The 38 Best Gifts from AAPI-Owned Businesses of 2023

best aapi owned businesses gifts — The Spruce / Lecia Landis

We should always work towards supporting small and BIPOC-owned businesses whenever possible in order to help support the local economy, remedy the unbalanced wealth gap, and overall encourage a more equal world.

Whether shopping for a hostess gift to bring to a party, a gift for a kids' birthday party, or something to send to a family member in a different state to make them feel special, AAPI businesses and brands have something for you.

We researched gift ideas from Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned businesses for any occasion, considering price, practicality, sentimental value, and the potential interests of your recipient.

Grovemade

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It's amazing how the smallest details can really elevate your everyday workspace. Grovemade offers decorative yet functional desk accessories that add a splash of luxury to your desktop, including these stylish mouse pads. They come in various finishes, including matte, wool, and leather.

Price at time of publish: $40 for black leather mouse pad

Simpli Press

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Enjoy the deliciousness of French press coffee without the mess, thanks to the Simpli Press French Press. The coffee basket and the filter lift out of the press for an easy cleanup every time. Plus, it's super easy to use. Just add your favorite ground beans, and boiling water, wait three minutes, and press! It's a counter staple that works beautifully and won't be an eyesore in your kitchen.

Price at time of publish: $85

Courtesy of Omsom

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Omsom was founded by two sisters who grew up as daughters of Vietnamese refugees. The company's mission is to celebrate the authentic Asian flavors the two sisters experienced while watching their mother cook every night. The Omsom best-seller set features the most popular dishes in one value set and makes a great introductory item for Omsom newbies. Expect yummy dishes like Vietnamese Lemongrass BBQ, Thai Larb, Japanese Yuzu Misoyaki, and Korean Spicy Bulgogi.

Price at time of publish: $60

Brooklyn Candle Studio

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Pear, bergamot, jasmine, and gardenia gently mix with amber woods to create a light and fruity scent to start your day. We love that these candles were made with 100 percent soy wax, which is said to create a more eco-friendly burn. For best results, always trim your wick about a quarter inch before lighting.

Price at time of publish: $28

Appointed

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The friend that plans all of your trips or likes to jot down notes for creative inspo will appreciate this adorable introductory set from Appointed. It includes Asian-owned and American-made desktop essentials, like a lined notebook, sticky notes, a mini jotter, and an eraser. You can even have your recipient's monogram added for a small fee.

Price at time of publish: $42

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4.2

Amazon

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Thanks to the NUTR automatic nut milk machine, you can make delicious lactose-free milk at home, without the high price tag. Just add your favorite nut, water, and a flavoring agent, and blend. Now, you can enjoy lattes, creamers, smoothies, and plain milk without any waste from plastic bottles.

Price at time of publish: $189

Nguyen Coffee

View On Nguyencoffeesupply.com

Yes, it's possible to make a cup of rich and smooth Vietnamese coffee right at home, and this bundle from Nguyen Coffee Supple makes it really easy. It includes three Phin filters of various sizes, a coffee scoop and coffee scoop clip, a stackable glass mug to enjoy your coffee mug, and three 12-ounce bags of coffee to get started.

Price at time of publish: $155

Alterre

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The founders of Alterre are on a mission to create versatile shoes that can transform and save space in your closet. If you're new to the brand, check out the suede mule starter kit. It comes with two different snaps to interchange for a different look along with a mid-size heel. The best part? You can switch out the heels with other options on the site for an endlessly customizable experience.

Price at time of publish: $235

Bokksu Boutique

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Bokksu delivers premium Japanese snacks, like senbei rice crackers, gourmet cakes, and real matcha tea right to your door. You can expect new snacks each month or opt for a one-time purchase. Road testers who've tried Bokksu were impressed by the quality of ingredients and delighted by the authentic treats the service had to offer.

Price at time of publish: $60

Cocofloss.

