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In an ideal world, the holidays are about the simple joys of interconnectedness. There are few pleasures better than gathering with your chosen family over a charcuterie board with a record or a movie playing in the background. But of course, the holiday season is about giving, too. While there’s no ethical consumption under capitalism, we can be intentional about where we spend our money as we buy presents for our loved ones.
In the midst of ongoing crises in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, and throughout the United States, this holiday season may not feel especially cheerful. But sometimes, gift giving can grant us a moment to pause and spread love to those in our community. If we purchase from socially-conscious brands and retailers, too, we can also stand in solidarity with marginalized people around the world, even while doing something as simple as buying stocking stuffers. So, if you’ve got some holiday shopping to do, consider these mindful and intentional gifts that give back.
Palestinians wear the keffiyeh to express collective identity, resistance, and solidarity. For those unfamiliar, a keffiyeh is a traditional scarf with patterns that symbolize fish nets, trade routes, and olive leaves. Palestinian organizers have called for allies to wear keffiyehs in support of pro-Palestinian actions, including protests that highlight injustice. If you want to gift one to yourself or someone you love, the best practice is to buy directly from a Palestinian brand like PaliRoots, which is contributing to organizations supporting those in Gaza like Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA).
Tote bags are incredibly queer-coded, and they might just be the most practical gift you can get for the bookworm in your life. This Always Carry a Book tote supports Pilsen Community Books, an employee-owned and operated independent bookstore in Chicago. Just imagine how hard your friend will sleigh as they pull out a copy of Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha from their new bag.
This one goes out to my fellow hoe hoe hoes and everyone who loves us. Decrim 305 is an organization that advocates for the decriminalization of sex work in Miami-Dade County. The organization’s merch includes its “Sex Work is Work” shirt, “Slut” bag, and Miss Harm Reduction tote. Gifting an item from their store helps support mutual aid and resources for the sex worker community in Miami.
Are you hosting a gathering for the holidays and need to finish decorating your home? Struggling to find the perfect art piece to fit that frame you DIYed last December and never filled? These prints by Palestinian artists will fit beautifully in your space. Your guests will likely want to buy one for themselves, which means even more funds will go to support Kuwait Red Crescent Society, an organization providing food and funds to people in Gaza.
Not gonna lie, when I was a kid, I was seriously underwhelmed whenever I got gifted underwear. But today, nothing sounds better than receiving a pair of quality, comfy, and affirming undergarments. TomboyX has a wide array of items that are not only sustainably made, but also give back to multiple social justice organizations like the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Immigrant Families Together, and National Bail Out. Another added bonus is that these pieces will look good on your body — and on the floor (wink).
For all my brave queers who are trying to keep warm in a cold world, this blanket from Kotah Bear is sure to make you and your friends nice and toasty. Trade blankets have always been part of Native American life. Purchasing one from Kotahbear directly supports Native American artisans and their communities. Plus, they donate directly to American Indian Services, an organization dedicated to supporting education access for Native American people, while still preserving their culture and honoring their heritage. So grab yourself a cup of hot cocoa, put on your favorite fireplace video, and snuggle up.
’Tis the season for boycotting Starbucks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grab some delicious (and, in my opinion, better-tasting) coffee to fill up those stockings. BLK & BOLD is a Black-owned brand that caters to caffeine lovers with a wide selection of goods. They also donate 5% of their earnings to youth-focused charities like City Growers, Green Youth Foundation, and Sunset Youth Services.
If you have a makeup lover in your life who loves to get glammed up, this luxurious Grand Entry eyeshadow palette by Prados Beauty is the perfect gift. Prados Beauty centers and amplifies Indigenous artists through cosmetics. Under the banner of its Prados Promise, the brand gives back to Native folks living on Turtle Island, donating to charities that serve Indigenous communities. Its foundation is focused on distributing essential resources like shoes, winter coats, and scholarships to children and veterans across the U.S.
It’s cuffing season, and a key part of feeling sexy is prioritizing pleasure. Enby is a Black and trans-owned online sex toy retailer providing affirming sex gear to gender non-conforming, trans, and nonbinary people. The company also donates 2% of all proceeds to a list of organizations that serve queer and trans people of color. With a range of products, the Je Joue Naughty and Nice collection offers a mix of things to try.
If you want your home to smell like Christmas cheer, you’ll want to pick up a vegan candle from Frères Branchiaux. Run by brothers Collin, Ryan, and Austin, fragrance company Frères Branchiaux has products for everyone, including your pup. They also donate 10% of their proceeds to organizations supporting the unhoused in Washington, D.C., such as Pathways to Housing DC and Friendship Place.
Donning your gay apparel has never been easier with the emergence of brands that design clothing for trans and nonbinary bodies. With the stated goal of increasing “gender joy,” Both& Apparel sells shirts, pants, and other basics all catered to trans bodies. They even have a “pay it forward” program in which shopper donations fund free garments for those who can’t afford them. Nothing says the holidays like mutual aid!
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