Over the years, we’ve put together many a holiday gift-giving guide. This year, we’re doing something a little different. You can still find all of our other gift guides (loaded with great ideas) here and here and here and here. But, this year, instead of just focusing on cool gifts to get friends, loved ones, and colleagues we’re going to highlight companies that give something when YOU buy; making your holiday present do good TWICE! Why give JUST a present when you can give a present and donation in the same transaction?
One of the best marketplaces for such gifts is a website called Gifts For Good. Not only are all the items intensely curated into being wonderful presents, but every single item listed also has a secondary charity donation. I gave two precious Wise Owl Wood Eyeglass Holder‘s last year with each purchase creating four hours of employment for indigenous artisans. They have a great gift guide and also do custom items for corporate gifts.
A group featured on Gifts For Good, the Parks Project is another fabulous cross-section of cool, cultivated gifts whose purchase yields something greater. Although less global, Parks Project specifically gives back to the U.S. Parks system. Whoever they have on their vibe cultivation team should get a raise cause it’s all tres cool. So, if National Parks are a cause near and dear to your heart too, then this might be a great option this year.
Although not your traditional holiday gift, a Who Gives A Crap subscription or a one-time box of toilet paper/kleenex/paper towels can be a GREAT gift. They even come in holiday wrapping for the season. Who Gives A Crap is a great company. Not only is all the packaging recyclable, with the products made from recycled/renewable sources, but it directs 50% of all profits to provide access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and bathrooms in developing countries. We’re big fans of the premium bamboo toilet paper. Get/give the gift of paper goods that do good delivered to your door on your timetable.
Finally, in the ultimate crossover of independent artists, holidays, and philanthropy comes Giftiply. Giftiply is a wrapping paper/greeting card company that makes even your wrapping paper and cards do good. Not only are all the wrapping papers printed with soy ink, on 100% recycled paper, with plastic-free bio-degradable packaging, but each different pattern (drawn by small independent artists) benefits a charity of your choice. 33% of your purchase goes to the charity, but there is also a sliding scale button for donations that 100% go to the charity. Additionally, they include information on the back side of the paper for your receiver to easily find out more about the mission. How cute is this, ‘Let It Snow Leopard’ paper by Ignazio Alphonso that benefits the Wildlife Conservation Network?
As in all years, please try and shop locally this season (and always). Support artists and small businesses. Donate your time and your money to people and things that you believe in. Thoughtful trumps expensive every time. No one needs to go broke buying holiday presents.
And if you’re still flummoxed, see below for the ultimate gift guide roundup from our annals. What do you think? Did we miss anything? As always, let us know in the comments! Happy Holidays!
Grocery Bag Handles, Nail Polish, Cast Iron Pan Scrapers, Onion Goggles, Bear Claw Back Scratcher, Bluetooth Speaker, Jewelry, Reusable Bags, Mini Bottles and Lotto Tickets, Selfie Stick, Smartwool Socks, Backup Batteries, Square Jellyfish Car Mounted Cell Phone Holder, PaperMate Ink Joy Gel Pens
Gift Cards (Target and Amazon are statistically most requested), Charities of your Choice, Blood Donation, Get Something Monogrammed/Personalize It, Tickets to Anything, A Professional Service, A Utility, Subscription Boxes, Magazine Subscriptions, Spa Gift Certificate, Favorite Book, Ornaments, A Gift in Someone’s Name, Membership to Local Zoo or Museum, Trips, Experiences, YOUR Favorite Thing, But Most Importantly- Give of your Time, Love, and Talents
Lodge Cast Iron Anything, Bonavita Electric Kettle, Flower Sack Kitchen Towels, Furniture, Casper Pillows, Chocolate Covered Fruit, Utilitarian Items, Dryer Balls, Onion Goggles, Towels, Black and Decker Steamer, Squatty Potty, eClothes, Furniture, Yeti Cups, Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chairs, Hand Mixer, Reusable Grocery Bags, Glass Terrarium, Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker, Instant Pot, Amaryllis, Candles
Blow Dryer, Hair Styling Tools, Deva Diffuser, Miracle Gel Nails Set, Z Palette, Perfume, Urban Decay Naked Eye Palette, Liz Earle Hot Cleansing Clothes, Hempz Lotion, Smartwool Socks, Clarisonic Brush, Frye Boots, Saucony Jazz Pros, Allbirds, Olukai Flip Flops, Sephora Gift Certificate, State Traditions Apparel, Banded Brand Headbands, Artisan Jewelry, Kantha Beads, Dr. Lipp Balm, Ugg Boots, MeUndies
Kindle/Tablet, eBooks, Amazon Gift Card, Chatbooks, Fitness Tracker, Koubachi Plant Monitors, Ads Free/Premium_________, Aerogarden, Record Player, Amazon Prime Membership, Backup Batteries, Tile Mate Anything Finder, Bluetooth speaker, Classic Nintendo Mini-System, Tasseled Charger Cable Clip, Car Mount Cell Phone Holder, Masterclasses, Extra-Long Lightning Charger, Cord Wranglers/Reusable Twist Ties
Bog Bag, Cinda B. Bags, Barrington St. Anne Tote, Packing Cubes, L.L. Bean Boat and Tote, Dooney and Bourke Anything, Bella Tunno, Reusable Grocery Bags, Daylight Plus DayPack Osprey Back Pack
Homemade Kahlua Made With Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Bacon-Bourbon Jam, Painted Animal Glass Jars, The Best Cheese Cake and Pecan Pie, A Martha Stewart Scarf Pattern, Kitty Thread Tamer, Signature Baked Goods, Yarn Patterns, A Kitty Toy Set, Tasseled Pompom Purse Clip
