mason (set of 6) – $19.99
Meowy Studio
Via Meowy 
Perhaps the most important members of any household are the furry ones, so why not gift the cat mom or dad in your life with sustainable home pet products this year? Meowy’s selection of cat products are made from 100% recyclable ABS plastic, with modern style to compliment the aesthetic of any home. Clean lined litter boxes feature a discrete design that can disguise your pets commode as a sleek storage unit. Wall scratchers will keep any feline occupied without taking away from the desired design of your space. These cat products will be the “purr”fect home gift for any cat lover on your list this year, and Meowy has even provided us with a discount code to use as you shop. Use code MSXZUMPER15 for 15% off site wide.
Our favs under $50
- Boxy scratcher (espresso) – $25
- Vertical scratcher (grey) – $34.99
Gifts by location
Live in New York City, Los Angeles, or San Francisco and looking to shop local? Browse these retail options. While the below selections are listed by location, many also offer direct shipping for those shoppers living outside these metro areas!
New York City
Ordinary Habit
Founded by mother-daughter duo Teresa and Echo Hopkins, Ordinary Habit offers a wide range of limited edition puzzle sets and on-the-go games that will make the perfect gift for lovers of both art and concentration. These intricate puzzles make the ideal coffee table decor, and when assembled can even be framed to deck the empty halls of a new space. Puzzles range in price $20-$48. Ordinary Habit believes in giving back to the community and donates portions of all proceeds to groups that support mental and emotional wellness. They are currently donating to The Loveland Foundation, an organization focused on providing therapy resources for Black women and girls. Puzzles can be purchased online or in-store at NAKED retail.
Our favs under $50
Our favs under $25
The Sill
There’s nothing like a houseplant to make any renter or homeowner feel comfortable in their new space. Founded by Eliza Blank in 2012, this horticultural paradise offers various greenery for all shades of green thumbs. Categories include “pet friendly” and “easy care” so you can customize your gift with ease. In addition to live plants, the Sill has an array of dried and faux blossoms that require no care, and will still bring life to any renters’ space. Visit shop locations in the Lower East Side, Upper West Side, and Brooklyn. Enjoy 10% off your first online order with the code ZUMPER10 now through 01/31/22. This code is applicable to Sill products only, and cannot be combined with other promotions, or used on gift cards or subscriptions.
Our favs under $50
- String of pearls – $42
- Monstera Adansonii – $43
Our favs under $30
- Hoya heart plant – $14
- Dried pink pampas stems – $29
Package Free Shop
The Package Free Shop aims to limit the use of plastic and non-biodegradable materials while maintaining the distribution of quality products. By using shipping materials and containers that are 100% recyclable, they’ve been able to keep hundreds of millions of pieces of trash out of landfills. Package Free partners with other brands with a similar environmental mentality and offers a wide range of products from health and beauty to home goods. Looking for the perfect home gift? Options such as reusable containers, metal straws, and sustainable cleaning products are ideal for the environmentally-conscious person on your list.
Our favs under $50
Our favs under $25
- Reusable bamboo cutlery set – $14.95
- Natural refillable hand wash – $22
696
When pronounced in Japanese, the numbers 6,9,6 sound like “Ro, Ku, Ro” which translates to “potters wheel.” This ceramic shop features handcrafted bowls, plates, pots, vases, and drinkware created by Japanese designers and craftsmen. Makers place an emphasis on sustainability by utilizing local materials in the region to craft their pieces with small-scale production to reduce waste. Items available for purchase can be sorted by type and artist to better find custom pieces for each recipient.
Our favs under $50
- Blue single stem vase – $38
- Marine blue tall mug – $48
Our favs under $25
- Icy blue bowl – $24
- Small indigo matcha cup -$24
Los Angeles
Jungalow
Jungalow® (@thejungalow)Beautiful home decor awaits you at Jungalow. Designs described as “jungalicious” feature unique prints and patterns that will add a trendy flair to any home. Give the gift of interior design with vibrant patterns of unique wallpaper, or opt for one of the stylish throw pillows that will take your giftee’s sofa or chair vibes to the next level. Jungalow isn’t only selling exquisite decor, they are also doing their part to help the environment, and as a consumer so can you. With every product purchased Jungalow will plant at least two trees through their partnership with Trees for the Future, an organization that plants forest gardens to provide families with food sources, livestock feed, fuel, and wood.
