Holiday Giving Back ^Featured

The holiday season is here and as much as we try to associate it with family and celebration, it often becomes all about the gifts. Gift-giving is expected, but why not give it a little twist? Why not give gifts from companies that give?

We’ve talked about TOMS on this site, but since then they have expanded and added a Marketplace to their website. The Marketplace is a platform for entrepreneurs to sell their products as well as make donations to different social causes. As an example, a Love Bracelet with a gorgeous bronze pendant with the Ethiopian word for “love” on it is only $30, yet provides a 6 month salary for a teacher in Ethiopia. Jewelry, accessories, bags, apparel, tech, and more are searchable by gift, cause, region, or brand. This is a great way to give two gifts in one.

You can even find gifts for kids that keep on giving. The One World Futbol Project offers a nearly indestructible ball that never needs to be pumped up, yet never goes flat. For each ball purchased, one is donated to organizations working with disadvantaged children. The cost? Only $40 and you have given a child a gift and a lesson in the power of giving.

For just about the same price as a Brita water filtering pitcher, you could purchase a more attractive SOMA glass carafe for filtering water. All purchases benefit Charity: Water to provide clean, safe drinking water to those in areas of need. The filters are compostable, made from coconut shells and silk, so you aren’t adding to landfills. Filters arrive via subscription with free shipping for life.

Every guy needs a rugged flashlight for emergency situations. Why not try the BOGOLIGHT? The solar powered flashlight provides 5 hours of light after each charge and with each purchase, one is provided to those in third world countries without electricity.

Baby Teresa follows the TOMS one-for-one model, selling baby outfits and then donating another of their 100% organic cotton outfits to a baby in need (usually in an orphanage) in one of 20 countries. Their line has expanded to bibs, blankets, hats, and packages for showers with full sets of items.

Whitten Grey puts a small twist in their giving style. When you purchase a dress for a girl on the site, you receive a code. This code can then be used to go online with the recipient and choose what color dress will be donated, what country it will go to, and even write a note to the girl who will receive the dress. What a fantastic lesson in giving! Make sure to include the code with the gift!

FIGS has a threads for threads program. The company provides scrubs for medical professionals. In impoverished countries, purchasing uniforms may be impossible. This can lead to the spread of disease instead of holiday cheer. The super-soft scrubs are needed to decrease hospital acquired infections. FIGS donates a set of scrubs to a healthcare provider in one of the countries that needs them for every pair purchased. Know someone in healthcare that would like the comfiest scrubs on the market AND the chance to help a fellow professional in need?

These are but a fraction of companies that offer ways to help others with your purchases. How wonderful to celebrating the season of giving by giving each gift twice!