Gifts That Give Back to the Local Economy
Shopping small adds up—67 cents for every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local economy. Here are a few fun gifts that support small businesses.
Grounds and Hounds Coffee
In Minnesota, Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co., offering 100-percent organic fair-trade-certified coffee, gives a second chance to pups in need, donating 20 percent of all profits to more than 350 animal rescue organizations around the country. Must Love Dogs Cold Brew Glass, $13, and Lovable Coffee Blend,$15, groundsandhoundscoffee.com
3rd Eye View Cuney Sunglasses
Black-owned eyewear brand 3rdEyeView in Houston has a big vision: Beyond selling unisex specs and sunglasses, the company collaborates with community partners to provide local vision screenings, eye exams and new eyewear to anyone in need. Cuney Sunglasses, $20, shop3rdeyeview.com
Adventure Textiles Side Snap Cowl
Adventure Textiles in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an artisan consignment shop that uses natural dyes (acorn, alkanet root, walnut and iron) to handcraft this cowl on a four-harness loom. Side Snap Cowl, $80, geminihandmade.com
Crisp & Co. Ginger Pickles
If you’re looking for crunch, Crisp & Co. out of Pennsylvania has a variety of hand-packed pickled products that fit the bill, from dilly beans and beets to mushrooms and pint pickles. Ultimate Variety Pack, six Jars for $57, crisppickles.com
Gifts That Give Back to a Good Cause
Pick a cause and you’ll likely be able to find a gift that supports it. For example, every $20 spent at Everybody by Dutton Farm (which creates bath and body products) generates one hour of work for an adult with disabilities at its nonprofit Dutton Farm in Michigan. Certified B Corporations—businesses that fill the legal requirement to balance purpose and profit—include socially responsible trail blazer Ben & Jerry’s, Allbirds (known for using recycled and natural materials), Patagonia (revered for its commitment to protecting the environment), Natura (the Brazilian cosmetics giant committed to sustainable practices) and 3,500 more in 50 countries. Women’s Los Gatos Fleece Vest, available in 10 colors,$99, patagonia.com Machine-washableMen’s Tree Toppers,$115, allbirds.com 12-Ounce Cinnamon Apple Candle, $16, everybodyinc.com
Buy One, Give One Gifts That Give Back
BOGO—buy one, give one—is a popular way for companies to give back. Toms popularized the business model by donating a free pair of shoes for every pair sold and has given nearly 100 million shoes since 2006. Warby Parker has distributed 7 million pairs of glasses, and sock and T-shirt brand Bombas has donated 41 million pairs of socks to homeless communities. Men’s Performance Running Calf Socks,$92 for a six-pack, bombas.com 100% VeganIvy Slippers, $65, toms.com
Support Fair-trade, Ethical and Sustainable Marketplaces
The conscious consumer is here to stay, willing to pay for products that align with personal values, whether that’s fair labor standards, eco-friendly packaging, organic ingredients or support for animal welfare, poverty reduction or nature conservancy.
Ten Thousand Villages
Ten Thousand Villages is a global maker‑to‑market shop that features hand-crafted kitchenware, home goods, accessories and more from 130-plus artisan groups in 38 countries. Hand-Crafted West Bank Folklore Ceramic Platter, $80, tenthousandvillages.com
Goodee
Goodee hand-picks artisan-made products with a strong eye for design. You can sort items by the causes they benefit, such as water conservancy, gender advocacy and carbon reduction. Viso Tapestry Pillows, $100, goodeeworld.com
Novica
Novica bills itself as “the world’s largest impact marketplace,” selling tens of thousands of handcrafted items from artisans in developing nations. Ottoman Foot Stool from India, $100, novica.com
DoneGood
Magpies & Peacocks
Magpies & Peacocks is the country’s only nonprofit design house. It disrupts the cycle of waste in the fashion industry by collecting and sustainably reusing post-consumer fabrics. Upcycled Blue Babes + Denim Chics Zip Pouches, $65 each, magpiesandpeacocks.org
Charitable Gift Ideas
Many nonprofits sell products—logo T-shirts, hats, cookbooks and jewelry—to both raise funds and awareness for their charitable missions. Here are a few gift ideas that give back. 4 Paws Is Love Ornament, $10, 4pawsforabilitystore.org Choose to Include T-Shirt, 13, autismspeaks.org American Cancer Society Holiday Cards Painted by Tony Bennett, $50 for 25 cards, acsholidaycollection.org Car Survival Kit, $42, redcross.org Golf Umbrella, $30, thehabitatstore.merchorders.com 2021 Sierra Club Calendar, $15, store.sierraclub.org Trio of Animal Socks, $55, gifts.worldwildlife.org Tenement Museum Tote Bag, $10, shop.tenement.org
Subscription Boxes That Give Back
Here’s our guide to gifts that keep on giving: Annual memberships or subscription boxes where you get products curated for you. GlobeIn puts together boxes of unique hand-crafted items (prices vary) around themes, like chocolate, tea or relaxation. They work with artisans to help reduce global poverty. $33–$40 per month,globein.com CauseBox provides a seasonal subscription, which sends six to eight socially conscious products ranging from cosmetics and home decor to accessories and jewelry (valued at $250) every three months. $50–$55 per quarter, causebox.com Earthlove partners with nonprofits working to protect, restore and conserve the natural world so they can send quarterly packages that include six to eight eco-luxe lifestyle products (books, skin care, apparel, healthy snacks and more). $60 per quarter, earthlove.co 100 best stocking stuffer ideas—all under $10!
