10 Holiday Gifts that Give Back to the Community and More

When the holiday season rolls around, let’s be honest: we probably all focus a little too much on what we’re hoping to receive in our stockings. But while there’s nothing wrong with wanting stuff, around the world there are people who actually need things —and we’re not talking about a new handbag or smart phone.

This year, why not combine giving with getting and buy a conscious gift that also gives back to the community? These 10 gift ideas will help you lend a hand this holiday season.

These conscious gifts do more than just bring joy to their recipients. Image courtesy of Conscious Step Socks.

Conscious Step Socks

Socks might be seen as a stereotypical gift, but these socks are pretty special—for every pair that you buy, a donation goes directly to a non-profit. So far, money donated by Conscious Step has provided 26,748 meals, protected 2,860 tropical rainforests, planted 58,020 trees and provided 27,387 days of HIV and AIDS treatment.

ROMA Boots

This awesome boot company makes fashionable footwear in loads of different styles and colors. Best of all, for every pair sold the company donates a brand-new pair to a child living in poverty somewhere around the world. With a special focus on Romania (where the founder spent his early childhood), this company also helps numerous other communities in need.

Love Your Melon's super snug beanies are just what everyone needs this holiday season. Image courtesy of Love Your Melon.

Love Your Melon Beanie

Each year, more than 15,000 kids across America are diagnosed with cancer, and Love Your Melon are doing what they can to help. Half the net profit from all Love Your Melon products supports their non-profit partners in their fight against pediatric cancer by funding initiatives and creating therapeutic experiences. And their super snug beanies are just what everyone needs when the temperature drops this holiday season.

“Look good, feel good, do good”: Get someone these awesome frames and make the world cleaner and greener. Image courtesy of ECO MODO.

MODO ECO Frames

Eyewear company Modo’s ECO project has a mantra: “look good, feel good, do good.” When you buy an ECO frame, you’re buying something that’s 63 percent plant-based and 95 percent recycled plastic materials. Plus, when you buy any frame from the ECO collection, a tree will be planted. So far, ECO has planted more than a million trees in Cameroon, where 22 million hectares of forest has already been lost. Buy someone these frames and you’re making the world cleaner, greener and more beautiful.

EcoGear Bag

EcoGear’s founder, Jimmy Chen, came up with the idea for his company when he saw his kids playing on the beach and realized he wanted them to be able to enjoy the environment when they were older. Months later, EcoGear had created its first line. Their bags are made from REPREVE-recycled fiber from plastic, so their impact on the environment is really low, and they come in a load of cool styles and colors.

Seriously, who doesn’t like chocolate? Rescue Chocolate is the sweetest way to save a life. Image courtesy of Rescue Chocolate.

Rescue Chocolate

Seriously: who doesn’t like chocolate? Rescue Chocolate likes to say it’s “the sweetest way to save a life”, and it kinda is. Every cent of the profits from every chocolate purchased is donated to animal rescue organizations across the US. Plus, the packaging of all Rescue Chocolate’s vegan items shines a light on a different aspect of pet problems in the country. The unbelievably delicious Peanut Butter Pit Bull, for example, counters the negative public image of pit bulls. These guys are doing great work.

Proceeds from every purchase helps deliver hearing aids for people who need them. Image courtesy of LSTN.

LSTN Sound Co. Zebra Wood Wireless Speakers

You know what sounds better than a great song? A great song played through great speakers that benefit people with hearing impairment around the world. Proceeds from every purchase of LSTN Sound Co.’s Zebra Wood wireless speakers helps deliver hearing aids for people who need them. This company, who have joined forces with the awesome folk at the Starkey Hearing Foundation, are changing lives through the power of music.

PeaceQuilts

For 11 years, PeaceQuilts have been supporting the women of Haiti with equipment, supplies, training and educational opportunities so they can form sewing cooperatives and earn enough to improve their lives. A great way to give back to the community, each purchase of one of these beautiful, highly original quilts, inspired by Haiti’s unique cultural heritage, supports these brave women.

Every buyer of a chic, ethically made Bird + Stone bracelet becomes a “micro-philanthropist”. Image courtesy of Bird + Stone.

Bird + Stone Bracelet

What better way is there to give back to the community than by getting someone you care about a Bird + Stone bracelet? All the jewelry is ethically made in the USA, and a portion of the company’s profits go to organizations making a huge difference. Bird + Stone are helping to stop sexual violence, poverty and climate change, as well to empower women and support the education of young girls. In the eyes of founder Elena Reinholtz, every buyer becomes a “micro-philanthropist”.

Every Mother Counts

More than 800 women die every day from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth, and almost all of these deaths are preventable. That’s why the incredible people at Every Mother Counts work tirelessly to support and protect mothers-to-be in seven countries around the world. They’ve partnered with brands including Wool and the Gang, Zadig & Voltaire and Joanna Czech, who ensure that a percentage of the proceeds from the purchase of bath robes, tees, bags and cute crochet kits supports this amazing organization.