A California social media influencer is drawing scrutiny after promoting what she calls a “decolonized Christmas,” encouraging followers to replace traditional holiday foods and gifts with native and indigenous alternatives.
Elise Bonilla-Myers, known online as “glutenfree_girlfriend,” shared her ideas across TikTok and Substack, where she posts gluten-free recipes and lifestyle content.
“decolonized Christmas cookies” made with Masa from a cookbook titled “decolonize your diet” 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
Your Christmas cookies made with white all purpose flour are now considered colonizer cookies. pic.twitter.com/8b6U9X4DWP
— Anna Hitrova (@redrose_anna) December 9, 2025
Bonilla-Myers told followers she is “decolonizing” her holiday season by eliminating ingredients she says are not native to the Americas. She promoted new versions of holiday dishes made without wheat, barley, or rye, explaining that these grains “are not native to the Americas.”
In a video posted Monday, Bonilla-Myers said “the perfect Christmas cookie” is made from griddle masa, a form of corn flour mixed with lime or culinary ash. She said the mixture becomes more nutritious and tender through the process.
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The dough, rounded into small discs, is sweetened with honey, placed on a frying pan, grilled until brown, and finished with an agave glaze.
Leftist claims she is having a “decolonized Christmas” lmao pic.twitter.com/aOIAneD2WA
— Amala Ekpunobi (@amalaekpunobi) December 9, 2025
She said her approach to a “decolonized Christmas” extends beyond food.
Bonilla-Myers said she is purchasing gifts this year exclusively from “native owned” businesses.
Her list includes an “Indigenous, Hispanic and woman-owned tea business,” a supplier specializing in Navajo corn products, a Washington State business operated by the Snoqualmie tribe, and a fashion company known for its “You Are On Native Land” apparel.
Bonilla-Myers also visited a Los Angeles market run by a local tribe, which featured more than 30 vendors.
The marketplace offered artwork, wild rice, and other items she said support her theme for the season.
Her posts drew a wide range of responses online. Bonilla-Myers, who has 5,100 followers on TikTok, faced criticism from users who questioned her message and pointed to perceived contradictions in her approach.
“That one friend that’s too woke,” one user wrote in response to her video.
“Performative final boss,” another user commented, placing the phrase above an image that read “Fighting pretend issues.”
Others asked how her theme connects to the holiday itself.
“How are you going to ‘decolonize’ a religious holiday that has no relations to America or Indigenous people and colonization? genuinely asking out of curiosity,” one commenter said.
Some users suggested alternate ways to engage with indigenous traditions.
“You can also celebrate indigenous culture by going outside and touching grass…” one wrote.
“Or not using a phone, not using electricity, not using modern bathrooms… etc. enjoy,” another added.
Bonilla-Myers has continued posting her holiday-themed content despite the criticism.
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