In Handy

Support Ukraine’s defenders: unique gifts from veteran-run businesses

Bringing presents from Ukraine is a meaningful way to support the defenders of the country. Many veterans and their families have started businesses, offering unique, high-quality products made with care. By buying these items, you not only get special souvenirs but also help grow these businesses. Whether it's artisanal coffee or handcrafted goods, every purchase supports the defenders and their entrepreneurial efforts, making your gift even more meaningful.

Rubryka has collected gift ideas created by military personnel, veterans, and their families—turn every purchase into a gesture of gratitude and support.

1. Art workshop BatArt.ua

Beer glass with a bullet from BatArt.ua

BatArt is a charitable art workshop founded by Andrii Nesmachnyi, a veteran of the war in Ukraine's east.

After serving on the front lines from the start of Russia's aggression in 2014, he returned home and launched the workshop. Initially, BatArt focused on crafting bracelets from cartridges and paracord, which were sent free of charge to fellow soldiers still in service.

Over time, the workshop's offerings expanded. Today, they create not only bracelets but also sew belts, carve knives, craft jewelry from cartridges, and cast unique glasses.

BatArt is more than a veteran-owned business; it serves as a space for the rehabilitation of soldiers. The workshop dedicates half of its profits to supporting the military and the other half to advancing its charitable mission.

2. House of modern Ukrainian craft "Maisternia"

Notebook-planner made by Bucha locals.

The House of Modern Ukrainian Craft, "Maisternia," is a family business established in Irpin by a couple from Sumy. Since 2022, Ruslan Moiseyenko has been serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, leaving his partner, Tetyana, to manage their shared venture.

"Maisternia" showcases a wide array of products crafted by Ukrainian artists and artisans, including those from the front-line areas of the Sumy region. The collection is diverse, offering gifts, household items, and decorations such as candles, dishware, textiles, accessories, handmade cosmetics, toys, and festive New Year's decor.

3. Men's underwear "Cavalier"

Cavalier briefs combine quality and positivity.

ТМ CAVALIER is a Ukrainian brand specializing in men's underwear and clothing, founded by Taras Kutianskyi, a veteran of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in eastern Ukraine. After completing his military service, Kutianskyi, a former patrol officer, decided to start his own business and chose to focus on creating high-quality men's underwear.

Today, TM CAVALIER offers a wide range of products, including:

  • Three styles of briefs (classic, original, boxer) available in over 40 colors.
  • Classic men's T-shirts in black, white, and gray.
  • Fitted and straight-cut men's T-shirts in black, white, gray, olive, and coyote colors.
  • Straight-cut T-shirts with prints.
  • Men's socks.
  • Women's T-shirts.

Men's underwear sizes range from S to 4XL, ensuring options for all.

The brand is also committed to supporting Ukraine's military through volunteer initiatives. They produce underwear for soldiers and offer sets of underwear in exchange for donations to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

4. Handmade ceramics

Vintage "lunchbox" from DOVGAN-ART.

Volodymyr Dovgan, a veteran of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), transformed his lifelong passion for pottery into a thriving business. Together with his wife, he founded DOVGAN-ART, an artisanal pottery workshop dedicated to reviving the rich traditions of Ukrainian ceramics.

With over 30 years of experience in pottery, Dovgan blends traditional craftsmanship with modern design. He focuses on creating pieces that are not only visually stunning but also practical for everyday use.

The workshop offers a wide range of products, including elegant vases, teapots, candlesticks, cups, plates, decorative items, and even ceramic lunch boxes. Explore the collection and place your order today.

Unique mugs from Mykola Velychko.

Veteran Mykola Velychko (mykolapotter) is the founder of a small pottery workshop in the village of Hryhorivka, located in the Khmelnytskyi region.

Before the war, Velychko had envisioned creating a workshop-residence. However, in 2022, he joined the defense of Ukraine, putting his dream on hold. After being demobilized in 2023, he resumed work on bringing his vision to life. The residence will not only welcome tourists but also serve as a rehabilitation space for veterans and a hub for artists—ceramists, painters, writers, and others—to collaborate and create together.

