Gifts That Give Back: 6 Reasons to Choose Socially Conscious Gifts

With the holiday season sneaking up faster than you can say “Happy Thanksgiving,” it’s time to start thinking about gifts for friends, family, and your office Secret Santa. But this year, why not give gifts that give back?

A proliferation of hip, socially conscious companies have introduced us to the idea that our consumer spending can be ethically directed toward products that benefit those less fortunate. For example, when you buy a pair of comfy slip-on shoes from Toms, a new pair of shoes is given to an impoverished child. Or, when you look to Warby Parker for prescription eyewear, they distribute a pair of glasses to a vision impaired person in need.

Giving green and socially conscious gifts elevates the holiday spirit, inspiring others to be generous too.

Here are six great ideas for socially conscious gifts that give back:

For more than twenty years this Nashville, Tennessee, based organization has empowered and employed women trapped by trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. Thistle Farms’ beautiful bath soaks are infused with lavender, citrus wood, and eucalyptus essential oils to ease tension and replenish minerals. Packaged in Thistle Farms’ signature white and purple, the bath soak trio will please your most discerning friends.(https://thistlefarms.org/collections/bath-and-body/products/bath-soak-trio)

Globe In creates gift boxes of ethically sourced, handmade goods from artisans around the world. Each delivery contributes to employment in local economies and protects artisan crafters. An artisan gift box subscription for three, six, or twelve months, brings the recipient a monthly bounty of beautiful, curated items, and shares stories from far-flung corners of the globe.(https://globein.com)

The Right To Shower bath and shower products help people experiencing homelessness around the country, restoring hope and dignity through their mission to provide everyone access to cleanliness. Available in four luxurious formulations, Strength (red ginger + currant), Dignity (charcoal + cotton blossom), Joy (tangerine + honeysuckle), and Hope (aloe + dewy moss), these products feel good, smell good, and do good (and they’re vegan!). Each purchase supports mobile shower units that bring showers to people living on the streets. (www.therighttoshower.com)

The Surfrider Foundation is a passionate collective dedicated to preserving the coastlines, keeping our oceans clean, and maintaining accessible beaches. Surfrider’s campaigns and programs protect our marine environment on many levels. A gift membership includes exclusive gear, and supports Surfrider’s important mission! (www.surfrider.org/support-surfrider)

Bombas spent two years on research and development to create the perfect sock, and they’ve come pretty darn close. Socks aren’t sexy, but they are necessary, and they are the most requested item in homeless shelters. For every pair of socks you buy from Bombas, Bombas gives a pair to a person in need. Talk about sole! (https://bombas.com)

TPacked with Purpose curates gift boxes full of ethical, sustainable, and fair-trade items. The products in Packed with Purpose boxes provide job skills to young women, train homeless youth, reduce landfill waste, and offer opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals. From the gourmand to the design aficionado, there is something for everyone on your list. https://shop.packedwithpurpose.gifts

Giving ethical gifts like these feels good because it is good!