JOHN & JACKIE is a curated gift box company founded by Victoria Nguyen, alongside Creative Director, Partner in Crime and Travel Bestie Christina Nguyen – two sisters, who wanted to make the gift giving process unique and sustainable. Inspired by their passion to help others and give back, their online shop provides gift boxes for men and women for any reason or season such as weddings, bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts, birthdays, and corporate gifting.
IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING, JOHN & JACKIE DEDICATES 10% OF PURCHASES OF GIFT BOXES TO ASSISTING UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN ACROSS THE WORLD.
Their website allows you to select from themed, pre-packed boxes for specific occasions or create a one-of-a-kind gift by building your own box with items in their product market, selecting your ribbon color, and personalizing a complimentary card. In the spirit of giving, JOHN & JACKIE also dedicates 10% of purchases of gift boxes to assisting underprivileged children across the world, including Cambodia and Vietnam.
The brand aims to make the gift giving process pleasurable and memorable by partnering with eco-conscious brands and supporting artisans globally. They include distinctive, exceptionally crafted products in their custom gift boxes with the intention of connecting people, showcasing artisanal techniques, celebrating culture, and spreading love across borders.
Silk elephants made by artisans in Phnom Penh, Silk Island, Cambodia
Into the Wild gift box includes a hand-crafted wooden sling shot made by artisans in Siem Reap, Cambodia
On a recent trip to Cambodia, JOHN & JACKIE also gave back to the community by designing and developing branded “A Whole Lot of Heart” and “Made with Love” t-shirts that were given out to Cambodian children along with silk scarves and snacks over the course of several weeks across Siem Reap, Kampot, Sihanoukville, and Phnom Penh.
As the world, and notably Cambodia, continues to develop at a fast pace, we all have the duty to educate ourselves on how to be environmentally responsible. The company aims to be a sustainable business by not only working with environmentally conscious brands but also providing eco-friendly packaging.
Through the use of recyclable and reusable material, the gift box company is dedicated to reducing the use of excess plastic through a stylish keepsake box that can be reused for storage. They also believe that providing finely crafted, beautifully designed gift boxes that are memorable will reduce the likelihood that gifts will be thrown away and wasteful.
© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
]]>G O O D W A V E S ~ B E T T E R V I B E S
There was a saying I heard often when traveling through Panama and that was “Buena Onda,” meaning “Good Vibes” and translated more literally meaning “Good Wave.” Panama is a place centered on connection and is a prime destination for surfers catching seasonal swells, riding out coastlines for surfing meccas such as Bocas del Toro and Azuero Peninsula. The country is 2,600 miles of biologically diverse coastline and links Central America to South America. It is a remarkable destination where you can see both oceans in the same day – watching the sun rise from the Pacific and set in the Atlantic.
So NOW do you believe in magic?
Given the rich geographical and cultural diversity, unique gifts were easy to find. However, it was the stories behind the beautifully crafted souvenirs that is worth highlighting. Peep the special item JOHN & JACKIE scouted and is including in our gift box below!
W O O D S U R F B O A R D S F O R K I D S
We met a local surfer, skateboarder and artisan who set up shop along the beach and intrigued us with his one-of-a-kind items that supported a rad cause.
The “mini” wooden surfboard is made from an old skateboard and is specifically carved out from the ‘trucks’ section. Since this is the area that receives the most impact from the rider, the mini boards are designed for kids with disabilities such as autism who are not able to get on a board but still want to shred both pavement & waves! By holding on to the boards, they are transferred good energy. Profits from the unique boards go towards helping the artisan run a local surf and skateboard camp for kids.
Thank you Jose for taking the time to chat it up with us and for sharing the story behind your craft. Panama is an underrated gem and we are excited to share a little piece of the country in our gift box, all while spreading Buena Onda.
© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
]]>I S L A N D L I V I N G
So hopefully by now the Netflix special on Fyre Festival has not completely ruined your perception on what it’s like to stay on a remote island with minimal resources. If you are still recovering from the Fyre Festival story, WE ARE HERE to be your support group. Follow along with our travels to San Blas Islands – we spotlight unique textiles from the indigenous Guna people and promise your faith in humanity will be restored.
V I B E W I T H T H E G U N A T R I B E
The Guna people, formerly recognized as Kuna, are the indigenous people of Panama and Columbia. Off the Caribbean coast of Panama, the indigenous community inhabit 49 of the 300+ islands of the the Guna Yala archipelago (also known as San Blas). And the islands. are. stunning.
The white sand islands are scattered across turquoise blue waters and covered in dense green palm trees. Guna Yala is a completely autonomous territory with the people living in similar ways to their ancestors – in small wooden shacks, hammocks as one of few furnishings, and small, dug out wooden canoes as the primary means of travel.
L E T ‘ S T A L K A B O U T W O M E N
As visitors, we very quickly got the sense that the Guna people held women in high regard, with women holding powerful positions as the main decision makers and property owners. There is also a great tolerance for gender fluidity, where boys may choose to be Omeggid which means, ‘like a woman.’ If this is the path they choose, the family naturally accepts and allows them to work and act like other women in the community.
Our daily meals of fried fish and fresh seafood, petacones (fried green plantains), and coconut rice were prepared with care by the strong Guna women. We also had the opportunity to intently observe as the Omeggids masterfully crafted detailed molas.
M O L A S
Molas are the single most distinguishing part of the Guna culture. Meaning “clothing”, molas are bright, colorful textiles that are made from intricate needlework and used to make the blouses of the Guna women’s traditional dress. Paired with a mola blouse, the full national dress include a wrapped skirt, yellow and red headscarf, arm and leg beads, gold nose ring and earrings.
Although popular on clothing, the panels are also sewn as kitchen mats, children’s play masks, and wallets. Common patterns in the textile art include animals such as birds and geometric designs believed to offer protection from evil.
Thank you to the Guna people for the hospitality and warm meals during our stay on the islands. Their sense of community strongly resonated with us and we are proud to highlight their rich culture through molas in our gift boxes, celebrating both girls and boys, tolerance and understanding.
© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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© JOHN & JACKIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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