The Huffington Post Style, November 2015. Before you hit the Black Friday rush, or join thousands of other citizens on a month-long shopping spree, browse through this meaningful holiday gift guide. These products will not only bring happiness to your friends and family, but also impact someone in need. From chocolates, toys, pet supplies, jewelry, apparel, handicrafts, and mattresses, to sporting goods and more, these would fit within every budget, and can be easily purchased online.
The social enterprises listed below give back either a portion of the revenues to a cause, donate an item for an item sold, or directly invest in people by creating meaningful job opportunities. This season, make a pledge to beat the crowds and share the joy of the holiday season by purchasing gifts that also give back.
1. Accessories That Do Good
Accessories by For Goodness Sake show inspiring messages that remind people to give everyday. Enabling people to shop with purpose, this lifestyle brand provides a sustainable funding solution to its philanthropic partners by donating a minimum of 25% of net proceeds of every purchase. Donations made through the platform aid the underserved and support important health, environmental and educational initiatives. $20-1,500 at www.forgoodsake.org
2. Chocolates That Feed The World
Seattle Chocolate Company, offers a full line of premium chocolates that includes truffle bars, truffles, jcoco bars, in handcrafted flavors, like black fig pistachio, edamame sea salt, and agave quinoa sesame. The ingredients are all-natural, sustainably sourced, GMO free, and certified Kosher. For every jcoco chocolate purchase made online or in stores, SCC partners with Food Banks in New York City, Greater Boston Food Bank, SF-Marin Food Bank and Northwest Harvest, to provide food assistance to local communities in need across America. $1.75-78.95 at www.seattlechocolates.com
3. An Outlet by Disabled Artists
Custom order a painting with your favorite pet or person’s profile. Chicago based Project Onward, is a nonprofit studio and gallery for professional artists with mental and developmental disabilities. There are very few opportunities for disabled artists who graduated from the city’s art program, and the organization provides them workspace, materials, professional guidance, exhibition opportunities and access to markets. The 60 resident artists represent 30+ Chicago neighborhoods. $25 – $7,000 at www.projectonward.org
4. Hostess Gifts That Fight AIDS
Support the global fight against AIDS with Alessi (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition Collection, comprised of elegant kitchenware and home goods. Led by chef Mario Batali and supported by more than 50 leading chef Ambassadors worldwide, the campaign rallies the culinary world around the goal of delivering an AIDS Free Generation, with Michelin-starred restaurants, food trucks and everyone in between offering special (RED) menu items during the month. $18-110 at www.alessi.com
5. Sweaters From The Largest Slum in Kenya
Slumlove classic sweaters for men and women are made sustainabily with 100% cotton. All products are made by people living in the largest slum in Kenya, called Kibera. The employees are treated with respect, given fare wages, plus a portion of every purchase is used towards educating the children in Kenya. $95 at www.slumlove.com
6. Books That Teach Animal Welfare
Children’s books Kamie Cat’s Terrible Night and Pablo Puppy’s Search for the Perfect Person illustrate the important healing potential that animals can offer. All proceeds from the books go to support the work of Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to reducing animal suffering caused by people. $4 at www.awionline.org
7. Bikes for Empowerment
Stylish and high performance Miir Bicycles come in different designs and sizes for kids, teen and adults. For each bicycle purchased from MiiR, a bike is donated to someone in need, to be used for access to education or employment. To date MiiR has helped to empower over 3,000 people with bicycles. $139-1,395 at www.miir.com
8. Pet Toys That Rescue Homeless Animals
