Alumni Shopping for Presents? Check Out Our 2024 Holiday Marketplace! Stories You May Like Big Red Books, Perfect for Gifting Cookbooks by Cornellians: Ideas for Tasteful (and Tasty!) Holiday Gifts Candy Jars to a Doggie ‘Diploma’: Our Cornell Store Gift Guide Support your fellow alumni—and find great gifts—with our first annual showcase of Cornellian-owned online retailers By Cornellians Staff With the holiday shopping season approaching, we got to work compiling a list of alumni-owned retailers that carry products suitable for gift giving. Some had appeared in past coverage on our site, while others—say, Harney Tea and Junior's Cheesecake—are well known the Big Red community and beyond. We also put out the call for alumni interested in having their retail businesses listed in our inaugural gift guide—and in short, we were blown away. We shouldn’t have been surprised by the robust entrepreneurs thriving among Cornellians, but the response was nevertheless both impressive and thrilling. The following are dozens of online retail outlets owned and operated by your fellow alumni (and in a few cases, faculty or current students). There are tasty treats, stocking stuffers, works of art, heirloom jewelry, clothing, accessories, and much more. Happy shopping! Jump to: Food • Beverages • Health & Wellness • Apparel • Jewelry & Accessories • Fragrances, Cosmetics & Personal Care • Art, Photography & Paper Goods • Furniture & Home Goods • Pets & Nature • Gifts & Toys Note: Each retailer’s heading is a hyperlink to its website or sales portal. Some sellers have opted to provide a Cornellians discount code, which appears at the end of its listing. Food SusieCakes Baked Goods Susan Sarich ’91 Made from scratch, these baked treats start with traditional core ingredients: butter, flour, sugar, and eggs. The wide variety of products includes the bestselling Vanilla Celebration (a six-layer tower of rainbow confetti cake with buttercream icing) as well as red velvet and classic marble. Dang Coconut Snacks Vincent Kitirattragarn ’06, MEng ’07 The chips are made from toasted coconut meat and come in flavors such as chocolate sea salt, caramel sea salt, tropical mango, lightly salted, and original. The company’s snacks—which also include bars—are gluten free and keto-friendly, and the coconuts are sourced from family farms in Thailand. Jamie’s Farm Granola Jamie Kim ’19 Originally started on the Hill and sold at pop-up markets, these granolas are made in small batches using ghee, honey, oats, nuts, and seeds to make the base. Flavors include vanilla bean with sour cherries, chai streusel with honey, and maple pecan with sea salt. Whipnotic Flavored Whipped Cream Tracy Luckow ’99 & Lori Luckow Gitomer ’01 A classic treat with a twist, Whipnotic’s whipped creams come in flavors such as brownie batter, strawberry, peach mango, and seasonal offerings like peppermint mocha and apple crisp. Each two-tablespoon serving has 15 calories and one gram each of sugar and carbohydrate with no high-fructose corn syrup. Jack & Friends Vegan Jerky Jessica Kwong ’18 The company offers a vegan spin on beef jerky that is made from shredded jackfruit, a food popular in Southeast Asia that has a neutral flavor, meaty texture, and absorbency that makes it great for adding seasonings. The snack comes in three varieties: ginger teriyaki, sweet barbeque, and tomato and poblano pepper. Tazzy Candy Delia Hughes ’14, MBA ’20 & Lindsay Simon ’14 The company’s cookie bites are made with Belgian chocolate and come in cinnamon snickerdoodle with white chocolate or peanut butter with milk chocolate. Its hard candies, which contain just six ingredients, come in lemon and watermelon. Smiley Cookies Jeff Broadhurst ’91 These brightly decorated sugar cookies come in a wide variety of styles, including for many holidays. The company also offers customization options for businesses, events, and more. Hernán Mexican Foods & Cookware Isela Hernandez ’95 This specialty brand focuses on authentic Mexican flavors and a variety of artisanal products like cookware, kitchen tools, and serveware. Each item is crafted in Mexico, showcasing the country’s culinary culture. Discount code: CornellDisc15. New Leaf Tree Syrups Michael Farrell, PhD ’13 The company—cofounded by Farrell, the former director of Cornell’s maple research program—specializes in artisanal tree syrups (including unusual varieties, like birch). Its goals include protecting the environment through sustainable harvesting. A “syrup quiz” helps you decide which products fit your taste. Boichik Bagels Emily Winston ’00 Made in the San Francisco Bay Area, these New York-style bagels (plus bialys) come in traditional flavors like everything, sesame, and cinnamon raisin. They ship nationwide in packs of one, two, or three dozen and are