Skip to Content

Celebrating Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Communities

Gift Guide 2020: LGBTQ-Friendly Gifts You Can Give This Holiday

If you’re looking for the right gift for your fellow LGBTQ pals…

Holiday shopping can be a drag…and by that we mean it can be over-the-top, fabulous, funny, thoughtful and above all else, LGBTQ friendly. Wait, that’s just the IN Magazine Holiday Gift Guide.

Gifts for the design savvy

At IN magazine, we believe all interiors need a little cheeky element to make them zing. And we are sure your design friends would agree, so gift them a set of Keith Herring Skateboards to hang on their wall. Yes, we said Keith Herring Skateboards (available via Goodee World, $810). What could be a more perfect gift for the hip queer? Well… Pansy Ass Ceramics has been gaining a cult like following in the design world with such notable collectors as Alan Cummings and Jonathan Adler, so why not gift your design savvy friends one of their masterpieces? The choices might be difficult but you can never go wrong with Tighty-Whitey Twink Vase or a Dad Bod Jock Vase. May we suggest that you gift them the beautiful Confluence blanket from a Tsimshian artist ($203 via Eight Generation); it is the perfect balance of modern design and indigenous artistry. Or how about a chic puzzle? Yes, we said it. Puzzles can be fun and design forward. Gift them a FanfuckinTastic puzzle ($26) or the Jonathan Adler Rainbow Puzzle ($50). Further, the holidays are the perfect time to give the gift of art; check out the works of Benny Bing or Tony Koukos.

Gifts of drag

Every LGBTQ person knows that the Holidays can be a drag (literally and figuratively), so this year, give the gift of drag! Turn that frown upside down by gifting all of your loved ones some drag memorabilia. We love the BoboSexual merchandise from Scarlett Bobo. And who wouldn’t want a Tynomi Banks Snow Bunny Hoodie ($50)? And everyone needs a Wig Snatch candle in their homes ($39 via MissMoco.ca). Wanna drag up the holidays even more this year? Get the whole family tickets to a virtual drag show.

Gifts for the at home chef

Many home chefs and cooks get into cooking because they love the art of creation but also because they love to feed people. So why not gift them an apron from the fine folks over Cooks Who Feed. Every apron purchased provides a nutritious meal for 100 people in need. Now that’s a great gift that gives back (from $65 via Cooks Who Feed). Every chef also needs an amazing knife in his or her arsenal (FYI, no one needs a whole knife block of knives), so gift him or her a Japanese chef’s knife from KNIFE. This Toronto-based store will ship across the country and is the expert in all things knife. And who wouldn’t want a little Antoni Porowski to join them in the kitchen? Pick up his book, toni in the Kitchen, for those bourgeoning cooks on your list.

Fitness fanatic gifts

Fitness fanatic gifts The most searched item in fitness this past year was free weights, so gift them a set before they sell out (again). We found some great toss in an UPlift Black water bottle ($10). You may also consider gifting them gift certificates to a workout class (virtual or IRL) from their favourite local trainer or gym.

Fashionista fabulousities

We predict lots of loungwear is in store for us in 2021, so why not gift a chic loungwear set from Canadian brand Mayer? Every fashionista knows that the jumpsuit is here to stay, so gift them a jumpsuit from Black Queer owned brand Makoma, they makes beautiful one of a kind pieces using African prints mixed with contemporary silhouettes. Each piece is ethically made and they are absolutely gorgeous!  Rock tees are so last year, why not gift them a cheeky queer tee or two? The Original ‘Milk’ Drip’ Tee ($40) from SOAP is sure to get noticed. Or top it off with an ‘to the Underwear Expert (from $105 for two months). Or just gift them a pair of those Charlie briefs ($52 USD) they have been eyeing for months but aren’t willing to pay for. When in doubt, gift a fashion forward mask. We love the animal print silk masks from Caffery Van Horne ($25) and the velveteen masks from Amanda Lew Kee x Oretta ($30 for 3).

Gifts of self care

Facemasks and scrubs have become almost a daily occurrence during quarantine, so stock them up with a Coffee + Peppermint face Scrub from Bees Butter ($20, available from Miss Pippas). Or an all natural face and neck mask from The Cure Apothecary ($40). Don’t forget about those daily baths (we all re-discovered this year)… everyone lovesa great bath soak from Bathorium; their signature Crush Bath Soak will help with relaxation and stiff muscles (from $9). Or gift them Traditional Native Medicinal Handmade Soap from the Mountain Sage Co. Their soaps contain traditional healing ingredients such as Sage, Sweetgrass, Bear grease, Cedar, Mountain Pine, and Lavender ($12.95 via Wanuskewing Gift Shop). Oh, and don’t forget about your/their bush. Yes, we said it – bush. It deserves a little extra attention via Bush Balm. These balms and oil treatments are sure to make it all good down there ($36 via Bush Balm).

But wait, you didn’t think we would leave it just there when it comes to self-care down there, did you? This is IN magazine after all. For her, may we offer the best selling Sona Cruise 2 ($189) from Lelo for some mind-blowing pleasure? And for him, there is the Hugo from Lelo for some mind-blowing pleasure? And for him, there is the Hugo from Lelo ($299.00) or a tor from Tenga ($109.95) to help relieve all that stress.

Gifts that give back

Gift them a Champion the Truth Tee from Hayley Elsaesser; proceeds from the sale of the t-shirt go to Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. Or make a donation in their name to Rainbow Railroad; a Canadian organization that helps LGBT peoples escape state-sponsored violence. And everyone loves to support Safe Sex right? I mean Safe Sox (pack of 3 safe socks $48); this collaboration between CANFAR and Bustle Clothing helps support the organizations’ safe sex initiatives in Canada. Keep your loved ones thoughtfully accessorized with a pendant from Her Braids (an organization committed to clean drinking water in First Nations Communities). And if you have a little one on your list, gift them a Stay Strong Bear in support of Sick Kids Hospitals; this adorable collaboration between Nobis and Sick Kids even sports a mini parka ($50).

Related Articles

March 25, 2024 / Latest Life

Rachelle & Barb Share Their Inspiring Epilepsy Story To Help Raise Awareness And Break Down Stigmas

March is Epilepsy Awareness Month and March 26th is Purple Day, a day dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy around the world

March 22, 2024 / Latest Life

Photo Gallery: CANFAR Legacy Project 2024 Love In Ottawa Event

A snapshot of CANFAR’s recent Legacy Project event that took place at the Trebor Art Gallery in downtown Ottawa…

March 18, 2024 / Latest Life

In Fertility Care, 2SLGBTQI+ Representation Can Make All The Difference

Why inclusivity matters when you start a parenting journey

POST A COMMENT

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *