Since we launched Emblem last summer, we've been hard at work building our platform to create a better gifting experience for you and for our planet. A key part of that mission is finding brand partners who are going above and beyond to create gifts that tread lightly on our earth and enrich our lives. Today, we are introducing our brand values and how they shape our company.

As we embark on our second year of business, our focus in 2021 is to connect with as many brand partners as we can that align with our values. To establish our brand values we have created 9 emblems, each of which represents a value that we look for in our brand partners. These brand values will guide us on our continuous search for the great gifts that we then introduce to you.

These values will soon be visible in multiple parts of our website, allowing you to buy gifts with more confidence and awareness. We know the gifting industry has a long way to go, but we are excited to take the first steps towards our greater mission of a creating stress-free, waste-free gifting experience. And thank you, to you, for being a key part of that mission! We can't wait for what's to come in 2021.

This pillar categorises all brands partners who create with our environment in mind and make consistent efforts to reduce their impact on the earth. These partners allow us to celebrate and commemorate with the future of our planet in mind.

The 4 emblems that represent these values are:

If you want to learn more about each of them, please 

This pillar categorises all brand partners that have social responsibility ingrained in how to create and operate. A gift is an amazing way to support the makers, creators, and businesses that are driving societal equity, inspiring future generations, and enriching our communities.

The 3 emblems that represent these values are:

This pillar categorises all brand partners creating products, experiences, and services that enrich our lives and our relationships. These brand partners allow us to use a gift as an opportunity to form more meaningful connections and add value to the lives of those around us.

The 2 emblems that represent these values are:

Discover our Values

As many of us are spending much more time in our homes, we have a new appreciation for the walls we live within and the space we inhabit. Whether you left your one bedroom flat for more space in the countryside or reinvented the space you for our current reality — things have shifted.

One company that is helping us do our white walls justice is fine art platform Space Studios. This platform has taken the mystery and confusion out of collecting art and created a simple and direct line to some amazing emerging artists. While art can be a daunting consumer category, it can be an even more daunting for gifts! However, when executed correctly it makes for a poetic emblem of love and gratitude or a specific time in one’s life.

So you might be wondering who is behind this innovative business — that would be the one and only Kate Hoffman. This fearless female founder has stepped into a historically complicated and mystified industry with a mission to democratise it, both for the emerging artist and emerging collector.

Although Kate studied art in university, she wasn’t aware of how confusing it the art world might be for new collectors, until she became one herself! When she had an apartment of her own and walls to fill with art, she didn’t know where to start, so she created the solution.

“I have always been mesmerized by the art world, I like the idea that art can tell a story — I started Spacey because I didn’t see the power of storytelling brought to life in the art world. People are made to feel intimidated by art, making them afraid to talk and share art — it’s so stifling! So I found myself seeking other storytelling media in the first part of my career: I interned at editorial companies like InStyle Mag, I worked for new media brands like Refinery29, I produced television… but I was always hoping to come back to art. My mom worked as a museum docent when I was younger, and it was such a gift to have her share charismatic stories about art with us. It taught me that art has the power to connect people and create conversation like no other product or platform.”

In a nutshell, Spacey Studios curates fine art by top emerging artists at a price you can afford and trust. We are here to help you live with art you love.

What we love most about Spacey is that they also partner with up and coming artists to do create commissioned pieces! These make the most wonderful gifts because they commemorate a time, a feeling, or a place so beautifully. Art truly connects us and a commissioned art piece as a gift is the ultimate emblem of that connection.

And what’s even more delightful, is that they have been so kind to partner with us and pass along a 10% discount to our members! Chat to us in Emblem if you are interested in working with Spacey on a curated piece!

Behind the gift | Spacey Studios

Father’s Day is this Sunday! But don’t worry, you still have a few days to secure an awesome gift. What would be even more awesome is if that gift came from a Black-owned business. We have listed some that make perfect Father’s Day gifts below!

If you still need a little bit of help, head over to Emblem.gift and connect with your personal gift concierge to help you find the perfect Father’s Day gift!

 — Super Dad T-Shirts that are trendy and chic.

 —Candles hand-poured in Brooklyn with a masculine touch.

 — Beautiful Leather goods handmade in Morocco sold in the US.

 — Amazing branding, amazing tea, awesome tea accessories.

 — Gorgeous flowers delivered in the heart of Brooklyn.

 — well-designed and crafty hoodies, tees, vintage items available as well!

 — Hot sauce created in and inspired by Ghana.

 — Not your average jams! But look divine.

 — Gorgeous homewares and ceramics with a nice ‘dad vibe’.

 — Diffusers, all-natural skin care, gender fluid, simple and straightforward self-care.

 — a must have in any food-related gift.

