Choose gifts that have a meaning this year. If you do one thing this Christmas, buy a gift for someone that will give back to the greater good. These are some of our favorite gifts that are more than just one more present.
High Rise 7/8 Length Good Karma Leggings
Retails $78.00
You can’t go wrong with leggings! When you purchase these leggings from Free People, one percent goes to Girls Inc. This nonprofit provides mentoring relationships to girls all over the country to raise strong, empowered young women.
Retail $75.00
When you buy one of these adorable little snuggle Llamas, Cuddle and Kind provides 10 meals to children in North America and all over the world. Choose from one of the many animals which are all handmade with fair trade practices in Peru, giving people the chance to support themselves with sustainable work.
Charcoal Soap and Candle Gift Set
Retail $45.00
These products are made by the family run business Apotheke, and every purchase helps women in Kenya and Tanzania. Apotheke was started by Chrissy Fichtl when she decided to expand her love for soap making and essential oils to help benefit others. Each purchase helps women make and sell cookstoves as well as solar lights so they can support themselves and their families.
I love finding a new organizations that support good causes, and I was thrilled to learn about The Younique Foundation. This foundation provides services for adult survivors of childhood abuse. They offer retreats, support groups, and resources to help survivors of abuse heal.
This life-changing organization came from Derek and Shelaine Maxfield, a husband and wife that were met with challenges early on in their marriage. Derek was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after they were married, and as he faced the ineffable reality of death as a young newlywed. During his treatment, he bonded with another young man also dealing with leukemia, Greg Johnston. Derek managed to beat leukemia, but Greg did not. As Greg accepted his fate, he told Derek to do something great with his life for the both of them since Greg would never have the chance. This foundation was born out of that promise, and it is helping survivors of childhood abuse find comfort and support. They have put on more than 130 retreats for more than 3,000 survivors. There is also a secondary brand, Defend Innocence, which aims to educate parents and caregivers on preventing childhood sexual abuse.
Retail $68.00
The national dialogue surrounding sexual abuse has evolved greatly in the last few years, and it has opened the floor for more survivors to come forward. You can be a part of the movement by supporting The Younique Foundation buy making a purchase from the shop. 100% of the proceeds go towards survivors and resources…Yes, 100%! They have a large variety of items for sale from apparel to mugs, water bottles, jewelry and more. The clothing items are incredibly well-made, durable, and I am in love with the purple hooded jacket and Fight for Zero – Grey Unisex Defender Jogger Sweatpants. Each item has a positive message about ending abuse, and it is a way to show support for survivors of abuse. It is a beautiful way to celebrate the season with this cozy items.
Fight for Zero – Grey Unisex Defender Jogger Sweatpants
Retail $50.00
Retail starting at $6.00 per pair
When you pull on your socks each morning, do you ever consider the people that don’t have any socks? You probably don’t, I know I don’t. It is a small convenience that I take for granted, but for many, it is another need that goes unfulfilled. According to Society Socks, it is the most needed clothing item but the least donated. Shelters only accept new socks, and it isn’t a common donation item. Society Socks is working to change that and help those in need. With every pair of socks that is sold, they will donate a pair. Choose from a huge variety of colors and designs including a pair created in partnership with YouTube motorcycle sensation, Yammie Noob. You can purchase individually or subscribe for a monthly delivery of 2 pairs per month, and 2 pairs of socks will be donated.
This simple idea is providing to people in need, and they are striving to become more involved with communities in order to make positive changes. They donate socks to Engage and Change, The Covenant House, and the Young Women’s Christian Association. In addition to donations, they also have community partners and assist in events to help make a larger impact. If you happen to work with a group or organization that actively assists with the homeless, you can reach out to Society Socks to inquire about working with them. Even something as simple as a pair of socks can make a difference. We all have to buy socks, why not by them from an organization that will help someone else with every purchase?
Retail $84.00
Donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is one of the best examples of giving at Christmas time. St. Jude is dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer and life threatening disease. They do not charge patients or families for any of the treatments or associated costs. That is made possible through the many donations that support the hospital. When you donate or buy from the St. Jude Gift Shop, you are helping children in need and their families. Visit the gift shop for great gift finds like this Genuine Leather Dark Red Shoulder Bag. They also have incredible items inspired by art from the patients.
Retail $54.99
Get back when you give this year with Solo New York. You can donate your gently used bags (any brand), and they will be donated to non-profits. Print a free shipping label and send your bag off to a charity. Then, you can get $15 off your next purchase from Solo New York like this economic Bowery Backpack.
Retail $65
Everybody Water is dedicated to helping the earth and others with their eco-friendly water cartons. With each purchase, a portion of proceeds is donated to Water 1st International which helps females in developing countries access education. This a Boston-based company that is women-owned and aiming to do some good in this world, one carton at a time. Buy some water or check out their adorable apparel, available for a limited time.
Retail $399.99
Go big or go home as they say. If you are going to splurge on something, buy this behemoth. It is a 4k HDR Smart TV, and 10% of your purchase will go directly to fighting AIDS with (RED).
Retail $55
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, only a hippopotamus will do. If you have someone that wants a hippo for Christmas this year, check out the hippopotamus adoption kits from the World Wildlife Federation. With the purchase of an adoption kit, you will help prevent habitat loss for hippopotamuses.
Retail $Varies
Buy one of these awesome items inspired by literature, and you will help donate books to communities and support literacy around the world.
Retail $14.95
We had to add Conscious Step because, well, you can’t go wrong with socks for Christmas. All socks are designed to support a specific non-profit. These socks support causes around the world from feeding children and building homes to protecting oceans, the rainforest and animals. There are lines for all ages, sizes, and genders. They are Fairtrade certified and made with organic cotton, supporting the small cotton farmers in India. These are some of the organizations they partner with and provide monetary support with each sock purchase: Habitat For Humanity, Water.org, Global Citizen, Conservation International, UN Women, Oxfam, UNAids, Room to Read, Action Against Hunger, Trees For the ToFuture, Oceana, Best Friends Animal Society, Keep A Breast, and Malaria No More.