It’s been an unbelievably rough year for many, and yet it is so important to find things to be grateful for. Hopefully, you and your LGBTIQ loved ones have enjoyed the plethora of presents being offered throughout this festive season! But if you’re stumped on what to buy, here’s our list of thoughtful gifts for him, her, and them! And with such a stressful world, always remember that gift giving doesn’t need to be reserved for holidays and birthdays– you can acknowledge your friend, family member, coworker or romantic partner at any time of the year!
Gender Fluid/He/She/They
Virtue is an intimate’s brand with a mission: create garments for anyone and everyone. Founded and designed by sustainable fashion designer Yotam Solomon, the brand fosters a diverse, sex-positive community of individuals. It’s no wonder the company has been nominated for Best Lingerie/Apparel Line for 2025– they make the first genderless jockstrap. Kristen Stewart was photographed earlier this year for the Rolling Stone cover, wearing the athleisure brand.
Virtue creates its products with what it calls a “True Unisex Fit,” meaning “sex is irrelevant when it comes to fit.” The Strap Briefs, for example, are sold both with and without a pouch. Sizes currently run from XXS to 4X, with the intention of introducing a wider range in the future.
Maurice Gattis is an outstanding LGBQT designer who has created gorgeous looks for men and women. He just launched his new line–FortMose1738, named for the first black community in the USA in St Augustine, Florida. The collection is made in Ghana from Kente and 100% cotton in a bold array of colors and patterns. The concept shines a light on Africa’s textile artisans. He goes to South Africa to work with homeless young people ostracized for their choice to be LGBTQ and is considered a leader in bringing awareness of the socio-economic factors driving LGBTQ homelessness. Prices start at $50 for a Kente clutch – up to $650 for a Kente suit, cotton dresses are in the $200 range and shirts for men start under $100.
Revive is a female owned and operated jewelry brand based in Southern California that is all about giving back. Their creator/designer, Nikki, offers some wonderful collections, each of which helps support a different cause. Revive is the only brand out there that incorporates cellular images into the creation of their stones, making them not only beautiful, but truly unique and impactful too.
Self-Care
For the person who wants to take extra good care of themselves, check out More Well Being, the lesbian-owned mushroom superfood blends/capsules company. Lower stress, elevate mood, and boost energy. Refresh. Restore. This blend was created to help your body adapt to life’s challenges with ingredients that calm the nerves and support relaxation. Mix a scoop in hot water to kick start your day! I love the mocha and banana coconut flavors! https://morewellbeing.com/
Let’s face it, somehow, we have to get through the next four years. For your favorite Democrats, how about the gift of cannabis to ease their discomfort?! Golden State is California’s #1 premium cannabis brand, known as the crème of the crop for luxury flower and pre-rolls. Minority-owned and the first carbon neutral certified cannabis brand, the below sets are perfect gifts for anyone – from the “canna-ser” to the “cannaicrious!”
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Curated Cannabis Set – A unique set curated by A Golden State’s Head Cultivator himself; the set includes three delectable eighths that are consumer favorites. $145.00
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MOUNTAIN SHADOWS — a boldly nostalgic and terpene-heavy hybrid.
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ALPINE SUNRISE — the perfect sativa for any occasion.
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EMPANADAS DIEZ — the latest indica, first featured and revered at the 2023 California Zalympix Competition.
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Connoisseur’s Choice SOIRÉE Set – The perfect set for sharing or unwinding solo, customers can select their two eighth strains and preferred mini pre-roll pack from A Golden State’s line of products. $118.00
For The Smoothest Skin
Sara and Ben Jensen are the founders of Hugh & Grace, a brand of hormone-supportive skin, health, and home care products that help men and women lead healthier lives and be aware of hormone disruptors that can impact physical health and infertility. They experienced unexplained infertility for 14 years before having two babies via surrogacy. Check out their body oil–great for after shaving and to remove makeup!
