LIFESTYLE XMAS TREATS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES AND YOUR HOME
By Taualofa Totu'a
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BEAUTIFUL, SUSTAINABLE GIFTS MADE BY FIJI ARTISANS
Who: Rise Beyond The Reef
Rise Beyond The Reef is based in Fiji, a homegrown value and supply chain in partnership with rural remote women and their communities. In an effort to combat negative economic and environmental impacts, this movement aims to bridge the divide between remote communities, government and the private sector in the South Pacific, sustainably creating a better world for women and children.
They have a skillful Holiday Gift collection for the Xmas season which you can shop here. Read more about their movement, mission and (more importantly) show support by purchasing their beautiful products made by local Fiji artisans on their website here.
Follow their work on Instagram @rise_beyond_the_reef_fiji
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STUNNING MALU PATTERN GLASSWARE
Who: Under the Bird
Under the Bird provides buyers quality Pasifika goods and their glassware definitely won’t fail to impress your guests this Xmas. Printed with beautiful Malu patterns, the glass ware is available in different kinds: Wine glasses, Beer mugs, Stemless glasses, Shot glasses and Champagne flutes.
Kick off the summer the right way with these sophisticated products - they are dishwasher safe and available for both delivery and pickup.
Purchase these as a gift or for your Dinner Party set up from Under the Bird’s website here.
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KOKO SAMOA FLAVOURS FOR THE FAM
Who: Living Koko
“Living Koko creates bespoke cacao products that are packaged with our alofa (love) for our environment and the community. With a Samoan intergenerational relationship with cacao Living Koko was created from a desire to support and empower village based economies.”
Give a bit of love to your village this Xmas with these beautiful gift bundles from Living Koko. We love their self-love kete, a collaboration with AARK + Soul Studio to “gift you a grounding moment. “ There’s no better time than the holiday break for your loved ones to claim some time for themselves and this gift is the ultimate balm.
We’d also recommend their yummy Cacao Body Scrub which comes in a generous 10 pack - “We use the fine particles of Cacao Husk and massage in organic Samoan Coconut Oil with a touch of Fetau (Tamanu) Oil to comfort ourselves even further.”
Be sure to check out their inspiring story, their stunning skincare range and other edible products on their website here.
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TREAT YOURSELF WITH EXPERT SKIN CARE
Who: Ala Skin
New on the Wellbeing Block, Āla Skin was founded by Samoan qualified beautician Christel Chapman. Opened in June this year, Āla is a boutique facial studio with personalised time and care for every client to enter it’s doors.
See more about Āla on their Instagram @ala__skin
“Āla wants to change how we view our skin. We are all blessed naturally with different skin types, creating likely skin concerns or conditions for each individual. At Āla, Christel uses her extensive knowledge and skills with skin to educate clients on what is most suitable for their skin type, how to maintain healthy skin longevity, and provide encouragement on your path to self love.”
Book in asap on their website here.
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GET ORGANIZED 2024 WITH OLAGA SAMOA LIFESTYLE JOURNAL
Who: Koko and Ki
Welcome the New Year Samoan Style with these thoughtful journals by Koko and Ki. This journal is 252 pages, made from quality wood-free paper, hardcover (meaning it will last through all the ups and downs to come from January 1st) and is sprinkled with a random collection of everyday Samoan sayings, songs, lullaby, shopping list & fun illustrations of food.
Lined with black and white illustrations, you can see more about how these are made and Koko and Ki’s other products from their website here.
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GIFT BOXES FILLED WITH PASIFIKA GOODIES
Who: Lagi
Gift Boxes are handy inventions for those people you just aren’t quite sure what to buy. Lagi has you covered with quality Pasifika products carefully collated to make up their Xmas Gift Packs. Featuring the irresistible Mailelani Skincare Oil (a firm favourite and staple for all), soft scarves by Koko Pacific, Eveni Ties, Domoni Soy Candles and Lagi Mugs.
Choose your gift box from their website here.
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LIGHT UP YOUR XMAS WITH THESE SCENTED CANDLES
Who: Our Little Market
Our Little Market has a stock of some candles with unique scents for you this Xmas - hand poured Soy Candles made in Auckland, Aotearoa. These candles will last 24 hours and are sold with a little ako and in amber jars. We love the sound - or rather smell - of their ‘Just Like Raro’ candle:
“Lemon, pineapple and melon…white lilies and aloe flowers, then white musk, amber and cedarwood to round it off.”
