You’ll find tons of gift guides for children’s clothes and toys. But how often do you find a feminist holiday gift guide?
There’s no doubt that online shopping will dominate the holiday season this year so I’m here a little early to help you out!
When I virtually met Virginia Méndez, founder of The Feminist Shop (TFS) last year, I was so delighted to see that they carry inspiring and fun feminist gear, sweatshirts, tanks, both adult and children’s books, accessories, baby clothes, and more.
I’m so thrilled that The Feminist Shop sponsored this post so that we can narrow down your shopping needs this year with some one-stop shopping. You can get awesome stuff all in one place, from feminist water bottles to Roxane Gay books!
Not just a feminist store
Two other things I love about The Feminist Shop:
1. It’s not just a shop! Virginia has curated hard data about feminism: in the form of research, videos, and academic works on the wage gap, the division of labor, sexual assault, and more. There’s info about gender, policy, sex, and raising children. With shortcuts to social media accounts and podcasts AND their own blog, TFS is jam packed with what you need.
2. Ethics. TFS donates profits to organizations working to end gender inequities, uses products manufactured under labor conditions that match their values, uses vegan inks, avoids waste, and decreases their carbon footprint with drop shipping. See more in their Ethical Policy.
Okay, so let’s get on with my favorite selections from The Feminist Shop! FYI, if you purchase anything, I may get an affiliate commission (see disclosures) but it doesn’t change the price up or down for you. I only chose products that I truly adore and think you’ll love, too. It’s an honor to collaborate with folks who share Think or Blue’s vision for gender equity.
Feminist Holiday Gifts 2020: For Everyone
Feminist Face Mask
Face masks don’t have to be boring or drab anymore. Have a little fun with it! Embrace our current situation and stay safe with a mask that announces your beliefs for gender equity.
Plus, this design is by Olivia, a 13 year-old (yes, I said 13!) and the youngest-ever winner of The Feminist Shop’s regular design competitions.
For the Feminist Writer
Feminist Postcards
This design, by Niamh Maguire reclaims breasts, which have been co-opted ridiculously by the patriarchy to judge, objectify, and sexualize women. Let’s be proud of the diversity in our bodies and acknowledge how much they change over time.
As a long time purple-lover, the design and colors catch my eye. Send this postcard to your feminist friend who will squint a little more closely and notice that it’s not just a pretty design, but a statement on equality, parenthood, and body freedom!
For only £1 each, this is a great stocking stuffer or “add-on” to any feminist holiday gift.
For New Parents
Dear Ijeawele: A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Feminist Shop has a SERIOUS collection of books. When I first perused their collection, I thought it ended after the first 24 books on the first page. Nope. Turns out they have close to 200! Be sure you click on “load more products” so you don’t miss out on any of these gems.
Okay, so back to this one. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a well-known feminist, author, and TED speaker. We wrote about her TED talk “The Danger of a Single Story” in this post about how to navigate awkward conversations about gender stereotypes.
As we know, it’s critical for people’s self-dignity to pronounce their names correctly. So Google it, learn it, and then buy this book for new, expectant or hopeful parents – or anyone you know raising or teaching children. Adichie propounds 15 suggestions to raise girls outside of strict gender stereotypes and examine inequities.
For allies
Ask Me About Feminism T-shirt
The man-hating myth of feminism sadly has not been laid to rest and still pops up in weird corners of conversations. That’s why I love to see men proclaim their feminism for all to hear. And, of course, to be informed enough to back it up with an explanation.
Certainly ANYONE could wear this line of “Ask Me About My Feminism” clothing, but I love seeing this on cishet (cisgender, heterosexual) men to spark conversations in spaces where it’s currently absent.
For bookworms
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
I haven’t read this yet (hint, hint to my fam) but it sounds incredible! Bernardine Evaristo’s novel follows 12 people, mostly Black British women whose experiences are different but lives overlap and intertwine. A Booker Prize 2020 winner, it has been hailed by The Sunday Times as a “triumphantly wide-ranging novel,” with The New Republic calling Evaristo a “gifted portraitist.”
