When Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone was first published in the UK in 1997, we were charmed by the scrappy and brave orphan Harry Potter who grew up under his abusive uncle and aunt before discovering he was a wizard. We fell in love with Harry’s plucky best friends, sagacious professors, and the fantastical castle they inhabited in the seven-book series.
As fans have attested for decades, the Harry Potter novels and films distinguished themselves with their emphasis on the power of love, tolerance, and friendship. That unity (and all of the thrilling adventures the trio experienced) brought together a worldwide community of Potterheads. Today sharing Hogwarts Houses is as common a practice as sharing astrology signs or favorite foods, and it’s impossible to step into any shop and not see The Boy Who Lived or his many magical friends staring back.
But, unless you live under a massive rock cake baked by Hagrid, you know that Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling really put her foot in it this time. With a seemingly off the cuff remark, Rowling not only shamelessly did the trans community dirty but alienated millions of Potter fans.
However, many of us Potterheads refuse to let Rowling’s TERF-y beliefs and comments spoil what is truly one of the most epic fantasy masterpieces.
We refuse to retreat into any cupboards under the stairs or throw away what has been an integral part of not only our lives but our whole identities. Harry Potter belongs to the fans now. We’re going to continue loving, creating, and supporting one another and the characters we love so much as the inclusive, diverse, and vibrant community we are.
In celebration of the unity and stand against discrimination, bigotry, and hate we Potterheads have taken, I’ve accioed 10 magical Harry Potter gifts created by independent artists. Treat yourself or your Potterhead BFFs and know that you’re also supporting a thriving, loving community.
Don’t let the TERFs get you down!
1. Owls Don’t Belong In Cages Tee
The Protego Foundation is a Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them inspired animal rights organization created and run by longtime Potterheads Kathryn Henzler and Tylor Starr. This tee represents the mission at the heart of Protego: to love, respect, and liberate creatures in the wizarding world, and in the muggle world. The high-quality design of the art and the shirt itself make this even better than many of the off-the-rack Harry Potter shirts sold in stores. Even better, if you loved Hermione’s S.P.E.W. efforts, you’ll be pleased to know all the proceeds from each tee go towards campaigns just like that!
2. Swish and Flick Co. Face Masks
With the muggle coronavirus raging faster than Dragon Pox epidemics that have recurred as far back as the 17th century, it looks like we’re going to be wearing masks for a long time. Like, sitting through Professor Binn’s History of Magic lessons long. Thankfully Potterhead artists like Jenna at Swish and Flick Co. are conjuring up washable fabric face masks with fantastical wizarding world inspired designs. These masks are selling out faster than a golden snitch flies on a quidditch pitch, so don’t wait to grab one!
3. Snape Twerk Pin
He can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and now, twerk like it’s nobodies business! This sassy twerking Snape pin was designed by the inimitable Kerry Bell at Snagglefrack Studios. Sure, the Slytherin potions master still doesn’t know his way around a bottle of shampoo, but you can’t deny that in this enamel pin he’s got style for days. This super detailed and hilarious pin is something you’ll want to always wear on a hat or denim jacket or pin to your favorite tote.
4. Ravenclaw Sticker Pack
Looking to bring some magic and whimsy to your laptop, reusable water bottle, or notebook? These charming Ravenclaw sticker packs from Milvilla on Etsy feature Luna Lovegood and her famous Spectrespecs along with a History of Magic textbook and other cute Ravenclaw-ish stickers. If you’re not a Ravenclaw or a Luna Lovegood fan (HOWDAREYOU?!), don’t get your wand in a knot! There are sticker packs with iconic characters and objects for every House. Hufflepuff features everyone’s favorite Magizoologist, Newt Scamander; Gryffindor naturally has Hermione (and her Time Turner!); and Slytherin has Snape. Cuter than a Pygmy Puff and distinctly more magical than any mass produced Potter stickers, you don’t need to read the tea leaves to foresee yourself buying extra packs of these stickers for yourself and your Potterhead pals!
5. Riddle’s Tea Shoppe Teas
An-Juli Riddle launched Riddle’s Tea Shoppe in 2015 and has been brewing up magical blends of loose leaf and bagged tea ever since. Riddle’s Tea Shop teas are exceptionally ordinary, not just in appearance (all of them come in tins or pouches with incredible artwork) but in flavor as well. The blends range from harmoniously fruity blends (with real pieces of dried fruits!) to traditional teas like Earl Grey to more experimental blends. These teas sell out faster than Hermione shoots her hand up in Transfiguration class to answer a question. Your best bet is to sign up for the email list so you can get alerts whenever An-Juli restocks these fan worthy teas.
6. Marauder’s Mug
The Marauder’s Map plays an integral role in the third Potter book and film The Prisoner of Azkaban. This mug created, by the supremely talented Stella Bookish Art, features the silhouettes of the misbehaving map makers, Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs and the iconic phrase to make the map’s markings disappear: Mischief Managed. Why not brew up some of your favorite tea in this mug and, if you’re feeling a little mischievous yourself (and are of age), add a dash or two of Firewhisky.
7. Hogwarts Castle Zippered Pouch
Cara Kozik’s Hogwarts Castle inspired zippered pouch is an impressive work art and as reliable for toting around your (hopefully not cursed or Horcrux) possessions as Hermione’s trusty beaded bag in The Deathly Hallows. While this Potterific pouch doesn’t come with an expandable charm (it measures 5 x 7 inches), it does have an enchanting Potter patterned satin lining, a gold tassel, and a little enamel owl pendant.
8. Hufflepuff Loyalty Tee
Literary Emporium is a mecca for book lovers and Potterheads. This adorkable Hufflepuff pride tee features the Hufflepuff House defining trait (loyalty) and House mascot (the badger)! The super soft 100% cotton tee comes in sizes small to 2XL, and you can take comfort in knowing the tees are sweatshop-free, so no House Elves were used and abused in the making of this perfectly ‘Puff tee. And if you’re not a Hufflepuff? Literary Emporium also has Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin tees.
9. Hermione Granger Print
Looking to brighten up your Burrow with a little magic? Who better to do it than the Brightest Witch of Her Age?! Acclaimed artist Megan Lara reimagines Hermione Jean Granger in her signature art nouveau style, and it’s as amazing as you’d imagine. The intricately designed print features the courageous Gryffindor witch surrounded by some her most iconic items (and creatures) from the books: her Time Turner, otter Patronus, and companion half-Kneazel/half-cat Crookshanks. This print is available postcard sized (5×7 inches) and poster sized (11×17 inches).
10. The Grim Pin
“My dear . . . you have . . . the grim!”
Oh, Professor Trelawney. The frizzy-haired melodramatic Divinations professor at Hogwarts has some of the most hilarious and memorable lines in the Potter series. This super detailed enamel pin from Inpinity and Beyond features Harry’s teacup with its ominous grim-shaped tea leaves from The Prisoner of Azkaban. If that book and movie is your favorite, this pin needs to find a place on your pinboard or favorite jacket or tote like, yesterday. Wear it to cons, when you’re strolling down Diagon Alley, or even if you’re clocking in hours at Muggle office so you can take some Hogwarts magic with you wherever you go.
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