To buy their fruity ‘Pai Fala’, ‘Hotel Bougee’, ‘Fresh Cuts’ and ‘Just Like Raro’ candles see their website to order.
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COMFY AND COOL CUSHIONS
Who: Moana Fresh
“As a Samoan family from Sinamoga & Vaivase Tai living in the beautiful Waitakere, we have loved creating these little gems. It has been therapeutic but even more special as it strengthened our bond as aiga/whanau working together first on Moana masks and now on these cushions. For us also, making our Moana Oa is also about representation! As a proud Pasifika family, we love championing our people, the people of the Moana!”
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SHOP THE ULTIMATE HAND-MADE GIFT AND DESIGN YOUR OWN TIVAEVAE PIECE
Who: Family Business - Tivaevae Collectibles
Tivaevae Collectibles is run by a mother- daughter power duo, based in Rarotonga. They offer a range of beautiful products, mostly handmade. Their standout? The stunning ‘Make your own’ Tivaevae options, offering customers the unique opportunity to sew their own Tivaevae, already cut and tacked by a Ina. Learned through her mother Eliezera Tini from the Island of Mangaia, Ina shares a strong link to her ancestors through her art and highlights the meditative benefits from the process of Tivaevae sewing.
See below the description from the Tivaevae Collectable website.
Tivaevae is a form of artistic quilting traditionally done by Polynesian women. The word literally means "patches", in reference to the pieces of material sewn together. Tivaevae is considered to be the ultimate gift presented at weddings, birthdays and funerals and are often used to decorate the walls around the wedding table and other prestigious events.
To order custom patterns and colour (already cut and tacked) Tivaevae click here.
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PLAYMATS, WRAPS AND MINKIES FOR YOUR LITTLE PEPE
Who: PELE
PELE is a small, poly owned business run out of South Auckland whose aim is to create striking poly patterned, good quality baby goodies. Founded by Noeleen Tuala, a nana of 5 and mum of 5, PELE was created as the the importance of our babies being surrounded by their culture, whether it be in the form of language, schooling, blankets or playmats helps our babies to feel a connection to ones aiga/fāmili.
To find more of their products, click here
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HEALING AND SOOTHING CRYSTALS AND CANDLES
Who: Sistaaofthemoon
Sistaaofthemoon’s mission is to inspire and empower individuals on their spiritual and mental health journey by creating exquisite candles embellished with hand selected crystals. Sistaaofthemoon is dedicated to sourcing high-quality and ethically sourced products that enhance mindfulness, wellbeing, and positive energy in the lives of customers.
The products aim to create a sacred space for self-reflection, healing, and spiritual growth. The ultimate goal of Sistaaofthemoon is to guide individuals to a more balanced, harmonious, and enlightened way of living.
You can find their Instagram page here, and to find more of their products head over to their website!
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MODERN, MEANINGFUL GIFT BOXES FOR CHRISTMAS AND YOUR PRECIOUS MILESTONES
Who: Selabrations
Selabrations is a Pasifika-owned, women-led small business based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland specialising in curating carefully considered and exquisite gift boxes aimed at celebrating life's memorable moments. Whether it's a birthday, work anniversary, corporate event, or any other special occasion, my goal is to transform the act of giving into an extraordinary experience.
Selabrations is honoured to be a PADA (Perinatal Anxiety Depression Aotearoa) Wellbeing Champion meaning they are a regular donor to the charity simply with the generosity of our customers.
The art of gift-giving to your loved ones, spreading kindness and prioritising self-care by treating yourself with a gift box will help these parents navigate through any difficult season in their life. You can find out more information on Selabrations on their website
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A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING AT MANGERE TOWN CENTRE
Who: Nesian Collective
The 'Nesian Collective' is a brand-new pop-up store at the Mangere Town Centre showcasing products and services by several Pasifika entrepreneurs including baby/infant products, handicrafts and merch, pineapple pies and cookies, and even a modelling agency! 👗💍🍪💃🏿