He’s making a list. He’s checking it twice, and wouldn’t a soy-based gift be nice? Soy’s applications go beyond food and animal feed, and soy’s influence does, too. Purchasing art supplies, cosmetics and other products made with soy not only supports local farmers and communities, but also contributes to the health of our planet. Before Santa Claus packs his sleigh for the holiday season, explore the many affordable, sustainable soy-based gifts for everyone on his list.
For Kids
Soy-Based Crayons
Companies such as Prang and Azafran swap the petroleum-based paraffin that is commonly found in traditional crayons for soy ingredients to create vivid crayons that any child would love to receive. Soy ingredients create a creamy texture for crayons, allowing for easy application on paper and other surfaces. To learn more, visit prang.com or www.bit.ly/SoyAzafran
Crayon Rocks
Made of a soft soy wax and tinted with mineral powders, Crayon Rocks come in vibrant colors and make beautiful textures. Designed to strengthen the tripod grip muscles, these crayons prepare little fingers and hands for handwriting. The special shape allows small fingers to color in large, wide strokes, promoting artistic confidence. These crayons are used by occupational therapists to develop fine motor skills. Soy-based crayons and rocks will brighten any child’s holiday!
To learn more, visit www.crayonrocks.com
Clothing Made from Soy Materials
Adding Babysoy Stay on Socks with Grips to Santa’s gift list can make a baby’s early walking adventures safer. Grips provide traction for waddling on hard floors, and a soy protein and cotton blend fabric keeps babies warm and dry to comfortably regulate their body temperature. Babysoy Stay on Socks with Grips support toddlers who are exploring the surroundings.
To order, visit www.babysoyusa.com
For the Fashion Forward
Soy Handbag
Individuals returning to the office would be thrilled to receive a durable, spacious tote, especially one by household name designer Tory Burch, from Santa. The luxury label has partnered with an American biotechnology company, Modern Meadow, to produce its Ella Bio tote bag from soy grown in North America. The bag is available in a rainbow of colors, ranging from bold jewel tones (light amethyst) to smart neutrals (warm white). The Ella Bio tote bag is a stylish, sustainable and practical holiday gift.
To order online, visit www.bit.ly/SoyEllaBioSmall
For Homebodies
Soy CandlesSoy candles create a seasonal ambiance without harsh chemicals. Pride of Dakota is a program that was created and is managed by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture as a way to promote and to market North Dakota businesses. Three North Dakota soy candle companies are members of the Pride of Dakota.
Lighthouse Soy Candles provides a variety of soy candle products as well as soy bath and body products. The company offers hand-poured soy candles in containers, pillars and votives as well as soy wax melts. The soy bath and body products are great for all skin types. Learn more at www.lighthousesoyproducts.com
Little Town Soy Candle Company products are handmade in small batches in the smalltown of Gladstone, North Dakota. Every candle is hand wicked, hand stirred, hand poured, hand labeled and hand packaged. Learn more at www.littletownsoycandleco.com
Ten Acres Candles has products which are hand-crafted in North Dakota and are made with quality, clean ingredients to cozy up spaces and to bring joy. Learn more at www.tenacrescandles.com
For Self-Care
Soy-Based Beard Oil
When No Shave November extends to December, men looking for haircare products might appreciate all natural beard oil by Lavish. Soybean oil joins peppermint and sweet almond oil to provide light moisture and sheen for men’s beards and scalps (Yes, it’s multipurpose!) while stimulating circulation and improving hair elasticity. Despite its name, soybean-oil infused Lavish Well Groomed Beard Oil can be used to stimulate circulation for the scalp.
Learn more at www.lavishproductline.com/product/beard-oil
Soy-Based Cosmetics
Santa can help the fashion-forward people on his list to achieve full, smooth lips without fillers by stuffing their stockings with Huda Beauty Silk Balm Hydrating and Nourishing Lip Balm that is infused with soybean extract. Soybean extract helps Huda Beauty Silk Balm Hydrating and Nourishing Lip Balm users to plump and to moisturize their lips naturally. Learn more and order at www.bit.ly/HudaSoySilkBalm
Soy SPF
It’s always important to wear sun protection factor (SPF)! Containing soy isoflavones, Soy Doctor’s Ultra Light Moisture Screen offers SPF 30 protection.Learn more at www.bit.ly/SoySPF
For the Pet
Soy Leashes
Pets are a part of the family and should be included on Santa’s gift list. Available in fuchsia or mint, the New Earth Soy Dog Leash is crafted from a blend of all-natural soy fibers that withstand normal wear and tear. A soy leash is the perfect gift for sustainably minded pet parents.
Order online at www.bit.ly/SoyLeashes
Cat Collars
Earth Soy offers adjustable collars for cats which are made from 100% eco-friendly soy fibers. The collars come in an array of nature inspired colors. Order online at www.bit.ly/SoyCatCollars
Shoes
Soy Sandals
The holidays may conjure images of snow, but for many people, time off work is a great excuse to enjoy a beach day. Whether a loved one is traveling to a warm-weather locale or is lucky enough to live in one, Okabashi offers stylish flip flops and other warm-weather shoes made from soybean oil. Okabashi makes men’s, women’s and children’s shoes from soybean oil.
To order, visit www.okabashi.com
Soy Sneakers
For the individuals on your list who like to stay active, consider soy-based sneakers. Sketchers uses soy-based rubber, and the company collaborated with Goodyear to create fashionable and better-gripping functionality shoes. Order online at www.bit.ly/SoySketchers
For DIYers
Are you a DIY gift-giver, crafting unique presents for the people on your list? Rust-Oleum Varathane® wood stains are perfect for you. Use these soy-based stains for the homemade signs and décor that you plan to make this season. If you have a DIYer in your life, Rust-Oleum is a great stocking stuffer. The best part is that it’s made with U.S. soy. To learn more, visit www.bit.ly/SoyWoodStain
For Dad
Dad might not request motor oil for Christmas, but he won’t complain when he receives it as a gift, especially if the motor oil is good in engines, is sustainable and supports U.S. soybean farmers. Help support longer engine life and U.S. soy with Biosynthetic® motor oil.
Visit www.bit.ly/SoyBiosyntheticOil to learn more.
For Entire Family
Pile the entire family into a new Ford vehicle this Christmas, and enjoy the comfort of seats made with foam derived from U.S. soy. Not only are Fords stylish and comfy, but the seats in every vehicle produced in North America are also made with sustainable components that anyone in the family can get behind.
Learn more about Ford’s soy-based seating at www.bit.ly/SoyFoamSeatsFord
Before drafting this year’s letter to Santa Claus, consider all the soy-based products that can make life more comfortable, fun and sustainable for everyone on your list. Learn more and shop at www.bit.ly/USsoyproducts