Gifts with Meaning: The CSF Alumni Holiday Gift Guide
The holidays will be here before we know it! So when you’re planning your gift list, why not branch out and give unique, one-of-a-kind items, or something different and meaningful this year? Check out the CSF Alumni Holiday Gift Guide, featuring some of our very own CSF alums who have started their own businesses. We’ll also share ways you can honor someone by making a gift in their name.
Gifts for Music Enthusiasts
J’Nai Bridges
CSF Alum and two-time Grammy® Award-winning American mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, known for her “plush-voiced mezzo-soprano” (The New York Times), and “calmly commanding stage presence” (The New Yorker) has been “marked out at an early stage as a singer headed for top flight” (Financial Times), gracing the world’s top opera and concert stages.
J’Nai will feature as Carmen at the Seattle Opera in May of 2026.
Purchase tickets and see the full schedule of J’Nai’s upcoming performances.
Honoring Southern Cuisine, Family and Connection
Grann by Jacob Howell & Denzel Johnson
“Grann is our tribute—a celebration of the remarkable women whose recipes shaped us and whose kitchens were the heart of our families. We believe the soul of Southern cuisine lives in the recipes passed down through generations, each one telling a story of love, community, and tradition.” – Executive Chef Reginald Jacob Howell & Pitmaster Denzel Johnson
Make a reservation and learn more.
Gifts for Art Appreciators
Rainier Renditions by Sydney McMaster
CSF Alum and Board Member Sydney McMaster grew up immersed in the beauty and culture of the Pacific Northwest region. Entirely self-taught, she works in acrylic, gouache,
watercolor, ink, and mixed media to capture the region’s rugged landscapes in detailed paintings, intricate drawings, and layered 3D dioramas.
While Sydney works full-time in public health for the federal government at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), she dedicates every free moment to my
creative practice, turning observation and inspiration into lasting works that invite others to see the world in a new way.
Gifts for Relaxation and Renewal
Mindful Glow Skincare & Wellness by Yecenia Giron Harris
CSF Alum and licensed mental health therapist, Yecenia Giron Harris, created Mindful Glow to blend ancestral wisdom with modern self-care. This brand is her way of honoring where she comes from while helping others build meaningful practices of their own. Each product, whether a whipped body butter, botanical oil, or exfoliating scrub, is crafted with clean, plant-based ingredients and infused with intention to help you slow down, breathe deeply, and glow mindfully.
Gifts for the Scent-imental
Noir Lux Candles by Founder and Chandler Colina Bruce
Noir Lux Candle Co. is a Black woman-owned, booming small business that was featured in Oprah Magazine. Owned by Colina Bruce, the brick-and-mortar studio and apothecary provides opportunities for guests to choose their vessels and fragrances to curate their own custom candles.
Choose between pre-made candles or come in for a unique candle pouring experience.
Gifts for Your Toast-Worthy Moments
Mocel Mezcal by Rosalinda Mendoza and Elizabeth Mendoza
Rosalinda and Elizabeth are sisters from the Yakima Valley and daughters of farmworker immigrants from Michoacan, Mexico. They produce rare, small-batch (449 bottles) mezcales from Michoacan, which have been listed as top mezcales in Forbes and Men’s Journal.
This award-winning mezcal is created using 100% agave and water — that’s it. No additives. Mocel is handcrafted using traditional distillation methods and is perfect for celebrating or gifting to loved ones.
Gifts for Innovators
Lioe Design by John Lioe
John Lioe is an industrial designer from Seattle who believes that everyday goods can be extraordinary. Lioe Design creates innovative products such as futuristic card holders, Cerakote stealth pens, titanium folding knives and high-quality stainless-steel scissors, among many other unique items. His products are works of art.
John’s wife, Jia Lioe, is the co-founder of their company, and they also share an office space with their studio dog, Cardi B.
A Treat for Foodies in Your Life
Drip Drip Coffeehouse and Feed Co Burgers by Lan Bun
Drip Drip Coffeehouse is a woman-owned and minority-operated Vietnamese coffee shop in the heart of Seattle’s Cherry Hill neighborhood. After a trip to Vietnam, Lan wanted to bring the coffee experience she had there back to Seattle. Where she, “envisioned a place for everyone, including families with kids and friends of all ages, to build a community.”
This cute and cozy cafe specializes in delicious Vietnamese coffee and flavorings such as salted egg yolk, roasted sesame, matcha pandan and coconut ube, and sources the finest Robusta and Arabica beans from Lam Dong, Vietnam. Their mission is to brew up happiness and spread smiles.
Stop by and give them a try! Gift certificates are available in the shop so you can spread the love.
Feed Co Burgers is located in the Central District of Seattle and serves savory burgers, sandwiches, tacos, salads (vegetarian options too!), shakes, fries, 10 taps with local beers, ciders, kombucha, and the list goes on! They take pride in using prime Pacific Northwest ingredients, and all natural, hormone and antibiotic-free, grass-fed beef from Painted Hills. Yum!
Head on over, and purchase a gift certificate for someone who deserves it while you’re at it!
Gifts for Sneakerheads
crater by Kamal De Campos
This Tacoma-based brick-and-mortar shop, along with its online store, offers a curated selection of premium streetwear and sneakers. The shop has become a go-to destination for sneakerheads and fashion enthusiasts, featuring a unique selection of limited-edition releases and timeless classics.
Gifts for Creatives with Style
All Bets on Us by Davon White (and friends)
Founded in 2022 by three life-long friends, including CSF alum Davon White, All Bets On Us is a local clothing brand that uplifts artists, innovators and leaders in our region. The team loves making clothes that creatives can wear with pride while they are out in the world doing what they do best — but the community-building aspect of their work is what feeds their purpose. Their mantra is simple: Pursuing a path that allows you to live in your passions can feel risky and intimidating. But if we surround ourselves with other visionaries and uplift one another, then together, we can’t lose.
Gifts for the Health-Conscious
Copa De Oro Fruits by Edith Gonzalez
Copa De Oro Fruits specializes in cold-press juice, wellness shots and healthy seasonal snacks. Products are free from added sugar, colors or preservatives. Copa De Oro Fruits is here to inspire and empower you to embrace a healthier lifestyle, one delicious bite at a time.
Other Ways to Give
Education is a gift that gives to generations.
Tribute gift: Donate in tribute to a friend, loved one or acquaintance, and we’ll send them a card notifying them of your thoughtful gift. Memorial and tribute gifts are a unique way to honor an extraordinary person who has touched your life.
If you are a CSF alum who has a business or product you would like us to feature in a future gift guide, or if you know another alumni business owner, please let us know!