Queer Christmas Gift Guide – Make the Yuletide Gay

There’s only a couple of days left until Christmas – and we know that some of you are still looking for presents for beloved family and friends. But never fear – we have a brilliant list of suggestions for the LGBTQIA+ people or allies in your life. Any of these gifts are sure to please!

Queer Book Box

Founded by Georgia, the Queer Book Box is ‘a curated selection of queer fiction delivered through a monthly subscription. We carefully select books by queer authors which reflect the depth and diversity of our community. It is the only queer owned, queer supplied literary fiction subscription out there.’

A couple of weeks ago I received the November ‘Basic’ book box. This was We Go Around In The Night And Are Consumed By Fire by Jules Grant. This is a ‘lesbian gangster’ novel set in ‘Manchester’s criminal underworld’ that was published in 2016. I’d never heard of this book, which is fantastic, because I feel that a lot of book box subscriptions focus on bestsellers. This particular book also came with a link for a Q&A with the author, as well as a couple of recommended books.

One aspect of the Queer Book Box that I particularly like is that all of the books are sourced from London’s Gay’s the Word. If one of your friends or family members would love a monthly queer book, gift cards are also currently available, which you will receive by email!

Bottomless Brunch

If you’ve got a little more cash to flash, we would absolutely recommend London Rascals’ Bottomless Brunch. From 12-2 or 3-5 every Saturday, join renowned drag queen Ginger Flappage in Shoreditch for delicious food (gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options available) and hilarious hijinks, such as the Wheel of Certain Misfortune! Throughout the show there will also be bottomless prosecco and bottomless espresso martinis.

Rascals also hosts drag nights, bingo with Lady Gala, and a special New Year’s Eve special!

This is 18+ only, and costs £40 each.

Queer Tours of London

There is so much history to be found in London – but have you ever considered its hidden queer history?

Queer Tours of London are exactly what it says on the tin – tours around London led by knowledgeable queer historians, artists and activists. In 2018 alone there have been queer tours of Soho, the West End, and Whitehall. There has also been a trans-focussed tour in celebration of Marsha P Johnson, and tours that talk about queer disability and activism. So far in 2019 a queer ghost tour of Shadwell is planned to celebrate the birthday of queer poet Wilfred Owen.

Generally prices are £5 unwaged, £10 waged, £15 solidarity (profits tend to go to a queer charity). What better way is there to celebrate 2019 – the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots?

Queer pins and badges

Queer pins and badges are officially the cutest. when you buy queer pins on Etsy you know you are supporting grassroots creatives as well as giving a gift from the heart. If you’re doing last-minute Christmas shopping, do check shipping times before you buy – you may need to give them as a late gift, and perhaps make a card with a downloaded photo of the pin in question so your treasured person knows their gift is on its way and has something tangible to receive on the day itself.

In addition, if you use the Easyfundraising app, you can donate to the charity of your choice when you buy via Etsy, without any cost to yourself. So you could pick your favourite LGBTQIA+ charity to donate to when you buy online from stores like Etsy, Amazon and eBay. Double-win.

Featured pin: Queer magic pin from TheThirdArrow.

Donations to LGBTQIA+ charities

Finally, if you’re feeling especially generous during this holiday season, we would strongly recommend giving donations to LGBTQIA+ charities. As we’re sure you know, this can be a really difficult time of year for queer people, particularly if they have unsupportive families, or do not have a place to sleep. Two of our favourite LGBTQIA+ charities are MindOut (a charity specifically focussing on queer mental health) and Stonewall.

Giving just £10 or £15 can help queer individuals talk to someone who understands, or allow Stonewall to train managers about workplace discrimination. You could donate in somebody else’s name, and send them a screenshot of the thank-you email.

Happy holidays, lovelies!