Yahoo Finance 8 Holiday Gifts That Give Back
If you've stepped foot into any store lately, you've probably noticed that retailers are already in full-on holiday mode. They've hauled out the decorations and piped in the jingle bells, which depending on your personality, can either make you feel excited for the shopping season ahead or stressed that you have no idea what to buy for anyone on your list.
There's so much to choose from. Here's an idea that may help you stay focused and fulfilled as you wind your way through the decked halls: Make it a point to buy gifts that give back.
[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]
Shoppers will spend $656 billion between now and Jan. 1, according to the National Retail Federation. Imagine how great you'll feel if every dollar you spend on your loved ones also helps a needy individual. Buying from companies that donate products at a one-to-one rate with every purchase is a great, no-sacrifice way to make your money go further, all while making a difference in the world.
You can do good, feel good and, by narrowing your scope of possible gifts, create a better shopping experience, too. Need ideas? Here are eight gifts that give back.
The gift: Cozy socks. Most people appreciate a nice, warm pair of socks during the holidays.
The good: For every pair sold, Bombas ($12 and up; bombas.com) will donate a second pair to a homeless shelter, as socks are commonly requested items. To date, the company has donated more than 1.3 million pairs.
[See: 7 Ways to Avoid Financial Stress Over the Holidays.]
The gift: Snow boots or slippers. Imagine how grateful your loved one will feel when he or she opens up a box of cozy new Toms snow boots ($69 and up) or wooly slippers ($38 and up; toms.com).
The good: Now imagine how grateful a person who has no shoes at all will feel when opening up a box of boots or slippers? You can make that person happy. For every pair of Toms shoes or boots sold, the company donates a pair to someone in need. So far, they have donated 66 million pairs.
[See: 9 Ways to Save When Holiday Shopping With Credit Cards.]
The gift: A better night's sleep. If you've got a baby or know anyone who is pregnant, pick up a Little Lotus baby swaddler ($75 and up; littlelotusbaby.com). Made with NASA-inspired fabric first used for spacesuits, it helps babies regulate their temperatures and sleep more soundly.
The good: Every swaddler sold ensures that a baby in the developing world will have access to the Embrace Warmer, a low-cost incubator developed by the same team, which has so far saved the lives of more than 200,000 premature or underweight babies in 14 countries.
The gift: Cool specs. Cheap sunglasses are fine, but if you want to make someone feel really special, splurge on a pair from Warby Parker ($95 and up; warbyparker.com).
The good: Based on the number of pairs it sells, Warby Parker will donate enough to its nonprofit partners to cover sourcing glasses in developing countries. It then trains a workforce to sell them at affordable prices.
The gift: A wooden watch. WeWood, an Italian company, manufactures stylish timepieces for him and her ($55 and up; we-wood.com) made entirely out of wood. They're eco-conscious and lightweight.
The good: For every watch sold, WeWood will plant a tree through either the American Forests' Global Releaf Campaign or Trees for the Future's Planting Seeds of Hope campaign. So far, it's planted nearly half a million trees, and its goal is to plant a million in the next three years.
The gift: Fancy soaps. Sea mineral, coconut and pomegranate are just a few of the types of SoapBox soaps ($4 and up; soapboxsoaps.com) that, when wrapped in pretty paper with a fancy ribbon, would make a perfect stocking stuffer.
The good: The company's motto is "soap = hope." For every bar sold, it donates another to someone in need. Its soaps go to orphanages, nursing homes and schools around the world, so no matter what their circumstances, underserved people can have the dignity of being clean.
The gift: Comfy nontoxic tee. More than half of holiday shoppers plan to splurge on a little something for themselves, according to the National Retail Federation, and this might be a nice way to do it. Made of 100 percent organic cotton, the "Kiss Me I'm Non Toxic" T-shirt by Tata Harper Skincare is vegan-friendly. As you treat yourself, you'll also support a cause.
The good: With every purchase of the limited-edition tee, $30 will be donated to the Breast Cancer Fund's Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, helping to raise awareness about harmful ingredients in personal care products and advocating for legislation that protects our health.
The gift: A treat for Fido. You can't forget your furry best friend during the holidays. Pick up a nice chew toy, maybe a new leash and order a bag of dog chow from Bogo Bowl and plunk a bow on it.
The good: For every bag purchased, Bogo Bowl ships one to an animal shelter, pet rescue or animal foster program.
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