PetSmart’s Luv-A-Pet Collection including Luv-A-Pet Lucky Dog and Chance plush toys, holiday-themed apparel with adorable sayings like Rescue Love Adopt, Best Present Ever, are great to give your furry family member or the animal lover in your life. 10 percent of the purchases of Luv-A-Pet rescue products will be donated to PetSmart Charities to help save homeless pets this holiday season. $3.99-$23.99 at www.petsmart.com
9. Wallets That Empower Women
The Eyerusalem Passport leather wallet by FASHIONABLE is hand crafted in Ethiopia by women who have overcome challenges ranging from prostitution to addiction to a lack of opportunity. FASHIONABLE invests in women and helps them find purpose in the work they do. The online store also sells jewelry, scarves, leather bags and home goods. $35 at www.livefashionable.com
10. Glasses That Give The Gift of Vision
Reduce digital eye strain while using computers and smartphones with these adjustable Interface glasses. With the turn of a dial, users can adjust the focus themselves from -6 to +3 diopters. In fact, Interface glasses can be adjusted to improve vision for 90% of eyeglass and contact lens wearers who do not have astigmatism. Through the Buy One Give One program, administered by Vision for a Nation(r), a pair of focus eyeglasses is donated to people in Rwanda. $49.99 at www.adlens.com
11. Backpacks That Support Education
Teach your kids to learn, explore and change the world, with high quality and fun
Backpacks by Sydney Paige. For every Sydney Paige backpack sold, another one is filled with school supplies and donated to low income children in need. You can show your kids how to enrich lives with education and break the poverty cycle. $40-80 at
www.sydneypaigeinc.com
12. Baskets of Peace for Rwanda
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year,
Macy’s Rwanda Path to Peace program includes colorful and symbolic
baskets and bowls, handmade by Rwandan weavers who survived the country’s civil war and genocide. The baskets have led not only to peace between Hutu and Tutsi tribes, but also between men and women. $30-60 at
www.macys.com
13. Fashion That Empowers Afghan Refugees
Raven + Lily’s Pakistan collection features hand embroidered eco-friendly dresses and tops, and empowers Afghan refugees living in the Pakistan region to help improve their livelihood. Raven + Lily currently helps employ over 1,500 marginalized women at fair trade wages to give them access to a safe job, sustainable income, health care, education, and a real chance to to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families. $99-232 at www.ravenandlily.com
14. Ethical and Wildlife Friendly Chocolates
Nuubia hand-makes San Francisco based specialty
confections, is the first chocolatier to not only refuse to use palm oil, but to insure that what they make has no negative impact on the rainforests of the world. The
OMG Candy Barwas awarded “Best Foods in the U.S.” by Esquire Magazine, and other products that standout include fresh squeezed Lime Juice with Vanilla Bonbons, Caramelized Hazelnut Spread Sauce, and Johnny Walker Black Espresso Ganache Half Spheres. $4.99-65.00 at
www.nuubiasf.com
15. Mattresses That Care For The Earth
Leesa Sleep is an American-made, high-quality
mattress that is more supportive than latex and memory foam and ideal for any body type. With its One-Ten program in place, Leesa donates one mattress to a local shelter for every 10 sold. Also, Leesa’s One-Earth Program plants one tree for every mattress that is sold. Approximately, over 1,500 mattresses will be donated to shelters and 20,000 trees will be planted by the end of 2015. $525-990 at
www.leesa.com
16. Inspiring Jewelry to End Homelessness
The
precious metals necklaces by
The Giving Keys come in sterling silver, 24k gold, and black rhodium, and share empowering messages such as STRENGTH, BRAVE, DREAM, etc. Based in Los Angeles, The Giving Keys’ mission is to end homelessness by partnering with organizations to provide housing and employment. $32-125 at
www.thegivingkeys.com
17. Loungewear to End Human Trafficking in India
PUNJAMMIES™ are
cotton loungewearbottoms that come in trendy colors and patterns. They are made by women in India who have escaped human trafficking. Proceeds go to provide housing and education for women and their children, as well as job security and a sense of self worth. $47.99 at
