Gifts that Give Back (And a Giveaway!)

We’ve had Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. But today is my favorite shopping day because today is Generous Tuesday. Years ago when I did my first giving guide, the concept of fair trade shopping seemed like a relatively new concept. These days, it’s easier than ever to shop with purpose for everyone on your gift list.

You can find tons of ideas on my Pinterest board “Companies with a Conscience,” but here are a few of my favorites, all under $50:

Row 1:

-Nahuala Oval Tray by Noonday Collection (Noonday Collection uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world)

-Sterling Gem Rings by The Shine Project (When you purchase from The Shine Project, you provide jobs to inner-city youth in America and open doors of education and professional opportunities, giving them a chance to break the cycle and change their life)

-Sara Capri Punjammies by Sudara (Made proudly in India by women working to remain free from sex slavery)

Row 2:

-Love More, Judge Less by She Does Justice (She Does Justice partners with organizations that work in adoption, empowering young women, healthcare in Africa, orphan prevention, and anti-sex trafficking)

-Zia Leather Leaf Gold Earring by Raven + Lily (Raven + Lily currently helps employ over 1,500 marginalized women at fair trade wages to give them access to a safe job, sustainable income, health care, education, and a real chance to to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families)

-“We’re Not So Different After All” by Lissette Lent (Written from the perspective of Maggie’s older brother Noah,”We’re Not So Different After All”, is a playful story of acceptance and understanding featuring Maggie Hope, a little girl with special needs. This book helps raise awareness in a colorful and playful manner with a teaching tool to help parents start important conversations with their children.)

Row 3:

-Classic Customizable Pendant by The Giving Keys (The Giving Keys employ those transitioning out of homelessness)

-Legesse Tea Towels by FashionABLE (FashionABLE works with women, both locally and globally, who have overcome challenges ranging from prostitution to addiction to a lack of opportunity)

-The Alexa Fingerless Gloves by Krochet Kids (Today, over 150 people in Uganda and Peru are working, receiving education, and being mentored toward a brighter future in creating gifts that give back through Krochet Kids)

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Another awesome idea comes from World Vision. They have a gift catalog with handcrafted jewelry, wood carvings, coffee, cinnamon and more. When you buy a gift through this catalog, your money goes towards wherever the need is greatest right now. Whether that is poverty in America, clean water in Africa, or disaster relief across the world, when you give one of these gifts, you also give life-saving help to someone in need.

Giveaway: World Vision has generously offered to send one of you a set of these beautiful hand-carved olivewood serving spoons from Kenya! They come in a colorful hand-sewn bag, and would make a wonderful gift.

To enter: Look through the World Vision Hand Crafted Gift Catalog and leave a comment telling me what gift catches your eye.

To earn extra entries:

• Pin this post to Pinterest with the hashtag #GiftCatalog
• Share on Facebook
• Like World Vision on Facebook
• Share the giveaway on Twitter with the hashtag #GiftCatalog
• Follow @WorldVisionUSA on Twitter

Leave a separate comment for each entry (Limit 6 per person, open to United States residents only). I will draw a random winner on Sunday, December 6th.

Giveaway is now closed. Congratulations Rebecca!

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We have unprecedented power to use our wallets for good these days. Why not shop with purpose this holiday season?