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While it may not be the most glamorous gift, Cocofloss makes the tired chore of flossing fun. Infused with coconut oil, a natural antimicrobial, and delicious scents, the super cleansing dental floss is free of parabens, SLS, and PFAS, and cruelty-free. This bright set comes with four spools of floss in a bright color of your choosing.

Price at time of publish: $36

Umamicart

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Our local markets don't always carry the largest international selection, so it can be tricky securing specific Asian ingredients. The Spruce editors love Umamicart because it delivers Asian frozen meats, pantry ingredients, and delicious snacks (like these matcha KitKats!) right to your door.

Price at time of publish: $9

Redmint .

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The first traditional Chinese Medicine skincare brand launched on Bluemecury, Redmint uses brightening pearls as an anti-aging ingredient in its luxury products. The pearl facial cleanser is a vital step in your skincare routine for washing away dirt and makeup, cleansing the skin, and leaving your skin feeling fresh and hydrated.

Price at time of publish: $68

4.2

Every Day Human Resting Beach Face SPF 30 Sunscreen Serum

Amazon

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Everyday Humans prides themselves in creating cruelty-free and PETA-certified products, all of which are packaged in post-consumer recycled resin, recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET), recyclable paper, or biodegradable PET in the U.S. or Australia. Their best-selling sunscreen serum is lightweight, doesn't leave a white cast, and boosts radiance with spinach and green extract.

Price at time of publish: $22

selfmade.

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You don't need to step out of your comfort zone with this skincare duo from selfmade. The bundle comes with a moisturizer for rough skin and blemishes and a serum and moisturizer hybrid that repairs your moisture barrier and preps your skin for the day ahead. The adorable pair make a great gift for the skincare-obsessed friend, or a newbie still curating their own routine.

Price at time of publish: $58

The Cumin Club

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Bring bright and bold Indian flavors into your home hassle-free with The Cumin Club. The Cumin Club delivers authentic Indian dishes crafted by expert chefs that have been freeze-dried. Therefore, you only have to add hot water and your food is ready to eat in a matter of minutes. Choose the plan size and frequency that works for your family and enjoy!

Price at time of publish: $38+

Artifact Uprising

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Artifact Uprising is a fan favorite at The Spruce—we love how the brand transforms special moments into beautiful and practical home decor pieces. Simply upload 12 photos from your phone or tablet to create a custom calendar filled with memories of you and your loved ones. The calendar also comes with a solid brass easel for easy display.

Price at time of publish: $59

Flyby

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Athletes, tired parents, and busy students alike deserve a bit of rest and relaxation in the form of this massage gun from Flyby. The F1 Pro Deep Tissue Massage Gun relieves aches and soreness, promotes blood circulation, and increases mobility. It weighs under two pounds, has three speeds to choose from, and comes with six massage heads to target different parts of your body with precision.

Price at time of publish: $36

Amazon

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A solid knife set makes for an excellent gift idea for a housewarming event or wedding registry. Constructed from stainless steel and high carbon, these knives are designed to stay sharp for years. We love that the magnetic stand (sold separately) takes up little counter space and helps keep the knives sharp.

Price at time of publish: $245

Society Social

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We love the uniqueness of this porcelain mini vase from Society Social. No matter what hue you pick, it adds a nice pop of color and an interesting visual to a coffee table or entryway. Note that the narrow opening makes it best for just a few flowers or a single sprig.

Price at time of publish: $23

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Krane Home

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You can count on Krave for their stylish home and fashion accessories, including wallpaper, fabric, art, home decor, and things for the nursery. The brand also offers cute gifts, like this velvet-lined linen bow—it's hand-stitched and oversized to complement any hairstyle and comes in an array of colors.

Price at time of publish: $39

Aerangis

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There's never a wrong time to gift a candle. Conjure the essence of New Orleans with this scented candle from Aerangis. The notes of toasted oak, whiskey, bitter orange, caramel, and cedar wood evoke the town's signature cocktail, the Sazerac. The classic white vessel looks gorgeous on your coffee table or nightstand.

