2016-11-23

The Gifts that Give Back 2017 Holiday Gift Guide is here! This is always my most difficult and exciting post of the year to write for you. This year’s holiday gift guide is filled with a variety of gifts that give back for everyone on your holiday list.

This year, why not consider a gift that gives twice? Take a peak at these gift ideas. Perhaps there’s even something you can treat yourself to on this list!



* Please note that there are some affiliate links in this post. Your price for these gifts that pay it forward remains unchanged, except when I’ve included a discount code for an even better price!

*Gifts that Give Back Holiday Gift Guide*

VIBES

Ever had speakers playing in a room next door and all you can hear is the thumping of the bass? Well that’s because none of the high frequencies (treble) can make it through and the sound is distorted.

Vibes are earplugs designed for music, that actually filter acoustics, lowering decibel levels equally. This allows you to hear the music exactly the way it intended to be heard, only without the damaging decibels that cause your ears to ring and become damaged. It puts you in control of your concert experience and brings the sound to your ears safely and clearly. I have tinnitus and recently wore them to an event where there was loud music, with no ringing in my ears the next morning!



In partnership with Hear The World Foundation, each pair of Vibes headphones purchased helps fund hearing projects that provide hearing aids, funding or education to those in need around the world. The Hear the World Foundation focuses particularly on projects for children with hearing loss, to enable them to develop at the appropriate rate for their age.

Vibes’ retail for $23.99 and these gifts that pay it forward can be purchased at http://www.discovervibes.com.

HAND IN HAND SOAP

This is such a lovely hostess gift or teacher gift idea! For each Hand in Hand soap product purchased, a bar of soap and one month of clean water is donated to children in need in Haiti. All Hand in Hand products are 100% vegetable based, vegan made with organic ingredients, gluten-free, biodegradable, palm-free, paragon-free, cruelty-free and petrochemical-free.

Three holiday bar soaps are being sold exclusively at Target this season for $5.99 each, in Frosted Pine, Juniper Berry and Winter Woods. Learn more about Hand in Hand at http://www.handinhandsoap.com.



STELLA & DOT

Stella & Dot donates all net proceeds from the Illuminate Cuff to Every Mother Counts, a global non-profit dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother founded by supermodel Christy Turlington Burns.

With up to 98% of maternal deaths preventable, the Illuminate Cuff bracelet from Stella & Dot is part of a movement to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every woman. All net proceeds from the Illuminate Cuff are given to Every Mother Counts, a global non-profit dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother founded by supermodel Christy Turlington Burns.

This partnership and global impact from the sales of this one gorgeous bracelet can help more 35,000 women. It can give 25,000 women in Uganda a ride to a clinic for safe delivery, train 50 community doulas in NYC, train 19 birth attendants in Haiti, and provide 18 Clinics in Tanzania and Nepal with solar suitcases.

It’s stunning and helps save the lives of women and babies. I’m pretty sure that means you should get one as a gift and one for yourself too. The Illuminate Cuff retails for $39 at http://stelladot.com. And you’ll get $25 for every $50 until 12/13 with Dot Dollars!

BOLDFOOT SOCKS

Bright, colorful socks are all the rage for men this season, so I am pretty psyched to tell you about Boldfoot Socks. They are made in the U.S.A. in super fun patterns and colors. 5% of the proceeds from the sale of the socks goes to military and veterans in need. Now, I’ll agree with you that 5% does not sound like a ton, but these socks are so soft and comfy that I am pretty sure you will want more than one pair!

Get Boldfoot socks ($15 each) for the guys on your list at https://boldfoot.com. They also have an adorable Sock of the Month Club where you can save by purchasing multiple pairs.

THE STARLING PROJECT

Nearly 1.3 billion people are without access to electricity, and more than 620 million people in sub-Saharan Africa (two-thirds of the population) live without electricity.  The Starling Project was founded with the mission of providing solar energy to communities in need around the world through the sale of hand-poured candles made in Brooklyn, NY. The candles from the sophisticated The Starling Project collection have already led to donations of over $100,000 to UNICEF since its launch just last December.

The candles themselves, which burn for 60 hours, feature a custom blend of premium soy-based wax, high-quality, all-natural essential oil-based fragrances, and a modern, minimalistic and monochromatic design. They are available for $55 at https://starlingproject.org in four enticing options: Juniper + Safron, Vanilla + Hemlock, Orange Flower + Amber, or Currant + Rosewood.

MPOWHER APPAREL

At Mpowher Apparel, the goal is to inspire and empower women around the world by sharing success stories and positivity, as well as funding and supporting local women focused non-profits with each purchase. Each month, Mpowher Apparel supports a non-profit that directly impact women who are aspiring to do more.

