‘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:
HELP INK | Choose your favorite, colorful poster, then choose your charity. Hang beautifully designed artwork on your wall, or give as a gift. Priced at $5-$20.
BEAGLE FREEDOM PROJECT | This one is on the list because I LOVE beagles! “The Beagle Freedom Project is a mission to rescue beagles used in animal experimentation in research laboratories and give them a chance at life in a loving forever home.” The dog lover on your list will “aahhh” about this one.
NO KID HUNGRY | Need holiday cards? Want to help end childhood hunger in America? No Kid Hungry combines the two. Make a donation in your gift recipient’s name and give them a keepsake card. Starting at $10 donation.
ERICA SARA | These courage charm necklaces are available in gold fill or sterling silver and can be personally engraved with a special message. Choose from 3 different charities. Starting at $30.
GIVING KEYS | In a nutshell, Giving Keys “exists to employ those transitioning out of homelessness to make jewelry out of repurposed keys that get sold and shared around the world. Each key is unique and carries a message like HOPE, STRENGTH, DREAM or COURAGE. When the wearer of the key encounters someone else who needs the message on the key, they give it away.” Pay it forward in more ways than one.
BRAVELETS | This bracelet pictured above is in support of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, $35. “The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today.” Bravelets offers products that support other charities, such as, breast cancer awareness, Alzheimer’s, colon cancer, MS, and many more.
COMPARTES | You know I had to put something chocolate on the list! These “Chocolates for a Cause – 10 piece gift box – signature caramels + chocolate + African graphics make for a great gift for a great cause. Made with imported African ingredients adorned with colorful African graphic, coupled with 1 Relief Beads bracelet, all to benefit Relief International in Darfur. Flavors change seasonally.”
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION | Give an Adoption Kit to the animal lover in your house…I know a special little girl in our house who will be getting this one! NWF is committed to preserving wildlife all over the world. Adoption kits includes a stuffed animal of your choice, a poster of that animal and an adoption card for $30. Kits in larger denomination are also available. (Your adoption is symbolic and your donation will be used where it is needed most to help protect America’s imperiled wildlife.) Free shipping included.
FASHION & COMPASSION | “The vision of Fashion & Compassion to transform communities through holistic economic empowerment that brings dignity and opportunity to individuals who have been caught in a web of poverty and injustice as they heal spiritually, emotionally & physically.” And they have really cute gifts!
GOSPEL FOR ASIA | Give a gift that helps rescue families from poverty and shares Christ’s love. From the GFA Christmas catalog: $10 mosquito net, $160 outdoor toilet, $11 a pair of rabbits, $65 a lamb, $11 a pair of chickens, $30 bio-sand water filter for clean drinking water, $40 tool kit, $35 monthly Bridge of Hope Child Sponsor, or if you’re feeling really charitable, give $17,000 for a heavy duty vehicle. (I am a GFA blogger, so this charity is close to my heart.)
GRACE & LACE | A portion of each sale of these cute boot cuffs or boot socks will go towards building orphanages in India. So far, 2 orphanages were opened in 2014 with 5 more planned to open in 2015. “For the first time in their lives, these children now have a mattress to sleep on, fresh water to drink, food in their bellies and a school to go to.” I love these boot cuffs…hint, hint. (As seen on Shark Tank)
AMAZON SMILE | If you like to shop Amazon, and who doesn’t, then switch to Amazon Smile. You get the same great deals as Amazon but for every purchase you make a donation goes to the charity of your choice.
That’s my 2014 awesome gift giving guide that does good. Now, go make a difference in the world. Be a Small Seed this holiday season!
Have Faith Everyday 