To fund the construction of the residence, Velychko launched a project to sell a collection of 10,000 handcrafted cups. Each cup, priced at 590 UAH ($16.10), is a unique piece of art, with its shape and color being a delightful surprise for buyers. Every cup is individually numbered and comes with a unique certificate, along with an invitation to visit the residence once it's completed. You can order one of Velychko's exclusive mugs here.

5. Embroidered shirts from "Vyshyvanochka"

Shirts of the family brand "Vyshyvanochka"

Oleksandr Tkachuk, a former counterintelligence officer and cybersecurity specialist, co-founded the Vyshyvanochka brand with his wife, Yana.

Vyshyvanochka specializes in recreating traditional Ukrainian embroidery from various regions of the country. Their collection includes embroidered shirts, blouses, dresses, children's clothing, and family sets, available with both machine and hand-made embroidery. The brand's garments are popular for weddings, special events, and everyday wear, cherished not only in Ukraine but also in France, the USA, Poland, and Germany.

In addition to their clothing, the couple contributes to the community by donating fabric scraps for weaving nets and creating small souvenir dolls from embroidered patches.

The brand also honors Ukraine's defenders by offering a 30% discount on all products to military personnel, veterans, and their families. Customers can explore the product catalog via Viber or Telegram.

6. Clothing and jewelry from "Verba"

Christmas tree decorations from the brand "Verba"

"Verba" is a clothing brand founded by Olena Iskova-Myklashchuk, the wife of a Ukrainian defender.

"The name 'Verba' symbolizes resilience and the ability to recover, much like the Ukrainian people, who have repeatedly demonstrated their strength in the face of adversity. I want everyone who wears our clothes to feel this strength and support," says the founder.

Verba's collection includes T-shirts and hoodies featuring original prints, embroidery, and meaningful inscriptions, available in sizes from S to 3XL. The brand also offers beautifully embroidered Christmas ornaments—symbols of festive miracles to brighten your home.

7. Wooden toys and gifts

Products from the "Pan Cocos" workshop

Pavlo Balabukha, (Pan Cocos), a veteran who volunteered for the frontlines in 2014, and his wife Svitlana are the founders of a veteran-owned family business: the "Pan Cocos" workshop, specializing in toys and gifts for the whole family.

The workshop produces a variety of items, including children's toys and decorative pieces such as candlesticks, key holders, and wooden constructors made from durable hardwoods like oak and beech. They also craft unique coconut pendants. Additionally, the workshop creates DIY kits that encourage family bonding, such as puzzles that can be assembled, glued, and painted together.

Beyond toys, "Pan Cocos" also offers:

  • Thematic gifts: Custom-made gifts for any occasion, such as birthdays, weddings, or housewarmings.
  • Personalization: Custom inscriptions or images can be added to toys and gifts.
  • Corporate orders: Production of toys and gifts featuring your company's logo.

Wooden compartment tray from "Funny owls"

In the Kyiv region, there is another veteran-owned business working with wood— "Funny Owls" Ecological Workshop, founded by former military man Andrii Smyk.

Smyk is a professional military man and sniper who served from 2014 to 2020. He fought in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions, and returned to his combat unit just before the full-scale invasion. Throughout his service, he was wounded multiple times. In 2023, due to health issues, the serviceman returned to his hometown of Irpin.

In August 2024, the "Funny Owls" Workshop was launched. Together with his team, Smyk produces unique items such as kitchen utensils, children's toys, phone stands, candlesticks, puzzles, and more. The workshop also takes custom orders. In support of Ukraine's military community, the workshop offers a 30% discount on all products for military personnel and their families.

For Smyk, the workshop is more than just a business. He aims to support fellow veterans and show that life after war can be meaningful.

8. Klamra — unique belts, buckles, bracelets, wallets

"Klamra" belt

Klamra is a renowned manufacturer of designer belts. Since its founding nine years ago, the company has actively supported the military both financially and with goods. Over time, Klamra has built strong, enduring ties with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, according to its founders, Andrii Levytskyi and Mykhailo Lebusov, these efforts became officially formalized after the outbreak of the full-scale war. At that point, all the project's founders joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, leaving their colleagues to continue the company's work.

