Tinsel time has descended, people! This means we are faced with the eternal question; what to get the feminist in your life that has everything? Well apart from, y’know, gender equality. If you’re stuck for ideas, let this list of our favourite feminist gifts be your guide.
1. Frances Cannon X VWT Tote
We recently collaborated with Melbourne based artist Frances Cannon to create a limited edition tote bag (see top image right) that celebrates the beauty + power of friendship (with a healthy dose of body positivity thrown in for good measure). Available in black or white, these glad bags make for the perfect stocking fillers. Best get in quick, as they’re flying off the shelves.
Snap up your own Frances Cannon x VWT bag here.
2. How to be a Super Smart Woman: New Strategies for Superannuation by Pauline Taylor
Give the gift of financial knowledge this festive season! Economist and finance consultant, Pauline Taylor, has recently released this book focusing on superannuation for Australian women. The first of its kind, Taylor’s book demystifies financial systems so women can clearly understand superannuation and how it applies to them.
Books available here.
3. This is What a Feminist Looks Like Tees by IWDA
The perfect gift for all the happy/angry feminists in your life! Plus, all proceeds from the shirts support the work of International Women’s Development Agency’s (IWDA) in advancing women’s rights in the Asia Pacific region. IWDA also sells feminist badges, magnets and mindfulness colouring books!
Check out their shop here.
4. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
Want to share some fairytales that don’t involve Prince Charming and a bunch of evil stepsisters? Illustrated by sixty female artists from all over the world, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls portrays one hundred remarkable women and their extraordinary lives. From Ada Lovelace to Malala, Elizabeth I to Serena Williams, this book aims to empower and inspire young girls by showing them that girls don’t need rescuing.
Get a copy of your own here.
5. Christmas hamper from SisterWorks
SisterWorks is a not-for-profit social enterprise that supports women who are migrants, asylum seekers or refugees to become financially independent and happily settled in Australia. By purchasing one of their Christmas hampers, you are supporting the wonderful work they do, while enjoying some delicious and practical goodies. What more could you want?
See their full range of hampers here.
6. Vulvè Accessories
Everyone needs more feminist bling in their life. Vulvè Accessories aims to reclaim the space around women’s issues, break down taboos, and empower women; all very important things but also can we talk about the fact that they are made out of sequins and are so very nice? They are a bit of a favourite in the Trust office. In fact, Policy & Advocacy Officer Casimira Melican donned a pair during her appearance of the Project earlier this year. She was there to talk about our workplace Menstrual Policy and ending the social stigma around menstruation and menopause. Get you and your best pal some sequinned taboo breakers of your own!
Check out Vulvè here.
7. Queerbook Committee Colouring Books
The Queerbook Committee has created a series of coloring books for the afterschool discotheque. Titles includes The Big Gay Alphabet, Sometimes the Spoon Runs Away with Another Spoon, Girls are Not Chicks, and more. Say yaaaas, and add all the colours of the rainbow to your life.
Check out their colouring books here.
8. Boob jewelry (it’s a thing!)
Here’s a thought: why not add some boob jewelry to go with your vulva accessories and create the ultimate gift combo! Check out these It’s the Tits Earrings from LBX Studios and this boobs necklace on etsy by Layered and Long.
9. Curing Affluenza by Richard Denniss
Chief Economist at The Australia Institute and Breakthrough keynote speaker Dr. Richard Denniss has released a new text Curing Affluenza: How to Buy Less Stuff and Save the World. If you have a friend who’s interested in topics such as consumerism, materialism, sustainability or all of the above, this is the book for them. (And if you saw Dr. Richard Denniss speak at Breakthrough last year, you’ll know that this will be quite thought provoking.)
Find his book via Readings.
10. Self Love Mirror by Bodil Jane
It’s time to take a long, hard look at yourself—with a self-love mirror, of course! Bodil Jane, an illustrator from Amsterdam, has created a series of ‘Self-love’ pocket mirrors with four different designs available. Each mirror has has encouraging and inspiring words to pep you up. Yes, please.
Mirrors available for purchase here.
11. Carrying the World by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Carrying the World is the latest text from Maxine Beneba Clarke, author of Foreign Soil and critically acclaimed memoir The Hate Race. This collection of poetry was the winner of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Poetry 2017, tackling subjects like slavery, growing up black in Australia, single parenthood, and her love-hate relationship with words. If you’ve read her stirring piece, My Feminism written for our journal, you’ll know that her work is arresting and insightful.
Buy this and other texts by Maxine here.
12. Mother lover assorted gifts
One tired mumma in country Victoria has made some real cute pins, tees and badges all with a feminist overtone. In their own words, Mother Lover is “pro girl gangs & bub hangs and we think we should literally wear our feelings for the world to see”. Amen to that.
Pick up some Mother Lover goodies here.
13. Some Girls By Nelly Thomas
Why not instil some good ol’ feminist values in the young ‘uns over the holidays? Comedian Nelly Thomas and illustrator by Sarah Dunk have crafted a humorous and touching kid’s guide to being unapologetically yourself. This book is perfect for tough girls, sensitive girls, silly girls, smart girls — every kind of girl!
Pick up a copy here.
Got a hot tip on some A+ feminist gifts? Email maddy@vwt.org.au
Images from top: VWT Volunteer Emmanuella holding the tote bag – photography Breeana Dunbar. This is what a feminist looks like Tee – image from iwda.org.au. It’s the Tits Earrings – image from lbxstudios.com. VWT Staff member Cas wearing Vulvè earrings on The Project – image from Vulvè Accessories Instagram. Self-love Pocket Mirror – image from bodiljaneshop.com. Carrying the World by Maxine Beneba Clarke (cover) available here. Mother Lover Baseball Tee image via motherlovershop.com. Some Girls by Nelly Thomas (cover) available here.
Maddy Crehan
Maddy has been working at the Victorian Women’s Trust, primarily on Rosie.org.au since July 2015. She regularly writes for the Rosie blog, edits Write Like a Girl submissions, manages Rosie social media and is involved in the overall strategic planning of the project. Maddy is passionate about music, history, art, writing, and advocating for women and girls.
