Every December, it happens. The calendar fills up, the to-do list doubles, and suddenly the holidays are right here, ready or not. We start looking for gifts that mean something, that say I see you or I know what you need more than another sweater.
That’s where we come in.
At Big Raven Yoga, we create gifts with heart. Gifts that inspire joy, bring beauty into daily life, and remind us to slow down and breathe once in a while. Each one of our yoga mats is designed as a little piece of art with a lot of intention.
If you’re searching for something thoughtful, lasting, and meaningful this holiday season, here are five reasons why a Big Raven Yoga mat might be the most memorable gift you give (or receive).
1. Every Mat Is a Work of Art
Most yoga mats look the same: solid colors, rubber texture, maybe a small logo tucked in the corner. They’re fine. But they don’t exactly make your heart flutter.
Our mats start as original artwork; paintings, illustrations, or digital designs created by artists who pour their spirit into every detail. Some are bold and wild. Others are soft and dreamy. Some look like galaxies; others like secret gardens.
Each one tells a story. Yours, maybe.
We like to think of our mats as moving art galleries. You can hang them on your wall (many customers do!) or unroll them beneath your feet for yoga, meditation, stretching, or that quiet morning cup of coffee.
When you choose a Big Raven mat, you’re not just buying a mat, you’re claiming a piece of art you can live on.
And the moment you roll it out, you’ll feel it: this is your space.
2. They’re Made for Real Practice and Real Life
We know the kind of mats that slide down in Downward Dog or start peeling after a month. We’ve used them too. That’s why we made something better.
Blue Mountains by Christie Gaetz
Big Raven Yoga mats are built for real practice, sweaty classes, sunrise flows, toddler interruptions, candlelit meditations. They’re thick, supportive, and steady underfoot.
Here’s what makes them different:
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Non-slip surface that keeps you grounded, even in your hottest class.
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Durable materials that don’t curl, crack, or shed, no matter how often you roll them out.
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Eco-conscious construction, made from natural rubber and recycled materials, free from PVC and other toxins.
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Easy care. Rinse them and lay them to dry. .
Small batches. Human hands. Every Big Raven mat is printed right here in the U.S., one at a time, by our CTO, Darin Warling.
Our mats aren’t just beautiful, they’re built to last through years of practice and still look like art when they do.
3. A Gift That Feels Deeply Personal
Majestic Cosmos by Coralie Huon
If you’ve ever struggled to find something that feels truly personal, something that says I thought about you, this is it.
A Big Raven Yoga mat is more than a piece of equipment, it’s a message. It says, You deserve peace. You deserve beauty. You deserve something that’s yours.
That’s what makes it perfect for almost anyone.
Sure, it’s a wonderful gift for a yoga lover. But we’ve also seen people give our mats to:
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Friends starting a wellness journey.
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Moms who never buy anything for themselves.
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Daughters heading to college.
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Teachers, nurses, and caretakers who give endlessly.
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Partners who could use a moment of calm.
Each design speaks differently, which makes every gift feel one-of-a-kind. Maybe you choose a soft watercolor for someone who’s been through a hard year. Or something bright and playful for the friend who radiates joy.
You can even include a handwritten note at checkout. Something simple, like “This is your space. Breathe here.”
It’s the kind of gift that lingers, long after the decorations are gone.
4. Gentle on the Earth, Kind to the Body
Sustainability isn’t a marketing word for us, it’s part of who we are.
Every Big Raven mat is printed using water-based, non-toxic inks on a natural rubber base. No PVC. No latex. No phthalates. No harsh chemical smell. Just a soft, safe, biodegradable surface that’s better for your body and the planet.
We keep packaging minimal and recyclable, too. No unnecessary waste, no glossy plastic wrap, just simple, thoughtful design from start to finish.
If you’re trying to shop more mindfully this year, gifting an eco-friendly yoga mat is a small act of love with a big ripple effect. It feels good to give, good to receive, and good for the planet we all share.
5. It Becomes Part of Daily Life
Think about the best gifts you’ve ever received. They’re the ones that quietly became part of your life, the blanket you curl up with every night, the mug that feels perfect in your hands, the book that still lives on your nightstand.
That’s what a Big Raven Yoga mat becomes.
It’s part of the morning stretch, the evening wind-down, the few minutes of stillness before the world starts spinning again.
Every time someone steps onto their mat, they reconnect with themselves. They pause. They breathe. They remember what matters.
And they’ll think of you.
We hear it all the time:
“It’s not just a mat, it’s my little island of calm.”
“I love how it feels like me.”
“I didn’t know a yoga mat could make me want to practice every day.”
That’s the difference. You’re not giving a product, you’re giving a feeling. One that lasts.
Bonus: You’re Supporting Artists and a Small Family Business
When you shop Big Raven Yoga, you’re not ordering from a warehouse, you’re supporting a small, family-run business in the heart of Minnesota.
You’re also supporting independent artists from around the world who design our mats and earn commissions from every sale.
Every mat you buy helps an artist keep creating. It helps our little team keep printing, packing, and shipping something beautiful into the world.
We don’t mass-produce. We don’t cut corners. We don’t believe yoga mats should all look the same.
We believe in connections between art, movement, and the people who make both matter.
When you give one of our mats, you become part of that story too.
This Year, Give Something That Feels Like More
Every year, we promise ourselves we’ll slow down and savor the season. But between errands, events, and family plans, peace gets pushed to the edges.
A Big Raven Yoga mat is an invitation to pause. To carve out a little sanctuary. To move, breathe, and come back to yourself.
Whether it’s for a lifelong yoga lover or someone just learning to listen to their body, this is a gift that reminds them to rest, to center, and to be still.
Shop the Holiday Collection
Our holiday collection is live, featuring designs that celebrate both energy and calm. You’ll find:
Winter Moon by Alexa Ballenger
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Nature-inspired mats: mountains, trees, waves, sunrises.
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Mandala and sacred geometry mats: patterns that quiet the mind.
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Abstract and modern art mats: bold, colorful expressions of joy.
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Soft, meditative designs: watercolor skies and gentle hues.
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Artist collaborations: limited editions with unique stories behind them.
Each mat arrives beautifully packaged and ready to gift. You can even include a personal note, we’ll handwrite it for you.
We ship from Minnesota straight to your door, wrapping every order with the same care we’d want if we were receiving it ourselves.
A Gift That Feels Like Home
We’ve seen our mats unrolled in yoga studios, cozy cabins, living rooms, and college dorms. We’ve seen them travel to retreats, beaches, and quiet corners where people come to breathe again.
Wherever they go, they create a little patch of home, a reminder that peace doesn’t require much space. Just a mat. Just a breath.
So this year, when you’re choosing what to give, think of this: a yoga mat isn’t just something to unwrap. It’s a foundation. A daily ritual. A soft, steady place to return to.
And it might just be the most meaningful thing someone opens all season.
🎁 Explore the collection at BigRavenYoga.com
Find a mat that speaks to you and someone you love.