Their casual and performance wear will inspire while paying it forward. The materials are soft and comfortable, and flattering to a woman’s body. Get yours at https://mpowherapparel.com.

LITTLE BOX OF ROCKS

This is the perfect present for that mindful, spiritual person in your life, and quite possible the most adorable thing I have ever seen. The tradition of the talisman has been carried out through the ages, from ancient Rome and Egypt, to Japanese and Aboriginal cultures. Items, such as animal furs, herbs, stones, and anything else that held meaning, were kept and carried in complete secrecy believing this enhanced their magical powers.

A crystal bouquet from Little Box of Rocks is a wooden box containing a thoughtful assortment of healing crystals that represent a specific theme and occasion. Bouquets include four crystals (and herbs in select bouquets) in a muslin sachet, a personalized letter, a keepsake card outlining the meaning of the bouquet, and a secret message written by the sender, presented on a sealed scroll.

Little Box of Rocks is donating 10% of sales from the Lotus bouquet to Make Music Matter, which provides youth affected by extreme poverty with access to public health education and music therapy. The Lotus bouquet features Desert Rose, Rose Quartz, Moonstone and Clear Quartz stones, and carries with it energy of the Lotus, a blend of beauty and resilience that defines the spirit of those who wold the touches job on earth and do it with a smile. The boxes retail for about $35-%38 at http://www.littleboxofrocks.com, and if you provide your email address, you will receive a coupon code for 10% off!

GLOBEIN

If you are looking for a subscription gift to give someone this year, look no further than Globein. They discover finds from all over the globe. From Mexican woven baskets to Ghanaian coasters, each handcrafted good is remarkably distinct. Their Artisan Box is a monthly subscription featuring exclusive, handcrafted products from global artisans. Each box is curated around a monthly theme to bring you products that make you feel well traveled and connected with distant cultures. New customers can use the coupon code WELCOME to save $10 off your first month’s box with a purchase of a 3-month or longer Artisan Box subscription! And did I mention that there is always free shipping?

You can also purchase items individually on their site. By supporting Globein, you are helping to reduce poverty by giving these artisans and their communities a global audience.

NFL SHOP

Is there a football fan in your life? Probably! Now that fan can support their favorite team and honor America’s veterans with official Salute to Service apparel and gear from NFLShop.com. 100% of the NFL’s proceeds from Salute to Service are donated to the NFL’s military appreciation non-profit partners including: USO, Pat Tillman Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project. Not only are the Salute to Service jerseys, hats, shirts, and sweatshirts pretty darn cool, but they also salute the sacrifices made by our military and their families.

Head on over to http://nflshop.com to get a Salute to Service gift that gives back for the football fan on your list. All veterans, active duty, retired military, police officers, sheriffs, state troopers, firefighters, paramedics, EMT’s, and their immediate dependents save 10% on orders at NFLShop.com with ID.me verification.

LOVE GOODLY

Another absolutely fantastic subscription box holiday gift ideas come from LOVE GOODLY. Their bimonthly subscription boxes allow you to discover nontoxic beauty, eco lifestyle and wellness products at a great price. Each box contains 4-6 mostly full size products, including beauty and skincare, a style or home accessory, and healthy snacks and wellness items. The brands they carry are cruelty-free, organic, non-gmo, eco-friendly and vegan. With each purchase, Love Goodly gives 5% back to a cause.

You can get 20% off your first box from http://lovegoodly.com just by clicking here!

LIVE FASHIONABLE

The vision of FASHIONABLE is to make a new kind of fashion statement as a responsible consumer.  When you buy a FASHIONABLE product you provide opportunities for the women who make their products. Leather tote bags, jewelry, scarves and housewares, FASHIONABLE offers a ton of gorgeous items to choose from. I just recently purchased the Emmet Zippered Pouch and it’s just beautiful. Next I have my eye on the Glenda Clutch.

Head over to http://livefashionable.com to browse for your holiday gifts that give back. Click here to enjoy $5 off your purchase. Plus, when you sign up for their emails to get $10 OFF your next purchase!

CUDDLE + KIND

Children should have enough food to eat and the opportunity to thrive, so when Jen and Derek Woodgate saw a documentary on the devastating impact of childhood hunger on millions of children around the world, it inspired them to help. They started a company whose purpose is to help improve the lives of children and to make a difference. For every Cuddle + Kind doll sold, they give 10 meals to children in need. To date they have donated over 625,000 meals. The dolls are made with natural, high-quality cotton, and every doll is lovingly handcrafted by incredible women artisans in Peru, providing them with a sustainable, fair trade income.

