The Official Co-op Gifting Guide
The holidays are just around the corner! Find unique gifts for the holidays at PFC that you can be confident meet our standards of sustainability and ethical production, with a focus on locally-made goods. While we typically focus on 5 products, in the spirit of holiday abundance, we’ll be highlighting 12 great gifts for everyone on your list.
Andes Gifts: PFC carries a variety of items from Andes Gifts, from cozy hats and mittens for everyone in the family, to adorable holiday ornament alpacas–made from alpaca wool! –there are dozens to choose from. Year after year, Andes gifts is PFC’s #1 best-seller for holiday gift items. Each item from Andes Gifts is handmade by Aymara and Quechua artisan knitting-cooperatives in Peru and Bolivia. Keep the ears and fingers of your loved ones warm with Andes Gifts.
Time Away Bath products: Locally and woman-owned, Time Away Bath makes a variety of bath bombs, soaks, scrubs, shower steamers, and more. Every item is all-natural, vegan, and preservative-free, using high-quality ingredients and essential oils. Kids will love the bath bombs with a suprise inside– a great stocking-stuffer idea! Rochester only.
Simple Soaps for Simple Folks: Locally made in Byron, MN, and woman-owned, Simple Soaps for Simple Folks has been a local favorite for years. The beautiful molded hand-crafted soaps are made from goats milk from Shanna McCann’s own herd of goats, using certified organic essential oil scents. The product line has expanded to include hand lotions and lip balms. The hand balms are perfect for the hardworking hands of healthcare workers. Rochester only.
SunLeaf Naturals: Made locally in Waconia, MN, SunLeaf Naturals creates small batches of bath, body, and home products based in 100% pure essential oils. SunLeaf is never tested on animals, and is dedicated to producing clean products that you can feel good about using in your home, while giving back. 5% of SunLeaf profits are donated to protect clean water resources and pollinator colonies. PFC carries a variety of candles, diffusers, oils, room sprays, and soaps. Great for teachers or co-workers! Rochester only.
Terra Natural Designs: This local company in Fairview, IA, sells a wide variety of beautiful products handmade by indigenous artisans in Ecuador. The outerwear products are the perfect gift for people with wool/alpaca sensitivity, as they are warm, sustainable, wool-free, and gentle on the skin. Quality winter outerwear is the perfect gift for everyone who lives in this climate!
Mittens by Doreen: Local and woman-owned by Doreen Bergo, these handcrafted mittens are sure to keep hands warm with recycled-wool outer layers, lined with fleece for extra softness and warmth. Buy a pair for a friend, and be sure to buy a pair for yourself, too. Your hands will be glad you did! Rochester only.
Alaffia: With a wide variety of bath, body, and hair products, Alaffia is a West-African brand focusing on natural beauty and community development through empowering women, education, and job opportunities. PFC carries a range of Alaffia products, and holiday baskets, perfect for gift-giving.
Maggie’s Socks: Stay cozy this winter with Maggie’s organic, fair trade cotton and wool socks. All the cotton and wool are grown on small farms and made by skilled workers who are treated with dignity and respect and earn fair wages. These socks will make you feel good on the outside… and inside.
Driftless Stitch: A local gift with a story and a second life. From bags to aprons to pot holders, all are handmade using carefully selected secondhand materials. By purchasing an item created from secondhand textiles, you contribute to a future with cleaner air, fresh water, fair human rights, and supportive local businesses. La Crosse only.
Driftless Glasses: If you can’t be adventuring in the Driftless, you might as well be representing it with some Driftless merch. These pints are perfect for your favorite thirst quencher or brew. La Crosse only.
Creative Energy Candles: A 2-in-1 gift: a candle AND lotion. The candle/lotion combo is handmade, all natural that melts to create a beautiful scent and a lovely body lotion. Bonus: features anti-aging properties and moisturizing effect of antioxidants, minerals, and Vitamins A, E, and K. La Crosse only.
Jewell Hollow Woodcrafts: Handcrafted woodworking at its finest! Each woodcraft piece is a work of art, created with carefully selected woods and finishes to enhance the character of the wood grains. Each item is made in the USA out of locally sourced Wisconsin cherry, walnut, maple, hickory, and ash woods. La Crosse only.