Holiday ’15 Shopping Guide: Gifts That Give Back
Giving someone you love a gift that gives back is extra special…especially when the gift still rocks! Here are our top picks for holiday gifts that give back 2015:
1. Ten Thousand Villages Lucky Rains Coffee Mug, $18
Ten Thousand Villages offers unique handmade gifts, jewelry, home de cor and personal accessories representing the diverse cultures of artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. One of the world’s largest fair trade organizations and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), the company strives to improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries.
2. ALEX AND ANI North Star Charm Bangle, $32
ALEX AND ANI will donate 20% of the purchase price from each the North Star Charm sold, with a minimum donation of $10,000, between October 2014 and December 2015 to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to dramatically change the quality of life for children and adults facing cancer in New England and around the world.
3. Au Rate New York Flower Ring, $595
For each piece of jewelry sold, Au Rate donates a book to a child from an economically disadvantaged background.
4. FAPE Coloring Book, $40
FAPE’s Coloring Kit represents a collaboration between artists Donald Robertson and EunSun Lee of CMYK+WHITE, INC. Donald “Drawbertson” Robertson is the creative force behind Estée Lauder Company Brands and Creative Director of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Proceeds from the kit go towards FAPE’s mission of cultural diplomacy through art!
5. Sally Jane Gold Be Necklace, $58
Bee Courageous, Bee Bold, Bee a Survivor, Just Bee! Positive message for a positive gift. The symbolic bee acts as a reminder to rise up against adversity. For every bee sold, Sally Jane will donate $1 to Massachusetts General Hospital’s research campaign toward Immunotherapy as well as supportive care provided for patients and families by Friends of MGHCC. In addition, our donations will also help to fund research toward the benefits of Jin Shin Jyutsu (“jutsu”) and or to provide funds to assist with Jin Shin Jyutsu care for acute and chronic health care needs.
6. Avon Breast Cancer Candle, $10
This three-wick wax candle has notes of cherry blossoms, red fruits and soft sandalwood. It also has 30-hour burn time! For every candle purchased $2 will be donated to the Avon Foundation for Women Cancer Crusade.
7. Giving Keys, $165
Pick your word and then pay it forward (give) to a person you feel needs the message more than you. All keys are hand-cast in white bronze from real vintage keys and are available in 5 core words: BELIEVE, DREAM, FAITH, LOVE, STRENGTH. The company’s passion to help those who have been affected by homelessness and give them jobs. The story is fascinating, read bout it here.
8. TOMS x Nat Geo Big Cats Backpack, $98
I recently wrote about the TOMS x Nat Geo collaboration, and I love it so much I thought it only right to include an item in our giving gift guide. This fantastic special edition backpack in nature-inspired hues features images of big cats on the lining underneath the top flap. With every bag you purchase, TOMS will help provide a safe birth for a mother and baby in need. One for One®.
9. Elephant Ring, $39.50
Inspired by the iconic elephant, a symbol of family, strength and good luck, Ann Taylor designed this Limited Edition Elephant Jewelry Collection all in the name of saving children. 50% of the purchase price will be donated to St. Jude from November 13, 2015 to January 30, 2016.
10. Ten Thousand Villages Dark Sun Evening Bag, $49
This glittering handmade handbag resembles the last of the day’s rays sewn in silvery beads, sequins and silk. The Asha Handicrafts Association brings hope to makers in and around Mumbai by ensuring fair wages and providing design consultancy.
11. FEED Kenya Messenger Bag, $200
By purchasing this bag 370 school meals are provided for children in Kenya. It doesn’t get better than that!
12. Elephant iPhone Case, $28
Buy a case and donate a phone. In other countries like Tanzania the costs are too high so only 40% of the women there can afford them. 30% of the sale of each case is set aside. Once enough money is collected Kidogo Kidogo purchases phones in bulk for low income women.
13. Lobmeyr Great Lakes Carafe, $950
This carafe made by Kneen & Co retails for $1,359, but they are offering a special price of $950 through the end of the year and will donate 10% of the retail price of each carafe sold to Water.org.
14. Fuji Green Tea™ Festive Picks Gift Set, $18
This year The Body Shop has partnered with WaterAid to provide families with safe water. This gift set provides one day of safe water for a family in Ethiopia. The price is great too!
15. 1 Face Watch, $79
With the purchase of one watch you can donate to 3 charities of your choosing and there are many to chose from (pets to breast cancer).
16. Bump Buster, $6-15
Wage war on bumps with this spot treatment made from natural tea tree oil and pine. The solution targets zits, razor burn and ingrown hairs while encouraging healing and removes excess oil. 10% of profit is donated to helping military families and soldiers serving overseas.
17. Jay Manuel Ultimate Lip Stain in Smile, $20
For every “Smile” purchased, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the organization Operation Smile.
18. Alessi Wine Opener, $67
Alessi contributes a portion of the purchase price from this adorable (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition “Anna G.” corkscrew to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, which can provide 11 days of life-saving HIV medication.
19. Mad Over You Fearless Men’s Tee, $78
100% of the net profits from each 100% Supima cotton t-shirt purchased goes directly to BUILD’S Arts Academy Program which helps urban youth from under-resourced communities and schools and exposes them to new experiences through visual arts, jewelry making, poetry, public speaking and the spoken word.
– Lauren Dimet Waters
Image Layout: Tequila Perrin