According to Black and Bookish, “[the characters’] stories intersect and build on each other’s, providing nuances and contrast showing that women, in this case, women of colour, are not a monolith.” Perhaps the perfect book club candidate.
For bold girls
“Would you say it to a boy?” T-Shirt
“Your (blue) sneakers are so pretty!”
“What’s your favorite color… is it pink?”
“I’m surprised your band-aid has Nemo and not The Little Mermaid on it.”
People have spoken these exact sentences to my daughter. And I bet they wouldn’t say them to a boy! Now, certainly, at Think or Blue we strive to think beyond the gender binary. But so often, people around us have very strict ideas of what it means to be a child, depending on one’s anatomy.
Don’t I wish my kid had been wearing this T-shirt at those exact moments? Maybe next time she will.
For Superhero Kids
Ask Me About My Superpower Water Bottle
Not kidding – 30 seconds after we read “Mika and Lolo” for the first time, my 5 year-old put on a cape (and probably a hat or crown on her head) and raced around the room. “I’m a superhero, Mom! And my super power is making the world better!”
I mean… as a feminist parent, could I have designed it any better myself? Nope.
We loved this book, which would also be a powerful gift for any cool kid you know to challenge gender stereotypes and help them embrace their individuality. The coolest part? Each book comes in two languages: English and your choice of Spanish, German, Italian or French.
Mika & Lolo is part of our 25+ Books for Feminist Kids collection.
Buy the water bottle here.
For your cozy feminist friend:
F mug by Carola Martin
Stay warm this season with a mug featuring Carola Martin’s F design – one that shows the many faces of feminism. And reminds us that feminism never fits just one voice or one perspective. It’s a constantly evolving practice that must include other oppressions and center the most marginalized people.
Be sure to note, too, that each enamel mug with a silver rim is unique with slight dimples and dots – imperfections just like the rest of us!
For feminist babies:
Organic Cotton Feminist Babygrow Onesie, F by Amanda Mustard
This is soooo much better than baby outfits that say “I’m a Boob Man” or “Daddy’s Little Princess.” Or my least favorite – “Lock Up Your Daughters.” Gah! The gender stereotypes on baby clothes, replete with bizarre sexualization, are enough to make you shudder.
This adorable babygrow (called a onesie in the U.S.) features the F by Amanda Mustard design and inspires self-compassion, joy, and body diversity. Because, as we know, rejecting diet culture and fat phobia is an act of resistance – – and often a lifelong process. Why not start young?
Even better, The Feminist Shop donates 10% of proceeds from this design to BEAT, an organization that works to end pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.
For the International Lover
Feminist Tank Top
Roughly translated to Liberty, Equality, and Sisterhood – this racerback tank says it all. It’s a feminist version of the French motto, “Liberté, Equalité, Fraternité,” found in many public buildings, emphasizing liberty, equality and brotherhood or fraternity.
Lucky for you, it also comes in a sweatshirt, T-shirt, onesie, bag, water bottle, and mug, too. So whatever the weather is where you live, you can firmly state your principles with style.
For the Proud Feminist
Feminist pin
“Does that stand for the F-word?” your neighbor asks.
“Why yes, yes it does,” you say. “But not the one you’re thinking. Feminism!”
Pin this brooch to your shirt, scarf, or bag to make a statement about your values. It’s classy, shiny, and simple. I wish I’d had this pin when I advocated at the state Capitol for paid family and medical leave – it would have brightened up my dull lobbyist badge, for sure. Where will you put yours?
So which one is your favorite from our Feminist Holiday Gift Guide 2020? Tell us below.
Also, use the code THINKORBLUE at checkout to get 10% off your purchase!
Finally, remember to shop early – a/k/a now. If you want your gifts guaranteed in time, U.S. friends order by December 3, and UK friends order by December 7. Happy shopping!
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