kosher and peanut-free. House of Mana Up Gift Baskets Meli James ’00 This retail platform supports small businesses and entrepreneurs in Hawaii while providing authentic products from the Islands nationwide. It offers gift baskets with a wide array of items from Hawaiian makers and artisans like food and pantry staples, health and beauty products, and more. Bake Me Healthy Mixes Kimberle Lau ’01 The company specializes in healthy dessert mixes that are plant based, high in protein, and low in sugar while also being gluten-free, vegan, and top-9 allergen free. Products include banana bread muffins, dark chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and oatmeal pancakes. The mixes are ready to bake in under three minutes by adding oil and water or milk. Beyond baking mixes, other products include ready-to-eat treats such as the recently launched soft-baked dark chocolate chip cookies. Discount code: CORNELL20. Peaceful Fruits Candy Evan Delahanty ’07 The brand comprises all-natural, gluten free candies that contain 100% fruit with no added sweeteners or artificial ingredients. Their products come in unique options like fruit stickers, tapes, and dots in flavors such as watermelon raspberry, sour cherry, green apple, strawberry, blueberry, and banana. Discount code: LUV15. Junior’s Cheesecake Alan Rosen ’91 Junior’s has been a beloved New York dessert staple since its founding in Brooklyn in 1950, famous for its rich and creamy New York-style cheesecakes. The wide array of flavors include raspberry, strawberry, pumpkin, pineapple, and devil's food. Mudge Fudge Samantha Kirsch ’18 These gluten-free and vegan treats come in classic flavors such as peanut butter chocolate and cookies and cream—plus more unusual ones like chai spice, cardamom pistachio rose, and funfetti. A related cookbook even features some pet-friendly recipes. Beverages Harney Teas Michael Harney ’77 This multi-generation Cornellian company is a leading purveyor of high-quality teas—including oolong, black, organic, white, green, matcha, herbal, and decaf. It offers holiday gift sets and samplers to try options like organic ginger turmeric, raspberry, and dragon pearl jasmine. Saxbys Coffee Nick Bayer ’00 The chain has an unusual business model: its more than two dozen stores are run completely by students at local colleges and universities. Products available from its online store include single-serve packets for steeping. Berri Organics Beverages Jerome Tse ’13 These plant-based, organic drinks are packed with electrolytes and contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Flavors include dragon fruit, tropical punch, mango, and acai berry, and sampler packs are available. Fruitations Mixers Allison Goldberg ’88, BS ’89 Fruitations offers all-natural fruit mixers designed to elevate drinks with flavors including cranberry, tangerine, grapefruit, cherry, and ginger. Made with real fruit and simple ingredients like cane sugar and water, these mixers can be used in cocktails, mocktails, sodas, or any beverage in need of a flavorful boost. Smart Cups Beverages Chris Kanik ’05 The company’s innovative technology prints flavors inside the cups. It’s proof-of-concept for a wider business aimed at reducing carbon footprints by obviating the need to ship water-laden products—from beverages to medicines and beyond. These energy drinks come in flavors such as raspberry lemonade, tropical punch, green tea, and lemon. Tinker Coffee Co. Stephen Hall ’06 This specialty coffee roaster sources and roasts high-quality beans from around the world, including Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil, and Nicaragua. It partners directly with farmers to ensure fair practices and ethical sourcing. L’Uva Bella Winery Marisa Sergi-Schumann ’15 The company produces a variety of wines and juices. Offerings include a reserve brand with bourbon-barrel-aged Pinot Noir, Merlot, and more, as well as lines with fruitier options like blackberry wine and sangria. Sovi Non-alcoholic Wines Julia Eklund Littauer, MBA ’20 & Alexander Littauer, MBA ’20 Sovi caters to people seeking the taste of a fine wine without the alcohol. Their product line includes a red and sparkling rosé made with California-grown grapes and de-alcoholized to retain flavor and aroma. Health & Wellness Potential Power Nutrition Supplements Mary Dellavalle Balliett ’76, Brendon Horigan ’17 & Elizabeth Freeman Omeltchenko ’17 This supplement company makes products like a vitamin-filled chocolate shake that can act as a low-calorie meal replacement. Their offerings are hypoallergenic, vegan, and safe for diabetics. Coupon code: Cornell10. Modern Dose Drink Mixes Catherine Zhu ’18 These all-natural drink mixes are aimed at improving sleep quality, lowering stress levels, supporting joint health, and