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The gift guide that gives back

Emily Writes

Emily Writes

— 7 min read
The gift guide that gives back

This Christmas, do you want to support the community while buying presents? You can! This is our annual gift guide that gives back. Almost all of the gifts on this list are from not-for-profits or are fundraisers. I hope you find something you love to treat yourself or someone else!

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It's time to shop for Christmas presents (if that's something you do). Many small businesses across the motu will be sustained for half of next year by the sales they get over Christmas. It's been a tough year for many. So please support local before there's nothing local to support.

And please consider supporting a business that gives back to the community. I can assure you Temu and Shein don't.

Here's my big 2025 guide - all groups and individuals from Aotearoa fundraising for good causes and small businesses putting money back into the community!

Credit: Sugarhouse Ceramic Co.

Wear your values!

Start at your feet and buy some Ceasefire socks to raise funds for families in Gaza. Or I absolutely love these amazing socks from MISS MAIA.

Then grab a TOGETHER TAHI - STAINLESS STEEL DRINK BOTTLE to go with it.

If you haven't already, buy an authentic Palestinian Kufiya from Palestinian Identity - "Once our makers finish making this Kufiya on the heirloom machine, they send it off to a Palestinian women’s refugee camp in Jordan where the fluffy tassels are hand sewn on by them and they earn a wage. Thank you for helping us to support them."

If you need a tee, well there are so many to choose from: There's no better shirt to wear on Christmas Day than the “godDAMN this stupid milkloving piece of shit dumbass mean spirited sale at briscoes racist sexist 40% off deck furniture piss country” tee that raises funds for the Aotearoa 4 Gaza mutual aid fund.

Or you can buy the Toxic Leftie Green tee that funds my mahi (it was a great compliment I got).

There's also:

If jewellery is more your thing, you can support Palestinian liberation with: Palestine Heart Dangles or Large Watermelon Slices or Palestine Heart Studs.

I absolutely adore these Solidarity Coin necklaces and earrings from MVH Jewellery. And I'm hoping to buy a Lady Ngāpuhi ring in the near-future! And there's also Pads Pearls that support Palestinians.

MISS MAIA is home to gorgeous earrings, necklaces and studs - designed by Tracey Gardner (Ngāti Awa).

Other earrings I love:

You can never have too many tote bags so grab an Always was, always will be tote to go with your Together for Te Tiriti bag. I absolutely love this bag from the Wellington Maritime Museum - Daily Floggings.

Keep the TERFS away with a Gender Affirming to the Max tote. Or support type one diabetics with a 24-7 tote.

Need something for your hair? I love these cute scrunchies and bows from Maddys mahi toi.

Have you ever seen a cuter pōtae than this? Our Taiao has the cutest stuff!

Credit: Little Folx

What about things for your home?

It's almost 2026, so you'll be needing a calendar -

Leave a koha!

If mugs are more your thing, I absolutely love my WALKABLE CITIES SUCKABLE TITTIES mug.

Here are some others you might like:

Why not add a slice of Palestinian culture to your home, and support the livelihoods of farmers and artisans in the West Bank - I love everything at Bayyāra.

Or buy some beautiful embroidered cushion covers from Palestinian Identity.

Handmade, hot, queer, soy candles created in Tāmaki Makaurau? What more could you ask for? Sybs is the best. Shop candles or classes!

I feel like I have so many friends I want to buy the Homo Sweet Homo welcome mat from Agnes and Edie for. Everything they have in their online shop is just too awesome.

Other small businesses you can support:

  • Buy beautiful stationery from Tuhi Stationery - they're a proudly Māori-owned business committed to supporting kaupapa that uplift Māori and celebrate mātauranga Māori.
  • Claire at Madame Fancy Pants is a community taonga - she's always giving to others and her shop (now online only) is incredible.
  • Rose at Iko Iko is just wonderful. She is so generous and caring, and Iko Iko is just the best place for gifts.
  • The good folks at Skip The Boat have released limited edition tees to raise funds for Palestinians in Gaza. Their tees, caps, shorts, and hoodies are the perfect gift for teens and very cool mums like me.
  • Who doesn't love Moana Fresh? Their gallery and shop is incredible.
  • If you have a little one, the personalised tо̄ku ingoa Mint Prints NZ tees and onesies are so cute.
  • House of Rehua sells Rongoā Māori Traditional Plant Remedies - everything from oils to bath salts.
  • I just love the Whatu Creative tukutuku toi kits - such a unique and fun gift idea.
  • Aho Creative has the most beautiful goodies if you have a little pēpi in your life.
  • Bookety Book Books is a super cute online bookstore that gives back.
  • I absolutely love the good sorts at MTCP Creations! They do so much for the community and important causes!
Leave a koha!

You can support an author (like me!) by buying one of our books!

Speaking of gifts! I've now got something people have been requesting for ages - gift subscriptions! If you'd like to purchase an Emily Writes Weekly membership for the deserving person or loved one in your life, you can do it! Hit the button below to gift someone a year's worth of EWW.

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Finally, I am STILL so obsessed with Manaaki products made at Omaka Marae. I was at a wedding once and tasted literally the greatest chutney I’d ever had in my life. I went to the kitchen and begged the caterers to tell me what it was. It was the Manaaki Horopito & Feijoa Chutney. So last year I bought the gift set and took out that chutney to keep and wrapped the others separately to give to the aunties.

My husband loves the KamoKamo pickle and the Horopito & Garlic Sauce. I love that all of the proceeds go back into the marae and community! Buy here.

So, what are your favourite small businesses? Or favourite books? I'd love to know.

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