It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in shopping for the holidays and not truly think through what you’re giving to friends and family. While trying to check everyone off your holiday gift list, you could end up overspending or purchasing presents that don’t have as much meaning as you’d like. That’s why we’ve rounded up 10 gift ideas that go way beyond the surface: Each item gives back in some way, whether it’s by funding the World Wildlife Fund or the National Alliance for Mental Illness.
Wine gifts are a dime a dozen, but not every bottle comes with the ability to help as well. Every bottle of One Hope purchased has a mission, whether it’s feeding children, supporting veterans or funding pet adoptions. We recommend the California Brut Sparkling Wine Rainbow Glitter Edition, which provides aid to LGBTQ youth. Every four bottles sold funds an hour of operational costs for the Trevor Project.
Purchase the sparkling wine for $59 or other bottles from One Hope.
MantraBands has a special line of CharityBands, each of which boasts a message for a particular charity and helps raise funds for it as well. We’re partial to this “Self Care Isn’t Selfish” band. For each band purchased, $5 is donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Purchase CharityBands at MantraBands for $25.
You probably have heard of Toms One for One program: For every shoe sold, they give a pair to a child in need. While we’re still huge fans of the classic slip-on, Toms now sells a variety of men’s and women’s styles such as boots, wedges and more. Find shoes for family and friends while also gifting to another.
Purchase the Red Plaid Felt classic from Toms for $59.95.
Inspired by the tropical art-deco architecture of Havana, these dangle earrings add a bit of whimsy to any wardrobe. Not only are they crafted from upcycled acrylic, but like every item sold on Accompany—they are artisan made, fair trade and philanthropic.
The Off Leash Enamel Mug Candle is a two-in-one gift. First you have a fragrant candle that burns up to 40 hours; then you have an enamel steel mug that’s stovetop and campfire safe. It’s incredibly versatile and best of all, with every item purchased, United Blue removes 1 pound of trash from the world’s oceans and waterways.
Purchase the mug candle on United by Blue for $38.
Heifer International is devoted to ending hunger and poverty. Their holiday gift catalog is full of items that promote paths to income in developing countries. Check out sustainable farming tools such as the Bountiful Harvest Gift Basket which gives the gift of food and the options to sell the surplus.
Purchase various options on Heifer starting at $20.
Offering handcrafted goods from around the world, Unicef Market directs the proceeds of its products to artisans and its efforts to save and protect children. There are all kinds of items, such as home décor, furniture, and clothing, but we’re all about the jewelry.
Purchase the Balinese Garnet Peridot Rainbow Moonstone Multigem Ring pictured above from Unicef Market for $29.99.
This incredibly cool line of T-shirts was started by Kathleen Hanna, the singer songwriter from Bikini Kill, Le Tigre and Julie Ruin. The shirts feature artist’s portraits of cool musicians and actors like the Joan Jett, Kim Gordon, Adam Horovitz and Kathleen herself. All proceeds from the sale of Tees4Togo go to Peace Sisters, an organization that sends girls in Togo to school.
Purchase T-shirts from Tees4Togo—such as the Kathleen Hanna which is totally on our wish list—for $40 each. (Some tees may arrive after the holidays, but would make great New Year’s Eve gifts!)
With a $55 donation to the World Wildlife Fund, you can choose three pairs of socks with cute animal prints. There are 30 options including narwhals, elephants, pandas and sloths. Many of the animals on the socks are threatened species that the WWF works to help.
Purchase from World Wildlife Fund for $55.
At World Vision, a Christian nonprofit organization that helps families in poverty around the globe, you can purchase animals to help families in developing counties thrive. For example, one goat and two chickens (for $110) will help provide a steady supply of eggs, milk, and protein.
Purchase animals on World Vision, starting at $25.
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