We here at Qmmunity reckon it’s always the right time to gift queer cheer, especially so during the holiday season.
Qmmunity’s annual gift guide offers readers a curated selection of goods made by local LGBTQIA makers with the purpose of helping Austin’s queer community continue thriving by keeping our pink dollars local. After yet another helluva year, this year’s guide spotlights gifts that we – Q contributor James Scott and I – hope will create the very best (and very queer) vibes for yourself or somebody else, whether that’s sprucing up an abode or indulging in some bodycare. From cute AF rugs to CBD-infused bath bombs, Qmmunity’s guide will leave you feeling and lookin’ good. Happy holigays, y’all. – Beth Sullivan
Lewk Good
Chronic the Hedgehog’s Punch-Needle Rugs
Punch-needle rugs are the new hotness, and few makers cut a rug (literally) better than Chronic the Hedgehog, aka Ollie. The self-proclaimed “rug daddi” not only boasts cute rugmaking TikToks but also a catalog stuffed with gamer-core nostalgia and bright, colorful cartoons. Give the Nineties gay in your life a mini-GameCube logo rug to hang above their Super Monkey Ball shrine, or an over-sized cell phone-shaped rug colored in the neon colors of Nickelodeon past. But you gotta be fast: This shop’s stock sells out quicker than certain blue hedgehogs run. instagram.com/chronic_the_hedgeh0g. – James Scott
Very Fine Stitch’s Embroidery
After 13 years in the embroidery and apparel decoration business, Kenny Pursley struck out on his own to start Very Fine Stitch – a collection of beautifully embroidered, hilariously irreverent, and totally queer accouterments. You can find a piece of flair for all your holigay shopping list. For the bottom-leaning scholar(s) in your life, award them the highest honor of an “Ass Pro” or “Tex-Ass” hat. Looking for something to suit the floral-loving daddy figure(s) in your life? You can’t go wrong with a cute “Plant Daddy” cap. Very Fine Stitch’s work will up anyone’s thread levels 100%. instagram.com/veryfinestitch. –J.S.
Howdy Ceramics Planters and Shoe Charms
It’s the age-old Western greeting – howdy – in ceramic form! Cristina Romero’s crafty designs all evoke a welcoming sweetness, which makes giving a Howdy Ceramics mug, planter, or any one of the other myriad creations feel like gifting someone a holdable smile. The plant moms, dads, and nonbinary caretakers in your life will love a “Howdy Face” planter with their cartoonish, shy grins in bright, cheerful colors. Perhaps you know someone who likes to walk on sunshine, in which case the gift of a shoe charm will do nicely: a lucky star, butterfly, or a daisy, etc. – with all of them greeting the world with a smile. instagram.com/howdy.ceramics. –J.S.
Tawa Threads Co. Home Goods
Founded by Tabria Williford in 2019, Tawa Threads Co. is your one-stop-shop for outdoors-inspired home goods for the nature-loving queermo in your life. Dress up an empty wall, table, or neck region with a selection of 20” x 72” hand block printed runners and scarves inspired by vibrant landscapes and national parks – like Arches National Park – or smaller bandanas screen printed locally in Austin. For plant zaddies, Tawa also offers a wide array of plant propagation stations. Another thing to add to Tawa’s awesomeness list? For every purchase, Tawa donates a percentage of proceeds to programs dedicated to the inclusion of BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities and people with disabilities in outdoor spaces and recreation. instagram.com/tawathreads. –B.S.
Feel Good
She Is High Key’s CBD Bath Bombs
CBD gifts keep things cool, calm, and clean thanks to She Is High Key’s line of premium bath products. Aquila Fox has worked in cannabiz for several years and started her own company last year in the middle of the pandemic, making bath and body care products that focus on relaxation. Gift your grrrlfriend(s) with a grind-mindset the best-selling Kash Money Maker to bless them with the black pepper-, bergamot-, and sandalwood (plus a hint of lavender)-infused scent of makin’ money, honey. Or present your favorite page-turner with the Good Book With Bree, a bath bomb inflused with vanilla, black pepper, bergamot, and a healthy academic curiosity. instagram.com/sheishighkey. –J.S.
Gojema’s Soy Wax Candles
Oh! To smell! Such is the pleasure of one gifting (or receiving) a Gojema candle. Hand-poured and packaged here in Austin, these candles are phthalate-free, and their scent profiles aim to send one on a journey through their fragrant power. Send your favorite outdoorsy butch walking through the woods with a gifted Blue Spruce & Balsam double-wick candle from Gojema’s holiday collection, or you could a-peel to your zestiest date-friend with the White Grapefruit & Yuzu candle. Whoever’s the giftee, Gojema’s candles are sure to hit the right notes with their nose. instagram.com/gojemacandles. –J.S.
This article appears in November 26 • 2021.
