Blooming Crayons’ “Pride Flag” and multicolored rectangle crayons
By: Mikey Rox/Special to TRT—
Even if you’re not religious, you can still celebrate a fluffy pagan Easter with someone you love. But instead of the tiny trinkets and cavity-inviting candy that monopolize kids’ baskets this time of year, put together a wicker-handled surprise that’s decidedly more adult with these 10 LGBT-minded finds.
- Beekman 1802 Hand and Body Wash
Those Fabulous Beekman Boys – husband-and-husband team Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge – are still at it with Beekman 1802 (you’ve probably seen them hard at work in their very own American Express commercial recently), a lifestyle brand born on their sprawling Upstate New York farm. To give your partner a skincare pick-me-up this spring, pack his basket with the delightfully perky Honeyed Grapefruit Body Wash and Honey & Orange Blossom Hand Wash. $20-$25; beekman1802.com
- Blooming Crayons
Pride season is just around the corner – June will be here before you know it, gurl – and it’s never too early to start one-upping yourself from last year’s celebration. If you’re the kind of couple who likes to bring your own signs to the big parade, Blooming Crayons’ “Pride Flag” and multicolored rectangle crayons will help get the party started with its ROYGBIV brand of chromatic diversity. $6; etsy.com
- FattyCakesNY Cookies
While you’re trying to avoid building a basket overloaded with empty calories – oh, to be a kid again – you don’t have to shun sugar altogether. Satisfy his sweet tooth with FattyCakesNY’s Sweet n’ Salty Trio, six each of its three best-selling cookies, including Old Salt (triple chocolate with sea salt), The Norm (chocolate chip with sea salt), and PBCC (peanut butter with chocolate chips, pretzels and sea salt) – which, if it’s possible, sound just as delicious as they taste. $38; fattycakesny.com
- Bettyville: A Memoir
Chilly days and nights still linger this time of year, and it’s perfect weather for a new novel. Bettyville: A Memoir, author George Hodgman’s literary debut, chronicles the former Vanity Fair columnist’s journey home to care for his quick-tempered mother, who, despite her boisterousness, has never fully accepted that he’s gay. The duo is forced to confront their past, present and future in this intimate but colorful look behind a family’s closed doors. From $11.99; amazon.com
- Menage A Trois Vodka
Two’s company, but three’s a night to remember with Ménage à Trois. This gluten-free vodka (it’s made from American corn) is distilled six times for a clean, smooth liquor, the high proof of which is brought down to 80 using pure mountain spring water. Flavors include original, citrus and berry, and cocktail recipes are available on the Ménage à Trois website. $22.99; menageatroisvodka.com
- Elizabeth W Bath Fizz
A gift for both of you to kick back and relax – considering you have a tub suited for two – Elizabeth W aromatic bath-time effervescents include six foil-wrapped tablets in assorted scents. To color coordinate with the other holiday goodies in your basket, opt for the Leaves, Rose, & Sweet Tea fizz or the special-edition fizz in the shape of festive eggs. $20; elizabethw.com
- CelebriDucks
Rub-a-dub-dub, bring a duck to the tub (that otherwise ordinary soak is officially an event now) with CelebriDucks, collectible rubber fowl of the greatest icons of film, music, athletic and history. If your boy’s a friend of Dorothy – and whose isn’t? – his house will start to twitch with _Wizard of Oz_-themed selections, including the Wicked Witch, Scarecrow, Lion, Tin Woodman, Glinda and, of course, that little girl from Kansas and her little dog, too. $11.99; celebriducks.com
- aussieBum Swimwear
Heat waves are on the horizon, and that can only mean one thing: Time to hit the beach. You’ll want him to look his best when he’s sopping wet with surf and sweat – and aussieBum’s got what he needs. Its Las Vegas short-leg boardie covers the junk but shows just enough leg to keep you excited, while the Speedo-style Superhero collection makes no bones about taking you up, up and away. $28.40-$31.95; aussiebum.com
- Illinois Nut & Candy
Illinois Nut & Candy offers a bevy of sweet selections (and plenty of nuts, too), but he’ll go gaga for its LGBT-friendly personalized chocolate options, available in dipped pretzels rods and peppermint patties. Other put-it-in-my-mouth confections include taffy apples, popcorn balls, English toffee and Jordan almonds. From $1.75; illinoisnut.com
- The Way He Looks DVD
End Easter on a high note with an LGBT DVD and a cuddle sesh. A new release of note, The Way He Looks – from LGBT film distributor Wolfe Video – is a coming-of-age story about friendship and young love set to the music of Belle and Sebastian. Plus, the boys are cute. Do you need a better description? $19.95; wolfevideo.com
*Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and blogger whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He splits his time between homes in New York City and the Jersey Shore with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Twitter @mikeyrox.
