As a kid, holiday shopping usually entailed jaunts to giant retail stores. But now, I've become more intentional with my shopping. But for queer folks, intention isn't just a virtue; it's survival. Especially as some brands backtracked on their DEI efforts.Our communities built entire worlds out of pop-up markets, kitchen tables, basement workshops, and late-night creativity. We've always supported each other, long before corporations adorned their social media logos with Pride flags for a month and called it "allyship."So put your money where your community is. From trans-owned fashion labels to Black queer chocolatiers and bookstores, these small businesses offer gifts you'll be proud to give. And even happier to keep for yourself.Cake Life Bake ShopSee on InstagramQueer-, woman-, and trans-owned, Cake Life bakes absolutely delicious desserts. Holiday cookie boxes make delicious gifts, if you don't "accidentally" eat them first.WildfangSee on InstagramWith gender-inclusive apparel, Wildfang hits that sweet spot between hot, polished, and unapologetically queer.Transfigure Print Co.See on InstagramSoft tees, bold statements. Transfigure's prints are perfect for the friend who wears their trans and queer pride in comfort. CTOAN & Co.See on InstagramCTOAN & Co. showcases the diversity of our bodies through candles, wax melts, and planters. Standing at the intersection of race, size, and sexuality, Jodyann Morgan creates each piece by hand, celebrating self-love in all its forms.Automic GoldSee on InstagramAutomic Gold is a queer-owned, fine jewelry brand sourcing ethical gold and materials. Perfect for engagements, anniversaries, or "I just love myself" gifts.Noto BotanicsSee on InstagramQueer-founded, NOTO Botanics provides gender-free skincare that moisturizes like a love letter. Astoria BookshopSee on InstagramAstoria Bookshop is a queer-owned brand stacked with queer literature, staff, and vibes. You will leave with at least three books and a new sense of purpose.Boy SmellsSee on InstagramWith candles, perfumes, and mists, Boy Smells has scents that will turn heads!Sharpe SuitingSee on InstagramTrans-founded and gender-liberated tailoring that makes every body look like luxury. A gift card to Sharpe Suiting is the perfect nudge toward that "queer James Bond" moment.Flavnt StreetwearSee on InstagramBy queer people, for queer people, Flavnt is body-affirming streetwear for the masc, the fluid, the femme, and everyone in between. Official RebrandSee on InstagramA zero-waste, gender-free fashion label turning discarded garments into queer-powered runway pieces. Official Rebrand is high-art energy without high-art pretension. LockwoodSee on InstagramA queer-owned boutique filled with stationery, puzzles, and candles, Lockwood has the kind of cozy chaos that says, "I saw this and thought of you."Queer Scents Co.See on InstagramHand-poured soy candles crafted by a queer couple, with 10% of their profits benefiting the NYC-based grassroots organization, Sylvia Rivera Law Project. Queer Candle Co.'s scents are nostalgic, warm, and deeply giftable.A Tribe Called QueerSee on InstagramA Tribe Called Queer is a QTBIPOC-owned lifestyle brand featuring gender-free apparel, art, and accessories rooted in community care.BLK MKT VintageSee on InstagramA queer, Black-owned vintage shop preserving Black cultural memory through curated artifacts, books, art, and home goods. BLK MKT Vintage has the perfect gift for the history lover in your life.Uncommon Coffee RoastersSee on InstagramUncommon Coffee Roasters is a queer-owned coffee that tastes like a warm winter morning. Their holiday blends make excellent gifts for coworkers, lovers, and chosen family alike.Justice Dwight ArtSee on InstagramJustice Dwight's art fuses boldness and heart, splashing color and meaning onto any blank space. Their work makes the perfect gift for those who celebrate liberation, intersectionality, and unapologetic Black queer joy.Out / The AdvocateWhat's queerer than a print subscription to Out / The Advocate? Get the best LGBTQ+ journalism that you can hold in your hands, delivered to your home, all for just $6 / year. Best of all, you can easily gift a subscription to a loved one, or snag it for yourself.Every dollar you spend with these businesses helps keep queer futures alive and thriving. Whether you're buying candles that smell like your best life, clothes that fit who you are, or sweet treats baked with trans joy, you're doing more than shopping: you're uplifting our community.