My Big Fat Cuban Christmas Gift Guide 2019

{Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. The following businesses I’m promoting happen to be owned by excellent people that I know and trust.}

I like to shop online. I do. If I can order something from the comfort of my own home, I do it.

Picture me in my pj’s with my cafecito in one hand and a list in the other and I’m off. (Actually, please don’t picture me in my pj’s at all. Sorry for the over-share.)

But anyway, I love finding funky and different items for my people. And can I tell you that there’s no better way to win Christmas – if that’s your goal, which of course it’s not, because you’re not weirdly competitive that way like I am, but that’s not important right now – than to find an item for your Cuban family that is SUPER CUBAN.

That’s how I compile My Big Fat Cuban Christmas Gift Guide every year. 1) I find Cuban businesses that I buy from myself and I give them love. 2) I share the love with you. It’s a simple formula. And it works.

I know there are many of you out there with Cubans in your life (lucky you!). I promise that this gift guide contains every thing a Cuban will love. Hear me now and believe me later.

Another disclaimer: I know it’s late in December to order online from anyone but Amazon, but I hope you’ll bookmark this post so that you can have this list for your Cuban gift-giving needs all year round.

Here’s My Big Fat Cuban Christmas Gift Guide in no particular order. Pa’lante y con fe.

HABANA BRAND CLOTHING

My friends, Roland and Lucy Vega own Habana Brand Clothing. Please visit their site and get super inspired in your Cubanity. This is one of their latest designs – the men’s camp shirt. Isn’t it just gorgeous? Don’t be surprised if you see some of the Darby men in this design very soon. (Shh!)

Please appreciate how much we love them and particularly their hats from when my kids did this spot for them. We would encourage all of you to please EMBRACE YOUR CUBANITY.

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MARTHA OF MIAMI

Very soon I’ll write about my recent (I just got home a few days ago) visit to Miami and how I got to meet the infamous Martha (or as I like to call her My East Coast Tocaya) of Martha of Miami and spend time in her Tiendecita. But today, let me just point you in the direction of her online store. She is always having deals, so please also sign up for her newsletter. 

This was indeed a MarthaPalooza!

My particular favorite and probably her very best seller is the genius Cuban Bred shirt. If you’re Cuban, you totally get it.

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HAVANA 78 ARTISAN SOAP CO.

I had the pleasure (again, on my recent trip to Miami that I’ve written nothing about) to meet Sarai, the brains behind Havana 78 Artisan Soap Co.

As I sit here typing, I’m also enjoying the scent from her collection of Cuban inspired soaps. (Please also appreciate that I am weirdly attached to the scent of her soaps because I have some here in my office and not in the bath where soap belongs, but that’s not important right now either.)

Visit her site and believe me when I tell you, she is the REAL DEAL CUBANASA.

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JENNY LORENZO MERCH

I know you know my friend, Jenny Lorenzo. She is the epitome of Cuban comedy. Particularly with her Abuela persona.

She has an awesome line of tee-shirts that I am loving right now that you can find over at Jenny Lorenzo Merch. GUAO is right! 

I’m so proud to have been a part of some of her projects, particularly this one: Abuela’s 12 Days of Christmas Parody. Please appreciate that my son Jon and I come in about halfway through. (I’m the one handing out cocotasos, but also, I made the maduros, so there’s that.)

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ABUELA MAMI

On my recent trip to Miami (which I’ll obviously reference every chance I get) I had the pleasure of meeting Kiki and Humby Valdes. They are the faces of Abuela Mami Miami Subscription Boxes.

If you live somewhere where Cuban food is not readily available, the subscription box gets delivered directly to your door. Isn’t that genius??

Cuban food at your door? I’m all in for that!

They also have a delicious line of coffee, which I recently had the pleasure to enjoy.

If you live in the “exilio del exilio” like I do, you will love having a little piece of home come to you every month. An excellent gift for your college student or friend who has moved away from La Saguesera.

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ALBISA CANDLES

Have you heard about the Cuban Bread Candle from Albisa Candles? I discovered it pretty recently and IT SMELLS EXACTLY LIKE A FRESH LOAF OF CUBAN BREAD, PEOPLE!

(Sorry for yelling, but you know… I’m Cuban.)

I know you don’t believe me. But seriously, it’s true.

Albisa Candles have created a little piece of home (and my heart) with this delicious smelling alchemy. 

I have already purchased a few to amaze my family. Don’t take my word for it, see what the Miami Herald says about it. (Well, okay, the Miami Herald quoted me in their article, but that’s not important right now, either.)

They have lots of other delicious scented candles and body balms and wax melts. You’ll just have to test them for yourself. Go visit their site and follow them on Instagram. You can thank me later. 

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MADE UNLIMITED

Every year I think, “Where did I see those great Ugly Cuban Christmas tee-shirts?” And this year I reached out to Made Unlimited and told them how much I love their shirts. I’m super grateful to them for my newest favorite tee-shirt, The Noche Buena shirt. I am proudly wearing it everywhere this holiday season.

I don’t care what time of year it is. YOU NEED THIS SHIRT.

I’m already starting to plan to dress all the Darbys in these wonderful shirts next year. Everyone in your family will need these. Even your Tia Cuca.