Our favs under $50
- Fringe neon coasters – $49
- Duet hook pillow – $49
Our favs under $25
PF Candle & Co
This Los Angeles-based home fragrance company features candles that are all 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and phthalate-free, using domestically grown soy wax. Choose from an array of scents to fill any new apartment with warm and inviting vibes. All products are made, tested, and shipped from the Los Angeles warehouse. PF Candle & Go believes in giving back to the community and donates a portion of its yearly proceeds to nonprofits and organizations including the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the Downtown Women’s Center, and Communities for a Better Environment.
Our favs under $50
- Functional fragrance bundle – $35
- Candle lover bundle – $40
Our favs under $25
Flowerboy Project
Located in Venice, California, Flowerboy Project offers stunning floral arrangements with botanical elements sourced from local Los Angeles markets. Founders Sean and Stella describe their shop as “a ‘studio’ space that blended heritage with something more modern.” As both a boutique and a cafe, you can visit this location to take in the art around you as you enjoy a caffeinated beverage and browse beautiful custom-made flower arrangements and ‘city scents’ candles to gift to anyone who loves a floral aesthetic.
Our favs under $100
- Bedside bouquet – $56
- Dried arangement – $75
Tactile Matter
Founder Kenesha Sneed is an artist and the creative mind behind Tactile Matter. Sneed’s work speaks to the empowerment of black women and their experience through her creative use of color and imagery in her products. Beautiful prints and throws will make the perfect gift for anyone looking to add color and unique art to their space.
Our favs under $50
- “Women” print – $45
- “Peaches & Coffee” print – $45
San Francisco
Gravel + Gold
Gravel and Gold is a women-owned, independent design collective located in San Francisco’s Mission District. The shop features garments made with fabrics sourced from trusted mills and vendors local to San Francisco and Los Angeles. In addition to size, gender identity, and age-inclusive clothing, you’ll find a wide variety of home gifts crafted from a number of partner curators. G&G is a welcoming space for Bay Area locals to shop and socialize, and they encourage patrons to stop in, introduce themselves, and hear more about the artistry of each product sold.
Our favs under $100
Our favs under $50
- Enjoy life poster – $25
- Female support system steel hooks – $36
Soyful Aromas
Via Soyful Aromas 
Founder and CEO Janet Campbell describes the candles from Soyful Aromas as “handmade in small batches and poured with love.” Made with soy wax and cotton wicks these candles are non-toxic and phthalate-free. The tins and jars that contain each candle can also be recycled or repurposed. Aromatherapy and spa scented candles make the perfect gift for someone needing nodes of relaxation in their living space. Candles average $20 and can be found at a number of local boutiques and markets, or in the online shop. As a special gift, Soyful Aromas has offered a discount code for our readers. Use promo SOYFULTHANKS for 10% off your order.
Our favs $50 and under
- Holiday gift set – $50
- Travel tin gift set – $35
- “Not today” spa candle – $20
Ampersand
Available for delivery in San Francisco or pickup at their HQ, Ampersand retails florals, home gifts, and seasonal specialties. Located in the Castro-Duboce district, you’ll have access to all things “blooms and good vibes.” As a queer-owned business, they pride themselves on being welcoming and inclusive to all. Stop in to have a custom floral arrangement prepared for your giftee, or choose from a wide assortment of home decor options from candles and dried florals to ceramic trays.
Our favs under $40
- Seasonal fresh foliage swag – $30
- Decorative palm fan – $15
- Astrology constellation concrete dish – $12
San Francisco Mercantile
San Francisco Mercantile produces keepsakes and goods that “celebrate the vibrant and diverse culture that is unique to California,” featuring items made by local artists who live in the Bay Area. These products make ideal gifts for recent SF transplants to help make them feel more at home in The Golden State. Likewise, you can show your SF pride by gifting an out-of-state friend or family member with a piece of Cali.
Our favs under $25
- CA shaped poppy trinket tray – $18.95
- White California poppy mug – $16.95
- “The City” glass ornament – $14
Fill Good
After taking a class on recycling in San Francisco, founder Stéphanie Regni created Fill Good in an effort to reduce the amount of plastic in landfills and oceans. With online ordering and local delivery, Fill Good provides environmentally-friendly products to consumers to reduce plastic waste. Find a variety of planet-friendly home cleaners, reusable food storage containers, and even reusable tea bags. These items make ideal gifts for conscious environmentalists looking to make their homes more eco-friendly.
Our favs under $40
- Organic cotton fleece washable dusters – $38
- Dish block – $26
- Reusable tea bags – $10
When moving into a new space, home decor is one of the most important aspects of making any house a home. Deck the halls of your favorite apartment renter this year with sustainable gifts from socially responsible retailers and businesses.
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