 — awesome succulents and cacti delivered in London.

 — beautiful fruit boxes. Another delicious addition for any foodie father.

 — amazing T-shirts designed around some of our favorite pop-culture heroes.

 — gorgeous grazing boards and boxes — cheeses, meats, olives, and pickles, etc!

 — incredible mugs and ceramics for the father who appreciates good design.

 — perfect tee’s with simple phrases.

 — Street style haven with incredible pieces and shoes!

Still stuck on a Father’s Day gift? Head to Emblem.gift and working with a gift concierge to find the perfect one!

19 Black-Owned Brands Perfect For Father’s Day

As Christmas quickly approaches the demands of our gifts not only become great, but they also become varied! Some loved ones require strong statements in a gift and for others simple nods of celebration will do. Often what ends up happening is that these smaller gifts get over looked and we resort to something with a little less purpose or meaning.

However, we firmly believe they are not to be overlooked! Which is why we want to highlight a perfect ‘small gift’ that actually packs quite a punch — in both flavour and meaning.

Introducing the trendiest hot sauce you can find with the most beautiful story and mission — Fly by Jing. It’s so good that Drew Berrymore recently recommended it to her millions of Instagram followers. And we have to agree with her! The flavours are addicting and comforting, versatile yet authentic to its Chinese roots. This is no ordinary hot sauce, in so many ways.

Fly by Jing is born out of Chengdu, where Jing the founder was also born. Chengdu, China is located in Sichuan province, a province famous for its delicious spicy food and fragrant spices. Today, Jing’s mission is to redefine what it means to be “Made in China” as she forges her own path in the culinary world. Jing has already made quite a mark with these sauces, as they are the first 100% all-natural Sichuan chilli sauce, proudly crafted in Chengdu.

The name of her business “Fly by Jing” pays homage to her hometown. As she explains:

“I was inspired by the bustling ‘fly restaurants’ of Chengdu, old-school eateries that still dot the city, and despite being run-down and decrepit, are so delicious that they’re said to attract people like flies,” she says. “In some ways, these remnants of old Chengdu are the very soul of what defines Sichuan cuisine — a hearty, bold tradition centered around community that began on the streets and in people’s homes.”

It is clear that Jing understand the responsibility she has in representing a culture and culinary history that is a part of her, but that so many misunderstand. Her sauces, as delicious as they are, are much more than just a topping. They educate us about what real Sichuan food is and start a conversation around Chinese culture on a deeper level than many of us venture to go ourselves.

Jing describes Chinese food culture perfectly when she says:

“You can’t grasp the depth and complexity of China’s 5,000 year food culture without visiting the source. Even then, it would take years to travel through the land and experience the evolution of the cuisine over time and across geographies. The journey of discovering Chinese cuisine is constant because it’s dynamic and ever-changing, and that’s what makes it so fascinating.”

These sauces bottle up thousands of years of tradition and coming together to enjoy a meal. They are an emblem of some of the oldest traditions on earth and one of richest food cultures one can taste. This is a perfect gift this holiday season as many of us similarly come together around a table and gather around our own food traditions. So why not spice them up a little?

Thank you to Jing for her fierce dedication to quality and tradition with the ability to create with curiosity and innovation.

Behind the gift | Fly by Jing

We often discount our own society’s extreme consumer behaviour around the holidays and gifts, but before we write these off as superfluous and extravagant, let’s take a closer look.

In fact, our extreme Festive seasons, newly-invented Hallmark holidays, and desire to celebrate our pets makes a lot of sense. Here are three scientific theories that explain our need to gather and gift.

You are probably aware of this theory! We now know that the human species is so successful because of our ability to work together. We benefit as a species from helping each other and cooperating.

A gift is a way to help someone, to connect with someone, to build trust, and to show a desire to cooperate. So while giving a perfect gift makes us feel really good about ourselves, it also makes us a more successful species.

This theory was constructed by a scientist named Robert Tivers. He states that we incur the cost of helping someone else because we know that person will help us when we need it at a later date.

In this theory, a gift acts as an insurance policy. If I gift something to you, then I can feel confident knowing that you will gift something to me — whether its an actual physical gift or simply your time and knowledge.

Lastly, William Hamilton’s theory of “Kin Selection” takes reciprocity to a new level and explains why we still spend Christmas with our family, even when they drive us a little crazy.

In his theory, Hamilton explains, that as with all other species on the planet, humans are especially helpful to family members. This is because we share the most number of genes with our family. So, if we help them out, it means that they are more likely to survive and eventually pass on these genes that we share with them. In other words, we are looking after our own genetic interests by helping relatives.

At the end of the day, one could argue that gifts keep us safe, which is a primary need among all humans! We need to feel part of a community. We need to feel like we have allies to cooperate with. And we need to feel like when we need help, someone will be there!

