The Holiday Shop: Gifts That Give Back

The holidays! The joy and cheer it brings is a welcomed and happy distraction from the trying year we’ve had. So, bring on the mistletoe, garland, champagne and all the gifts! While I am quite excited to shop and ring in the season, I want to make an effort to shop and give gifts with purpose, like buying from companies that source ethically and produce sustainable products or by purchasing a gift that gives back to help those in need.

This holiday season is truly unique for many obvious reasons, so what a perfect way to incorporate meaning and make an impact by giving a gift that gives back or that is made with every best intention to do good. Below, I’m sharing and linking gifting ideas and your part in doing some good. Happy shopping!

For Him, Your Best Guy, or the Hard to Buy For Dad

1. Everlane 100% Human Masks Since you have to wear a mask, why not wear it with pride as you support the ACLU.
2. Nisolo Men’s Diego Low Top Sneaker Besides this handsome sneaker, there are many more handcrafted items to browse. With every purchase, Nisolo provides a living wag to their factory workers and combats climate change by protecting trees from deforestation in the Amazon Basin.
3. Patagonia Hemp Blend Shirt With big changes to improve earth’s soil and offer more sustainable made clothing, Patagonia created a new line of products made of a hemp blend. Patagonia already commits 1% of their yearly sales to protecting our planet.
4. S’Well This popular water bottle brand Supports UNICEF’s efforts to build infrastructure, educate families on water-borne diseases and promote national reform to make a sustainable, long-lasting change.

For Your Couple Friends, Family Gift or Long Distance Friend

1. Our Place the Always Pan The new heirloom pan that replaces eight pieces of cookware and is ethically made. The Our Place team’s mission is access to good food via a partnership with the Los Angeles Food Policy Council.
2. Lula’s Garden Give the gift of an eco-friendly succulent, while Lula’s Garden supports access to clean water around the world.
3. Found My Animal Dog Leash Hand dyed and extremely durable. Ombre color, velvet handles … they ooze doggy chic! Found My Animal supports animal welfare and rescue organizations.
4. Driftaway Coffee Subscription Carbon neutral operations, price transparency and contributions to the sustainable lives of coffee farmers. For the coffee lovers!

For Your Kids, the Cousins or Best Buddy

1. Cuddle + Kind Dolls Heirloom quality dolls, where one doll equals 10 meals to children in North America.
2. STATE Backpacks Definitely stylish, and for every backpack purchased, STATE donates a stocked backpack to families in need and partners with schools.
3. Sprout Pencil What an amazing and simple concept. Use your pencil till its too short to use, then plant it. A fun way to teach your kids about sustainability!
4. Parks Project Lets Play Outdoors Book Get kids outside and play! Parks Project’s mission is to preserve, promote and protect public lands. They have a beautiful collection of goods for just about anyone on your list. All items support National Park projects.

For Your Secret Santa, Your Co-worker or Teacher

1. Ten Thousand Villages A beautiful Amazon brand find – all about fair-trade and the maker-to-market movement! This page has many unique handmade gifts, perfect for everyone on your list.
2. Nordstroms Bliss Plush Throw Get cozy! For every blanket purchased, Nordstrom will donated a warm coat to a child in need in your community.
3. Bauble Stockings The final Christmas gift goes inside! Made in Hati and helps pay the tuition of the stitchers’ 127 children to go to Haitian schools and supports their teachers too.
4. Dear Annabelle I am smitten with this beautiful and cheeky stationary, and will definitely gift it to myself. A percentage of all sales go to One Tree Planted, focused on global reforestation through tree-planting across the world.

For You, Your Best Gal or the New Mom

1. Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask Gorgeous products with a beautiful mission. Every item purchased helps support education for girls around the world. Who wouldn’t love some lip TLC?
2. Aurate Chain Bracelet Simple gold jewelry will never go out of style. For every bracelet sold, Aurate will donate a book to a student in need.
3. Cuyana Travel Case Set I adore Cuyana. Their products are sustainably driven with a focus on ‘fewer, better’ things. As a ThredUp partner, a complimentary shipping label is included with every online order to encourage paring down your closet to help benefit women through H.E.A.R.T.
4. The Little Market Rattan Serving Tray TLM supports artisans with a sustainable income, empowers their creativity, and offers a safe working environment. So many beautifully handpicked items on this must-shop site!

Have you started Holiday shopping? How do you plan to shop?