December is here and everybody is being inundated with Christmas gift ideas. From what to get your husband, wife or mistress to the right gifts for the mother-in-law from hell or your favorite pooch.

There is one group I have not seen a gift guide for yet and that is the Traveling Island Girl. I am not referring to myself here, although the guide below certainly represents most of what I would like to receive from Santa this year. I am talking about all of the island ladies that travel often, whether it is for business or pleasure as well as the island girl always on the go.

I am a big fan of small Caribbean businesses and this list includes some of my favorite Caribbean brands  and small businesses ran by ambitious islanders.

So this Holiday season:  Support local, shop Caribbean.

The perfect gift for the Island Girl on the Go:

Kalliopie Designs

Kallie Mihalos recently decided to put her creativity to work and started her own line of handmade, hand painted and crochet handbags and accessories, made mainly from burlap and denim. The results are stunning handbags and clutches. I myself am completely and utterly in love with my skull handbag and cannot wait to own some more of Kallie’s designs.

Handbags start at $65 and can be ordered by email or by calling Kallie directly at +1 (721) 581-7697. Visit her website for more amazing designs.

Island Blush

Island Blush is a trendy boutique in the heart of Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. This exclusive shop offers resort wear and accessories, gift items, cosmetics, natural hair and body products. It is a store I visit often. The good news is that now you can too. Island Blush has recently launched their online store, making their goodies accessible for women all over the Caribbean and beyond.

Visit Island Blush’s online store or send your order by email. Browse through the beautiful photos of their other items on Facebook and Instagram.

Fashion Cuts

Another one of my personal favorites is Fashion Cuts. These trendy handmade earrings and necklaces by my friends Vanessa and Daryl Thompson or as I like to call them, Anguilla’s super duo are made out of  wood, acrylic or leather. The wife and husband team uses a laser machine to cut and burn the product with precision to achieve the desired result. Fashion Cuts has proved to be a big success since its launch in 2010.

Visit Fashion Cut’s website, Facebook page and Instagram account for more of their beautiful handmade jewelry pieces. You can also contact Vanessa and Daryl via email.

St. Maarten Nectar

St. Maarten Nectar’s founder Nalia Muriel started this now well known company in her kitchen, with one pure objective in mind: To provide superior skincare products produced solely and exclusively on St. Maarten. I can attest to the fact that Nalia is one hard working island chick.
Made out of the highest-quality natural ingredients St. Maarten Nectar’s products are carefully crafted by hand in their lab.

*St. Maarten Nectar products are all organic and natural and are nit tested on animals.

Visit St. Maarten Nectar’s beautiful website for a full list of all of their amazing products. Place your order with Nalia and she will make sure to ship it to you.

Tijon

Tijon is a one-of-a-kind boutique parfumerie headquartered in Grand Case, French St. Martin specializing in their own line of handcrafted fragrances. What is so special about Tijon is that you can actually visit their Perfume Lab in Grand Case and design your own signature scent. For those of you not on St. martin at the moment, don’t despair. Their online boutique has an array of perfume and perfume-related gift items worth checking out. Give the traveling island girl in your life the gift of scent.

Visit Tijon Online or email them for more information or to place your order.

Limin’

Renee and Ken followed their dream and moved from the US to Anguilla about 3 years ago and opened Limin’, a boutique that offers its customers memories to take home from beautiful Anguilla. Or in this case that reminds the eternal island girl of home while she’s away. Their products are beachy-chic with a light and airy feel.

Y.P.

Yourandell Provence discovered stitching about one and a half year ago and developed a passion for sewing. After designing his very own first clutch, a trendy evening clutch, it was clear that the hobby was no longer a hobby but a brand. His slogan “Feel Unique wearing Y.P.” says it all. No two designs by Yourandell are the same thus making every single piece sold uniquely yours.

Order one of their unique skirts or clutches now on Facebook or by phoning +1 (721) 587-2850.

Garota Tropical

The Garota Tropical store has been open since 2006 in the capital of French St. Martin, Marigot and offers bikinis and beachwear, handmade flip-flop sandals and handmade resin jewelry. Their collection is not only unique but amazingly beautiful. What traveling island chick doesn’t pack at least one piece of swimwear when going on a trip?

Just visit their Instagram page to see what I am talking about. Or send your order to Brice by email. You cal also call the store at +590 690 34 60 40.

There you have it; a complete list of potential awesome gifts for the traveling island girl in your life, whether she has been naughty or nice 😉

Which item on this list did you like the most?

Happy Holidays and remember to Live, Laugh and Travel often.

Sending you an abundance of Holiday Cheer,