Tis the season for giving, and if you're looking to make this holiday extra-special for your loved ones, you're probably searching far and wide to find the perfect gifts for the people you care about. It can be hard to find presents that have more meaning than all the latest high-tech gadgets out there, but if you really want to warm some hearts this winter season, why not get someone a gift that also gives something to others in need?
Most of us want to make the world around us a better place, but when money and time are tight, it can be difficult to donate cash or volunteer.
Seeing stories about people like this Good Samaritan who bought a car for a single mom in need makes all of us wish we could make such a grand gesture for someone who needed it, but for most people, it's just not possible. Still, even if you can't be like this Secret Santa who bought a struggling family's Christmas gifts for them one year, you can still get your holiday shopping done and give to charity if you just know where to look.
Check out these gifts that will not only make the recipient smile, but also help people and animals around the world. Whether you only want to get them for someone else or you want to spoil yourself a little, you can rest easy knowing that the money you spend is going toward a great cause. Number 5 is one of my all-time favorite charities, and when you see why, you'll be scrambling to buy cool stuff from them for everyone you know.
Make sure you SHARE these great products with everyone you know, so we can make the world more merry and bright this holiday season!
1. A Dog's Life Rescue Wine
Wine is always a great holiday gift, but this bottle from A Dog's Life will really get tails wagging. Not only is it made using sustainable farming practices, but 10 percent of the proceeds go to rescue groups to help care for and give homes to dogs. You can also customize the photo and caption on the front of the bottle so your or someone else's pet is featured!
Get a bottle of red here for $23.97 and a bottle of white here!
2. Rosie's Place Jewelry
Established as the first women's shelter in the U.S., Rosie's Place receives no government aid and relies solely on donations to stay up and running. Their Craft Cooperative employs their guests and teaches them valuable skills that enable them to acquire jobs and gain independence. Proceeds from the shop (which sells everything from jewelry to barrettes to bookmarks) go toward supporting the programs and services that help the women at the shelter.
Get the gift set shown here for $60, or browse their entire selection of beautiful gifts here!
3. Moleskine's One (RED) Day Products
The creatives in your life will be delighted to receive a Moleskine notebook and pen for the holidays, and you'll be delighted to know that 5 percent of the proceeds from your purchase will go to (RED), an AIDS charity that was founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver. The purchase of a pen or luggage tag provides someone with medication for a day, and a notebook ($24.95) provides medication for three days.
Check out the entire catalog here!
4. WhyHunger John Lennon 'Imagine' Scarf
John Lennon imagined a more beautiful world for all of us, and WhyHunger is dedicated to making that dream a reality. This organization battles world hunger not only by providing food to those in need, but also helping to fix the social and economic problems at the root of hunger. Every year, they have a "Hungerthon" to help raise funds for their cause. They have multiple items in their gift shop (and all of the proceeds go toward helping children and families in need), but the most beautiful one is this infinity scarf that features lyrics to Lennon's "Imagine."
Get it here with your $40 donation!
5. MIIR Thermos and Cups
Clean water is essential to human life, and yet, nearly 800 million people live without access to it. MIIR is looking to change that by building and restoring wells, and creating filtering and sanitation systems for people in need. Each product you buy from their gift shop provides one person with clean drinking water for a whole year. If you're looking to spend a little more on someone you love (or just treating yourself), they also have a bicycle shop. Each bike you purchase helps provide someone else in need of transportation with one of their own. So far, MIIR has given over 3,000 bicycles to people in need and built 44 water projects!
Get the Everyday Kit (shown) here for $49.95!
6. Catherine's Table Body Scrubs
For a moment, let's just forget that Catherine's Table gives a portion of all their proceeds to charity and focus on how awesome all their products are. This company offers all kinds of goodies for your body and home, including cozy blankets, beautiful scarves and jewelry, tableware, and luxurious bath and body products… and they're all made by American artisans who put lots of love and care into their work. The fact that Catherine's Table donates part of the sales to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (an organization that helps Americans living with mental illnesses live better lives) is the cherry on top for a company that helps you take care of yourself and people in need.
Get the Double Love Scrub (shown) here for $25!
7. STATE Backpacks
It's hard to find a bag that's well-made, stylish, and practical, but STATE has managed to go the distance with their high-quality totes and backpacks. And if that weren't enough, they also donate one of their own backpacks filled with school supplies to an American child in need for each bag purchased from their company. They also employ "PackMen" and "PackWomen" who have come from at-risk neighborhoods themselves and now work as child development specialists and mentors to lead disadvantaged kids in rallies that help motivate them to rise above their circumstances and achieve success.
Get the SMITH bag (shown) here for $110, or shop for other bags here!
8. Bird + Stone Jewelry
Look good and do good with the gorgeous bracelets and necklaces created by Bird + Stone. Founded by a woman who has seen firsthand what small amounts of money can do for women in need, this company donates 15 percent of proceeds to widowed women in Kenya. The money goes toward microloans, which help the women set up their own businesses and gain financial independence and education.
Get the Arrow Stretch bracelet (shown) here for $26, or check out the other beautiful jewelry in the gift shop here!
9. United By Blue Green Thumb Gift Pack
Those who love the Earth will love both the products and mission of United by Blue. This company offers a wide variety of outdoorsy gifts for just about anyone, including hikers, coffee lovers, and even your pet! The Green Thumb pack is great for beginning gardeners and includes basic tools, a lifetime-guaranteed tool bag, and a "Garden-In-a-Bag" for growing sage indoors no matter how frightful the weather outside may be. Best of all, for every product sold, this company cleans up a pound of trash from oceans and waterways, ensuring that we're taking care of the very planet we enjoy so much.
Get the Green Thumb Gift Pack (shown) here for $150!
10. Sevenly 'Be The Change' Print
Beautiful typography posters are a word-nerd's dream, and you can make it come true for your loved ones with a gorgeous gift from Sevenly. Every week, this company features a new charity to receive 7 percent of the profits from their Cause of the Week items, and all other products on their site benefit past charities that they've featured. Sevenly has a whole bunch of prints that look right at home in a living room, classroom, or dorm room, and they all help make the world a better place to live.
Get the "Be the Change" print (shown) here for $19!
Make sure you SHARE these gifts that give back with everyone you know!
