In the 3 months after opening, we had over 800 orders to ring in our first holiday season in the new Bethesda shop. Since I've been doing quite a bit of product and data analysis to get into the first quarter of the year, I wanted to share your favorite things to gift in 2025!
Salted Caramel Oatm*lk Chocolate Bar by Otherly
welcome to the Othely side
Chocolate as a whole was by far our most popular category, and Otherly's Salted Caramel flavor has quickly become a cult classic. Its bright, whimsical packaging coupled with the classic salted caramel flavor along with its truly mesmerizing scent make this bar the perfect sweet treat to go with any gift.
It also works so so well for a bit of gifter's tax*
Popcorn Masala, Chai Masala by Diaspora Co.
Popcorn Masala is stupendous on avocado toast, btw
Like Otherly, Diaspora Co. exels in fun packaging, which I think helps to elevate your everyday spices into something special. The pop of color, in my opinion, does a bit of symbolic foreshadowing: Diaspora Co. spices are so potent and so flavorful that they do add color to your dishes. The brighten them, bring them to life, the same way the tins decorate your spice shelf.
Chai Masala and Popcorn Masala, this season they were neck-and-neck; you all gifted the exact same amount of each.
Mystery Spinning Tops by Art of Play
each of these spinning tops is handcarved - even the same shapes vary slightly
I will concede that this product has ended up on this list due to the stocking stuffer/white elephant perfection it encompasses. It's doubtful it will make a reappearance on this sort of list in the future, but I imagine it will have a bit of an uptick around Father's Day.
In the shop, there's a small set-up with five tops to show some of the different designs (they are blind boxes, and there's 10 different shapes you could end up with). Without fail, every time someone drags their dad or bored spouse into the shop, they somehow find their way to that table for a bit of impromptu entertainment.
Gingham Tote by Dans le Sac
it's just so aesthetically pleasing
Dan le Sac's Gingham Totes might be my favorite of their product releases thus far. The fabric has a soft texture, it stores easily and is perfect for on-the-go and impromptu errands. Whether it be the farmer's market, the beach, a quick trip around town ~ this is one of those everyday bags you'll use season after season.
Available in 4 (now 3) colors, this bag surely made it onto this list due to a group of sisters who all wanted to match!
Woodsman Candle by Wonky Wick Candles
honestly, a unanimous winter favorite
Let's hear it for the boys!
If I've learned something about marketing to men, it's that you take a normal product and slap a variation of 'man' on it, and voilá!
7/10 times, if a man or someone buying for a man gets a candle in the shop when the Woodsman is available, they choose the Woodsman. The same goes for the shower steamers, combs, bodycare, you name it ~ without the word 'man' on it, I often get asked if the product 'is for men' or if I think 'a man would like this.'
It's an interesting phenomenon to me only because if you told a woman she couldn't have a specific product, because it was not made for women... well, I would love to be there to see her reaction.
I don't make the rules, I just wanted to name this candle after a character from a cartoon miniseries called Over the Garden Wall, and man, they just love it.
Lavender Geranium Shower Steamers by Thulisa Naturals
