2013 Holiday Guide: Gifts that Give Back

Last year I did a post on Gifts that Give Back. In a world where we have so much and others have so little, gifts that give back in return is a brilliant concept. Not only are you giving something special to someone you care about, you are also giving back perhaps even more to a person in need. Here is my list of top Gifts that Give Back for 2013. Feel free to add more ideas in the comment section below.

Scarves, Appareil, Jewelry and Household Items

Anchal (scarves, pillows and quilts)

www.anchalproject.org

“Designing Change Stitch by Stitch” Anchal creates absolutely stunning scarves, pillows and quilts each handmade out of recycled saris by Indian women rescued from prostitution. I can not tell you how many compliments I have received on my stunning Anchal scarf. I wear it every day and it is warm, colorful and a reminder of the hard work that was put into making it. I had to order another one I love it so much.

Screen Shot 2013-12-10 at 10.05.57 AM

fashionABLE (scarves and leather goods)

www.livefashionable.com

“Your purchase of a fashionABLE scarf creates sustainable business for women in Africa.  Our commitment as a non-profit is to the development of people — fashionABLE works with women who have been exploited due to the effects of poverty.  So, when you purchase a scarf you are providing jobs, and then we send the net profits back to holistically rehabilitate more women”.

Once again, I love my fashionABLE scarf! It is beautiful and makes a delightful gift.

(RED) products:

A wide variety of gifts that all go to support The Global Fund and ending AIDS. I just downloaded the DANCE RED from iTunes and LOVE it! To check out all the (RED) products click here on my most recent post.

Be sure to check out all (RED) products on fab.com and see the Holiday 2013 Product (RED) Gift Guide.

Uncommon Goods (jewelry, household items and gifts)

www.uncommongoods.com

UncommonGoods is an online specialty marketplace that endeavors to feature unique designs and handcrafted products created in harmony with the environment and without harm to animals or people. Founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1999, UncommonGoods strives to provide gifts that are unique and made by local and international artisans.

Unique Gift Ideas:

Heifer International:

www.heifer.org

Why not give a family in need a goat, a cow or some chicks? Giving the gift of livestock creates everlasting livelihoods for people living in extreme poverty around the world. Click here for “The Most Important Gift Catalog in the World“. I bought a goat to donate for my birthday gift this year and feel wonderful knowing some family is starting a better life! You can also donate money to send a child to school and much more.

Save the Children

http://www.savethechildren.org

Save the Children has launched their 2013 “Gifts of Joy” Guide containing 63 unique, life-changing gifts such as Bees that’ll keep busy feeding families, cows that create income opportunities, Early Childhood Education to enhance a child’s potential, Newborn Care Packages that help babies start strong and much more.

To view their complete catalog, click here.

FEED America

www.feedamerica.org

This holiday season give the gift of healthy food to families in communities across the nation. Your gift through this catalog will help Feeding America in our efforts to supply nutritious, fresh foods to the millions of Americans who struggle with hunger through our network of 202 food banks across the country.

UNICEF

http://www.unicef.org

UNICEF 2013 Holiday Collection of Gifts and Cards is here and it is lovely! For every card or gift you buy, the proceeds helps save children’s lives. Check out the collection here.

I hope you enjoyed this post full of wonderful ideas of giving gifts that give back. If you know of any other ideas, please feel free to share with me. Happy Holidays! 

Related Posts full of ideas for Gifts that Give Back:

Presents with Purpose: Gifts that Give Back via thirdeyemom

Take Back Good Friday via Do a Little Good

Ten Mindful Gifts to Give via Documama

32 thoughts on “2013 Holiday Guide: Gifts that Give Back

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes Heifer is wonderful and so cool to give that gift. Love how you show your grandchildren the importance of giving back. For my birthday this month I gave a goat and it felt great! 🙂

  1. Excellent options, Nicole. Thanks for sharing these gift-giving alternatives!

    Hugs from Ecuador,
    Kathy

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      You’re welcome! Hugs from MN!

  2. anotherjennifer – Brunswick, Maine – Jennifer Iacovelli is an author, blogger and nonprofit unicorn. Based in Brunswick, Maine, she’s a proud single mom of two boys and two Siberian huskies. Her books include The Mother Of All Meltdowns and Simple Giving: Easy Ways to Give Every Day. Her work has been featured on HuffPost Divorce, Maria Shriver, GOOD, BlogHer, ONE, USAID Impact, Feed the Future, PSI Impact blog and more. Her passions are writing, philanthropy, her awesome kids, bacon and lifting heavy objects, though not necessarily in that order.
    anotherjennifer on said:

    Great guide, Nicole. I just added it to my SkinnyScoop list! http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/anotherjennifer/gifts-that-give-back#

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Great, thanks!

  3. Another great charity is Free the Children. Amazing that is was started by 2 young brothers before they were teens! They are now in their twenties and do a lot of great work. It was one of the best charities I have come across too. They go to many rural places and see things first hand and find out how to help. 90% of the money goes to charity. They are very inspiring if you ever get a chance to hear them speak. Their catelogue is a bit pricier, but you can buy things for as low as $20 CDN. Here is the link.
    http://www.freethechildren.com/donate/
    What a great idea Nicole. I am going to go check out some of these you have listed.

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      That sounds wonderful!!!! Thanks for mentioning and I will definitely look into it! 🙂

      • I read an article about great things kids do and a lot of new organisations and charities started recently have been started by kids and teens!

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Great! Thank you!!!!

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      There are so many wonderful places now where you can shop and feel good about your purchases!!!!

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Great!!! I have purchased from most of these sites. I just love them. So wonderful!!!!

  4. Great post! We really like Heifer Intl. In fact, for the class Christmas gift for one of my kid’s teachers, everyone donated money and gave that to her with a HI catalog and together they decided on what they wanted to “buy” with the money.

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      That is so cool! Another teacher at my children’s school does Heifer as well. I just donated a goat from my birthday. I love how easy it is and how great it feels to give back! 🙂

  5. Kerry Ascione – Past business and IT professional turned travel writer, blogger, speaker and coach. Huge supporter of the Peer Sharing Movement, especially as it relates to making the lives of families richer in culture and travel. Author of Have Home Will Travel, The Ultimate International Home Exchange Guide for Families.
    Kerry Ascione on said:

    Great timely post! I will look into purchasing from these sources this Christmas. Thanks

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! I love all these places and their wonderful gifts that give back! 🙂

  6. Kerry Ascione – Past business and IT professional turned travel writer, blogger, speaker and coach. Huge supporter of the Peer Sharing Movement, especially as it relates to making the lives of families richer in culture and travel. Author of Have Home Will Travel, The Ultimate International Home Exchange Guide for Families.
    Kerry Ascione on said:

    Reblogged this on The Trusting Traveler and commented:
    I thought this was a great timely article. I myself am going to look into purchasing some of those scarves made from retired Indian Sari’s for gifts this Christmas. They look beautiful and what a great cause they support!

  7. Pingback: GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK | feather and stones

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      You’re welcome! So glad you enjoyed!

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! 🙂

  8. Holly K. Ross – Canton, TX 75103 – I love a happy ending and I am busy living my happily ever-after. Loving a good love story lead me to write my own. I am on the journey of writing and getting published. Public speaking is a favorite activity and gardening is a way of life.
    hollykaann on said:

    Great post, I love heifer international it strikes a cord with me as we have a small farm.

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Yes love Heifer. I just gave a goat for my birthday.

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes I love that store!

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes it is fantastic isn’t it! 🙂

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