As the season of giving approaches, more people are realizing that the best gifts don’t just bring joy to the receiver—they also make a difference in the world. In 2025, conscious consumerism continues to shape how we shop, reminding us that every purchase holds the power to create impact. Whether it’s empowering artisans in developing countries, supporting local entrepreneurs, or funding education and environmental initiatives, “shopping for a cause” allows us to align our values with our spending.

At Go Eat Give, we’ve always believed that travel and giving go hand in hand—that exploring the world also means uplifting the communities we encounter along the way. This year’s curated list of Gifts That Give Back celebrates brands, creators, and nonprofits that embody that same spirit of global connection and compassion. From handmade goods and ethical foods, to books and experiences, these gifts tell meaningful stories and leave a lasting legacy—far beyond the wrapping paper.

At Go Eat Give, we love discovering companies that share our commitment to conscious living and global responsibility. Here are a few of our favorite finds this season that combine craftsmanship, sustainability, and social good:

travel gifts

Nocs Monocular $179.95

Perfect for travelers, adventurers, and nature lovers, the Nocs Monocular blends sleek design with environmental responsibility. As a member of 1% for the Planet, Nocs donates at least one percent of annual sales to environmental causes. Their packaging is completely plastic-free, made from post-consumer recycled cardboard and soy ink printing. A great companion for exploring nature—without harming it.

What we love about this monocoluar is that it’s portable and light (fits into my purse). It also allows me to zoom in on wildlife (when the phone camera loses resolution). If you are heading out on a safari or bird-watching trip, make sure to get one. I know I will be carrying it for my tiger safari in India after the holidays!

sunglasses gifts

Timberland Sunglasses – Earthkeepers Collection $79-150

In lieu of regular designer brand sunglasses, we recommend Timberland’s Earthkeepers line, where fashion meets purpose for an active lifestyle. The eco-conscious sunglasses are crafted from bio-based plastic derived from renewable castor oil. And the cases are made with recycled materials. The brand’s Plant the Change initiative aims to plant 50 million trees by 2025, making every purchase contribute toward a greener planet. Get ready for your next adventure and look fashionable doing it!

Womads Shoes and Bags starting at $198

I receive so many compliments every time I wear my gold Womads leather sandals and sling bag. Available in tons of both fun and nuetral colors, these make for great gifts that blend style, comfort and impact. Handmade in Medellín, Colombia by skilled artisans, each pair of Womads shoes and every accessory is crafted using top-quality full-grain leather and natural rubber soles. They are some good quality materials that will last and travel with you. 

For every purchase, the brand donates 1% of its profits to a charity empowering Colombian women to support themselves. Womads works with a family-run factory that offers fair wages and flexible work-from-home options for mothers. And their use of natural rubber soles contributes to the re-forestation of land formerly used for drug cultivation in Colombia. When you gift Womads, you’re not just giving shoes or a bag—you’re standing with women artisans, supporting ethical manufacturing, and investing in sustainable land-use. A gift with both style and story!

spices that give back

Spicewalla Gourmet Spices $79.99

Trust me, cooking with fresh, small-batch spices will make all the difference in your holiday recipes this year. Founded by acclaimed Asheville-based chef Meherwan Irani, Spicewalla brings premium, small-batch spices straight from the source to your kitchen. The spices are freshly roasted, ground, and packed by hand at their facility in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their Limited-Edition 10-Pack Collection celebrates that hometown spirit with vibrant flavors curated for every palate. $15 from every sale goes to MANNA Food Bank, Blue Ridge Public Radio, and Homeward Bound. The three organizations helped Asheville weather the storm and help rebuild after Hurricane Helene.

Beyond taste, Spicewalla sources ethically and beleives in fair treatment of farmers. Their recyclable tins reflect a dedication to sustainability. It’s the perfect gift for the home cook who believes that mindful choices can make the world more flavorful.

gift incence

Celebration Incense Gift Box $16.19

In a world where most homes rely on synthetic air fresheners, this Celebration Incense Gift Box offers a return to nature’s purity. Think about infusing spaces with plant-based aromas crafted from herbs, flowers, resins, aromatic roots, and pure essential oils. The gift box includes handpicked incense sticks and cones in cozy, winter-perfect scents like Myrrh, Himalayan Forest, Musk, Lavender, and Opium, paired with a beautifully designed ceramic holder.

Elegantly packaged and ready to gift, it’s more than just a sensory experience—it’s an act of empowerment. Every purchase supports women artisans with challenging pasts, providing them with dignified work and a chance to rebuild their lives through skill and creativity. Each stick kindles calm for the one who lights it—and hope for the one who made it.

Use discount code GOEATGIVE20 to get 20% off on your first order.

BBQ sauce superfood

Tamarind Heads BBQ Sauce $12.99+

Most BBQ sauces I find in stores contain sugars, preservetives and unhealthy ingredients. But not this one! Born in New York and rooted in rich global traditions, Tamarind Heads is redefining the American BBQ aisle by centering the tamarind fruit. Its a tangy ingredient beloved across Asia, Africa, and Latin America as a superfood. And it is delicious!

Co-founded by Sashi KumarBrittney Lim, and Jim Giberson, the brand set out to replace the standard tomato-and-vinegar base with something more natural, bold, and authentically international. Sashi grew up watching crowds gather at his mother’s farmer’s market stall. Brittney infuses her Malaysian family’s hawker stall spirit—where tamarind often stars in soups and sambals—into every batch. Together, they spent five years perfecting a tamarind, and have already earned a sofi Award for innovation in BBQ sauce.

Beyond the bottle, Tamarind Heads represents a mission of inclusion and integrity. They uplift global flavors, honor small farmers, and advocate for clean, additive-free foods.

shop for purity coffee

Purity Coffee $29+

This holiday season, give the gift of wellness with Purity Coffee, a brand built on science, sustainability, and social responsibility. Their beans are organic, sustainably farmed, and rigorously tested for mold and toxins—ensuring the cleanest cup possible. Could drinking coffee be good for your body? Yes, Purity is crafted for wellness at every step. It’s organically grown, rigorously tested for mold and pesticides, and roasted to preserve antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that support energy, focus, and overall health. And, Purity Coffee is sold whole, ground, in pods and sachets to satisfy all home brewers.

Beyond quality, Purity Coffee partners with environmental nonprofits to support regenerative agriculture and fair trade farming communities.

Use discount code GOEATGIVE20 to get 20% off on your first order.

Here are some additional gifts we love…

cutluxe knife set

culLuxe Knives Set – $179.99

As a home chef, my knives are my most important tool in the kitchen. I have tested out all kind of knives. My favorite so far are culLuxe. These are not only the highest-performance knives, they are also sold at a fair price. I replaced all my knives with this 15-piece knife set.

For those who value precision in the kitchen, culLuxe offers handcrafted knives that are built to last. Each piece is thoughtfully designed using sustainable materials and ethical production methods. This season, you can shop their collection at up to 20% off for the holidays. It is an ideal time to upgrade your kitchen tools or gift a set to the aspiring chef in your life.

Each of these thoughtful gifts embodies what Go Eat Give stands for—living mindfully, giving meaningfully, and supporting a world where travel, taste, and purpose connect us all.