Photo by Caley Dimmock on Unsplash

Gifts that Give Back

Every year I pick a Christmas gift theme for my nieces and nephews. The journey from bacon flavored chapstick to Star Wars socks has brought me to 2020, where I’m a little more reflective of what this past year has taught me. So for this year’s theme I’m focusing on purpose and where I can give a little extra in the gifts I choose. Here are some ideas for a theme that feels a bit more meaningful.

1. Rescuewicks candles and melts are hand poured in Pennsylvania. Their ingredients are clean, ethically sourced and never tested on animals. Rescuewicks donates 20% of your purchase to your choice of over 50 shelters, which you can select at checkout.
2. Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. supports pup rescue organizations around the country by donating 20% of all profits. Their coffees are organic, responsibly sourced and have the cutest names ever like “Belly Rub”, “Good Boy” and “Morning Walk”.
3. MUTTS by Patrick McDonnell takes the comic and brings it to life with apparel, prints, gifts and tons more with 2% of sales donated to the Humane Society. Their packaging is also eco-friendly.
4. Ten Thousand Villages has a maker-to-market approach, ensuring the creators of their items earn a fair and livable wage while using locally-sourced and renewable materials for their products. Read more about their mission and products, here.
5. Project HOME, the Philadelphia organization, works to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty through employment opportunities, healthcare, education and affordable housing. They offer a place where you can buy resident-made gifts with Project HOMEmade. Another way you can give to Project HOME is through their Grocery LifeLine Program.

If you’d like to take an eco-conscious approach to how you gift, consider up-cycling your packaging from these shipped items to create your own wrapping paper! If you have any give-back gift ideas that represent something close to your heart, please share.