So the next time you get an invite to a gender reveal, a dog birthday, the umpteenth leaving do, or any other additional holiday that might feel unnecessary, just remember that according to our DNA, it’s completely necessary! Maybe even make the most of it with an awesome gift.

 — we take all of the stress out of gifting and make it fun (and evolutionarily friendly) for you!

https://www.worcester.ac.uk/about/news/academic-blog/the-psychology-of-giving-gifts.aspx

https://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/7087/volumes/v17/NA-17

3 Scientific Theories that Explain Our Obsession with Gifting.

When we wrap something up as a gift, we are not just wrapping up the item, we are also wrapping up the time and energy spent to create it. A gift is an emblem of multiple things. It is an emblem of your love or gratitude, but it is also emblematic of its creator’s imagination, vision, passion and dedication.

This is why we love to learn about the stories behind the items that we pass on as gifts. The story behind Naked Clay Ceramics is one of courage and simplicity. Founder, Carla Sealey was a collector of handmade ceramics for over 20 years before she took the leap to start her own ceramics business.

Before opening Naked Clay Ceramics, Carla, a qualified geologist and chemist was working as a scientist in environmental protection. The moment for the drastic career change came after, as she puts it, “a storm of personal, domestic and work crises within the space of 18 months found me reassessing what I was doing and why. I pressed reset, sold my house, left my job and took myself back to university to do an art degree.”

As Carla took the courageous step to simplify her life by going back to the basics of creating things with her hands, her personal style of paired back simplicity emerged. When asked where that aesthetic comes from, she responds:

“I’m not really sure! I remember the first time I saw an exhibition of Edmund de Waal’s work about 20 years ago. It was like a meditation. I felt so peaceful. I think I just wanted to recreate that feeling. It also introduced me to the idea of multiples, that you can actually make more of an impact with lots of small things than with one big thing.”

How profound and poetic. But of course, making multiples of many things by hand is no easy feat. And Carla takes the work ethic to another level by doing everything by hand and without a spinning wheel. She further explains, “I use a combination of hand building from solid clay and slip casting liquid clay into my own moulds. I made a conscious decision from the beginning not to throw my pieces.”.

These handmade pieces are a journey back to earth, back to basics, back to our original intention. They are mugs, vases, and vessels in one light, but they are also emblematic of a point of view and a way of life. They are the important reminder to, in Carla’s words:

“Make what makes you happy, not what you think other people will like.”

We thank Carla for her courage to create with simplicity, a respect for basics, and with a clear intention.

Behind the gift | Naked Clay Ceramics

While we pride ourselves on customer service and satisfaction, but one thing we did not anticipate was hearing from the recipients of the gifts or other people taking part in the celebrations we recommend!

It’s so nice to hear from them, but to be honest, in launching this business we were concerned that people might be shy about the fact that they used Emblem. Even though, we 100% do not think they should be!

And actually, what we have found is that our members agree! They are proud to be getting some help to make someone they love feel even more loved. And furthermore, their loved ones welcome it.

Using Emblem is like asking a professional to cut your hair. You could do it yourself… and many of us did at some point in the past few months! But the finished product does not compare.

You tell us what you are looking for, you make the final picks, you are the one that pays for it, and the one that gives it to them!

We are the professionals managing that process, and making sure you don’t end up with a mullet, so to speak!

And just a final comparison, like hair, bad gifts can take some time to ‘grow out’.

Unless of course, a mullet is what you’re looking for! :)

Unexpected Customer Reviews

Welcome to September! If you are like us, you aren’t sure how we got here, but here we are!

This article is a little bit of a public service announcement. September is an underrated month of birthdays and new babies. That is because statistically more babies are born in September than any other month!

We will let you do the math on that one, but the important thing is that you probably are going to have a few gifts to buy. We are all aware of the holiday frenzy, Valentine’s Day anxiety, Mother’s Day madness, and Father’s Day confusion. September could be rebranded as the month of births and birthdays.


You might have noticed that a lot of your friends are having babies or perhaps your weekends are filled with upcoming birthday brunches. This is not a coincidence!

We are here to make sure you take advantage of all gifting opportunities ahead. When you sign up to Emblem, not only do you get gift help, but there is also a place for you to add all special occasions throughout the year. All recurring occasions, like birthdays, will save for each year to come automatically. So add it once, and you’re done!

You can do this for as many people and special occasions as you have each year! As a bonus, you will get reminder emails leading up to the big day. All of this is available to all users for free.

When you are ready to find a gift, you can purchase a one-time gift service or an unlimited membership. You will then be connected directly with your gift assistant who will ask you a few quick questions about the occasion. Your gift assistant will hand-picked and curate a list of gift suggestions, which will be live in your Emblem within 24 hours!

 today to put all of your friends and family’s special occasions in one place!

