While direct donations and advocacy for legislative changes are the most effective methods to help causes you care about, giving a gift that gives back this holiday season is another method.
These gifts have a dual purpose: they’re both a present and a charitable contribution. Finding something charitable that will please even the most picky recipient on your list can be a challenge.
We’ve compiled a list of the most thoughtful presents we could find that also do some good. Each of these businesses donates a portion of their earnings to causes such as racial equality, food and nutrition security, reproductive rights, and more.
20 Gifts That Give Back
Harry & David Tower of Treats Signature Holiday Gift
This Harry & David Tower of Treats Signature Holiday Gift is “Part of gourmand-gift-purveyor Harry & David’s ‘season of giving’ collection. Every basket, box, and sweet in the selection donates 20 percent of net proceeds to hunger-relief nonprofit Feeding America (for purchases made through December 24).”
SHOP ON HARRY & DAVID – $59.99
St. Jude Holiday Towels
The artwork of kids from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is on these adorable sets of 2 cotton towels. For every set sold, Williams Sonoma gives St. Jude 25% of the purchase price. This will help fund research and treatment for children with cancer and other serious illnesses.
SHOP ON WILLIAMS SONOMA – $24.95
Handcrafted Reversible Walnut, Maple, And Cherry Butcher Block Cutting Board Edge
This Handcrafted Reversible Walnut, Maple, And Cherry Butcher Block Cutting Board Edge adds style to any kitchen, and 100% of the profits are donated to UNICEF Ukraine. In addition, one tree will be planted with every sale to OneTreePlanted.org.
Juliska Berry & Thread Tea for One Set
This hand-made ceramic tea set for one includes a teapot, teacup, and saucer. Every time you buy something at Olivela, 20% of the money goes to causes like girls’ education, the environment, and health services (you can find a list of its partners here). The high-end store is highlighting the Girls Opportunity Alliance, which is part of the Obama Foundation and works to empower and educate young girls.
Flamingo Estate The Three Sisters Candle Set
With the help of 1% for the Planet, which originated with the individuals who created Patagonia and Blue Ribbon Flies, Flamingo Estate plants a tree for every product it sells. The best-smelling scents from the brand are combined in this set of three candles: rosemary, sage, and heirloom tomato.
SHOP ON FLAMINGO ESTATE – $150
Boobs on Drugs Puff Paint Tote
This Boobs on Drugs Puff Paint Tote is a nod to that same anti-drug PSA from the Reagan era, and 15 percent of the profits go to the Women’s Prison Association, whose mission is to help women adjust to life after prison.
SHOP ON FLOWER BY EDIE PARKER – $40
Lingua Franca Vote T-Shirt
The message on this Lingua Franca Vote T-Shirt speaks for itself. The company is giving 10% of the profits from the T-shirt to Emerge, an organization that trains Democratic women to run for office.
Ash + Chess ‘Support Trans Kids’ Print
Ash + Chess is a queer-owned stationery company, and the proceeds from this psychedelic ‘Support Trans Kids’ Print will go to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, which defends the civil liberties of Black transgender people.
Kule x Prinkshop The Modern Long 1973 T-Shirt
Since 2018, the luxury brand Kule, which is known for its striped t-shirts, has worked with Prinkshop on its 1973 collection, which honors the Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court. The year is written in big, bold numbers on this shirt, which also has Kule’s signature tag on the bottom. Thirty percent of every 1973 purchase goes to the National Institute of Reproductive Health (NIRH), which works to make sure that everyone in the country has access to care for their reproductive health.
Madewell The Perfect Vintage Straight Jean: BCRF Selvedge Edition
From now until the end of 2022, Madewell will give the Breast Cancer Research Foundation 50% of the price of each pair of Madewell The Perfect Vintage Straight Jean: BCRF Selvedge Edition sold.
Bombas Merino Wool Calf Sock 4-Pack Gift Box
The Bombas Merino Wool Calf Sock 4-Pack Gift Box, inspired by Fair Isle, comes ready to be given as a gift. If you’ve ever seen a Bombas ad, you know how it works: for every pair of socks you buy, another pair is given to someone in need. This is made possible by the company’s partnerships with shelters and rehab centers.
Oui the People The Green Bandana
Oui the People, a Black-owned body care company, teamed up with Brazilian (and Brooklyn-based) illustrator Niege Borges to create a green bandana in a nod to the green bandanas worn by pro-choice advocates in Latin America. It benefits the Whole Women’s Health Alliance, a group that provides reproductive care and bears the slogan “All bodies one voice, one voice all bodies.”
J.Hannah Dune Polish
J.Hannah’s forte is in understated tones. One of them is the sand color Dune Polish, from which 100% of the proceeds are given to a rotating group of human rights groups. Currently, the proceeds go to the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles, which provides services to current and formerly homeless women.
Shocks of Love Woo-Woo Me Skincare Aromatherapy
Shocks of Love Woo-Woo Me Skincare Aromatherapy is a genderless, “zesty, citrusy” fragrance that is “alcohol free, vegan, nontoxic, and sustainably sourced and packaged.” Shocks of Love, a queer- and Latinx-owned natural aromatics and fragrance boutique, donates 5% of its Scent Rituals profits to Activation Residency, a Black-led artist residency.
Clare V. x Every Mother Counts Heart Locket Charm
This Clare V. x Every Mother Counts Heart Locket Charm gives 30% of its price to Every Mother Counts, an organization that works for fair maternity care.
MLE Oeuf Signet Ring
This sterling silver and brass MLE Oeuf Signet Ring is styled like an over-easy egg. Planned Parenthood will receive 10% of all ring sales.
Catbird Mother-of-Pearl Love Token
Every time this Catbird Mother-of-Pearl Love Token is sold, Brooklyn-based Catbird gives $10 to Direct Relief, which helps people in need in the U.S. and around the world. Each one-of-a-kind token is made from abalone shells grown on a farm in California. It can be attached to a chain, earring, or bracelet (which you can add to your order for an additional fee).
Grounds & Hounds Three Blend Starter Kit
Any coffee lover will get a much-needed caffeine boost from this Grounds & Hounds Three Blend Starter Kit. Plus, 20% of all the money made by Grounds & Hounds goes to animal rescue groups around the country.
Rare Beauty By Selena Gomez Matte Cream Lipstick
This Rare Beauty By Selena Gomez Matte Cream Lipstick applies easily and is available in a rainbow of shades. Selena Gomez, who founded the Rare Impact Fund, is deeply committed to this cause and has set a 10-year, $100 million fundraising target to expand access to mental health services.
Benevolent Brownies
“Sinfully rich, these sweet baked treats have a saintly mission: to help people escape poverty.” The company that bakes these goodies, Greyston Bakery (a fellow B Corp.), has an “open hiring” method that allows people with criminal records or immigration status to apply for positions — no questions asked.
Do you try to buy gifts that give back during the holiday season? Tell us in the comments!
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