Today, the Klamra online store offers:

  • Brass products
  • Metal badges
  • Custom-made buckles
  • Men's and women's belts
  • Candlesticks
  • Leather dog collars
  • Decanters, glasses, and more

Additionally, all profits from the "Together for Victory" category are directed to support the Ukrainian army.

9. "Dyvna Ptaha" — postcards and printing on cups

Thermo cup with a festive print from "Dyvna Ptaha"

The "Dyvna Ptaha" creative workshop is a family business founded by displaced Ukrainians in Lviv. Maryna Titarenko, originally from Lysychansk in the Luhansk region, created the business with her daughter, Maria. Maryna's husband, a serviceman, has been defending Ukraine since 2015 and continues to do so during the full-scale invasion. Despite the challenges, he contributes to the business by managing logistics.

Drawing on their skills—Maryna as a marketer and Maria as an illustrator—they launched "Dyvna Ptaha." The workshop specializes in developing and creating prints that can be applied to various items, including cups, puzzles, T-shirts, and personalized notebooks or flash drives. They also produce beautifully designed postcards and are ready to craft custom illustrations based on individual requests.

Their collection of prints is constantly growing. Additionally, "Dyvna Ptaha" offers customizable gift boxes filled with practical souvenirs featuring original prints and a unique postcard, making them perfect for thoughtful presents.

10. Bed linen "Familin"

Blanket Svitanok from "Familin"

With the onset of the full-scale invasion, Kateryna Borysova's husband joined the army. Before the war, the couple had established a small sewing factory. During the invasion, Borysova decided to launch her own brand, Familin.

Under the Familin brand, Borysova creates bed linen and blankets that she describes as innovative and atypical—a fresh concept in the market.

"Our unique product is a blanket that eliminates the need for a duvet cover," explains the founder. "It serves as three products in one: a blanket, a bedspread, and a duvet cover. It's decorative and natural on the outside, so it replaces a bedspread, and it has a thin yet warm insulation inside. You can use it for sleeping, and it's machine-washable, allowing it to stay fresh and clean with ease."

The Familin product range includes:

  • Blankets
  • Sheets
  • Pillowcases
  • Bed linen sets

11. Organic tea "Travka"

Herbal tea "Travka"

One of the co-owners of the Travka business is veteran Anton Sosinskyi, who returned to Ukraine from Poland during the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion and voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. While serving on the front lines, he sustained a mine-explosive injury to his legs and was later demobilized.

The production of Travka teas is rooted in local traditions. All herbs and berries are handpicked in the Volyn and Rivne regions. They are then dried in the company's own drying facilities, crushed, packaged, and labeled—all done manually to ensure quality and authenticity.

Currently, Travka offers a line of 10 distinct tea varieties. Among its latest innovations is an exclusive tea blend featuring certified pieces of fly agaric, a first in Ukraine and recognized abroad.

In addition to its production, Travka collaborates with the Angar Ukraine charitable foundation, supporting the purchase and delivery of essential devices and equipment for the military.

12. Coffee "Udarna Praktyka"

Coffee drips from "Udarna Praktyka"

"Udarna Praktyka," Veteran Coffee is a coffee brand founded by active military personnel, with all proceeds going directly to support the combat needs of the Praktyka kamikaze platoon. The commander of the Praktyka team, known as Space, is a passionate coffee enthusiast and a connoisseur of third-wave coffee culture. Together with his partners, he personally selected the coffee variety for the brand—Arabica from Colombia's Huila region.

"For me, the main thing about coffee is its effect," says Space. "It should provide that burst of combat energy needed in situations of constant sleep and food deprivation. That's why we chose Colombia Huila—it delivers vigor and mental clarity, with a touch of sharpness. Perfect for combat operations or civilian tasks where a fighting spirit is an asset."

Praktyka offers drip coffee for purchase through its brand page via private message. A pack of 10 drips costs 400 UAH ($9.44), with 235 UAH ($5.55) going directly to support the platoon, and the rest covering production costs. Each drip packet includes a simple schematic for brewing the best-tasting coffee.

Support the platoon by:

  • Buying drip coffee
  • Reposting and spreading the word
  • Recommending it to friends
  • Enjoying quality coffee made under wartime conditions

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