Gifts That Give Back 2020

Gifts on wood background

I love December! The cold weather, the holiday decorations, the spirit of giving and the general feeling of hope and love is in the air. My favorite thing to write about it giving. Thanksgiving is time to be grateful for all you have, and Christmas is truly the time to give.

I love to get creative with gifts. This is my favorite blog and newsletter of the year because in my gift-giving I like to be able to give back while I give to others. This year it is especially perfect because December 1st falls on Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good.

There are so many companies that take their charitable contributions to the next level by offering opportunities for jobs, education, food, and donations to other organizations just by buying their products. I specifically buy things because of the way they responsibly source their products and by how they give back to the community with the funds they are blessed with!

Without further ado, here are my favorite things this year – my list of Gifts that Give Back. (For the link to the product, simply click the title):


Casetify: Reusable Cloth Mask

Right now, everyone needs to act responsibly and do their part by slowly the spread of COVID-19. One of the best ways to do that is by wearing a mask. Casetify has donated 40,000 masks (and counting) through their “Buy a Mask, Donate a Mask” campaign. With every mask purchased, Casetify donates a mask to Direct Relief, an organization that works in the U.S. and internationally to equip doctors and nurses with life-saving medical resources to care for the world’s most vulnerable people.

These masks are made with breathable cotton materials, are washable, and fitted with a filter to help fight the spread of illness. They come in a variety of styles and colors and are only $15. They even come with two filters! This is a great gift for anyone or even a stocking stuffer.


Nisolo: Little Seed Farm Soap

This item is retiring soon so it may be your last chance to snag some of this soap, but Nisolo has so many great items in their ethical marketplace. Gentle, nourishing, and free of artificial perfumes, dyes, and preservatives, this sustainably crafted Farmstead Milk Soap is perfect for everyday use and safe for those with sensitive skin – little ones included. Each bar is proudly handcrafted and cured at Little Seed Farm in small batches using only the finest and most gentle ingredients.

We have a choice on what products we purchase, and each one we choose either positively or negatively impacts the environment around us. For every Nisolo product sold, a contribution is made to help protect forests in the Amazon Basin. You can read more about Nisolo and how they’re impacting the environment here.


Lush – Charity Pot Body Lotion

This cream contains up to seven ingredients sourced from their Sustainable Lush Fund projects that support regenerative agriculture around the world. What I love most about this product is that 100% (yes ALL) of the proceeds go towards small grassroots organizations. The ingredients smell great and are super moisturizing as well as antioxidant rich. The small size is perfect for stocking stuffers and easy to tote around in a purse and the larger size is great to keep at home for everyday use.

Purchase this product because it goes to a good cause and fall in love with it because of how it smells and feels on your skin.


The Lipstick Lobby: Fired Up Lipstick

Everyone needs at least one shade of red lipstick! Fired Up is a rich, full-coverage formula that glides on smooth with a creamy matte finish for a modern, chic look. The Lipstick Lobby has said they created this fiery orange-red lip color to deliver major color payoff and flatter every skin tone because they know real people come in a plethora of shades. Although I cannot tell you it will flatter every skin tone as they say…it is definitely worth the try!

What drew me to this particular shade of red is that 100% of net profits from FIRED UP are donated to The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. That is something to get fired up about =)


Purpose Jewelry: Karoo Earrings

These earrings are an incredible find. It is rare that you will find handcrafted jewelry that is ethically sourced, made with sterling silver posts, are stylish, and also reasonably priced. These earrings are beautiful for every-day wear or for a night out. Perfect gift for someone who loves that retro style.

100% of proceeds from these earrings go towards International Sanctuary. International sanctuary supports young women escaping human trafficking in India, Uganda, Mexico, and the United States of America. Each artisan receives fair wages, education, health care and community.


Indego Africa: Turret Two Tone Bag

This twisted sisal basket bag is handwoven by women artisans in Rwanda, practicing a time-honored Rwandan weaving technique. It is made of natural fibers, sustainable, hand-dyed, comes in a variety of colors and is super fun! This would be a fun gift for anyone that loves the beach or has a bright and sunny personality.

What is special about this product is that it is handmade with heart by Burundian and Congolese refugees at the Mahama and Kigeme Refugee Camps in Rwanda. You can read more about that here. Indego Africa invests 100% of their profits into education programs for the women who handcraft their products and youth in their communities. Since 2007, they’ve provided over 1,100 artisans and 250 young people in Rwanda & Ghana with employment opportunities, entrepreneurship training, and consistent access to the global export market. What an incredible impact!


