The holidays sneak up on you, don’t they? One minute it’s Halloween candy and crunchy leaves, and the next, bam, your inbox is full of flash sales, and Mariah Carey’s defrosted again. Somewhere between “I’ll shop early this year” and “how is it December already,” we all hit that familiar panic: What do I get people I actually care about?
If you’re over the generic candle set or another coffee mug (please, no more mugs), this year might be the one where you gift something that actually means something, something that feels personal, intentional, even a little soulful.
That’s exactly what Big Raven Yoga is all about.
We don’t just make yoga mats. We make art you can move on. We make the kind of gift that lands deeply, not because it’s fancy, but because it’s thoughtful. A yoga mat that’s not just for practice, but for presence.
And in a season when the world’s spinning too fast, maybe that’s the best gift you can give.
Art You Can Move On
Let’s start with what makes these mats so different.
Most yoga mats are, well, fine. They’re usually pink, black, or some shade of teal. They roll up, they unroll, they grip the floor. But they don’t say anything. They don’t tell a story.
A Big Raven Yoga mat begins as a work of art, literally. Every single design starts with a real artist, brush or pen in hand, creating something that reflects emotion, nature, movement, and life. Some paint wildflowers in watercolor. Some draw mountains that rise out of morning fog. Others design patterns inspired by energy, rhythm, and flow.
Take Rachel Pohl, for example, whose mountain landscapes look like they were kissed by sunlight. Or Elena Brower, whose work blends art and intention with dreamlike moonlit skies. Their artwork isn’t just printed, it’s brought to life on a yoga mat, transforming your everyday practice into something deeply personal.
Each mat is printed using non-toxic, water-based inks on eco-friendly materials, no harsh chemicals, no plastic smell, no guilt. You could say they’re as kind to the planet as they are beautiful to look at.
So when you roll one out, it’s not just a mat. It’s a reminder. That you’re allowed to slow down. To breathe. To find beauty even in repetition.
Why Yoga Mats Make the Best Gifts
Here’s a little truth: people don’t remember the thing you gave them, they remember how it made them feel.
A Big Raven Yoga mat isn’t another product wrapped in shiny paper. It’s an experience waiting to happen. When someone unwraps that rolled-up bundle of color and art, it tells them, You deserve a space that’s yours. You deserve peace, creativity, joy.
And here’s the thing, yoga mats aren’t just for yoga enthusiasts.
They’re for anyone who craves quiet, who sits on the floor with their morning coffee, who needs a sacred corner for stretching, breathing, journaling, meditating, or simply existing.
It’s not just a mat. It’s a grounding spot. A portable sanctuary.
And because each one is artist-designed and made to order, no two gifts are ever the same.
The Personal Touch That Changes Everything
Customization might sound small, but in gifting, it’s everything.
At Big Raven Yoga, you can personalize your mat, add a name, an affirmation, or a quiet message on the edge. Something like “Breathe here.” or “You are loved.” or even just your recipient’s name in an elegant script.
That’s the detail that turns a lovely gift into the gift.
It’s the part where your friend unwraps it, pauses, and says, “Wait, you had this made for me?” And then they smile that kind of smile that lingers.
That’s what we call a Big Raven moment.
The Art of Gifting: Matching the Mat to the Person
Now here’s where it gets fun, because these mats aren’t one-size-fits-all. The art behind each one has a mood, a story, a little spark of personality.
Let’s play matchmaker.
For the Dreamer
If your friend is a head-in-the-clouds kind of soul, the one who doodles moons, quotes Rumi, and talks about manifesting, you can’t go wrong with designs like “Moonrise” by Elena Brower or “Emergence.” These mats whisper serenity.
For the Nature Lover
Denali Fireweed by Rachel Pohl
They hike, they garden, they’re happiest barefoot. The “Denali Fireweed” mat by Rachel Pohl or the “Autumn Paintbrush” collection is perfect. It’s like practicing yoga on the side of a mountain, without the altitude.
For the Artist
Some people create because they have to, it’s how they breathe. For them, choose something bold, colorful, and abstract. The kind of design that feels alive. Think of it as a muse disguised as a yoga mat.
For the Minimalist
Simple doesn’t mean boring. The “Painter's Floor” and “Birch Bark” designs are beautifully understated with clean lines, soft tones, just enough color to feel grounded.
For the Overworked Caregiver (maybe…you?)
This person needs to exhale. Choose a mat that feels like a sigh of relief: “Rest Easy,” “Still Waters,” or something with quiet blues and muted greens. Wrap it with a handwritten card that says, “You deserve a moment.”
Because honestly, who doesn’t?
Built for Real Practice
Let’s talk about what’s under the art.
These mats aren’t just pretty, they’re professional-grade. They’re made with a natural rubber base for stability and a microfiber suede top layer that grips better the more you sweat. So if your flow turns into a slip-and-slide halfway through Sun Salutation B, these mats have your back. Literally.
They’re also durable. Washable. Long-lasting. And heavy enough to stay flat, so no more fighting with curling corners.
It’s the kind of mat that can handle a 5 a.m. vinyasa session and an accidental nap in savasana. (We won’t tell.)
