It’s that time of year again. Gift guides are rolling out across the internet, and we’re flooded with advertisements for the latest greatest sale happening NOW. Personally, I can’t really handle crowded shopping malls and lines up the wazoo, so I attempt to do most my shopping at really odd times (Sunday nights are great!) or online. Luckily, I only have presents for kids to buy, so my purchases are fairly contained to only to a few places.
A few years ago, both my husbands side of the family and mine, agreed to forgo gifts between the adults and give back to those in need instead. With my husband’s family, we participate in our local Salvation Army: Adopt a Family program and purchase gifts and necessities for a low-income family who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford Christmas presents. On my family’s side, we pool together money from all three family’s (mine, my sister’s and my parent’s), and donate a cash sum to a deserving charity that rotates each year. It’s been a great tradition. We avoid trying to do the adult gift thing (which can be really hard), and we get a good feeling about giving back to our community.
Recently, when catching up on some blog reading, I was inspired by a few other “Gift Guides That Give Back” that I’d come across. But none of the guides contained home decor accessories, so I thought I’d round up a selection to continue on their good work. I was able to find a pretty expansive selection of online stores that offer programs that work toward making a difference in this world – feels good to know there is still some good happening out there.
If your family is not ready to give up on the gift giving gig like mine has (it’s okay, I get it and I’m not judging), you can at least feel confident that all of these items still give back in some way.
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In the spirit of giving and not taking – none of these product links are affiliate links.
Learn more about these products, their sources and click through to their sites find more great products
Unicef Market
I think most of us that went to Sunday School as little tikes would remember UNICEF. The charity that provides lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need all over the world. I’ll never forget that fish shaped box that was nearly impossible to assemble. Then when you finally did get it put together, you filled to the top with all the spare change you could find. I think they still collect money that way (although I haven’t seen the fished shaped box in awhile), but they’ve advanced into the digital age too. Now you can shop the UNICEF Market online, and a portion proceeds of the artisan products they sell, like these throw pillows // 1 // this throw // 2 //, or this carved wood hand sculpture // 3 // they sell benefit both the makers, and UNICEF. Win, Win.
For more information and a wide assortment of other artisan products visit: market.unicefusa.org
Moorea Seal – The World Is Your Oyster Print
Moorea Seal
This socially responsible business believes that the more you gain in life, the more you are responsible to carry it forward and do something positive. SO with every item purchased at Moorea Seal, 7% of all proceeds are given to the non-profits they have partnered with. So that means you can gift this sweet // 4 // steel diamond sculptural your hip, modern auntie, and 7% the proceeds will be donated the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, to help raise awareness, fund scientific research and provide resources and aid to those affected by suicide. This // 5 // hand-painted raw wood bowl, and the // 6 // “The World is Your Oyster” print are both made in America, and both can give you the warm fuzzies for supporting Moorea Seal’s current women’s charity partner: Rain City Rock Camp for Girls.
For more amazing products that give back and further information on the company and their work visit: Mooreaseal.com
Uncommon Goods – Walnut Bookend Lamp
Uncommon Goods
I’m a super fan of Uncommon Goods because they have really cool, and well, uncommon stuff. It’s often the first place I go to look for unique gift idea. I didn’t know until recently however, that Uncommon Goods has a program that gives back to various charity efforts. It’s called the Better To Give program, and for every purchase you make, they’ll donate $1 to one of 4 selected partner non-profits that support causes such as protecting America’s forests, and promoting literacy in youth. $1 might not be much, but when you take into the account the cool gifts you just picked up, like these unique bookends that double as a lamp // 7 // , or a personalized name pillow like // 8 // , or just a sweet candle // 9 // , it’s hard not to think you’re doing the right thing.
For more uncommon goods and more detail on their charity partners, visit: Uncommongoods.com
The Little Market – Large White Tray
The Little Market
The Little Market is an online fair trade shop founded by Lauren Conrad and Hanna Skvarla. It’s an independent non-profit organization, and purchase of every product they sell helps to create meaningful income for the artisans and their families. So that means the purchase of this beautiful Indigo Mudcloth pillow // 10 //helps support the organization, GAIA, in their mission to empower marginalized refugee women living in Dallas, Texas. Or proceeds of this Leather Handle Tray // 11 // work to help provide artisans in Delhi, India with interest-free loans to expand their businesses.
To learn more about how the Little Market operates or to find more artisan products that do good, visit: thelittlemarket.com
Local + Lejos
Local + Lejos is similar to the Little Market, but they aim to work directly with artisans from around the world to create contemporary designs at accessible prices. So beautiful, hand made goods like this amazing woven floor basket // 12 // , a 100% wool rug that helps to provide one month of school for a child in Mexico // 13 // , and a handcrafted tray // 14 // that take 3 weeks each to make are available to us at prices we wouldn’t be able to get in a traditional retail store. And, to make you feel even better, Local + Lejos works closely with each artisan to bring the process full circle to by helping to empower them to grow a business, preserve cultural traditions, and create sustainable futures for their families. You really can’t go wrong.
There are plenty more amazing products that help give back, find more at: localandlejos.com
I hope I’ve inspired you to give back in some way this holiday season. Either with a donation, or by purchasing a product from one of these (or any other) great companies that give back. I’m certain your heart will feel a little lighter this year because of it.
