Autumn's Mini Gift Guide

not a single thing from Amazon, promise :)

Howdy folks!

‘Tis the time for gift guides, and this is my first time putting one together. I am not, transparently, the best gift giver, but I sure do my best. The driving force behind this list is, more than anything, to encourage you to do something, anything, other than fund Jeff Bezos and his corporate, billionaire cronies with your heartfelt gift giving. There’s something about late stage capitalism that puts a damper on unwrapping a gift from a loved one, and now, more than ever, we should be funding small businesses, especially those owned by people of color, disabled folks, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Without further ado, here is my first official gift guide (and the only commissionable link is Libro.fm. I am not here to make money off of you - just to share some of my favorite businesses!)

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For the home cook and foodie:

• Fun cookware! I personally love Mud Witch for all of your pottery needs. These mugs, plates, and bowls are handmade and painted by Viviana Matsuda, a queer Japanese and Mexican artist, and their small team. My Mud Witch mug is one of my most prized possessions, and I’ve loved gifting their work since!

• Palestinian olive oil: Olive trees are a foundation of Palestine’s economy and culture. They account for 70% of fruit production and represent about 14% of the Palestinian economy, as well as representing the Palestinians’ connection to their land, resilience, and resistance. Below are some Palestinian-owned companies to support:

  • Canaan Palestine

  • Olive Odyssey

• Locally sourced and/or made items like honey, coffee, or tea. I love buying a bag of coffee from my favorite local coffee shops as a gift! Please support small businesses and continue boycotting Starbucks.

For the reader:

• Gift cards, books, or merchandise from an indie bookstore! You can either use their Bookshop or direct website if available. These are some of my recommendations:

  • Griot Arts

  • Women & Children First

  • A Room of One’s Own

  • Birchbark Books & Native Arts

  • Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore

• Annotate a copy of your or their favorite book. These are some of my favorite gifts to make and receive. They’re relatively inexpensive, intimate, and so heartfelt. A guaranteed crowd pleaser.

• Can’t forget audiobooks! Gift a membership to Libro.fm so they can support their favorite indie while listening to new reads.

For the activist:

• Art and attire from Ash + Chess, TransFigure Print Co, or MegEmikoArt

• Stickers and prints from Rana the Artist, a disabled artist currently raising funds after facing eviction

• Make a donation on their behalf! Pick a cause and organization close to their heart, but below are some of my personal favorites:

  • New Disabled South

  • Disability Visibility Project (donations via PayPal or Patreon subscriptions starting at $1/ month)

  • Crips for eSims for Gaza

  • Local mutual aid! Give directly to folks when you can.

For the fashionista:

• Fun, colorful jewelry from Shape & Color Shop

For the sports fan:

• Merch from Playa Society

• Everyone’s favorite Everyone Watches Women’s Sports tee from TOGETHXR

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That’s all for now! May your gifting support small businesses and businesses owned by those who need/ deserve/ have earned your support. Shop local, support indies, and remember that it’s okay if the only thing you can gift your loved ones is your time, energy, and love. I promise that you are worth more than any singular thing you could gift wrap. <3