10 gifts that give back

The Christmas countdown is on!  With 14 days left, now is the time to tie up those loose ends and check everyone off your list.  We all have that one person who is extra difficult to buy for- they either have everything already or just don’t care much about gifts in general.  Consider getting them one of these great presents.  Not only are they unique and fun, but each one gives back in a different way!

  1.  Scratch Cards- Everyone’s a winner when they scratch off a LottoLove card ($20 for a pack of two). Instead of winning money for yourself, a charitable gift (weeks of clean water, months of solar energy, sets of literacy tools, or nutritious meals) is given to someone in need in your honor.

2.  Bare Soaps- Bare Soap‘s products are all-natural and handmade, and 20 percent of proceeds are invested in the company’s efforts to provide vitamins, vaccines, and soap to those in need. This Bare Soap Sampler Pack ($18) also gives villagers entrepreneurship opportunities.

3. Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. gives back to animals by working with rescue organizations in your community. Twenty percent of all proceeds, including this Three-Blend Starter Kit ($44), go to a rescue partner closest to you.

4. State has an extensive collection of bags for everyone.  From backpacks to duffels, you can find what you need here.  The best part- for every bag you purchase, the company hand delivers a backpack filled with “essential tools for success” to an American child in need.  

5. With the mission to help artisans out of poverty through fashion and design, 31 Bits sells fairly made products like these brass Soma Bangles ($32), handmade by Javanese artisans in Bali.

6. Mitscoots Outfitters employs the transitioning homeless to package each and every blanket, like this Black and White Plaid Fleece Blanket ($49). With every purchase, one blanket is given to a shelter to help individuals in need.

7. Krochet Kids Intl. empowers women of Northern Uganda and Peru through jobs, education, and mentorship. Items like the Abby beanie ($24) provide a steady income for employees and help them to stay out of poverty.

8. Each bottle of One Hope Foundation’s wine is dedicated to a different cause. Every purchase of this Vintner Collection Cabernet Sauvignon ($25) helps provide ABA therapy to children with autism.

9. Socks are the #1 most requested clothing item at homeless shelters- this fact is the driving force behind Bombas.  Bombas exists to help solve this problem, to support the homeless community, and to bring awareness to an under-publicized problem in the United States.  For every purchased pair of Bombas Socks ($12), a pair is donated.  

10. Parks Project– each product purchased contributes directly to one of over 30 different conservancies across the USA, providing vital funding for the ongoing care of National Parks.  This ultra soft, lightweight Yosemite t-shirt helps fund the Yosemite Conservancy. The trails are the gateway to Yosemite’s wilderness, and with over 800 miles, that’s a lot to maintain. The Yosemite tee supports enhancing the visitor experience and helps preserve the parks’ trails for years to come. For each Yosemite product sold, one meter of trail is restored in the Park. ($36)