Unique gift ideas
Effortlessly eschewing rigid gender binaries in favour of unbridled expression, Vancouver-based clothing brand Peau de Loup creates wearable and inclusive clothing and accessories. Gone are gendered confines or styles — instead, the brand focuses on creating a classic wardrobe that is created for individuals and augments self-expression. Furthermore, the brand is renowned for utilizing discarded textile waste from large manufacturers in upcycled pieces, envisioning a more circular future for fashion.
With a mission to make preparing plant-based food a memorable experience, Knifey Spooney’s cooking classes provide an opportunity to create delectable dishes that are also earth-conscious. By utilizing local ingredients in uniquely satisfying recipes, delve into the distinct culinary world this local Kingston, Ontario’s business has to offer, paying respect to both your body and Mother Nature in equal measure.
Proudly veteran- and 2SLGBTQIA+-run, Delavoye Chocolate Maker is the one-stop-shop for those with a sweet tooth and an adventurous palette. Partnering with sustainable and ethical cacao-growers, Delvoye is committed to creating confectioneries with a purpose. It prioritizes the humans involved in the chocolate-making process while respecting the land that provides the necessary resources. Whether selecting a chocolate bar as a stocking stuffer, or booking a pairing class for a memorable night out, Delvoye has you covered.
Red Lake, Ontario-based Ojibwe painter, graphic designer and entrepreneur, Patrick Hunter, offers a variety of decorative designs for both the home and body. Utilizing the power of aesthetics to uplift those around him, Hunter’s array of creations features original artworks that imbue a sense of wonder and reverence.
Have a little extra cash to spend? Why not bestow yourself and a loved one with an unforgettable excursion courtesy of Oakville, Ontario’s The Luxury Travel Guys? These planning experts will take care of every last detail when organizing the perfect getaway, so all you have to do is prepare your luggage while wanderlust awaits. Rainbow Registered, The Luxury Travel Guys offers an array of options for 2SLGBTQIA+ cruises while also creating a welcoming environment for clients from all walks of life.
Is someone in your life looking to elevate their business endeavour to the next level? Look no further than The Virtual Gurus. Whether they’re looking to increase productivity, reduce overhead costs or find talent faster, a qualified business “guru” will be matched to suit a person’s needs and elevate their business’s full potential. Founded by Bobbie Racette, who is both Indigenous and a part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, the aim of The Virtual Gurus is to give entrepreneurs, especially those who are marginalized or underrepresented, income opportunities and a sense of belonging.
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Start Trading TodayGifts that give back
Designed in Toronto and crafted in Montreal, Vigyl boasts a roster of candles that illuminate the unique olfactory power of self-care and preservation. Drawing inspiration from the worlds of art, design and community, these poured creations are meant to transcend time, instead prioritizing memory to engender an emotional response upon combustion. Better yet, Vigyl’s Hanlan’s Candle, named after a queer-centric beach on Toronto Island, sees $10 from each sale donated to Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps international LGBTQIA+ individuals to safely escape state-sponsored violence and seek refuge in Canada. A harrowing nuance to the candle’s sweet notes of pistachio, tuberose, coconut and others.
Raise a toast to both craft and philanthropy with Squirrel Friendz, Vancouver’s premiere vodka spirit company and the first that is owned and operated by 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. Whether you prefer your vodka mixed or on the rocks, each sip is all the more satisfying knowing that a portion of every sale is directly donated to a local charity servicing 2SLGBTQIA+ communities throughout the nation.
Providing gender-affirming intimates and swimwear to individuals who proudly defy society’s restrictive norms, Origami Customs’ intimates fuse form, function and intent to meet the needs of underrepresented communities. Better yet, the company has partnered with community organizations to help give gender-affirming products to those who can’t afford them, showcasing how authentic expression is a human right, not an exclusive privilege.
Charities to donate to
What to give individuals who have it all? How about a charitable donation on their behalf — here are some great 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to contribute to this season and beyond.
The 519 is recognized as an immutable pillar of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It offers a variety of services, such as counselling services to trans programming, a physical space for non-profits and other groups to organize, as well as leadership opportunities.
The Ten Oaks Project, based in Ottawa, is dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ children, youth and families through specially -designed camps and local programs.
Winnipeg’s Rainbow Harmony Project is home to the city’s 2SLGBTQIA+ choral community, providing a space for folx and allies alike to meet new people, form strong bonds and explore what it means to sing for social change.
The Arquives aims to memorialize and concretize the invaluable contributions of Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals to Canadian society, in archival form. This includes acquiring, preserving, organizing and giving public access to information and materials in any medium, by and about LGBTQ2+ people, primarily produced in or concerning Canada. It will also maintain a research library, international research files and an international collection of LGBTQ2+ periodicals.
Within the relatively heteronormative tech industry, QueerTech strives to break down barriers, create inclusive spaces, all while connecting communities to support and empower 2SLGBTQ+ people to thrive. Starting off as a meetup group in 2016 in Montreal, the organization has since evolved into a non-profit. It provides resources to companies and holds workshops to help them create and foster more inclusive workspaces and hiring practices, while also giving queer people in tech the tools to find their voices and speak up for what they need to be successful.
Sources
1. Peau de Loup
4. Patrick Hunter Art and Design
7. Vigyl
10. The 519
11. Ten Oaks Project
13. The Arquives
14. Queertech
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