The equality4success Alternative Gift Guide

It’s that time of year again and with many of us not able to spend the holiday season with our loved ones, choosing a thoughtful gift feels all the more meaningful. Our alternative gift guide is back with suggestions that go beyond the stereotypical Barbies and bath bombs or toy guns and ties. We’ve split our gift ideas into categories for easy browsing so enjoy taking a fresh look at festive gift solutions that promote science, diversity, and general awesomeness. It might inspire a host of creative ideas!

We hope you enjoy our suggestions. Get in touch to show us your nerdy stereotype-defying gifts on equality4success@babraham.ac.uk or on twitter (@equal4success)

Babies | Kids | Teenagers | Secret Santas | Non-Scientists | Booklovers | Best Friends | Partners

Please keep in mind, our selection is purely based on our commitment to supporting equality and diversity and challenging gender stereotypes. We’re not receiving any incentives to feature these products and we haven’t inspected them in person so we can’t say how well they perform. Inclusion in our list is not an endorsement of a product. Prices may vary from those indicated depending on retailer.

Babies

• Giving kids multicultural toys is an easy first step to instilling empathy and representing diversity, and they’re sure to love this plush toy with a magnetic dummy. Wee Baby Stella from Manhattan Toy Store, £19.99
• Get your little one hooked on science early with this colourful book that explains terms from biology, astronomy, physics, geography and more in words anyone can understand. My First 100 Science Words by Chris Ferrie and Lindsay Dale-Scott, £6.80
• Every parent probably wishes their baby napped more but if they are keeping you awake, at least it’s a reminder to raise them woke. I Take Naps But I Stay Woke Baby Bodysuit by SmallandSnarky on Etsy, £18.09

Kids

• Get kids excited about engineering, creative thinking and problem-solving with this engaging and inspiring book featuring and written by BAME women. An Engineer Like Me by Shini Somara and Nadja Sarell, £9.79
• This beautifully illustrated game combines the fun of memory games with learning about children from cultures all over the world. I Never Forget A Face Memory Game by eeBoo, £14.99
• Science shouldn’t just be about learning, this subscription kit turns science into playing with each box containing everything you need to perform all sorts of experiments. Letterbox Lab, from £12

Teens

• With a variety of feminist, motivational and sassy slogans, these A5 notebooks are perfect for sending a message while take notes. Notebook by BoldPaperCompany on Etsy, £15
• These stickers with inspirational representation of all sorts of women in STEM are perfect for computers, water bottles, or tablets, as well as being available on other products. Stickers by Semarhy Quinones on Redbubble, £2.06 each
• Olusoga’s Black and British: A Forgotten History became essential reading when it was released three years ago and now the shorter revised version is the perfect way to introduce younger readers to his insightful re-examination of British history. Black and British: A short, essential history by David Olusoga, £6.99

Secret Santas

• Sometimes socks can be naff but these quirky motivational ones are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. Socks by Blue Q, £9.99
• Let them show their support for science and LGBTQ+ scientists with these beautifully designed rainbow pins. Mega rainbow 4 pin pack by ProudScience on Etsy, £20/£7 each
• A happy families-style game that features 44 influential and inspirational women from history and the present day, this is perfect for the person who can’t get enough board games. Wonder Women Card Game by Laura Bernard, £9.99

Non-scientists

• Masks obviously had to make an appearance somewhere on this list, and these ones give you the ability to wear your values on your face. Face masks by SaraConde on Etsy, £9
• These mugs are a cute way to have a serving of science every day with their black and white designs of volcanoes, nerve cells, atoms and more. Science Initial Mug by CuriousOctoDesigns on Etsy, £9
• It’s essential for everyone to know about unconscious bias and this book takes that heavy topic and makes it easy and enjoyable to understand. Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias by Pragya Agarwal, £16.99

Book lovers

• Myths around racism and race science are popping back up so this is a timely and accessible guide to the genetics of ethnicity, how the research has been misused and how to refute it. How to Argue with a Racist by Adam Rutherford, £12.99
• Kimmerer combines her perspectives as a botanist and a Native American to show how scientific observations are enriched by indigenous knowledge, not at odds with it, in this almost poetic book that will change the way you view the natural world. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, £9.99
• Using mathematical reasoning, this book presents a witty, clear and completely new angle for thinking about gender, patriarchy and sexism. x+y: A Mathematician's Manifesto for Rethinking Gender by Eugenia Cheng, £14.99

Best friends

• If your bestie is looking for an activity to get them through the winter, send them this stylish modern embroidery kit that’s great for beginners. Feminist embroidery kit by NogPepperMe on Etsy, £23.99
• Get ready for a better 2021 with this calendar that marks all the holidays you’d expect but also has important milestones from the history of fights for equal rights like the Stonewall riots, Equal Franchise Act, and when slavery was abolished. 2021 calendar by Radical Tea Towel, £10.50
• No need to stay 6ft away from these cuddly microbes which are perfect for your friend with a healthy sense of humour. Plagues from History Giant Microbe Set, £19.95

Partners

• This personalised sky map that shows just where the stars were is a beautiful way to celebrate a meaningful date like your anniversary. Personalised star map print by Forefrontdesigns on Etsy, £16.99+
• With easy to learn mechanics but loads of replayability, Villagers features gorgeous artwork and a diverse set of characters making for a great night in. Villagers board game by Sinister Fish, £21.29
• Everyone needs their ugly holiday jumper to cosy up in but ugly isn’t the same as boring and these days you can find a variation that suits anyone. Menorasaurus £13.75, Gay Apparel £24.99, Chemistree £24.83