more. An online quiz helps customers choose which mix best meets their goals. Discount code: CORNELL15. LogicMark Safety Devices Chia-Lin Simmons, MBA ’02 These personal devices are designed to help older adults and others stay safe while retaining independence. The products include such features as fall detection, geofencing, and communication with emergency services at the touch of a button. CheeZheng Himalaya Miao He, MPS ’20 The company produces a range of wellness products rooted in traditional Tibetan medicine by using natural ingredients combined with modern scientific approaches. Offerings include topical balms, oils, and supplements aimed at supporting joint health, muscle recovery, and overall vitality. Discount code: CornellBigRed. Seen Nutritional Supplements Adrienne Bitar (lecturer and former postdoc) These chewy supplements are designed for women over 40 who have higher daily calcium requirements due to increased risk of bone loss. The chews—which taste like caramels but contain no added sugar—provide 500 mg of calcium and six minerals to strengthen and protect bones. Soul Tara Asmi Shah ’05 The wellness company—whose founder grew up in a Gujarati Jain household—carries products that help one grow and heal. Its offerings include handcrafted aura sprays, infused bath salts, and a mindfulness journal that encourages clarity, confidence, and peace. Discount code: Cornell15. Soulo Nail Trimmers Jialin Ke ’20 & Joshua Zhu ’20 The classmates patented a long-handled toenail filer designed for seniors, people with disabilities, or anyone who has difficulty reaching their feet. It has a detachable extension arm, dual speeds, and interchangeable filing tips. Discount code: gobigred. Apparel Harper Wilde Jenna Kerner Barnes ’11 Widely praised in the media, the brand offers comfortable, high-quality bras, underwear, sleepwear, and activewear for a variety of body types. Its top-selling Bliss line comprises nine styles of bralettes and underwear that are made of an ultra-soft microfiber. Discount code: ALUMNI15. Ithaca Sheepskin Mark Leonard ’97 & Jessica Leonard ’12 This Ithaca-based business crafts handmade sheepskin products like slippers, hats, mittens, and earmuffs. It also offers a special Big Red collection with several items in brightly colored versions. CourtMerch Pickleball Gear Amy Gilett, MBA ’99 Pickleball is all the rage nationwide—and this company offers apparel to outfit the sport’s ever-growing fan base. Items include pieces with fun graphics and catchy slogans, a holiday collection, and the option to create customized team gear. Birdies Shoes Marisa Sharkey ’97 Combining the style of designer shoes with the comfort of slippers, this brand offers a collection of women’s footwear that includes flats, slides, and loafers. Each shoe is designed with seven layers of comfort, including memory foam cushioning. Wool & Prince Menswear Mac Bishop ’11 Specializing in merino wool apparel, this brand offers men’s clothing designed for comfort, durability, and ease of care; due to the fabric’s odor-resistance and breathability, it can be worn for weeks without washing. Products include button-downs, T-shirts, pants, and accessories. Wool& Womenswear Mac Bishop ’11 A sister company to Wool & Price, it makes womenswear including dresses, tops, and leggings, all made from merino wool. Like Wool & Prince, it offers a “100-day challenge” in which customers who document wearing a single garment for 100 days are rewarded with a gift card. Stories You May Like Big Red Books, Perfect for Gifting Cookbooks by Cornellians: Ideas for Tasteful (and Tasty!) Holiday Gifts Reunited Apparel Terrance Caldwell ’25, BS ’24 This Christian clothing brand, recently founded by a young alum, has launched with a T-shirt bearing an inspirational saying on the back. The company donates a quarter of its profits to charitable causes. Sense-ational You Sensory-Friendly Apparel Julia DeNey ’20 The brand specializes in clothing and accessories that address special sensory needs. Some items reduce light or sound, while others compress the body or offer a way to block out other input. While most of the clothing is for children, a sweatshirt with a flip-down eye mask is offered in adult sizing. Proto101 Clothing Liyin Kok ’04 This clothing collection—made through eco-friendly means, with durability and comfort in mind—is designed for everyday wear. With offerings for men and women, the T-shirts, hoodies, pants, and other pieces have a minimalist ethos. For every garment sold, the company plants a tree. Sofitlé Lingerie Fiona Zheng ’24, BS ’23, MPS ’23 This upscale lingerie line includes bra and panty sets as well as bustiers, garter belts, and thongs. Some are suitable for everyday wear, while others are “special occasion” items for the boudoir. Discount code: GOBIGRED25. Jewelry & Accessories Katie Bartels Jewelry Katie Bartels ’06 This finely crafted jewelry features eye-catching designs, bright colors, and such gemstones as amethyst, turquoise, and rose quartz. Some designs are inspired by Bartels’s travels to such locales as India, Morocco, and Cuba. Discount code: Katie20. Emily Kuvin Jewelry Emily Mathes Kuvin ’86, JD ’95 This high-end line features earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets, primarily in yellow or white gold with diamonds and other gems. The signature design is the unique “Kapow!”