Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Gifts for Every Hawk in Your Life

Spread your wings this holiday season and give the gift of Hawk-inspired happiness! From the most delicious shortbread you’ve ever tasted (think Ted Lasso's biscuits, but better!) to your next coffee table book that reflects Wes Anderson’s aesthetic, we’ve rounded up the best gifts to give your friends and loved ones this year, courtesy of Saint Joseph’s University’s Hawks.

1. Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures

What began as a travel bucket list for Wally Koval, BS '07, and his wife, Amanda, — sights and scenes from around the world that bore some resemblance to Wes Anderson's work — soon developed a devoted following and has spawned a pair of books, a puzzle, postcard set and a series of immersive exhibitions. The Kovals’ latest book, “Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures,” is an exploration of 200 brand new, mind-bendingly beautiful bucket list locations, and the incredible stories behind each of their façades. No passport necessary!

Buy from “Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures” on Amazon.

2. Wee Marie's Scottish Shortbread

Crumbly, buttery and oh-so-delicious! Growing up, Arianne Kline, MS ’01, spent the holidays helping her mom make the most delicious shortbread you’ve ever tasted (think Ted Lasso's biscuits, but better!). In January of 2023, Kline founded Wee Marie’s Shortbread, named after her mom, who was the youngest of four daughters and affectionately known as “Wee Marie.” Now, the shortbread comes in a variety of sizes and flavors, including original, chocolate chip and salted caramel. All flavors come in a gluten-free option.

Order from Wee Marie's Scottish Shortbread. Available for local delivery, shipping or in-store pickup.

3. SimplyB All-Natural Products

After noticing a lack of options that cater to sensitive and dry skin, Bianca Brown, BA ’27 started her small business, SimplyB, turning her hobby of creating products into a thriving beauty venture that serves customers in over 35 states! At SimplyB, Brown creates all-natural, handmade lip gloss, body butter, scrubs and more, ensuring each product is crafted with care to provide gentle, high-quality solutions for her customers' skincare needs. Brown’s passion for entrepreneurship and dedication to quality have been the driving forces behind SimplyB’s growth and success.

Order from SimplyB.

4. Lansdale Honey: Made by Bees

Want to know the buzz about Melissa Kelly, MS ‘13? In 2019, Melissa and her husband, Greg, got their first two bee hives, resulting in 170 lbs of honey. This year, the Kellys finished their fifth season with about 25 hives and 1900 lbs of honey! They have hives in Lansdale, Harleysville and Perkasie, Pennsylvania, (the Perkasie bees are the happiest, Melissa thinks, because they make the most honey). The Kellys also ventured into infusing honey! All the infusion ingredients are organic (many they grow themselves), and they infuse at low temperatures so the honey is still in its raw form, retaining all the excellent enzymes that raw honey is famous for. Check out their lavender infused honey and hot honey! 

Buy from Raw Local Lansdale Honey.

5. Cordino Cellars

Spread some holiday cheer with wine-inspired gifts from Cordino Cellars! Founded by Ali Corso, BS '09, MBA '22, DBA ’26, and Nikki Palladino, BA '10, MA '23, Cordino Cellars is a women-owned business that offers products from glassware to apparel and more. (Sip while you) shop their online store for everyone on your list! ’Tis the season to eat, drink and gift merrily. 

Enjoy 10% off your first online order at CordinoCellars with promo code: HAWK.

6. Eco-Friendly Beach Chairs

After reading a 2018 National Geographic article on the detrimental effects of ocean plastic on marine life and shorelines, Brenton Hutchison, BS ’06, MBA ’11, was inspired to start a sustainable beach gear company with a mission to reduce plastic waste on bays, beaches and shores. Now, his company, LowTides Ocean Products, offers a selection of modern beach chairs built with upcycled ocean plastics collected from areas that are most affected by plastic pollution including Java, Indonesia, and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Their beach chairs come in various sizes and designs and have handy features such as cup holders, backpack straps and smartphone slots. 

Buy from LowTides Ocean Products.

7. Tenango Rum

Guatemala City native Sofia Deleon, MBA ‘17, has pioneered Tenango Rum, a labor of love that seamlessly fuses her entrepreneurial spirit with her family's heritage. With Tenango, Deleon aims to redefine the rum landscape, encouraging consumers to discover the art of sipping rum beyond traditional tiki drinks. By crafting an authentically produced, high-quality spirit that pays homage to her great-grandmother's moonshine distillery, Deleon continues the legacy of her family while creating new opportunities for the next generation of Guatemalan women.

Order from Tenango Rum.

8. Knockout Lettering

Knockout Lettering, by Katie Oleksiak Burns ’11 of Brewerytown, Philadelphia, offers calligraphy services and day-of signage for weddings and events along with custom holiday gifts and home decor. These ornaments are perfect for the Philly lover on your list, all handmade and hand-lettered right here in our favorite city. Give one as a gift or spruce up your own tree with a little Philly pride. 

Available for $18 - $25 at https://www.knockoutlettering.com/shop.

9. Grab a Kenny

Give the gift of beer this holiday season! Kenwood Original a craft lager made in Philadelphia and owned by Matthew Serra, BS ’14, MBA ‘18. Kenwood is light, crisp, clean and made for all-day drinking. For December only, you can purchase Kenwood Beer to be delivered right to your (or your best friend's) door.

Check out kenwoodbeer.com/the-shop/ to shop for beer and merch from Kenwood. Grab a Kenny!

10. Saint Joseph’s University Spirit Shop

Looking for the perfect gift for a fellow Hawk (or maybe even a future Hawk)? Check out the apparel and spirit shop at Saint Joseph’s bookstore! From fan favorite headwear to cozy crewnecks, the spirit shop is bound to have everything on your wishlist. The Hawk Will Never Die and neither will your Hawk pride!

Bonus! From now until Dec. 31, enjoy a 10% discount at the bookstore using the code SPIRIT24. 
Buy from Saint Joseph’s University’s Spirit Shop.