It’s tiiiiiiime! The 2025 WashU Startup Holiday Gift Guide is here! If you’re looking to support small businesses this holiday season, check out this year’s Gift Guide, featuring 57 student and alumni companies. This year, we are also excited to include a selection of children’s books written by WashU authors! So, forget the generic gift cards, step away from the big box store carts, and put down the re-gifted candle, because we have something special for everyone on your list. Plus, with every purchase, you’ll be supporting WashU student and alumni entrepreneurs. Below is a sneak peek of a few of the companies featured in this year’s guide.

Thank you to our partners at University Advancement for once again hosting the Gift Guide on their website! Thanks to their talented web team, you can now shop by category, browse featured products from each store, or explore by room in our virtual alumni house. It’s easier than ever to find something for all those hard-to-shop-for family members!

Gifts for the kids:

• Hands-on creative play meets STEM learning at 3dux Design.
• Create your own gingerbread house or decorate custom cookies with a kit from Sweetology.
• Find a variety of family-friendly comics and graphic novels at Betty’s Books.

Gifts for the ladies:

• Check out Jennifer Behr for gorgeous handmade jewelry and hair accessories.
• Glow Recipe offers clean, clinically effective, fruit-powered skincare for glowing skin.
• For comfy loungewear and stylish closet staples, check out Summersalt.

Gifts for the guys:

• The Normal Brand features classic Midwestern lifestyle clothing and accessories.

• Thursday Boot Company features high-quality footwear at honest prices.
• Shop hair care products for men with textured hair at Menalated.

Gifts for everyone:

• Check out Faherty Brand for cozy sweaters, warm flannels, and more for men, women and kids.
• Enhance family game night with a board game from Greater Than Games.
• Check out Ten by Three for a variety of decorative baskets made from natural, renewable materials.

Stocking Stuffers:

• Honeymoon Chocolates is bean-to-bar craft chocolate sweetened solely with raw honey.
• Nari is authentic Indian chai, perfect for warming up chilly winter nights.
• Tummydrops are ginger and peppermint drops to support digestive health.
• Byte’m Brownies are made with real, high-quality ingredients and packed with flavor.

This is just a sample of the shops featured; check out the full Gift Guide for even more great WashU-founded companies. We’re sure you’ll find something for everyone on your list and maybe even a few things for yourself!