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SANTAYANA JEWELERS

I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you that Santayana Jewelers is The Best, Most Cuban Jewelery Story In All Of Miami.

On my recent trip to Miami (“is she going to talk about that AGAIN?”) I had the awesome opportunity to visit Santayana Jewelers and see how they make their gorgeous jewelry and I was super impressed. They not only have the finest jewelry you will ever want, they’re also the home of the famous Cafetera Ring. 

It also happens that the Miami Herald picked up the story of the Cafetera Ring after I had mentioned it, but that’s not important right now either. According to my friend, Elena Santayana, they’ve already had a few proposals with the ring. Go figure!  Here’s that story –  “How to Get A Cuban Girl to Marry You.”

I came away from this visit with a MBFCF Bracelet Starter Set, complete with arroz con pollo, pastelito, and colada charms to fit any Pandora bracelet. That’s so me, isn’t it?

Of course, they have tons of other gorgeous pieces, including this beautiful Vintage Caridad del Cobre Necklace. 

I promise you’ll find something for everyone you love at Santayana.

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GUAVETTE’S WONDERLAND

I very recently became aware of Guavette’s Wonderland through Instagram and I fell in love with her stuff. Please visit her online shop and spend some time checking out her merch. (Also, check them out from one of my October giveaways) My personal favorite is the Dale, Bro shirt. It’s sooo Miami, isn’t it?

Go check out her online shop and follow her on Instagram. Who knows? You might just become friends with her, too.

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PIN PAN PUN

Tell me you’ve seen the Pin Pan Pun Books! They are full of Cubanisms that only those of us who were raised with Cuban crazy understand. She has 2 volumes now of this fabulous Cubanity with the most adorable artwork ever.

You want some hilarious Cuban dichos? Pin Pan Pun delivers.

And just when I thought I couldn’t love this shop more, here comes Pin Pan Pun Volume 2. Subiendo El Volumen. 

Seriously, check out her site. Go. And love.

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PERO LET ME TELL YOU SHOP

If you recall I was a guest on a podcast last year called “Pero Let Me Tell You.” They are the most Miami of the Miami podcasts out there, and I was thrilled to be interviewed by DJ & Ish.

Consequently, they were my “handlers” on this last trip to Miami. (“She’s not going to stop talking about Miami, is she?”) 

I’m thrilled to announce that they’ve just launched a new line of very Cuban tees in their new Pero Let Me Tell You SHOP.  GUAT?!

You know you need this Lechon Life Shirt to really rep your Cubanity at Christmastime. Am I right? (I KNOW I’m right.)

And then, there’s the definition of  El Sereno. “Mystical killer dew affecting Latinos, mostly Caribbean. Usually targeting children under the age of 3 after Dusk. Symptoms include: dolor de cabeza, sneezing, coughing y pneumonia. In dramatic cases leads to DEATH!” 

This definition of El Sereno pretty much sums up every Cuban mother’s greatest fear. Because we’re not dramatic people, or anything. *rolls eyes really hard*

Personal Note: It doesn’t affect California Cubans as much as Florida Cubans, but isn’t that the way of the world? 

Also, please go listen to their Pero Let Me Tell You Podcast. It will enhance your commute by 1000%. (Shut up. I’m not being dramatic.)

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CASSAVA BATH AND BODY

I stumbled onto Cassava’s products online and knew I had to take a look at what she had to offer. I was not disappointed.

Also inspired by her Cuban roots, she designed a line of scented soaps, salves, body butter, scrubs, and more, that will make you close your eyes and think you’re back in Pinar del Rio.

Cassava Handcrafted Bath and Body Collections are what you want to be finding in your stockingon  El Dia De Los Reyes. 

Go check them out. Tell her Marta sent you! 

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PORTOS BAKE AT HOME

I know I mentioned having Cuban goodies delivered to your door before, but Porto’s Bake at Home takes that concept to a new level with their Bake at Home boxes.

I wrote about them here and here. 

I made these beauties in my own kitchen. Can you stand it?? 

If you want someone to sing your praises, loudly, send them a couple of boxes of Bake at Home Refugiados or Potato Balls. You’re welcome.

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HOMEMADE CREMA DE VIE

And if you’re getting right down to the “ultimitica hora,” why not make a quick batch of homemade crema de vie. I’ve included the recipe in this post – “Crema de Vie – A Cuban Family Tradition.”

And my daughter, Lucy created some gorgeous labels that you can download for free and print at home. Voilá! Instant awesome Cuban Christmas gift!

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I hope I’ve given you some good Cuban gift ideas. I want to repeat that this post was not sponsored in any way. These folks are all my friends and I love everything they’re doing.

Please support these fabulous Cuban entrepreneurs and give them all the best Cuban love you’ve got. And seriously, keep all of them in mind year round.

You should probably bookmark this post. Por si las moscas. 

Feliz Navidad, mi gente! Oh, The Cubanity!

You might also like:

My Big Fat Cuban Christmas Gift Guide 2017 My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Cubiche Christmas Gift Guide The Smart Cuban’s Christmas Gift Guide Marta’s Christmas Gift Guide #2 – It’s all about the image