—whose jagged star shape evokes pop art and comic books. Discount code: CORNELL15. Dauphines of New York Hair Accessories Summer Rej ’06 These luxury hair accessories provide bling at those glittery holiday parties, as well as other occasions like weddings. There are silver- and gold-plated bobby pins, barrettes, headbands, and tiaras with colored crystals in various designs. Discount code: CORNELL. Boundary Layer Studio Mattison Crowe ’94, MBA ’00 These high-end watch straps and accessories are made from materials like merino wool and leather. Products for luxury watch fanciers include storage boxes and travel pouches. Discount code: EZRA10. Iris Glass Design Iris Figarsky Litt-Vaughan ’61 The brand specializes in handcrafted pieces of glass art and jewelry such as pendants, earrings, and more. Litt-Vaughan also accepts commissions to create customized pieces. Teqnizan Earbuds Rama Prasad, PhD ’97 These novel earbuds are tiny speakers that connect to your phone or other device and are worn like earrings—creating an elegant look while taking phone calls or listening to music. Discount code: CORNELL20. Charmco Jewelry Lisa Feldkamp ’94 This high-end brand offers personalized jewelry with charms that let wearers customize pieces to reflect their personality. Shapes include letters, zodiac signs, animals, graduation caps, palm trees, cowboy boots, bikes, seashells, and much more. Creations by Ewurabina Jewelry Margaret Maison ’21, MPH ’23 This Etsy shop offers colorful, African-made beaded jewelry—primarily bracelets and necklaces. These statement pieces are made from crystals, glass beads, and more. Birdie Blue Bags Kate Cornell Harvey ’03 This sustainable, women-owned and -operated business turns castoff ski and snowboard gear into upcycled, sustainably created accessories. Products include tote bags, fanny packs, travel bags, organizers, and more. Discount code: Cornell15. Jelynne Bags Jelynne Jardiniano Morse ’02, BS ’15 Made from natural materials, these bags are crocheted by hand from Madagascan raffia. Style options include belt, bucket, and cross-body bags as well as travel backpacks. Nunchi Jewelry Jane Park Dua ’10 This jewelry and accessory brand boasts bold designs inspired by Korean culture. Made from a range of materials including gold, silver, and brass, there’s a wide selection of necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets, waist chains, and more. Fragrances, Cosmetics & Personal Care Scrub Be Love Sponges Dominique Pastorello ’07 The cleaning products company specializes in eco-friendly sponges that can replace single-use and disposable products. The sponges, some featuring a cut-out-heart design, are made from sustainable materials like coconut coir and cellulose. Wander Beauty Divya Gugnani ’98 This extensive makeup and skincare line caters to busy people who need products that are quick and easy to use. It includes individual items as well as sets and bundles, including eye and face palettes that contain four eyeshadow shades, a highlighter, blush, and bronzer. Foope Fragrances Femi Oloruntoba, MBA ’18 These fragrances and scented candles are designed to be unisex. The whimsically named offerings include Cherry Wonderland, Grunge Rock Tuberose, and Girl Time. A scent quiz helps you decide which best suits you. 5 Sens Fragrances Divya Gugnani ’98 These vegan and cruelty-free perfumes are aimed at creating a layered sensory experience with of notes including Tahitian vanilla, sparkling sugar, musk, blackcurrant, peach blossom, saffron, jasmine, and many more. Shoppers can build their own bundle to try multiple fragrances at once. Discount code: CORNELL20. Art, Photography & Paper Goods Plum Print Custom Books Meg Feury Ragland ’94 This company lets customers preserve memories by transforming photos, artwork, family recipes, mementos, and more into a custom-printed book. The process can be completed in as little as two to four weeks. Discount code (on initial deposit): CORNELL. YS Notes Greeting Cards Ingrid Su ’10 This card and stationery business specializes in unique designs combining art, textures, and text. Made of high-quality paper, they also feature themed collections geared toward groups like mothers and music lovers. Art