The51 Holiday Gift Guide 2021
Happy holidays, financial feminists!
If, like us, you’re frantically trying to get your shopping done in between Zoom meetings, family get-togethers and your newest Netflix obsession, we’re about to make your day a lot better. Below are some of our favourite financial feminist brands and organizations to buy from this season, and anytime!
Blume
The skin care and period brand we WISH we had when we were teens, Blume is replacing the idea of “perfect skin” with that of “healthy skin”, and de-stigmatizing the realities of periods, puberty, and all kinds of totally normal, natural body stuff.
Blume’s products are made with ingredients you can pronounce, and that will make your skin and body feel strong. Plus, a portion of proceeds from every one of their sales goes to Days for Girls, an organization that turns periods into pathways for girls around the world through proper education + access to safe resources.
Cheekbone Beauty
If you need an excuse to buy absolutely stunning, cruelty-free beauty products for all the people on your list (and let’s face it, also for yourself) this is your moment.
Cheekbone Beauty is an Indigenous-owned and founded, Canadian cosmetics company known for creating high quality, cruelty-free beauty lipsticks, eye pencils and their “Warrior Women” liquid lipsticks. All their cosmetics are designed for low environmental impact and maximum wearability, and many of our The51 team members can attest to their awesome quality!
Cheekbone’s aim is to make a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth through donations addressing the educational funding gap, and to create a space in the beauty industry where Indigenous youth feel represented and seen.
Colouring It Forward
(also available in The51 Shop)
Give the gift of calm, of meditation, of self-discovery and of community. All with a colouring book!
Colouring It Forward collaborates with Indigenous Artists and elders to produce authentic books, cards and journals to tell the other side of the story of Indigenous people—of hope and of a different future.
Colouring It Forward is more than a colouring book, it’s a gathering place for people to share their own stories and their Native Canadian art, and to build a community. They are a 100% Indigenous social enterprise and make donations from sales to Indigenous social projects.
Field Notes
How about a sweet pea, for your sweet pea?
Field Notes is the first company in North America to make spirits from distilled Alberta field peas—and they are herbaceous, delicious, and distinctly Canadian. Field Notes is a partnership between Faaiza Ramji—an Edmonton-based entrepreneur—and Lindsey Good—who owns and operates Stirlingville Farms in Southern Alberta, where the brand sources all of their peas.
Field Notes uses ingredients that grow naturally in Alberta. In their liqueurs, you’ll find elderflower, chamomile, wormwood, dandelion, and even Alberta honey. Delightful as either pre or post-dinner drinks either straight-up or mixed into your next favourite cocktail, support local this season while indulging in a cheeky glass of cheer.
Formation
Know someone in the healthcare industry? We can’t think of a better person to spoil this season.
Formation is a women-owned health care lifestyle brand making gender-neutral scrubs for all body types that are customizable, comfortable, and contemporary, created withstand whatever their shift may throw at them. These aren’t your average scrubs either. These have been carefully designed and tested by health care professionals to ensure they perform on the job while feeling like your favourite athleisure outfit! Plus, they’re made in Canada!
House Kuipers
Do you find yourself dreaming of palm trees ..?
House Kuipers (yes, by our very own Shelley!) is a fashion brand committed to sustainably producing multi-wear, luxury garments for people of all genders. The current collection, the "Resort Capsule," celebrates a return to travel and leisure.
For anyone in your life who finds themselves on planes when the snow starts to fall, give the gift of ethically sourced, gorgeous, linen layers made in Canada.
JoyDrop
Ohhh JoyDrop. The way we shop these collections, it’s more like “Joy Make-It-Rain.”
Founded and run by entrepreneur extraordinaire, Shashi Behl, JoyDrop celebrates the simple pleasures that can mean everything to ourselves and our loved ones. We of course suggest you shop the never-ending goodies for the folks on your list, but good luck getting out of there without a new treasure for yourself. Beyond their in-store offerings, they also curate a collection of online products made by their favourite designers.
And it’s all so beautiful!
Madame Premier
Politics, community-building, feminism and design ..? Yep check, check, check, check, sign us up!
Madame Premier is a women-owned and operated small business that aims to empower other women through fashion and stimulating dialogue. With a goal of amplifying the lack of women in politics through beautiful clothing with satirical, political and feminist designs, Madame Premier is creating and increasing awareness, starting conversations and moving the dial on increasing representation in politics.
And at Madame Premier, they understand—women transform politics.
Give a badass feminist garment or accessory and double-down on your giving as Madame Premier often donates to local and national non-profit organizations.
MINDD
A comfortable bra? YES. An actually comfortable bra. Regardless of size!!
MINDD uses wire-free bra technology to create an ultra-natural lift while remaining flexible and breathable. As their values state, “Designing a high quality D+ bra isn’t as simple as taking an A, B, or C cup and making it bigger. It requires a unique combination of materials, textiles, and engineering that our experience and single-minded focus on the D+ customer have enabled us to master.”
If you have people in your life still wearing old-fashioned, wire-based bras in (let’s face it) probably the wrong size, this gift could be life. Changing.
Msichana
For the fashionable folks in your life, Msichana is a global fashion house that creates connections and cultural experience through luxuriously crafted clothing. Designed in Canada and crafted in Africa, Msichana’s bold patterns, unique designs and carefully curated fabrics let you stand out and dare to be different.
Even better, Msichana is a global change agent—providing fair wages, training and education. Their supply chain is completely transparent and ethically made for women, by women.
And the results are stunning! 😍
Soulaia
It’s been a year. Give the gift of wellness. 🙏
Soulaia is a multi-generational wellness brand founded and operated by a mother-daughter-friend team—how cool is that?! These women offer the curated content, resources and practises personalized to your (or your loved ones’) wellness journey. A one-stop-shop for personal empowerment, their resources and tips bring self-development, self-awareness, and self-acceptance together—from mental health, to mindfulness, self-care, energy, nutrition and more.
Soulaia offers personalized one-on-one wellness services, including holistic nutrition, energy healing, coaching, natural makeup artistry and intuitive arts. Looking to gift more than a single wellness service? Try a weekend retreat for a full day of connection, healing and self-care.
Got some of your own favourite financial feminist brands and organizations to buy from this season? Leave them in the comments below 👇 and share the wealth with your fellow feminists!