Price at time of publish: $78

4.9

Our Place

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You might've heard about this pan on Instagram or TikTok but probably didn't know it comes from an AAPI-owned business. The aesthetic pan lets you braise, strain, saute, fry, boil, and more. Users love the nonstick ceramic coating and lightweight construction but keep in mind that the pan comes at a high price tag.

Price at time of publish: $145

4.8

Then I Met You

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It's important to clean your skin at night, but sometimes we skip this step when we're tired. The Living Cleansing Balm makes the first step in your skincare routine super easy. Simply massage it into your skin, add water to the mix, and watch the dirt and impurities wash away. The formula softens and brightens the skin, thanks to ingredients like olive oil, persimmon extract, and vitamin E.

Price at time of publish: $38

The Sill

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The Sill delivers plants and flowers to your home within the contiguous U.S. They also offer beautiful planters, like this sculptural speckled ceramic one that you can flip over and use either way. It comes with a drainage hole and was handmade in Brooklyn.

Price at time of publish: $86

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BonBonWhims

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We all have a friend that's obsessed with astrology and horoscopes. Clare Ngai immigrated from Hong Kong to the U.S. and launched her jewelry line right on Instagram, which includes these unique zodiac lucky ring sets and charms, chunky Y2K-inspired resin pieces, and funky smiley charm bracelets.

Price at time of publish: $75

Etsy

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For an extra special anniversary gift that commemorates your special wedding day, this Etsy shop visually captures the bridal bouquet forever via personalized hand embroidery. Owner Kimber Casteel gives you the option to add your initials and special date, plus choose embroidery hoop style and size.

Price at time of publish: $175+

The Qi

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The Qi works directly with small family-owned farms across Asia to create their flower teas, and they use some of their profits to help give back to local nonprofit groups. The Daily Ritual Set is a great introduction to the brand for any tea-loving friends. It comes with a gorgeous glass mug and saucer, nine individually packed whole flowers, and a bamboo tong to brew.

Price at time of publish: $65

Sabai

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You can find gorgeous furniture and luxe home decor on Sabai, including sectionals, ottomans, and slipcovers. Recycled water bottles make up this timeless pillow, and you can purchase the pillow covers in either recycled velvet or up-cycled polyester. Each pillow measures 18 x 18 inches.

Price at time of publish: $60

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TRNK

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We love the sleek and structured design of TRNK's table lamp, which received international acclaim since its creation in 1978. You can bend the rotating arm and adjust the shade as needed. Shop the shade in brass, aluminum black, or aluminum gray.

Price at time of publish: $780

Glow Recipe Fruit Babies Bestsellers Kit

Sephora

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Glow Recipe, known for its high quality and fruity-smelling skincare, is a K-beauty-inspired brand founded by Korean-American co-founders Christine Chang and Sarah Lee. Their best-sellers kit includes their ever-famous Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops and Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA toner, plus a super hydrating serum, moisturizer, and eye sleeping mask.

Price at time of publish: $34

Krina

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KRINA prides themselves in creating functional activewear and athleisure using sustainable practices. Their leggings, for example, are made from recycled nylon and spandex blend and are available in nine colors. They provide a close fit with their four-way stretch and come in sizes XS-XL.

Price at time of publish: $115

A Fujifilm camera and black and white photos on a white background

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Shoott is a photography service that offers free 30-minute photoshoots with a professional freelance photographer. A few days after your shoot, you'll receive a preview link with lightly edited photos, and you'll only pay for the photos you want. The service is available on the weekends in select cities across the nation, and it makes for an excellent interactive gift with a bonus of fun pictures that'll last a lifetime. You can purchase gift cards for the service on their site, which start at $25.