Behind the Scenes: The People Who Make It
Every mat that leaves Big Raven Yoga passes through real hands, artists, printers, packers, dreamers, people who care about making something beautiful.
At our studio in Minnesota, we print each mat to order. We don’t keep a warehouse full of inventory. We make your mat when you order it. Which means it’s printed fresh, inspected carefully, and shipped with love (and probably a few pawprints from our farm dog, Auggie).
The process matters to us because we believe gifts should feel human. You can’t automate care.
The Meaning of a Mat
Let’s zoom out for a second. Why a yoga mat? Why does this particular gift strike such a chord?
Because it’s not just a mat. It’s an invitation.
It’s a way of saying, Here’s a soft place to land.
It’s for the moments when the world feels too loud, and you need a square of stillness that’s all your own. It’s for your friend who’s healing, your mom who’s learning to rest, your coworker who’s curious about yoga but doesn’t know where to start.
It’s for the creative soul who sketches, the athlete who stretches, the woman who’s rediscovering herself after a hard year.
That’s what makes it a gift with weight, not just in rubber and ink, but in intention.
Holiday Gifting Guide: Who Will Love It Most
Still not sure who on your list would light up over a yoga mat? Let’s break it down.
1. The Dedicated Practitioner
They already practice daily. Their current mat is fraying at the edges. They know the difference between down dog and dolphin pose. For them, it’s not a hobby, it’s home. Give them a mat that honors their devotion, something stunning enough to match the spirit they bring to the mat every day.
2. The Beginner
Everyone starts somewhere. Maybe your sister or best friend mentioned wanting to “get into yoga.” A beautiful, personalized mat could be the gentle nudge that makes them actually do it. It says, “You’ve got this. I believe in you.”
3. The Stressed-Out Professional
You know the one, endless emails, little sleep, coffee IV drip. They need grounding, not another productivity gadget. A yoga mat offers an invitation to unplug, to stretch, to breathe. It’s not just a present, it’s permission to pause.
4. The Traveler
For someone who’s always on the move, a yoga mat is a little piece of home they can take anywhere. Pair it with a strap or travel case, and you’ve got a gift that’s both practical and poetic.
5. The Artist or Creative Soul
They’ll connect immediately to the artistry. The colors, the textures, the design, it’s all part of their creative language. A Big Raven mat becomes their daily reminder that inspiration and movement are deeply intertwined.
6. The Self-Care Enthusiast
They’re the one who journals, burns sage, and swears by “me time.” Add a handmade candle, some herbal tea, and a note reminding them that rest isn’t earned, it’s deserved.
Beyond the Gift: Connection and Intention
One of the reasons people love giving Big Raven Yoga mats is that they tell a story. They’re handmade, yes. Beautiful, absolutely. But at their core, they connect people.
When you choose a mat for someone, you’re saying:
“I see your light.”
“I know what calms you.”
“I care enough to choose something meaningful.”
That’s not just a gift, it’s a gesture of presence.
In a time when we’re scrolling past each other, when the holidays can feel performative or rushed, giving a mat feels grounded. It’s tactile, personal, and full of heart.
A Few Fun Pairing Ideas
If you want to make it even more special, you can bundle your mat with:
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A custom yoga strap or carrying case
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A beautifully bound journal for reflection
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Locally roasted coffee or herbal tea for post-practice calm
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A Big Raven Farm Retreat gift certificate (because nothing beats real rest)
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Or even a note from you, handwritten, no filters, just gratitude
Sometimes the best part of a gift is the story you write around it.
Gift Packaging & Delivery
Each Big Raven Yoga mat is rolled, wrapped, and shipped from our Minnesota studio in eco-friendly packaging. If you’re gifting directly, you can include a personal note, we’ll print and tuck it inside.
Because everything’s made to order, we recommend placing holiday orders early. Customization and printing take time (and care), so don’t wait until December 20th. The elves at the farm are fast, but not that fast.
Pro tip: order by early December for Christmas delivery.
Giving Back Through Art
When you buy a Big Raven Yoga mat, you’re not just supporting our small business, you’re supporting dozens of independent artists who earn commissions from every sale.
These are painters, designers, and dreamers who share their art with the world, and your purchase helps keep that creative ecosystem alive. It’s a ripple effect: your gift supports creativity, craftsmanship, and community.
A Gift That Lasts Beyond the Season
So much of holiday gifting fades. The sweater pills, the lotion gets used up, the gadget ends up in a drawer. But a yoga mat, the right yoga mat, becomes part of someone’s daily ritual.
It’s there in the quiet mornings, the chaotic afternoons, the late-night stretches when they’re trying to shake off the day. It’s the gift that keeps showing up, long after the wrapping paper’s gone.
And maybe that’s the point.
Because at its heart, a Big Raven Yoga mat isn’t about what you give, it’s about what the person who receives it can find.
Ready to Wrap It Up?
The holidays are right around the corner.
This year, skip the crowded stores and the plastic packaging. Give something that feels like a breath of fresh air. Give art. Give intention. Give beauty that lasts.
🎁 Shop the full collection at BigRavenYoga.com
✨ Personalize your mat today and make this season unforgettable.
Because the best gifts don’t just fill space under a tree, they fill the heart.