This year, it feels like holiday decorations were up before Halloween and Black Friday started two weeks earlier. I guess we just can’t wait to celebrate, so let me help you do just that! Like every year, I share a list of my favorite products to give and receive, but ones that also give back. Each of these are hand selected by me because they are not only wonderful gifts, but also meaningful. From empowering women and young girls to saving manta rays, these businesses make an environment or social impact. So make your holiday shopping worthwhile and give a unique, sustainable gift that also gives back in 2022 and beyond.
Fashion for The Ocean
A great gift for women who care about responsible fashion. FLORE QUO’s Iris cross-body shoulder bag ($350) is sleek and fashionable to carry during the holiday parties. I also use it to travel as it goes from the cocktail bar to the beach. The bag is made in Spain and comes with two crystals embellished interchangeable ornaments – signature Butterfly Crown and Manta. You can get it in pink, vibrant green and classic black.
By wearing this bag, you won’t only make a fashion statement, but also show your love for the ocean and manta rays in particular. 10% of the profit from the bags are donated to the Manta Trust, a charity registered in England and Wales.
Receive 10% off your purchase with FLORE QUO with code “GOEATGIVE.”
Jewelry for a Cause
Remember a loved one or give hope to someone battling a life threatening disease. Revive Jewelry’s affordable bracelets, rings and earrings (retail prices ranging from $25-$117) make for great gifts to moms, daughters, survivors and caregivers. Each of the pieces honors loved ones and survivors by incorporating cellular imagery in the design. The best part is you have flexibility to choose which cause you want to stand for.
10% of proceeds from sales are donated to an associated charity. For example, if you purchase the Forever Tied Awareness Bracelet, you can select which cause you want to give to – Alzheimers, breast cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer. There are 18 causes to choose from.
Use code “GOEATGIVE” to get 10% off your purchase on Revive Jewelry. Valid through 12/31/22.
Candles by Refugees
Who cannot use a candle that gives back during the holidays? Prosperity Candle’s Burmese Candles ($28) are handmade with all-natural soy and coconut wax and premium fragrances. Each scent in this series evokes a cherished memory from the women artisans and refugees who came to the U.S. from their homeland of Burma (Myanmar). With handwritten Burmese symbols, each candle reflects the incredible qualities they brought with them as refugees seeking to build a brighter future for their families: such as peace, kindness, gratitude, joy, and compassion. Your purchase helps provide employment at a living wage.
Use code “WELCOME10” at prosperitycandle.com to receive 10% off your first order.
Wall Decor By Emerging Artists
Make a big impact in the life on an artist when you gift this trendy BIG Wall Decor ($40-700). The innovative two-part durable and portable wall decor system makes for good holiday, housewarming, office and college grad gifts. Designed by emerging artists, there are colorful abstracts, soothing nature and contemporary imagery for any space. And what is great is the massive size that fills up the wall without costing hundreds of dollars to frame. Since BIG Wall Decor started in 2019, they have paid over $500,000 to new artists.
Use code “GIVE20” to receive 20% off BIG Wall Decor.
Eco Friendly Slings
Anyone outdoorsy on your holiday gift list? Urban Bower is a sustainable eco-friendly outdoor gear store that sells high-quality products while caring for the environment. You can get lanterns, blankets, cutlery, chargers, towels, bento boxes and hammocks, but my favorite is the Circadian Sling Bag ($52). Made from plastic bottles and designed in Portland, Oregon, the bag is super light, hands-free with tons of storage for walking around town or hiking in the forests. Plus, you can get a design to represent your favorite animal – lion, camel, eagle, cobra and more!
Each of their products is sourced from businesses that are either a B-Corp, part of 1% for the planet, help clean waterways of plastic, give back to their community or give back in other ways.
Get 10% off your oder on Urban Bower with discount code “goeatgive10.”
Food To Fight Hunger
Foodies on your gift list will appreciate Bookmarks and Breadsticks’ Read It & Eat It Winter Hot Sauce box ($60). The perfect holiday gift contains a copy of the book – Hot Sauce Nation, a trio of hot sauces from woman-owned business Queen Majesty’s, and Bee Sting Honey Sriracha Flavored Chips for dipping. The site also offers holiday peppermint and hot cocoa boxes and $5 from each purchase is used to fight hunger in Buffalo. These holiday boxes support FEEDWNY and The Good Deed Grocery, organizations that bring free food to area schools.
Toys That Empower Girls
Did you know that two-third of girls don’t think they can be whatever they want to be? Why is that? If you have a pre-teen girl to shop for, inspire them with fun and interactive LeadHER craft collection ($24.99). These craft kits includes an educational story of a known powerful woman, such as Maya Angelou, Greta and Amanda Garman Thunberg. They also include thoughtful discussion questions that encourage them to use their voice for change.
What’s more, LeadHER donates a portion of proceeds to organizations working to empower girls across the globe. They have given over $30,000 in products to Girls Inc. of Westchester and Girls on the Run LA this year alone.
Chocolate Covered Dates
If you gravitate to sugary sweet treats on cold winter afternoons, here’s one that is good for you, good for the world, and good for the planet. Hot Date Kitchen dark chocolate covered sweet and salty organic medjool dates ($9.79) filled with spiced sunflower butter are plant-based and gluten-free. They are also a Carbon Neutral company and donate 10% of their profits to the Clean Air Task Force (considered one of the highest impact charities working on Climate Change Mitigation), and to GiveWell (high impact non-profit working on poverty alleviation in developing countries).
But wait, this Black Friday weekend, they will be donating 100% of profits to Climate Change nonprofits.
Totes Funding Micro Loans
I like to buy locally-made souvenirs from the places I visit, but don’t always have the luggage space to haul them back. That’s why, when I saw Taaluma Rwanda Tote by Isabelle S. ($95), I fell in love with the colorful fabrics and the backstory. As seen on Shark Tank, Taaluma works with fabric-making artisans from around the globe to make limited quantities of culturally-inspired tote bags. These can be used as backpacks at school, office or while traveling (they have passport and laptop pockets).
Each purchase contributes to funding a micro loan for a small business owner, therefore helping reduce poverty, eliminate hunger and increase access to education. Get one Taaluma tote from each country!
Socks For Children’s Health
Get down to the basics. For your last minute stocking stuffers, get Arvin Goods‘ soft, fitting and responsibly made socks ($12+). They come in a variety of colors and athletic, crew and no-show styles. Made with 50% or more certified organic materials, each pair of socks helps save 50+ gallons of fresh water. Arvin Goods donates 10% of profits annually to the Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Fashion For Earth
If you are shopping for activewear, tees or loungewear, Happy Earth Apparel is a new, stylishly sustainable B Corp certified fashion company that puts people and the planet first. The fabrics are organic and made with sustainable material. They partner with fair trade and carbon neutral businesses. When you check out, you get an option to give to causes such as reforestation, climate change and stopping pollution.
Make a statement with the soft and sustainable give a damn hoodie ($60) on your hikes, travels and gym visits!
