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)
“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.
fashionABLE (scarves and leather goods)
“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)
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:
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
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
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
Heifer International is one of my favorites. I have my grandchildren select which animals will help families. It’s a well-trusted and remarkably successful organization.
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! 🙂
Excellent options, Nicole. Thanks for sharing these gift-giving alternatives!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
You’re welcome! Hugs from MN!
Great guide, Nicole. I just added it to my SkinnyScoop list! http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/anotherjennifer/gifts-that-give-back#
Great, thanks!
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.
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!
These are fabulous suggestions. I’d like to reblog this on my site for all my travel followers. What great ideas!
Great! Thank you!!!!
I’m also an avid shopper at uncommongoods.com. 🙂
There are so many wonderful places now where you can shop and feel good about your purchases!!!!
I love this post and coincidentally, I was researching for a post about shopping in Nicaragua and buying local. Wonderful ideas.
Great!!! I have purchased from most of these sites. I just love them. So wonderful!!!!
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.
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! 🙂
Great timely post! I will look into purchasing from these sources this Christmas. Thanks
Thanks! I love all these places and their wonderful gifts that give back! 🙂
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!
great article with full of great content with nice images. thanks for sharing this one.
You’re welcome! So glad you enjoyed!
Great article and more valuable content and nice thought. thanks for sharing.
Thanks! 🙂
Great post, I love heifer international it strikes a cord with me as we have a small farm.
Thanks! Yes love Heifer. I just gave a goat for my birthday.
I shopped at Uncommon Goods this year. Very cool.
Yes I love that store!
I love Uncommon Goods, great website!
Yes it is fantastic isn’t it! 🙂
Reblogged this on From the Aisle Seat and commented:
If you’ve still got some holiday shopping to complete, then make sure to check out this list of “gifts that give back!” Not only do they make perfect presents, but each purchase also pays it forward to those in need.