Burke Williams Skincare, renowned for its commitment to delivering top-tier, spa-quality products, is unveiling H2V—a pioneering line that promises to redefine how we approach hydration and skin vitality. The H2V collection is a meticulously crafted solution that integrates advanced hydration technology with the brand’s signature rejuvenating ingredients. https://www.burkewilliams.com
Auro Wellness
Auro Wellness is a cutting-edge LA based wellness brand that combines revolutionary ingredients, advanced patented sub-nano absorption technology, and a straightforward system for healthy living – all crafted from the heart. Their star product is their Glutaryl Spray that optimizes antioxidant absorption and efficacy and delivers Glutathione to the body more potently than ever before. It aids in detoxifying the body of existing free radicals and improving one’s health in both the short-term and the long-term. https://aurowellness.com/
Oxygenetix
Oxygenetix is a breakthrough foundation to cover, help heal and minimize – even eliminate – procedural scars. Designed for doctors, Breathable foundation covers and treats a wide variety of skin problems: skin injuries, wounds, rashes, cracked, dry skin, acne scars, rosacea and other skin conditions. On post-surgical scars, patients are re-assured and impressed that after care includes safely camouflaging any evidence of surgery. www.oxygenetix.com/
SISH Beauty
SISH Beauty is not just another skincare brand; it’s a philosophy. Their mission is to pare away the noise and focus on what truly matters in skincare—effectiveness, mindfulness, and intentionality. The SISH Beauty Team understands that in the cluttered landscape of beauty products, simplicity and purpose are not just desirable but essential.The SISH Beauty In-Shower Facial Treatment is designed with your well-being in mind, incorporating sustainable practices. The SISH Beauty team strives to create a positive impact on both your skin and the environment, promoting a holistic sense of beauty and wellness.https://sishbeauty.
For the One Who Loves Superheroes
Filmland Spirits was born from an enthusiasm for whiskey, a passion for movies and a dedication to storytelling. They believe that every whiskey has a story, and every story deserves a whiskey. The result is a wildly creative pairing of an original retro B-Movie concept – complete with monsters, robot sand over-the-top plots – with a delicious and unique whiskey – each of which has already won a Gold Medal or higher. Even the bottles tell part of the story as they are custom designed to reflect movie houses of the 1950s and feature movie posters as labels.
Their latest release — just in time for holidays is QUADRAFORCE, a blend of 4 straight bourbons, from 4 different states, each aged a minimum of 4 years. QUADRAFORCE tells the story of a parallel universe which exists during WWII. The forces of evil are winning, and following an atomic test gone bad, 4 average Americans emerge as heroes — each with superpowers. Can this fearsome foursome join together to defeat evil? Only time will tell. Watch the trailer here.
Great Books/Films to Inspire
If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ holiday film worthy of a second cup of cocoa, Tello Films has the most lesbian holiday films available anywhere and truly knows how to make the season gay! Premiering this year is The Holiday Club (available now/subscription not required).
Romance proves elusive for a lonely, holiday-hating newcomer to a small, Ohio town in this dramedy written and directed by Alexandra Swarens (Looking for Her, Spring, City of Trees, LA Web Series), who also co-stars with Mak Shealy (Chronicle of a Serial Killer, Sarah Q).
Rent more yuletide fun from Tello in a special movie seven-pack for just $12.99 (30 days) that includes, in addition to A Holiday I Do, the acclaimed LGBTQ+ Tello holiday romcoms Christmas at the Ranch, Merry & Gay, I Hate New Year’s and Season of Love and two other holiday films from Swarens, City of Trees and Looking for Her.
Fuel your wanderlust with Lisa Niver’s inspiring travel memoir Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty. This award-winning book takes readers on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery, resilience, and adventure. Whether you’re LGBTIQQ friends are dreaming of their next destination or need a nudge to embrace the unknown, Brave-ish is the perfect companion to ignite their travel dreams.
For those ready to turn their passion for travel into a creative pursuit, Lisa’s Udemy course, Travel Writer 101, is a great gift suggestion. Learn how to capture your adventures and share them with the world from a seasoned expert who has visited over 100 countries and built a successful career as a travel writer and TV host. Discover more of Lisa’s adventures on WeSaidGoTravel.com, catch her podcast Make Your Own Map, and follow her on social media @LisaNiver.
