The holidays are here and if you’re like us, you love gifting things that feel good and do good. At EllyPop, we’re all about small businesses that share our mission: supporting families with healthier, more joyful choices.
This year, we rounded up some of our absolute favorite brands in clean wellness, kids’ products, and better-for-you treats. These make amazing gifts, stocking stuffers, and “just because” surprises throughout the season.
Here are our top picks for 2025:
🎁 1. SAM+LEO: Clean, gender-inclusive self-care for kids & teens
If you’re looking for thoughtful, clean, confidence-boosting products for the kids and teens in your life, SAM+LEO is it.
Founded by Dara Erck, a mom who discovered a huge gap in safe, supportive products for adolescents, SAM+LEO focuses on:
✨ Gender inclusivity
✨ Vegan formulas
✨ Mental wellness support
✨ Sustainability
✨ Education & positivity
Dara created SAM+LEO after realizing parents everywhere wanted healthier, more intentional products for their kids. The result? A brand rooted in kindness, individuality, and true care.
Why we love it:
It’s a self-care line that actually supports young people — not overwhelms them.
🧬 2. Thaena: Next-generation gut health backed by real clinical science
For the wellness lovers on your list, Thaena is a standout.
Created by a clinician who worked with patients facing chronic illness and gut dysfunction, Thaena reimagined the power of the human microbiome with one question:
“How can we deliver microbiome benefits safely, without live organisms?”
Years of research led to ThaenaBiotic®, a shelf-stable, human-derived postbiotic supplement offering:
✔ Functional, science-backed gut support
✔ A wider range of microbial metabolites
✔ A radically human, research-driven approach
Why we love it:
It’s one of the most innovative, and accessible, gut health brands available today.
🍫 3. SprinkleBites: Protein-packed, sugar-free sprinkles… yes, really
Move over, traditional sprinkles... this is the future.
SprinkleBites takes classic hagelslag and gives it a nutritious glow-up:
✔ Protein-packed
✔ Sugar-free
✔ Naturally colored
✔ Made by moms who wanted better options
Kids (and adults!) can sprinkle them on toast, yogurt, pancakes, smoothie bowls — anything.
Why we love it:
It’s fun, functional, and turns everyday foods into a celebration.
🍋 4. Scoot Frozen Lemonade: Joy in a pouch
Scoot Frozen Lemonade has a story we adore!
Beginning with a small-town Hawaiian shaved ice stand, founder Gary Mac Herring Jr. eventually grew his business into a nationwide phenomenon.
Today, Scoot is all about:
✨ Joy in everyday moments
✨ Bold, nostalgic flavors
✨ Community and connection
Their frozen lemonade pouches are perfect for:
– Pool days
– Kids’ parties
– After-school treats
– Holiday freezer surprises
Why we love it:
It’s easy, delicious, and guaranteed to make someone smile. Just freeze, squeeze, enjoy.
🌶️ 5. Sao Noi: Small-batch chili oils rooted in Lao & Thai traditions
If you’re shopping for foodies, Sao Noi is a must.
Founded by Marnie, the youngest of eight siblings, Sao Noi handcrafts Southeast Asian–inspired chili oils from a cozy Pacific Northwest kitchen.
Flavors include:
🔥 Original
🍋 Lemongrass
🫚 Ginger
Every jar is rich, aromatic, and made with so much love.
Why we love it:
It’s a little bottle of heritage, family, and serious flavor.
🍸 6. Portland Bitters Project: Organic bitters made the right way
Perfect for home bartenders, mocktail lovers, and holiday hosts.
Portland Bitters Project creates:
✔ Organic, concentrated bitters
✔ Traditionally crafted formulas
✔ Flavors that last far longer than mixers
Their bottles are small but mighty, and they elevate anything from cocktails to sparkling water.
Why we love it:
It’s a simple upgrade that makes every drink feel special.
📚 7. Literacy Kid Lounge: A cozy, community-rooted world of books
For the little readers in your life, Literacy Kid Lounge is magic. Founded by educator and mom Sarah LaPrade, this community offers:
📘 Play-based literacy
📚 Storytime-inspired birthday parties
👶 Weekly playgroups
🎨 Events that spark creativity
💛 A deeply warm, supportive environment
Sarah believes early literacy is about joy and connection, not memorizing letters, and her brand embodies exactly that.
Why we love it:
It’s a gift that cultivates imagination, confidence, and lifelong curiosity.
🧈 8. Buji Brown Butter: Elevating Everyday Cooking With Pure, Golden Magic
If you’re gifting someone who loves to cook (or simply loves good food), Buji Brown Butter is a total standout!
Founded by Lisa Herlinger, Buji was born from a simple kitchen moment, the discovery that browned butter could be beautiful, flavorful, and endlessly versatile. Using grass-fed butter and a time-honored browning technique, she transforms one humble ingredient into something rich, nutty, aromatic, and naturally golden.
Buji adds instant depth to everything from cookies to veggies to a perfectly finished steak. As Lisa says, Buji is “a humble character living a luxurious — or ‘Buji’ — lifestyle.”
Why we love it:
It turns everyday dishes into something special, effortlessly.
🎄 Wrap-Up: Healthier Gifts, Happier Holidays
Whether you’re shopping for kids, teens, wellness-obsessed family members, or just want to share something meaningful this season, these small businesses offer incredible options.
At EllyPop, we love celebrating brands that prioritize wellness, joy, and community, and we hope this guide helps you discover a new favorite (or two!).
Want more feel-good finds?
Join The Herd (our email list!) for exclusive deals, family-friendly wellness tips, and more.