Gifts That Give Back
Gift giving can be an exhausting task. It used to mean considering what you know about a person and giving them something meaningful, but it's turned into asking for a list and heading to whatever store their wish sent you to. I feel like over the years, it's lost itself in a lot of commercialism and needlessness - so instead of bitching about it, I decided to hunt for some gifts with meaning - gifts that make an impact with my purchase! What I've compiled here is merely the tip of the iceberg - tons of companies are giving back with your purchases these days. I've picked out some of my favorites this season and hope they inspire you to find an impactful and meaningful gift for someone on your list!
Love Your Melon
When I think "cozy", I think Love Your Melon! Hats for all ages, blankets, mittens...you name it, they've got it - and in some of the coolest collections! Obviously, the Harry Potter collection caught my eye. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “Fifty percent (50%) of net profit from the sale of all Love Your Melon products is given to nonprofits in support of charitable programming and research in the fight against pediatric cancer. Since 2012, Love Your Melon has given $8,313,239 and 232,247 beanies. The nonprofit organizations we support fight against pediatric cancer, do cutting edge research, create therapeutic experiences, and fund programming initiatives for children and their families battling cancer.”
Parks Project
If you know a lover of the great outdoors, a gift from Parks Project is perfect for them! They have a wide array of gifts for everyone, whether they're looking for gear or something to wear - they've got you covered. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
This item: Purchases of this product support the National Parks Conservation Association and their mission to fight every day for the future of public lands so they are preserved for generations to come.
From the site: “Parks Project's mission is to leave it better than we found it. Our goal is to protect and preserve parklands for generations to come by educating, advocating, volunteering, and activating park supporters to get involved in conservation. To date, Parks Project has contributed over $2,000,000 to help fund vital projects in national parks around the US.”
Packed With Purpose
This was one of the first finds on my hunt for gifts that give back. Every item in each gift box makes and impact, and they include a booklet letting you know where each item comes from and how it helps! They have a bunch of curated collections to choose from. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
This item: Slowtide - Creates and invests in new fabric innovations by using ethically and sustainably-sourced cotton and recycled materials to reduce impact on the environment
The Kinlands - Supports sustainable agriculture through locally grown produce and agriculture education
Seattle Chocolate Company - Crafts artisan chocolate bars locally in the Pacific Northwest using premium ingredients that are ethically sourced; Certified Women-Owned
Dog Tag Bakery - Builds a bridge to employment and productive civilian life for service-disabled veterans, military spouses, and caregivers through educational programs and real-life bakery work experience; 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
From the site: “Every one of our gifts creates an impact because of the products we source. For example, we sell rich chocolates to provide job training to survivors of abuse, notebooks that are made from sustainably sourced wood that drives reforestation efforts, crisp granola that provides employment to those who were formerly incarcerated, and the list goes on. Your recipients receive not only a physical gift but also the experience of discovering these incredible organizations across the U.S. and the world that are doing good while making quality products. Packed with Purpose is proud to share our partners’ stories of impact with gift recipients through our artful Impact Booklet that accompanies each gift. You can rest assured that your recipients will know that their gift does good and your intention in sending that particular gift was to create meaningful impact.”
Kesslers Diamonds
Ok, ok - I may be biased because I work here, but I am truly impressed with the impact that Kesslers makes on Wisconsin and Michigan communities! There are several collections giving back to children and cancer survivors, plus you get to go home with some diamonds. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
This item: A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each item in this collection will benefit Make A Wish Wisconsin and Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital in Michigan.
From the site: “Now through December 31st, Kesslers Diamonds will be donating a BRAVE bracelet for every item purchased and two bracelets for every pair of diamond studs purchased! Partnerships with Children’s Wisconsin & Helen DeVos Hospital. For over 10 years Kesslers Diamonds has partnered with Make A Wish Wisconsin. We raise money for the organization throughout the year by featuring a donation with every purchase of special items. Our partnership also includes Kesslers sponsoring a 2 day Wish-A-Thon every December that raises more than $250,000 to make wishes come true for children fighting life-threatening illnesses. ABCD is a support group for women diagnosed with breast cancer. We donate 100% of the profits from our exclusive Survivor Pendant to this wonderful and much-needed organization.
Alltrue
This is a subscription box that I can get behind. Each box is carefully curated, sending you a quarterly collection of goodies that you'll be counting down the days until it arrives. You might as well get one for yourself, while you're at it. Check out the site here: Link
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “We are committed to delivering delightful goods made fairly and sustainably by brands doing their part to better the world. We believe everyone should have access to low-waste, sustainable alternatives without a price barrier to entry. When you join Alltrue, you receive a curated seasonal box, full of socially-conscious products at an incredible price ($250+ worth of products for only $49.95)*. But the membership is so much bigger than a box — you get exclusive access to seasonal markets, eco-friendly essentials, educational content, and a community that shares your values. And we’re adding more perks every season!”
Lush Charity Pot
Do your body, and the community, some good! 100% of the proceeds of this lotion are donated, so you can nourish your skin and your soul. Check out the site here: Link
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “This gorgeous self-preserving body lotion does a lot of good—and not just for your skin… This rich and generous cream contains up to seven ingredients sourced from our Sustainable Lush Fund projects that support regenerative agriculture around the world. With every purchase of Charity Pot, we donate 100% of the price (minus the taxes) to small grassroots organizations working in the areas of human rights, animal protection and environmental justice. You end up with velvety, beautifully-scented skin AND you’re doing a world of good with every pot purchased—nicely done!”
Lifestraw
We all have a survivalist in the family, so help the prepper in your life while you're helping children in need of safe drinking water. These are also great for outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone who wants to add to their emergency preparedness kits. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “For every 500 products we sell, we distribute a LifeStraw Community purifier to a school in need which provides safe water to 100 school children for a period of five years. Put another way, one purchase of any LifeStraw product provides a year of safe water to a child in need, five purchases provide that child with safe water for the next five years.”