www.sudara.org
18. Leather Bags That Help Kids in Rwanda
The
Rawhide Crossbody Bag by
Love41 is a unique gift for any girlfriend, mother or grandmother. 100% of profits from this bag go back to helping orphans, widows and street kids in Rwanda via Africa New Life Ministries (ANLM). There are also beautiful crafted leather ornaments, jewelry, totes, and luggage available on the website that support the same cause. $129 at
www.love41.com
19. Gifts That Impact Children Around The World
Honor loved ones by making a meaningful donation in their name and supporting everything from poverty in USA, farming assistance in Uganda, to clean water in Niger. You may also purchase handcrafted gifts such as these
Filipino coasters, through the
World Vision Gift Catalog, which supports a variety of World Vision’s programs around the world. $65 at
www.worldvision.org
20. Fashion Jewelry That Fights Childhood Cancer
Inspired by the iconic elephant, a symbol of family, strength and good luck,
Ann Taylor’s new
Limited-Edition Elephant Jewelry Collectionis a wonderful gift for a special woman, that also gives back. From November 13, 2015 to January 30, 2016, Ann Taylor will donate 50% of the purchase price of each item sold from its collection to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, that strives to educate and fight childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. $39.50 – 59.50 at
www.AnnTaylor.com
21. Winter Jacket That Alleviates Poverty
This stylish outdoor Tianjin Down Jacket by
Cotopaxi will not only keep you warm though the winter, but also help alleviate global poverty. Cotopaxi gives targeted grants to advance health, education, and livelihoods initiatives around the world. Their products include all-weather jackets, ski gear, backpacks and outdoor accessories that make for good gifts for adventurous men and women. $249.95 at
www.cotopaxi.com
22. Stationery That Gives Back to Schools
These fun and colorful
stationery and office supplies make learning fun for your kids and those in need. Many kids in the U.S. don’t have access to basic school supplies unless teachers pay for them out of their own pockets. For every
Yoobi item purchased on their website or in Target stores nationwide, Yoobi donates an item to a
Classroom Pack which contain hundreds of essential tools kids need to learn and then distributed to classrooms in need. In one year, Yoobi has donated enough free school supplies to impact more than 1 million students nationwide.
Holiday bundles $15-40 at
www.yoobi.com
23. Cell Phone Cases That Empower Women in Africa
Africa themed
iPhone and Samsung cases by
Kidogo Kidogo make for great stocking stuffers. The profits are used to buy mobile phones for women in rural Tanzania. These phones help women support their families, run businesses, and stay informed. By providing a small mobile phone, the community in many ways is positively impacted, as the women feel more empowered, are able to work and support their families. $28 at
www.kidogokidogo.com
24. A Gift Box That Feeds Twice
Looking for the perfect gifts for coworkers? The
wine and cheese collection by
That’s Caringcomes with a bottle of California Cabernet Sauvignon, White Blend or Sparkling, along with gourmet cheese spreads and toasts. For every gift purchased, That’s Caring provides meals to children in need through food banks in the US. There are also chocolate, coffee, tea and confectionary themed gift boxes available. $49.99 at
www.thatscaring.com
25. Fair-Trade Gift Boxes That Support Global Communities
You may not be able to afford a trip abroad every month of the year. But what if the world was delivered to your door?
Pumeli is a
monthly subscription box filled with teas and textures designed to help busy women slow down, unplug and give themselves permission to relax. Pumeli works with small businesses and craft producers on different levels to bring well-designed and high quality products. $49.95 at
www.pumeli.com
26. Fashion Jewelry to End Modern Day Slavery
Great stocking stuffers and gifts for women, these under $50 pieces of
costume jewelry comes in beautiful designs, along with the name of the female artist who made them.