by Anna Effenberger Anna Effenberger ’22 The New York-based artist creates detailed pieces in such media as pen, charcoal, colored pencil, and acrylic. She also accepts commissions. HeyBamboo Paper Products Joslyn Tacorda Faust, MBA ’02 Since bamboo grows 16 times faster than trees—and keeps growing even after being cut—it’s highly sustainable. This company makes bamboo-based toilet paper and paper towels that are durable, strong, soft, and chemical free. Discount code: CORNELL15. Conversation Art Pieces Donald McNerney ’88, BA ’91 Nature themes dominate in these art prints and greeting cards. There are dogs, meerkats, elephants, birds, kangaroos, and other animals—plus beaches, sunsets, seascapes, and more. Art by Lauren Knollmeyer Lauren Downing Knollmeyer ’09 The Engineering alum is a Seattle-based artist who does both portraits and landscapes. In addition to commissioned work, she sells prints of her landscapes in varying sizes. Discount code: CORNELL10. Artwork by Tiny Toes Design Brett Blumenthal ’95, BArch ’66, MBA ’04 Blumenthal creates watercolors, many of them on natural themes, with some designs offered with inspirational sayings. Categories include dinosaurs, animal families, space, fairytales, and more. Discount code: CORNELL15. Furniture & Home Goods Rarify Jeremy Bilotti ’17, BArch ’18 & David Rosenwasser ’17, BArch ’18 This designer-led marketplace carries investment-quality furniture and lighting. Its ever-evolving inventory includes seating, storage, tables, lighting, rugs, and more from unique and niche makers in Europe and the U.S. FELCO Tools Ryan Amberg ’13 The multi-generation family firm, founded in 1945, is a global leader in precision cutting tools, specializing in pruners, loppers, gardening tools, power tools, and more for both professional and personal use. Their products are Swiss-made and crafted with high-quality materials. Discount code: CornellWinter10 Pets & Nature Shinie Smooch Dog Treats Lauren McEnery ’04, MBA ’10 These natural and gluten-free treats are meant to curb “dog breath” and support healthy teeth and gums. These beef flavored snacks come in packs of five and include ingredients like coconut oil, baking soda, and rosemary extract. Discount code: BigRed24. Brutus Broth Dog Food Kim Moffitt Hehir ’94 The company started with a bone broth intended to enhance canine nutrition and make kibble more tempting. It has since expanded to include treats, sachets of "broth on the go," a doggie cookbook, and more. Discount code: Cornell. Wild Birds Unlimited Ithaca Lorraine DeLorenzo Treacy ’81 & Dave Treacy ’81, MEng ’82 The outpost of the popular bird supply store at Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology is run by an alumni couple. It carries a wide variety of avian-themed items in addition to supplies like feeders and seeds including puzzles, jewelry, home décor, and stuffed animals. Gifts & Toys XOX! Games Tyler Etzel Jr. ’78 This colorful game is similar to tic-tac-toe—except the board is bigger and it involves the awarding of points. The board is intended to reside on a table top as a piece of statement art. Discount code: CORNELL. Yard Games World Matthew Grear, MHA ’17 Grear is a record-setting cornhole player and expert on yard games. His online store sells classic and unique games—as well as his book, The World’s Greatest Backyard Games, which covers pastimes from bocce and badminton to less familiar ones from around the world. Discount code (applies only to book): Cornell10. Barrick Design Candles Rick Faulkner, MBA ’79 These contemporary candles are as much sculpture as they are sources of light. They come in a teardrop shape in a variety of sizes and colors. Runbell Safety Gear Kevin Nadolny ’04 Runners and walkers are the target audience for these products designed to enhance safety. The collection includes a bright light for nighttime outings as well as a brass bell worn on the finger to signal presence in crowded or busy environments. Discount code: Cornell20. Booklit Candles Eric Espinel, MBA ’21 These candles are inspired by classic literature, blending fragrance with storytelling. They’re based on books including Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, The Great Gatsby, and Pride and Prejudice. A portion of sales supports mental health initiatives. Archivd Gifts Andria Cao ’27 This Etsy shop run by a current student sells vintage-inspired shirts, sweatshirts, bags, stickers, and phone cases in a variety of whimsical designs. Offerings include items inspired by animals, anime, and more. Cao also accepts custom orders. (Top: Illustration by Caitlin Cook / Cornell University. All product images provided.) Published November 15, 2024 Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. 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