Volup2 Magazine's Holiday Gift Guide to Giving Back to Women by Juliet Poucher
The holiday season is approaching, which means it's just about time to start sorting gifts. It's always hard to come up with something creative or interesting to give, but with this holiday gift guide, not only are there super cool, authentic options, but they also give back to local artists, LGBTQ communities, trafficking survivors, and hard working women all around the world. Ditch the standard shops this year and check out these awesome organizations!
Aria rings are simple gold bands that are handmade by young human trafficking survivors for Impact Everything, where "every purchase has a purpose." The rings are flexible for any size finger and 100% of the profit from this ring go to the International Sanctuary which focuses on employing trafficking survivors and helping them with "medical assistance, education, life skills, job training, and counselling."
To the Market is a clothing business that sells ethically made, eco friendly products that empower women. They offer women's apparel along with men's, kid's, accessories, bags, etc. To the Market makes an effort to employ communities with less resources and pay them twice as much as they'd make anywhere else. They also support jobs for "at-risk youth in the U.S., vulnerable women, the HIV/AIDS population, and more."
Share: The Cookbook That Celebrates Our Common Humanity
Need new recipes to make at home? The Share Cookbook contains deliciously healthy and traditional recipes from women in third world countries along with some "internationally well known chefs", humanitarians, philanthropists, and even a foreword from Meryl Streep. The profits of this "visually stunning" book fully help women from devastated areas rebuild their lives through a "social and economic empowerment program" that's managed by Women For Women.
Matrilinealnerd is a Black and Indigenous online platform. Ashley Alverez (Owner and creator of Matrilineal Nerd) and Talia London sell their handmade body care products, home decor, and jewelry on this site. The matrilinealnerd.com blog space is a platform that will be utilized to amplify and market the creative work of other Black and Indigenous creatives. We make an effort to market the works of creatives that are not supported by mainstream shopping centers and media outlets. Ashley's earrings are handmade using materials such as glass beads, shell, clay, wood and leather. The earrings range in size and style. Talia's lotion and lip balms take up to 8 weeks to craft. She handpicks herbs and flowers. She then infuses the plants in oil for 6 weeks, and finally makes lotions, and lips balms.
Wild Fang is a "female founded, women run" clothing business that strives to expand menswear into a liberated women fashion whether it's casual or business attire. Their mission is to encourage women to ignore gender stereotypes and "wear whatever the hell she wants and be whoever she wants." Wild Fang is ran by queer women who have raised $400K for charities "that support reproductive, immigrant, and women/human's rights", such as Planned Parenthood and ALCU.
Women's Gold is a shea butter produced exclusively by women in West Africa who pick and craft the shea nuts themselves. Empower Village ensures that these women are able to live more comfortably and receive most of the profits which benefits their local villages. Women's Gold is reported to be "75% of their annual income." So treat yourself and/or someone you love with the "creamiest, most exquisite, and therapeutic" shea butter on the planet!
Poptivism is an online shop that sells several unique cell phone grips in which half of the profit for each sale will go to the charity assigned to it. There's even an option to create your own if you wanted to make a more personalized socket for a loved one. Poptivism helps charities of all sorts; some charities that specifically help women are Girls Inc, No Place Like Home for Refugees, She is More Than, She's the First, Worthy of Love, and dozens more!
Sisterhood Solidarity Medium Coffee
Sisterhood Solidarity Coffee is made by all female cooperatives based in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Bolivia, Peru, Ethiopia, Laos, and Iran. Coffee businesses are usually run by men, especially in third world countries but all SSC breaks this stereotype. SSC helps their female farmers have adequate income by implementing 100% fair trade. If you want to support strong female farmers, gift their coffee to someone who loves good coffee!
CoppaFeel is a UK based, women run charity that promotes breast cancer awareness among young women. They sell quirky tote bags with sayings such as "I totes check my boobs" along with "Boobrellas", bottles, T-shirts, phone cases, etc. CoppaFeel strives to educate young women on how and why to check your boobs, signs/symptoms, how to go about seeing a doctor, resources, and even boob check reminders so that they can catch the illness early enough. CoppaFeel is the perfect site to shop if you want to give someone a boob gift while also supporting breast cancer awareness!
Otherwild is another queer owned retail business that's based in LA and is dedicated to giving fair wages, eliminating single use plastic products, and enforcing political awareness through creative designs. What's unique about them is that along with feminist clothing, they also sell home items (kitchen and body), accessories, apothecary items, toys for children and even sex toys for adults. Other Wild promotes helping the environment, queer culture, diverse sex education, and self care/love.
Artsugar is a platform where female artists from all over the world are welcome to share and sell their art, specifically as room decorations. The promoted artwork is usually much more affordable than posters from corporate stores and the profit goes to supporting local artists. The website categorizes the wall art by color, theme, receivers, etc. They also give to several non profits including Planned Parenthood, Girls Who Code, The Flawless Foundation, and many more. Anyone can sell their art by applying on the website!
Babeland is a queer sex shop ran by women based in Seattle that was opened in 1993 due to the "lack of women friendly sex shops." Babeland not only has a variety of sex toys but they have many options for transgender people including prosthetic breasts and stand to pee devices. They also host sex education workshops and donate to sex positive non profit organizations. If you have an adventurous partner/friend, Babeland is likely to have something fun for you!
Twice As Warm is a winter clothing company that provides high quality hats, scarves, gloves, tops, and much more to keep you warm. For every purchase made, they donate the same to homeless shelters in need of cozy clothing for the winter. Twice As Warm has donated to places all over the country and are currently on a mission to have donated in all #50Statesby2021! Help them achieve their goal and a homeless person today by getting someone you love something cozy from Twice As Warm!
Preemptive Love Collection is a sisterhood collective that offers soap, toys, hand painted ceramics candles, hand stitched towels, and many more essential household items. The profits help impoverished families affected by ISIS in Iraq and Syria by delivering emergency aid (food, water, medicine, and tools) in areas where many other non profits don't typically go. Preemptive Love Collection makes clear that they do not rely on political money and prefer to stay an independent organization for moral reasons. You can check up on current reports on their website on what exactly they're doing to this day!
Bulletin is an online shop that has and still helps hundreds of female founded retail brands evolve by providing them a platform to share themselves. Bulletin donates 10% of the profit to Planned Parenthood annually along with Press for Success and Black Girls Code. Bulletin's mission is to "democratize opportunity for brands of all stages, races, background, and means." Anyone can apply as a brand on their site!
Alex and Ani--Mediating Eye Charm Bracelet
Alex and Ani is definitely a pretty well known brand worldwide now but they do truly run an ethical business that gives back tremendously to charities. This bracelet specifically has 20% of its profit go to the David Lynch Foundation which is a non profit that strives to "reduce the epidemic of trauma and toxic stress among at risk populations." Alex and Ani is always a great gift option if you don't know what to give, so click the link to see more about this bracelet!