Awesome Gift Giving Guide That Does Good

‘Tis the season to give…right? So, what do you get friends and family who have everything? Or, say, “I don’t need anything.” Which is true.

Most of us don’t need a thing. Not so true for others around the world.

The dilemma of the season: Give something special to our loved ones, because we love to give, but also give to those who are in need. The solution? Give gifts that give back in some way.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking this holiday season…drum roll, please… my Awesome Gift Giving Guide That Does Good:

MERCY HOUSE |  Mercy House Kenya provides a safe place-a guarded home with 12 maternity beds, maternity care for young women with no place to go, provide rape and abuse counseling, spiritual support, job skills and living skills education, women can stay 2-4 years, but the goal is to help the girls get “one their feet”. Full disclosure: This is a charity I support regularly.

GIVE BACK | “Online shopping through the GiveBack Mall provides cash-back to your foundation account for purchases from over 500 online retailers. Merchants reward GiveBack members with 2 to 40% of an item’s purchase price into their account.”

PHILANSHOPIT | “Philanshopit was born when two friends wanted to combine their love of fashion and their passion for philanthropy. Hanna and Aubrey founded the company to allow customers to purchase socially responsible items without sacrificing style.”

HEADBANDS OF HOPE | “Right before my 20th birthday in the summer of 2011, I did an internship at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina.

 
During my internship, I saw that girls loved to wear headbands after losing their hair to chemotherapy. Being a young girl presents many struggles with self-esteem already and losing their hair as a result of a life-threatening illness is traumatic. Not only do they have to face the risk of losing their lives, they feel that they lose a part of their feminine identity. ” Founder, Jessica (Jess) Ekstrom. Buy a stylish headband and $1 is donated to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to fund life-saving childhood cancer.

ROOZT | “We exist to inspire, empower, and connect brands with everyday people to be catalysts for positive change through online shopping… Because changing the world should be fun!” You can handpick your own collection of items you love, supporting a cause you are passionate about…creating your own movement. Or, visit other like-minded people and purchase a special gift. My movement for Women Empowerment can be found here.

WORLD VISION | World Vision “…provides emergency assistance to children and families affected by natural disasters and civil conflict, work with communities to develop long-term solutions to alleviate poverty, and advocate for justice on behalf of the poor.” Sponsor a child, provide medical care, give a goat, chickens, ducks, clean water, a well, and so much more.

LIVE FASHIONABLE | “The fashionABLE mission is to create sustainable business for Africans so they aren’t dependent upon charity, but instead earn the dignity of a job. We offer opportunity to everyone, with a primary focus on empowering women. When we invest in a woman, statistics demonstrate that she will have a life-changing impact on her family and community… and herself.” Also have an awesome blog for the hip and trendy.

FEED A MOTHER | “Mali is one of the least developed countries in the world. In rural areas, over half of the people are living in poverty and are food insecure. When hunger strikes, women and children are affected the most. Malnourished mothers give birth to malnourished children, draining them of the potential to develop into healthy and productive adults.”  Your gift will feed a pregnant or breastfeeding mother in Mali for an entire year so that her child can grow up healthy and strong.

TOMS MARKETPLACE | Because TOMS believe commerce can be about more than profits, they created a Marketplace for other social entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products that make a difference.

TOMS SHOES | One for One®. You buy one pair, they give one pair. Pretty simple. They now have winter boots. “On their own, shoes have a limited ability to change a life. But when combined with programs run by our Giving Partners, they can become a powerful tool in helping create opportunities for a better future.”

Although I  post about many different things in my life, the underlining theme of Got2havefaith is faith and giving. It is two things that I try to keep constant in my life, because nothing else is constant in life. I may not talk openly to family and friends about how or where I give.

I give quietly.

But, my desire is always to give back. I have many blessings in my life; and what better way to celebrate and give thanks for that than to help others. Every year I look for unique ways to do that. I hope that you find inspiration in the Awesome Gift Giving Guide That Does Good I have provided above.

There is Black Friday, Small Business Satruday, Cyber Monday and now…Tuesday is #GivingTuesday. Thank you.

*I was not paid for endorsing any of these wonderful do-gooders.