Williams Sonoma: No Kid Hungry Tools for Change Silicone Spatula

This has got to be one of my favorites on the list because I love to cook, of course! Who doesn’t need more spatulas? These spatulas are incredibly cute and have so much personality. They are heat-resistant, and even better than that – they have been designed and created by various celebrities to help fight childhood hunger. Thirty percent of the retail price from these spatulas benefit No Kid Hungry.

You can read more about the celebrity designers and the inspiration behind their designs and about the No Kid Hungry Organization and their impact here.


Feed: Heritage Coffee Bag

I don’t know about you but getting coffee for Christmas would be a great gift. But getting coffee that I knew also provided 5 school meals to children? That would be spectacular! I love FEED and their mission. For every gift purchased, you can see right beside the description how many school meals they provide. These meals feed children in schools around the world, and here in America, through their giving partners. This is such an important task because giving kids a daily school meal helps them learn and play, and also incentivizes their parents to send them.

This coffee not only provides 5 school meals for only $17 but also gets your gift recipient a blend that is made entirely with ethically sourced and USDA-certified organic beans from Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru and Uganda. It’s a win-win!


Uncommon Goods: Rescue Pet Dish Towel

This gift is adorable. It is a very cute gift for a dog lover on your list. Your A colorful kitchen towel decorated with “muddy” life-size paws and a playful acrostic poem celebrating the special gift that is a rescue pet. What is really special about this towel is that each paw print is unique, just like your very own pet.

$2 from your purchase goes to Rescue City, a pet rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption non-profit in the New York City area. They also have Rescue pet custom photo pillows and they come in cat prints for those who prefer the feline friends in their lives.


PopSockets

PopSockets put out a special response to COVID-19 and a way to donate to charities helping in the response during the ongoing pandemic. You can choose from two unique designs: Doctors without Borders or Feeding America. Both PopSocket designs are $15 and 100% of the proceeds go to their respective charities.

I love to see how companies are responding to the current state of our world and how they are giving back to the communities. Both of these organizations are working hard to help those affected by COVID-19 and are worthy causes to donate to. PopSockets would be a fun stocking stuffer and a great conversation piece about global activism all at the same time!


Packed with a Purpose

I’ve saved my last pick for the gift with the most variety because I just couldn’t pick one thing from this site. Packed with a purpose has incredible gifts that are meticulously put together for all kinds of occasions. They have partnered with so many different companies to put together some pretty amazing gifts. Think gift baskets but each gift has an impactful story behind them. Each gift comes with a booklet that tells the inspiring stories behind the organizations represented in each gift.

Check out some of the ways each gift’s impact comes to life:

Environment
Rainforest preservation, clean water access, landfill waste reduction and sustainable agricultural practices.

Workforce Development
Vocational training for adults with disabilities, the formerly incarcerated and others with barriers to employment.

Women’s Empowerment
Professional and personal development for women who need a second chance, safe housing for young mothers and their children.

Youth Development
Opportunities for youth in under-resourced communities, and artistic and skills development.

Wellness
Cancer screening and program funding, nutrition and healthy living education, and animal welfare support. This company is wonderfully inspired! Check out their holiday gift collections here.


If you are looking to support an organization and simply give during the holiday season to a worthy cause, here is a short list of organizations that I support and partner with through The Jonathon D. Fischer Foundation (JDFF). Click on the name of the charity to learn more about the organization and to give directly:

WE Charity
The Dream Center LA
The David Foster Foundation
Lions Foundation of Canada
Thorn

Planet Hope (learn more about their organization and click their name to give directly)
Planet Hope provides over 10,000 gifts to homeless, abused, and ill children living in the hospital this holiday season. Here is a link to their gift list. If you would like to buy a gift, click their gift list link above.

Casa Hogar Cabo – You can donate through their website using Friends of Casa Hogar, Monarca Canada Foundation or International Community Foundation (ICF) to receive a tax-deductible receipt.

Casa Hogar Cabo also has two campaigns you can donate to:
“Our Caregivers are our Heros”
“Elevate Lives of Vulnerable Children in Mexico”


“I don’t think you ever stop giving. I really don’t. I think it’s an ongoing process. And it’s not just about being able to write a check. It’s being able to touch somebody’s life.” — Oprah Winfrey

Merry Christmas!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Christine

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