Is it just me, or does this year feel like a a make or break year for relationships, connections and ties? Personally I have had to reevaluate the friends I value and want to stay connected to, even when staying connected seems hard. Similarly, my sister and I have gotten closer in the past year of not seeing each other than we have in previous years. In part because she has been my source of laughter and release in times of stress as a new mom during COVID whilst on another continent. But also because not seeing each other for so long made us both realize how much we rely on and love one another. Something that can go unrealized when time and proximity are on your side.

On the other spectrum is the personal and joint growth my husband and I have experienced as new parents during these often scary and uncertain times. His unrelenting optimism even with very little sleep still surprises me and reminds me of all that is good in the world. Which is why this is one of my personal favorite gift guides. Because it symbolizes the growth, shifts and realizations many of us have had in our relationships. And what better way to honor that than saying thank you to the ones who have kept us sane this year?

Bee keeping kit 

Whilst this may not be the first gift you think of gifting a loved one, it is one that makes sense for the planet. Not only can loved ones  help house bees (that are harmless and do not sting) but they can also help ensure the well being of our planet as bees are fast becoming extinct, despite their crucial role in our eco system. This is the perfect gift for those who have given you plenty to be thankful for this year but want little in return. And the great thing is that you don’t need much space just a balcony or a small garden and you will be set to house one of the planets hard workers. Read more about this amazing company here and shop for loved ones who would love nothing material for Christmas

Natural body products

We’ve spoken about Liha already in our gift guide here but can you blame us? Not only is this brand sustainable but it is also run by two women of colour. Which is why I am grabbing one of their Liha x AAKS gift bag for my sister who may be in need of some TLC after showing up for me this year.

Educational toy subscription 

As a new mom I can tell you first hand that finding the right toys for your little one can feel like a monumental task, which is why I love the Lovevery subscription boxes that are tailor made for your babies and toddlers play and educational needs. Modeled after the montessori method of learning, Lovevery takes the guess work out of toys and educational material that is age appropriate. Add on top of that their belief in using natural products to produce their toys and we are sold.

31 Bits jewelry

Sustainable and jewelry are not two words that you hear used together too often. Which is why we love 31 Bits. Founded on the the simple idea of giving artisans jobs in Uganda, this jewelry company is now operating on three different continents and selling beautiful jewels perfect to gift to loved ones.

Natural personal hygiene products

With personal hygiene steadily moving into the clean space, we can think of nothing better to gift our girlfriends (and ourselves) for Christmas than some non-toxic, natural personal hygiene products. Which is why we are loving Lola, which not only makes organic feminine hygiene products. But also natural condoms, lubricants and other sexual wellness products.

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For a long time, I saw tampons as a thing made for different classes and races. Don’t get me wrong, this was just a misconception I had created for myself with no underlying stereotypical cause. Growing up in the rural areas, all I had known as a menstrual barrier was pads and pads only. This was until I went to university and learned that there was something called a “tampon”. But still, I thought it was not made for me.

Like most people, I had this belief that tampons could potentially break one’s hymen. A hymen is “The hymen is a thin, fleshy tissue that’s located at the opening of your vagina” and is often broken during intercourse (hence bleeding when you first have sex) or while doing rigorous sport not by using a tampon. Nonetheless, tampons do have some cons that come with them. And this applies to other menstrual barriers like pads, menstrual cups, sponges, amongst others.

Comparison between tampons and pads health-wise.

Rita Rubin, wrote an article in 2015 titled, ”Are Feminine Hygiene Products Safe?”. In it she shows that, over the years, research in this concern has not been incontrovertible enough. There has been much debate about whether the ingredients incorporated in sanitary pads, tampons, and other feminine hygiene products have a risk of causing irreversible damage to the gynecological organs.

However, since the data and research are insubstantial. We can not in any way say whether this is true or not. Which is why it is important to do your research. After all, we use feminine hygiene products every month for most of our lives. Let’s look at some cons and pros of using tampons and/or sanitary pads.

Tampons: Pros and cons

The good thing about tampons is that they are easy to carry around. Because they are small, they can easily fit into your pocket. And once you get used to using them, after a while you forget you have something inside your vagina.

However, you must keep track of time when you have a tampon. This is to avoid leaving it on for a long time. If a tampon is left in for too long, i.e, for more than 2-8 hours at a time (depending on the menstrual flow). It can expose your vagina to infection-causing bacterias and cause a condition called toxic shock syndrome. One of those bacterias is called Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

To avoid this, avoid wearing tampons overnight if you are a deep sleeper. Or you can also use them alternatively with pads whenever possible.

Pads/sanitary towels: Pros and cons

Unlike tampons, pads can be worn for at least 12 hours, which means that you can wear them overnight without worrying about the time. This is also of course dependent on your flow and the absorption capabilities of the pad. With pads, you do not need to insert anything in your vagina, therefore, there is no discomfort, irritation, or pain experienced (which usually happens with first-time tampons users).

If worn for an extended period, pads can however produce a foul smell. And can also irritate the skin around your labia and perianal area. Making it itchy. Which is why it is important to gently wash your pubic area with warm water every day to remove any residual blood from wearing a pad. This is also true for tampon 

Now the question is, amongst women of colour especially black communities, “What is more predominantly used between pads and tampons, and why?”.

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Having good personal hygiene is a lot easier and simpler than one might think. And thankfully for us, most of the below tips are things we learn from an early age. These things include; washing your hands after using the toilet, brushing your teeth and bathing everyday among others. As we get older however, we can sometimes forget to take good care of ourselves. Especially with no parents or teachers reminding us what to do. Which is why it is important to remind ourselves to do these things. Not only to keep us looking good but also healthy.

Here are some good personal hygiene practices we should all follow:

1. Wash your body regularly with soap and water. This can be done once a day or if you are pressed for time, once every two days.
2. Use deodorant to help with sweat and keep you smelling fresh.
3. Brush teeth with toothpaste twice daily to remove food stains and food trapped in between teeth.
4. Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before touching food to ensure you don’t transfer bacteria and germs.

What are some ways you take care of your personal hygiene?

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