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Whether preparing for the holiday season or looking for the perfect gift to cheer up a good friend, why not choose a unique gift that gives back? Impress your friends and loved ones with gifts that support a good cause. By choosing thoughtful gifts that support charitable organizations and nonprofits, you can help make a positive impact. Whether you’re looking to support organizations that promote mental illness awareness or helping to conserve the rainforests in Costa Rica, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will explore a variety of gifts that will not only delight your recipients but also help make this world a better place.
Giving empowering gifts is a great way to look beyond the material value of a gift. They can help inspire your friends and family while also making a positive impact. They can be gifts purchased from organizations that donate to charitable causes. Or they can be gifts that are good for the planet and, in turn, give back by reducing waste and pollution. With so many large mass-producing companies out there, one of the best things we can do for our children and their future is to make more conscious and thoughtful purchases. Whether that’s through giving gifts from organizations that give back or using more eco-friendly products, we can each do our part. Here are some gift ideas with a meaningful impact.
- Artwork – Various types of artwork celebrate diversity, support environmental causes, and advocate equal rights. You can find paintings, sculptures, pottery, and even cute cards at local art galleries or online. Various organizations sell artwork that supports women, clean water, and even national parks. Andy Okay is an online art gallery that connects artists and customers from all over while supporting several causes like animal welfare, rainforests, and environmental justice. They offer various discounts on the purchase price, and items are shipped to your home within 3 to 5 days.
- Charitable Donations – Do you have a friend or family member who is passionate about supporting grassroots organizations or volunteering at homeless shelters? Donating to their favorite organization is one of the best gifts you could give them.
- The Loveland Foundation is a great cause that helps support black women and girls with mental health services. Through fellowships, listening tours, and residency programs, it brings opportunity and healing to communities of color.
- Feeding America is another popular non-profit organization. It is one of the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organizations. You can donate to its cause, and they also offer employment opportunities for those looking to make an even bigger impact.
- No Kid Hungry is a great foundation that helps ensure children who rely on school meals continue to eat during the summer break.
- Heart of Dinner addresses food insecurity among Asian American seniors. Many of these seniors experience loneliness and isolation, living in poor communities. Heart of Dinner delivers meals, fresh produce, and handwritten notes in their native language to help comfort them.
- The Center for Reproductive Rights is an organization that addresses issues that protect and advance women’s reproductive health. Like many organizations, you can not only donate cash; you can also donate the stock directly through a broker.
- Books – Empowering books like self-help, biographies, or memoirs can be special gifts for your book-loving friend. Oprah magazine is an excellent source for finding the latest books making waves worldwide. You can also choose to gift books that give back and support charities. Here is a list of books you can buy, and a portion of your purchase will support Cancer Research, The Trevor Project, and Literacy.
- Jewelry – Fair trade jewelry like necklaces, earrings, and rings make the perfect present for your best friends. Change the World by How You Shop is a great website that allows you to pick your artist by the cause they support (adoption, human trafficking, disabilities, etc.). It’s a great way to support small businesses that create their products using sustainable practices and also have a lasting impact on their causes.
- Subscriptions – Do you struggle to find the perfect holiday gift for that friend or loved one? Or are you looking to make a household change using more eco-friendly natural products? A quarterly subscription box is a great way to get started. There are boxes for men, women, and children. It’s a great way to introduce and try a new beauty product or home goods. You can purchase gift cards if you are not up for the entire subscription. Some of the popular subscriptions are:
- Earthlove—They provide eco-friendly products using sustainable materials and offer carbon-neutral shipping. You can get anything from wooden spoons, a tote bag, an organic pair of socks, or a BPA-free water bottle.
- Alltrue—This is another favorite. They offer eco-friendly products while partnering with artisan-producing organizations and support women in obtaining leadership roles.
- Nomadik – Looking for something for that outdoor enthusiast? Nomadik is an excellent subscription product that provides all essential supplies for hiking, camping, and outdoor adventures.
- Cratejoy – Cratejoy is a company that offers gift boxes for anyone and everyone. We like the greenUp box, which offers a variety of non-plastic, cruelty-free, and ethically sourced products. They work with small businesses that are committed to fair trade and reducing global poverty.
- Charity Gift Cards —Gift cards from organizations like TisBest allow you to choose which charity you want to support. You may have one friend who likes to support first responders and another who wants to fight for social justice. Instead of making the choice for them, let them choose. This is an excellent way of allowing your gift recipient to pick a charitable organization that they are passionate about. Donorschoose.org is another charity gift card organization whose donation goes towards a classroom project in your community. Charity Choice is another great website that offers up to 100 different charitable causes to choose from. Simply purchase the gift card and your recipient can go online and choose where to donate their funds. The great thing about these gift cards is that the funds will still go to a good cause if they are not redeemed.
- Products that Give Back – All types of products are available for purchase whose net proceeds are donated to their non-profit partners. One example of this is the Parks Project. They are a certified b corp that sells various outdoor apparel, home goods, and accessories. A portion of their net profits goes to supporting green space on public lands. Another great organization is Uncommon Goods. They sell a variety of handmade unique gifts, and with every purchase, they will donate a dollar to a partner of your choice. Some of their partners include American Forests and the International Rescue Committee. Some of my favorite gifts I’ve given to friends and family are from Mercy House Global. They support widows, orphans, and pregnant girls by partnering with the Rehema House in Kenya. They offer unique handcrafted gifts, directly employing Kenya’s artisan girls and women. They recycle and create products like soccer balls made from plastic bags to beautifully handmade face masks. They also offer subscription boxes as well. Then there is cuddle + kind, they have amazing hand knit dolls and each purchase provides meals to children in need. This is a favorite gift of mine to give for new babies and toddlers.
- Experiences – Several nonprofit organizations throughout the United States host fundraisers, Galas, food drives, workshops, and classes. Get your friends together, dress for a night out, and attend a Gala supporting climate change. The American Cancer Society hosts themed parties all over the US. You can also search your local county or city for upcoming fundraisers. If you’re on a budget, why not gather the whole family and volunteer at a food shelter? Does your best friend love animals? Why not volunteer at your local animal shelter and treat her to a nice lunch? Sometimes, the experience of doing good things for a worthy cause can make the best gift and long-lasting memories.
- Other Carbon Neutral Products – So many products out there can help give a little bit back each day. Do you like to spread holiday cheer by delivering hand-baked cookies to friends? Why not use containers made of renewable sugarcane? You can also purchase eco-friendly school supplies. Many notebooks are made with harmful plastics or materials and have a high carbon footprint. Or skip the plastic wrap and use beeswax food wraps. The best part is they’re not only great for the environment, they also make adorable gifts. Need some new summer sandals? Rothy’s shoes are made from recycled plastic scraps and water bottles. It may not seem like there’s a whole lot you can do to help the environment, but you’d be surprised.
By choosing gifts that give back, you not only bring joy to your loved ones but also make a conscious step toward creating a positive impact on the world. Giving a gift that supports a good cause is like giving two gifts. A gift to your friend but also to a community in need. Gifts that give back can inspire and provide a deeper, more thoughtful meaning.
You can shift the focus away from materialist gifts and towards a more mindful way of giving. It’s a great way to help bring awareness to the various causes while providing resources and opportunities for those most in need. Whether supporting small businesses that give back, donating to charities, or opting for eco-friendly options that minimize your carbon footprint, making thoughtful choices in gift-giving is one of the best ways to give back and help make this world a better place.
