All this hype about Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday got me thinking that the LGBT community should have its own shopping day, Purple Sunday -- a day when we buy goods and services from LGBT-friendly companies.
For years I’ve put together holiday gift guides, and when I talk to businesses about featuring their products on a LGBT site, I get an occasional negative response (note: there are some narrow minds at Fat Brain Toys), but the overwhelming reaction is enthusiastically positive.
What better way to thank companies for their support of the LGBT community than to patronize them with your dollars? So while you are shopping the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and throughout the holiday season, consider these gift ideas from companies that are thrilled to be included on this gift list.
Go Three Ways
Most little black bags are too tiny to hold all she needs for a night out. Not the chic and versatile Waverly Three-Way Bag by Stella & Dot. Even folded to a third of its full size it can carry your lipstick, keys, cell phone, wallet and other necessities, and it looks great with our without the strap. For everyday use it can fold out large enough to carry an iPad. $258.00
Surround Sound
Give a gift that gives back 24/7, a subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio. The network boasts more than 140 channels, such as LGBT news and entertainment channel OutQ. The pop culture junkie on your list will love Hatched by Two Chicks, a parenting show hosted by comedienne Judy Gold, The Pop Ten dance party countdown hosted by Lance Bass, and The Six Pack, covering what’s trending now. She can listen at home, in the car, on the Internet or on iPhone, iPod touch, Blackberry and Android. Packages begin at $12.95
Fresh Feet
For the germ freak on your list, Okabashi’s flip-flops can be sanitized in a dishwasher to get rid of yucky bacteria that causes odor. Committed to cleanliness and the planet, these stylish, ergonomically designed thongs and cross strap sandals are made from 30 percent recycled material and are completely recyclable. $9.99 to $17.99
Get Down
She can look cool and stay warm in the Hi-Tec Sundance Peak Parka. Its form-fitting polyester micro taffeta shell and street-friendly styling makes a fashion statement while its 550 fill down insulation and zippered hand warmers keep cold out. Available in black, dover, pasha and Bordeaux. $109.95
Trail Blazing
The footwear brand hardcore runners rely on has gone off road with the Hi-Tec V-Lite Infinity HPi trail running shoe. It features quick-dry, easy-clean breathable synthetic uppers, dual density 3D counterbalance mid-sole, shock-absorbing outsole, lightweight construction and unique designs and colors for exciting style. $150.00
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Apps-solutley Affordable
Get her connected with one of the most affordable and versatile tablets on the market. The Coby KYROS MID7022 operates on Android 2.3 and features Wi-Fi connectivity and a 7-inch capacitive touch screen for quick access to email, videos and apps. $180
SNAPPy Video
She can capture videos and stills in, well, a snap with the affordable Coby SNAPP CAM5002 high definition camcorder. It includes an integrated USB plug, HDMI connection and cable and SD card slot so she can record hours of video to share using the bundled Muvee editing software and YouTube uploader. $49.99
Hot Seat
If the weather outside is frightful, her tushy will feel delightful in the Chaheati All-Season Heated Chair. Ideal for camping, tailgating, sporting events and any activity where you sit outdoors in the cold, the collapsible canvas hot seat warms up in 20 seconds using a high efficiency, lithium-ion rechargeable battery that provides up to six hours of heat per charge and lasts for over 500 uses. $89.99
Smooth Operator
In or out of the shower, the Remington Smooth & Silky Rechargeable Wet/Dry Shaver will leave her with luxuriously soft and smooth skin. It features pivoting blades for comfortable, irritation-free shaving and a flexible trimmer system that follows the body’s contours. $24.99
Bean There
Soothe achy muscles hands-free with the 3-in-1 Cordless Muscle Warmer. Plug in the saline-filled “bean” for 15 minutes, and when ready, it stays warm for up to four hours. The bean slips into the super-soft wrap to drape over her neck or wrap it around her waist or anywhere to melt away tension or to ward off chill. $39.99
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Ear This
Make her a great listener with Wicked Audio’s Helix ear buds. These ultra-cool ear blasters swirl around the ear using ear-hugger technology so they stay snug while she’s active, plus they feature noise isolation for crisp sound quality and an extra-long 4-foot cord for flexibility on the go and they come in vivacious color combinations of blue/orange, black/white and magenta/yellow. $14.99
Chic Chat
VTech’s LS6245 Expandable Cordless Phone with Connect-to-Cell and Touch Technology is not just a combined landline handset and a cell phone but also a piece of art. Its sleek stylish design is worthy of the most elegant of rooms, and its ability to pair up to four cell phones or headsets via Bluetooth technology allows the user to receive and make calls on either home or cell lines. Other bells and whistles include DECT 6.0 Digital interference-free sound, selectable ring tones, digital answering system, Caller ID, base and handset speakerphones, and it’s expandable up to 12 handsets.
$119.90
Puzzling Toys
Famous puzzle maker Ravensburger adds a layer of challenge with new no-glue-required 3D puzzles featuring uniquely curved, hinged and flat plastic pieces that create stunning 3D replicas of landmark structures, such as the Empire State Building or Eiffel Tower ($25.99). The 125-year-old company makes puzzles for every level of difficulty, from children’s super-sized floor puzzles and large-format puzzles up to a mind-blowing 32,256 piece puzzle featuring the art of Keith Haring ($299.99).
Ground Control
Topping the wish list this season for kids of all ages, are Swann’s new line of Easy-Fly Gyro Technology indoor remote controlled helicopters -- Micro Lightning, Micro Hornet, Emergency Strike, Military Thunder and Missile Strike. Controlled by dual joystick controls, these choppers perform death-defying stunts and flight maneuvers with military precision, powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The remote control operates on six AA batteries. $59
Tech Tot
Why should grown-ups have all the fun with tablet technology? VTech’s InnoTab ($79.99) lets kids read, learn and create with a rich collection of apps in a multi-function, touch screen tablet format. Includes e-books, MP3 Player, learning fames, Art Studio painting and drawing apps and a Photo Viewer/Editor and Video Player for pictures and videos transferred from a computer or direct from a VTech Kidizoom camera ($39.99).
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