The Always Pan
The newest trend in cookware to hit the shelves is making an impact in the market and in the community! When you give this gift to someone, this all-in-one cooking pan will warm their heart, and the bellies of those in need. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “For each of our collections, we find partners who are working to create systems-based change in the communities that we share. Our most recent charity partner was Feeding America to whom we donated the over 200,000 meals to help fight hunger during COVID-19.”
Bombas
Bombas is more than just a sock company, they've mastered comfort and while they're at it, community. With their one purchased = one donated philosophy, you can't go wrong with giving one of their gifts. I believe it was Albus Dumbledore that once said, "one can never have enough socks". Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “Bombas was founded on the philosophy of donating to those in need but has evolved to go deeper into the community. The more clothing items we sell, the more we donate. As we grow, our giving and community efforts will continue to grow right alongside us. One Purchased = One Donated. Working closely with our Giving Partners, we donate clothing that meets the needs of people who don’t have the luxury of putting on clean clothes every day. Thanks to your support, Bombas has donated over 50 million clothing items through more than 3,500 Giving Partners across the country.
Grounds & Hounds
As a rescue dog mom myself, this particular company holds a special place in my heart. They have tons of fun gifts for the fur-child parent in your family and you can purchase knowing that your gift is doing rescue doggos some good. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “Beyond creating the best cup of organic and eco-friendly coffee possible, Grounds & Hounds was created with an overarching purpose in mind; provide every at-risk pup with a second chance at a full life. To turn our passion into action, we collaborate with some of the most innovative animal rescue & welfare organizations throughout the country to provide funding and support for life-saving initiatives that impact rescue pups in communities throughout the country.”
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
I've been a fan of Selena Gomez since I was a young girl (hello, named my first car Soulena Carmez) and now that she's becoming a philanthropic young woman advocating for mental health, I love her even more. If someone is giving you some lip, give them a gift that gives back. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “The Rare Impact Fund is part of Rare Beauty’s commitment to give people access to the resources they need to support their mental health. Rare Beauty donates 1% of all sales to the Rare Impact Fund and raises additional funds with philanthropic foundations, corporate partners, and individuals in our community to increase access to mental health services in educational settings.”
Kind Humans
Gifts that are good for people and good for the planet? Count me in. Check everyone off of your list in one place with the wide array of literal goodies that Kind Human has to offer. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “Shop our curated collection of products that are good for people and the planet. At checkout, choose the featured cause you want to support through your purchase. We’ll donate 3% of your purchase amount to the cause you selected. Sweet.”
Prosperity Candle
When you purchase from Prosperity Candle, your gift is doing a whole lot of good. Providing opportunities is an understatement, and the ethically made goods are just the cherry on top. The women on your list will be relaxed and empowered with one of these gifts! Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “Our sunlit studio in a century old mill building in western Massachusetts is a place of new beginnings and opportunity for women refugees resettled from overseas refugee camps through UN, federal and state programs. Each of our candlemakers arrived here after experiencing tremendous hardship and loss. With every candle poured, they are creating a brighter future for themselves and their families. We celebrate creativity and quality, support fair trade and ethically made goods, and argue that every product - if made the right way - can help make the world a better place. That means everything we do puts our mission and values first, no matter what. We support fair trade principles and are B-Corp certified for community and environmental sustainability. For 2 years in a row, we've been recognized by B-Lab as a Best for the World small enterprise.”
Flowers for Dreams
A floral arrangement subscription that gives back? You read that right! Give a gift all year long that will just keep giving - pick your size and frequency, and rest easy knowing that your purchase is making a difference. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “From a single bouquet to the biggest wedding, every petal makes a difference. Together, we're using flowers to advance causes of justice & charity in our community. We donate ¼ of our net profits, a minimum of 2.5% of gross sales, to local charity through The Flowers for Dreams Foundation.”
S’well
Sustainable and charitable, S'well checks all the boxes. They're so much more than just water bottles, and they make a practical gift for anyone on your list! You can find a print and product that'll please anyone. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “With the world’s resources and our own personal reserves being spent, we believe that something as simple as buying a beautiful reusable bottle or bowl can make a difference. Every S’well purchased counts towards displacing millions of plastic bottles and also helps us pledge millions of dollars to organizations that help communities around the world. At S’well, we hope to be a spark for change — the inspiration to live a little more sustainably in an unsustainable world.”
Her Highness NYC
For the elevated gal on your list - Her Highness NYC is getting high off of social justice and checking all of the boxes on your herbal list. Outside of their ladylike smoking accessories, proceeds from this pre-rolled hemp joint go to supporting our sisters facing an unjust and corrupt system. Check out my personal pick from the site here: My Pick
How do they make an impact?
From the site: “We get high off social justice -- and it's high time to address the racist prison industrial complex plaguing cannabis use in the USA. Her Highness is only possible thanks to hard-fought cannabis legalization efforts. Efforts that did not happen in time to help many of our sisters still languishing in prison for victimless crimes. We see you. And we pledge to use our voice and resources to shine a light on you and your stories and to help you get on solid ground. Her Highness is proud to partner with the Last Prisoner Project to tell the stories of women jailed for minor charges that have altered their lives. 50% of the proceeds of these pre rolled hemp joints support these women, and others like them unjustly imprisoned on low-level cannabis offenses.”
I urge you to take some time this Giving Tuesday to search for some causes that speak to you and help make an impact where our world needs it the most - your options these days are plentiful! Knowing that the gifts that I'm giving are driving change gave me so much more fulfillment and joy in gift giving this season - I hope I've inspired you to do the same!