And right now, when you buy 2 dolls at http://cuddleandkind.com, you’ll get get 2 prints free and feed 30 children!

BAMBECO

At Bambeco, they design, create and provide responsible home goods that inspire sustainable design and enhance the way people connect with the planet. Their product benefits people, whether by providing jobs or supporting traditional craft or improving the local community. They also benefit the environment, by being made from reclaimed, renewable, repurposed, recycled, natural, or organic materials. Or perhaps they are solar powered or created and delivered with zero carbon footprint. As if that weren’t enough, every purchase plants a tree.

Not only are they sustainable, their products are pretty darn awesome. They’ve got a variety of gifts that give back in every category and for every recipient. I have so much fun browsing this site that it’s hard for me to choose just one item. Right now I’m crushing on the recycled cardboard boombox, the recycled cardboard TV stand iPad holder, and the cork mini globe. Or maybe I’d like the wood vase, confetti wine and martini glasses, nesting bowls or the jar bar, or….

Did I mention that right now http://bambeco.com is offering 25% off sidewise using the code PRESALE16 at checkout? Check it out, asap.

Darn Good Yarn

Know someone who loves to knit? Then consider gifts that pay it forward from Darn Good Yarn, such as their exotic Sari Silk handspun yarn or their gorgeous Banana Fiber yarn.  At Darn Good Yarn, the mission is to provide quality fibers to enthusiasts, meanwhile helping the women of India and Nepal become autonomous and self-reliant. In addition to yarn, they also sell beautiful handmade fair-trade artisan goods.

Go to http://www.darngoodyarn.com and be sure to use code NEWSUBSCRIBER at checkout for 10% off!

ALEX & ANI

Alex & Ani creates meaningful, eco-conscious jewelry and accessories that positively empowers. Their jewelry is proudly designed and crafted in America. Discover gifts that give back to various organizations with their Charity by Design collections. And this year, you can make the season brighter for children in need with three new holiday charms from Charity by Design.

Shop for the special people on your list at http://www.alexandani.com. Get free shipping on all orders this holiday from ALEX AND ANI  from 11/21 through 12/19!

THREADS FOR THOUGHT

For the fashionista in your life, look no further than Threads for Thought, where they design & produce ethical, sustainable fashion that helps improve the planet we all share. They have some fantastic items on the site, such as this #RefugeesWelcome shirt. A hashtag that began at the height of the refugee crisis in 2015 by a group of Europeans in response to the thousands of refugees arriving each day on their shores, #RefugeesWelcome has since then become a global movement to welcome all refugees. All proceeds of the T-shirt will go to the International Rescue Committee to help make sure every single human being that is fleeing violence or persecution is welcomed, accepted, respected, and has the opportunity to regain control of their futures. The shirt comes in men’s sizes too.

Shop sustainably at http://threadsforthought.com, and get free ground shipping on orders over $50!

SONGA DESIGNS

Defined as “the path forward” in Swahili, Songa Designs is synonymous with the journey towards economic empowerment for women in developing countries. Songa Designs is a socially conscious lifestyle brand that celebrates the empowerment of women around the world. Songa Designs provides jobs for these women who negotiate their own salaries and earn fair wages. The skilled artisans of Songa Designs in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high quality accessories inspired by nature.

Last year I featured a pair of earrings from Songa designs in my gifts that give back holiday gift guide, and this year I am drooling over this Pierre Cuff bracelet. It’s made from repurposed cow horn and sisal plant. Head on over to https://songadesigns.com to see the collection for yourself!

WARBY PARKER

Sunglasses in quality acetate, premium Japanese titanium, and hypoallergenic stainless steel, with free shipping and free returns. What could be better? Perhaps being able to try them on at home. Oh, and knowing that for every pair of Warby Parker glasses or sunglasses purchased, a pair is donated to someone in need. To date, Warby Parker has donated over 2 million pairs of glasses to people in need.

Warby Parker sunglasses feature premium polarized lenses that are scratch-resistant and provide 100% UV protection. So buy one, give one and shop the Winter 2016-2017 collection from http://warbyparker.com.

I hope you found that this year’s holiday gift guide has something for everyone on your holiday list, and that you’ll share with me which item is your favorite. Remember, gifts that give back are the best gifts!

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Disclosure: Some of the images above are courtesy of the brands mentioned. As stated above, there are some affiliate links in this post. Your price for the items remains unchanged, unless I’ve provided a discount code for an even better price on the items! Thank you to the companies who let me see the items in person so I could make certain that they are a fit for the standards of this holiday gift guide.

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