Purpose Jewelry is an Orange County based jewelry line that is handcrafted by survivors of modern-day slavery in Mumbai, India and Orange County, California. 100% of proceeds benefit International Sanctuary, the brand’s non-profit that provides holistic care for young women rescued from sex trafficking. $38 at
www.purposejewelry.org
27. Belts That Give a Hand Up
Mission Belt gift sets are great for men who want practical yet styling leather and nylon belts, that can go from the office to the golf club. Comes in different colors, as well as an assortment of licensed NBA, NHL and NCAA belts. A dollar from every belt sold goes to fight global hunger and poverty. To date, over 26K Kiva (peer-to-peer micro lending) micro-loans have been funded from the sales of Mission Belts. $99.95 at
www.missionbelt.com
28. Pencils That Help The Environment
The
Sprout pencil is an ingenious way to teach your kids about sustainability. Instead of throwing away pencil stubs, kids can plant them and have them grow into something delicious, beautiful, and fun, such as herb or flower gardens. Pencil are available in color as well. $8.45-20.95 at
www.sproutworld.com
29. Golf Balls That Care for Kids
Most golfers don’t know which ball is the right ball for them. With Nicklaus Black, Nicklaus Blue, and Nicklaus White, all they need to know is the tee to play from. 18-time Major Champion, Jack Nicklaus, offers his famous
Nicklaus Golf Balls, where $1 is donated to both Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Hospital for every dozen purchased. For every order shipped using FedEx, an additional $1 is donated to St. Jude. $28 -32 at
www.shop.nicklaus.com
30. Casual Ware That Does Good for Animals
The fun
apparel, tote bags and accessoriesfrom
Farfetched Apparel are great gifts for animal lovers. 100% of proceeds from their #DOGood campaign go to support animal shelters.
$29.00-54.99 at
www.farfetchedapparel.com
31. Help Keep People on Their Feet
As you are shopping for trendy winter boots and booties or just everyday shoes, consider
Vionic Shoes. Innovative and stylish, these
suede booties feature advanced comfort technology and go from the office to a dinner out. Vionic donates through their Vionic Supports program to various charities and the Dr. Weil Foundation Recently, Vionic donated 1,200 shoes raising $50k for ovarian cancer research, and 1,000 supportive slippers at the AVON39 walk for breast cancer.
$149.95 at
www.vionicshoes.com
32. Quilts That Save Traditions in India
Gift a rare and beautiful
handmade lotus block print quilt and become a part of history. There are only two families in India left who do this traditional form of hand weaving. The cotton is sourced from organic farmers, dyes are plant and vegetable based, and each product is sown by hand to create a product that is environment friendly.
Ichcha was founded by three sisters to encourage conscious living and support traditional craftsmen and women across India.
$200 at
www.ichcha.com
33. Guatemalan Handbags That Support Down Syndrome
These limited edition, beautiful, handmade bags,have been named for the inspirational Madeline Stuart, the first globally-recognized model with Down syndrome. 5% of proceeds from The
Madeline line of handbags, are donated to the National Down Syndrome Society.
EveryMaya donates a portion of every sale to Education for the Children, a school in Jocotenango, Guatemala which provides education, nutrition, healthcare, counseling, and career guidance to local children from disadvantaged upbringings. $120 at
www.evermaya.com
34. Scarf That Sustains Women in Peru
This classic 100% natural
alpaca wool scarf is sourced from the Andes, and crocheted by local Peruvian women who are employing their unique skills in order to become self sufficient and earn a steady income. From handcrafted fashion accessories and jewelry made by a father in Lao, to one-of-a-kind home and décor essentials created by artists in Nairobi, each piece on
Enrou tells a beautiful story of the person who created it and directly impacts the growth and development of his or her community. Many products start at only $9. $220 at
www.enrou.com
35. Baskets That Help Indigenous Artisans in Mexico
Globeinan artisan gifting
baskets can be purchased in colorful patterns or ordered filled with items from around the world that give back to the community and have a corresponding story. From Mexican woven baskets, Palestinian spice mixes, and South African bottle stoppers, to Ghanaian coasters, each handcrafted good is highly curated and made by struggling artists. Each month features a different theme and a membership allows you to gift someone a taste of the world throughout the year. $12 at
www.globein.com
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36. Knit Dolls That Help Feed Kids
Made of 100% cotton yarn and stuffed with hypoallergneic polyfill, these nontoxic
handmade dolls by
cuddle+kind will become your child’s favorite toy to cuddle with this holiday season. For every cuddle+kind doll purchase, 10 meals will be donated to children in need through World Food Program USA and Children’s Hunger Fund. $55 at
www.cuddleandkind.com
