Butter.ATL’s All-ATL, All-Black-Owned 2020 Gift Guide

The holidays: They here! 

If you’re buying gifts this year, you already know what’s up with the post office; now’s the time to do it!. And we’ve got you covered, right here in this email, with a damn-fine curated lineup of made-in-Atlanta, Black-owned gift items ready for your ASAP online purchase. 

And yep, that includes 2020’s hottest (or at least warmest) ATL-specific holiday sweater from your friends at Butter.ATL. Oooh, wait ‘til you scroll down and see it! 

Happy holidays, folk! We’re almost home! 

The Muted Home (at Village Market)

Describing the aesthetic of their goods as “a mix between modern, farmhouse, industrial, and a sprinkle of glam,” this Chastain-based, Black-family-run brand of metal and wood kitchen wares is instant vintage — designed with style and sturdy enough to be used year-round. Whether you prefer gunmetal or gold, or wanna keep it understated with teakwood, there’s plenty here for anyone looking for a classy kitchen turn-up.
Shop: https://themutedhome.com/ 

*Also available at The Village Retail at Ponce City Market

Triangular Traded Spices 

Cleophus Hethington is a talented chef who’s worked in the kitchens of some of Atlanta’s most respected restaurants, including Lazy Betty and The Lawrence. Most of the rest of us aren’t quite as remarkable with culinary art, so Chef Ophus (as he likes to be called) has created a line of fantastic spice blends that draw inspiration from the African Diaspora, and celebrate the diversity of our planet. Even the names of these dry spice blends are meant to honor the ancestors: The smoky, garlicky Le Courage is a great flavor enhancement whether you’re grilling meat or stirring a pot of seafood gumbo, while he recommends his Resilient mix (cumin, mustard seed, ginger, Scotch bonnet) to liven up your home-cooked veggies.  

Shop: https://www.ttspices.com/shop 

Eggplant Sweats 

On the looser side of things is Eggplant Sweats, which adds a bit of girth, so to speak, to 2020’s pivot to all-day athleisure from business-casual attire. The affordable ($29) joggers have a clean-cut look, almost resembling a more comfortable version of everyday slacks, in olive green, navy blue, dark and light gray color options. But the devilish detail of a purple eggplant logo, placed just under the belt, high up on the right hip, tell you there’s a deeper story. And you’ve gotta love the marketing language at the online shop: “The FIT, The FEEL, EggPlant.” 

Shop: https://eggplantsweats.com/ 

Nice Scent Candle Co.

Some places in Atlanta have a vibe so amazing you can almost smell it, in the good way. Bring your favorite parts of ATL indoors with Nice Scent’s location-inspired candles. Hand-poured here in town, they’re sold in 8oz jars and burn for at least 40 hours. The holiday collection’s neighborhood-/suburb-scented aromas include Sandy Springs (juicy pear and sugared cinnamon) and Edgewood (pine and champagne), while they also offer standards like Cascade, which is rose, pineapple, & aged driftwood. 

Shop: https://www.nicescent.co/

Savoir Faire cologne 

New York native Chris Classic is a man of many talents, perhaps most notably creating music for films like Fantastic Four and TV shows like Empire. The skill we’re praising today is his ability to create fragrances for men, which he personally blends, bottles and prepares by hand. Grab a 50ml of his Signature cologne, which features notes of leather, sandalwood, amber and more, for $110.    

Shop: https://savoirfaire.store/

Hairbrella

Having made news earlier this year for being the first company to receive investment from Black-led investment group Collab Capital, Hairbrella is a brilliant reinvention of the rain hat for women, launched — and bootstrapped — by Atlanta native Tracey Pickett. If you know a lady who’ll be looking to avoid a bad hair day due to rainfall this coming spring and summer, grab one or two and look like an actually decent friend/lover or just general ally of beautiful Black hair. 

Shop: https://hairbrella.com/ 

Bombchel 

It’s probably safe to say we’ll be seeing each other masked for most of 2021, so you might as well help that special someone catch up with style expectations and get a proper cloth mask, or several. Do that and more at Bombchel’s online shop, where pre-washed, reusable masks are sustainably made from unused cloth and dyes — owner Archel Bernard, a Georgia Tech grad, is also a fashion designer who manufactures contemporary African clothing from her factory in Monrovia, Liberia. So don’t stop at the standard or extended “Beard Gang” masks; you can also find dresses, pants, watercolor-esque “Ice Dye” custom tees, and plenty more wearable greatness in living color. 

Shop: https://www.shopbombchel.com/ (tie dye)

The Honorary Citizen 

Atlanta native and Morehouse grad Tarik Harris’ clothing line has THC right in the name, and began as a pro-cannabis collection of t-shirts, but has evolved and expanded to include clothing, accent pillow covers and more, created in a completely unique style that expresses pride in African elegance. Get the vibes from the vivid patterns and colors employed in 100%-cotton, wax-printed button down shirts like the Diata (Brave Like a Lion), a mesmerizing mix of yellow, green, blue and pink angles, graphs and curves. 

Shop: https://www.thehonorarycitizen.com/ 

Butter.ATLYou already know we got what you need, from tees to hats, poster prints and more. But being that it’s that time of year, it’s the most appropriate time to get winter fresh with the 2020 ATL Ho Ho Ho Holiday Sweater. It’s fluffy, it’s magical and it’s the most Atlanta thing you can possibly don this December and beyond, whether you celebrate it as “Robbin’ Season,” Festivus, the traditional “Crimmuh” or whatever. Just be sure to order by December 10 if you want it by Christmas Day. Aye!