Price at time of publish: $25+

Emi Jay

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Butterfly clips are back and bigger than ever. Most are mini-sized, but this butterfly claw clip from Emi Jay measures 1.5 inches long, which is big enough to secure a low hair knot or French twist. The brand's site also offers additional decorative hair clips, flower pins, and scrunchies.

Price at time of publish: $20

Modi Toys

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Shopping for a little one? Modi Toys makes books and plushes based on Hindu deities. Loved by celebs like Mindy Kaling, the mini bundle comes with six mini versions of the brand's bestselling character toys. The lineup includes Laxmi Devi, Durga Devi, Saraswati Devi, Baby Ganesh, Baby Hanuman, and Baby Krishna. Each one has a respective mantra to learn about and collect, available on the brand's website.

Price at time of publish: $107

Sprezz

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Up-and-coming tableware brand, Sprezz, has fun, colorful glassware essentials for everyone from college students to homeowners. We love the petite romantic glasses for creating craft cocktails or as everyday water glasses. They come in a gorgeous blue and pink hue, as well as classic clear. They come in a set of four and make an amazing housewarming or hostess gift.

Price at time of publish: $110

MiLa.

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MiLa's soup dumplings and noodles kits eliminate the need for takeout and prove that you can make delicious Asian meals at home. For gifting, we recommend the soup dumpling experience. It comes with two bags of frozen soup dumplings (100 in total), two dumpling dipping bowls, one trio sauce set, and one bamboo steamer.

Price at time of publish: $139

Mercado Famous

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Founders, Carmen Chen Wu and Aaron Luo, were both born in China and raised in Spain, where they fell in love with Spanish cuisine. Now, they're bringing delicious Spanish charcuterie right to your dinner table with their brand, Mercado Famous. If you're new to the cuisine, check out The Grazer bundle. It comes with four of the brand's bestselling meats, including jamón and chorizo, for adding to charcuterie boards, layering on sandwiches, or sampling one by one.

Price at time of publish: $52

Sephora

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Help a friend discover their new signature scent with this perfume sampler from Phlur. In the bundle, you'll receive a full-size and travel-size of the best-selling fragrance in a beautiful box, suitable for gifting. With notes of white musk, orange blossom, and jasmine, the unisex scent is perfect for everyday wear for a subtly sweet woody scent that lingers for hours.

Price at time of publish: $98

There are many ways to support AAPI-owned businesses during May and beyond that double as great gifts. For example, look for a charity that supports the Asian community and make a donation in your recipient's name. Some examples include the Asian Mental Health Collective and Heart for Dinner, which provides meals for the elderly Asian community in New York City.

Another great gift idea is a date night. Find an Asian-owned restaurant or bar in your area and take your friend, partner, or family member to dinner. You'll be spending quality time with someone you love, supporting a local business, and maybe even trying a new dish. Don't forget to leave a positive review after you leave!

Shopping from minority-owned businesses doesn't limit your possibilities when it comes to gifts. You still have to consider the interests of your recipient. If they love trying new foods, consider a meal gift or a gift card to a local Asian spot. Busy parents may appreciate new skincare products or a spa day with Korean bath products. A family with young kids may appreciate a new toy that represents their culture.

As with any gift, don't shy away from your budget. You don't need to spend a lot of money to show someone you case. Thankfully, this list features a variety of price ranges, so you're guaranteed to find something within budget. If your budget is extremely limited, write a handwritten note or spend some quality time with your recipient to make their day.

Depending on your recipient, it may be important to consider a brand's values when choosing a gift. Some brands donate a portion of their proceeds to charities and communities who need help. If this is important to your recipient, do your research to find philanthropic brands who aim to do good with every purchase. When in doubt, you can always donate to a charity in your recipient's name.

This article was written by Julia Fields, an associate editor for The Spruce, covering toys, gifts, and the holidays. She's also covered similar topics in other roles, including toy reviews, product round-ups, interviews with experts, and more.