Project Stree's Holiday Gift Guide

The holidays are my favorite time of the year. The weather is crisp and cool, the lights are bright, the hot chocolate flows freely, and, most importantly, it’s the season of giving. As the holidays are fast approaching, Project Stree presents its holiday guide for gifting to the empowered femmes in your life for whom you need to find a gift for ASAP:

Books

Giving a loved one the novel they’ve been eyeing at their local bookstore or the memoir they would resonate with demonstrates you care about their interests. Books featuring empowered women and femmes will delight your feminist bookworm friend. For your friend that devours memoirs and self help books, Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton, which follows the author in her 20s as she navigates the ups and downs of growing up and the nuances of love, is the perfect fit. Similarly, The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler, and Creep: Confessions and Accusations by Myriam Gurba make excellent gifts for your friend dedicated to growth mindset. Instant classics in fiction, like The Secret History by Donna Tart, The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, are for the avid reader in your life. My favorite, The Secret History, is a story that follows a group of Greek-obsessed college students and an outsider who joins their club, hoping to build community. Giving classics in ornate hardback covers, such as Emma by Jane Austen and The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, can also expand and adorn your friend’s library. Check out the Summer Reads blog post for more ideas!

Card games

Card games are perfect for the designated host of the friend group. She’s always throwing parties and decorating, so she needs the perfect set of card games to round off her girls’ night! Try out new games like We’re Not Really Strangers or For the Girls. Both games involve a deck of cards with stimulating conversation starters. In addition, feel free to include some classics the host might not have, such as Cards Against Humanity or Monopoly Deal! Despite Cards Against Humanity being a cult classic, my favorite is Monopoly Deal, which mimics the competitive nature of Monopoly without needing to keep track of any of the pieces. 

Jewelry

A tried and true favorite includes jewelry for the dressy femme in your life or for a friend who is trying to add to her collection. Jewelry classics include lockets, which they can customize with pictures that remind them of their loved ones, birth-stone earrings, which add a custom touch to traditional gold earrings, or simple rings from ethically sourced brands such as Ana Luisa to brighten the recipient’s day. If you plan the splurge on diamond jewelry, check out lab grown diamonds by Clean Origin, which are conflict free and ethically sourced. 

Custom Paint by Number

A personal touch is a must when choosing a gift for your artist friend. Depending on the picture you pick, this custom paint-by-number will evoke gratitude and nostalgia. The gift is perfect for someone searching for their inner Bob Ross. The experience is calming and creates a sense of accomplishment, making the recipient feel like a master, even if they are painting within the lines. 

Cooking Accessories

For the cook of the friend group, you can’t go wrong with a blank recipe book for them to write down their delicious concoctions. In addition, include a customized apron that matches the aesthetic of their kitchen with their name on it. Witty decorations such as this Yelp review plaque are sure to liven up any kitchen. These gifts are excellent for someone who has a refined palate and loves experimenting in the kitchen. 

 Donations to Their Favorite Cause

Lastly, you can always donate to your friend’s favorite cause. Donations for your environmentalist friend might include contributions to the Nature Conservancy, Founder Pledge Climate Fund, or the Giving Green Fund. These organizations use donations to promote writing for grant funds, further climate research, and change policies. For the friend passionate about world hunger, donate to World Central Kitchen, which provides meals in the wake of natural disasters. And finally, for the empowered femmes in your life, consider a donation to Project Stree, an organization dedicated to eradicating period poverty in India. 

Whichever gifts you choose, Project Stree wishes you a merry and bright holiday season.