September, the Unexpected Gifting Month

Have you ever thought, ‘they just aren’t a great gifter’? Or maybe you even feel that way about yourself! We want to make something clear — everyone can be a bad gifter at times. And conversely, everyone has the chance to be a great gifter!

In our analysis we have come up with 5 archetypes of bad gifters, that everyone can relate to:

There is a natural thought process that says, if I spend a bit more, it will be a better gift! But more money doesn’t always mean a better gift. Actually, spending a lot of money on a gift could make the recipient uncomfortable, especially if it’s something they might rarely use. For example, really expensive steak knives received by someone who never eats steak.

This is probably the most common! A projector buys a gift that they wish the recipient would wear/use/have, without any evidence that the recipient is interested in. Wanting the best for others is human nature. However, dedicating a whole birthday gift to what we want for that person, might miss the mark. For example, yoga and meditation accessories for someone who is not interested in that form or wellness (no matter how many times you have explained the benefits!).

This one is a more specific type of number 2. The Fixer is someone who uses a gift as the opportunity to replace something the recipient has, that they think is too old or broken. This might be coming from the best of intentions, but if the recipient hasn’t mentioned it, then they probably don’t want a new one! For example, a brand new coffee machine, when the person loves their current one — even if its a few years old.

Another one, I am sure we are all guilty of is simply waiting until the last minute. We think the real shame in this scenario is that usually, the gifter has to resort to something that delivers quickly, which often means missing out on personalisation or supporting a smaller business. For example, gabbing a kindle off Amazon Prime, because you only have 24 hours!

And finally, something to always ask yourself, “is this gift a burden”? Some gifts can actually become more trouble and work than they are worth. For example a plant. Plants require constant care and attention. Even if people like plants, they might not be up for another one!

Don’t worry if you read this and thought, “oh yeah, I do that sometimes!”. It’s completely normal. But maybe you can now be a little more aware of these and try to focus on what the recipient really loves and what would truly spark joy in them. A gift is a beautiful opportunity to say “I see you for who you are!” and we love helping others seize that opportunity.

If you are currently feeling an intimidated by a gift you need to buy or simply do not have the time, then connect with 

. We are your modern gift concierge here to keep you organised and inspired for all special occasions!

5 ‘Bad Gifter’ Archetypes (Everyone Can See Themselves In)

As some of our cities start to open back up and we all crave a change of scenery, many of us find ourselves heading to see friends and family. It will be so nice to visit our loved ones! But if you have ever been the host to a house guest (or multiple houseguests) you will know that no matter how much you love them or they love you, houseguests take effort.

A thank you gift is the perfect way to acknowledge that effort and show your appreciation. However, it is important to note that ‘thank you’ gifts require some thought and consideration.

A ‘thank you’ gift must maintain a delicate balance of feeling momentous enough to delight the person you are thanking, but modest enough, so the person doesn’t feel ‘over-thanked’.

For example — let’s say you are going to stay with a friend for a few days. This is a kind gesture that will save you a night or two at a hotel or airbnb. But in buying a thank you gift that is really expensive, you would actually cancel out a lot of the value in the gesture your friend extended to you!

So in this case, don’t worry about splashing out too much cash — it’s all about the details and the thought behind this gift. Here are some ways to nail the ‘thanks for having me!’ gift.

Take note of something that could make their life a little easier.

 — these often go missing in households and the chords can be a nightmare.

A niche cooking appliance that might save some time in the kitchen — have you ever seen a 

 for water and a nice added touch to any room.

See what brand of candles they use — buy the next one or two for them.

Take note of their favorite foods — send them some hometown favorites through 

Take note of their favorite coffee — you will probably be able to find it or something similar 

Was it good quality time that you could commemorate?

Take your favorite photo from your time together — 

Send a book about something you discussed or a shared interest — shop from a local bookstore as an added bonus!

Get them a certificate to go back to an amazing restaurant you went to together.

Buy them something that you thought needed upgrading, but they still love and use.

Do not buy them anything that takes up too much space or doesn’t have an obvious place in their home.

Do not them anything that is completely opposite to their personal style. This i not the time to take risks!

If they have kids, do not buy something for the kids that is going to take a lot of maintenance and effort from the parents. (See below)

Your Modern Gift Concierge

Great gifts, just
for them

Never miss a special occasion

Discover our Values

Who do you need a gift for?

Family

Friend

Colleague

From our members

Your Modern Gift Concierge

Great gifts, just for them

Never miss a special occasion

Discover our Values

Who do you need a gift for?

Family

Friend

Colleague

From our members

Great gifts, just
for them