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Holiday 2016: 20 Places To Shop For Gifts That Give Back

This article is more than 7 years old.

This is part of a 2016 gift guide series. Read 11 Smart Gifts for College Students, 14 Purr-fect Presents for PetsGift of the Year and Gifts for Geeks.

Americans, for all our gluttony and flaws, are a generous people. We as individuals gave away nearly $260 billion in 2014, even more than the year before. That’s why in a world where 80% of the people live on less than $10 a day and most Westerners think nothing of paying $6 for a fancy coffee, it’s more important now than ever to choose where and how we spend our discretionary dollars . In fact, this holiday season, the average consumer will lay out $935.58, the National Retail Federation reports.

Thanks to the “flattening” of the globe through technology and communication, there are ample opportunities to help those around the globe and in your own backyard when you buy holiday gifts (and, of course, things for yourself, because you’ve been so good this year).

Here’s a list of just a few ways to give back by buying goods from companies that donate 10% or more of sales or profits or match your item one-for-one to serve the people and causes who need it most, whether its education, water, goods to improve quality of life, or financial support.

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Alex & Ani: Available online and at Target, 20% sales of select charm bangles (and a few necklace models) support children suffering from wars and other disasters via UNICEF. $21-$38

Bloom and Give: Kitchenware, bags and luxe pashmina scarves help educate girls in India by donating 50% of profits. $24-$190

Charity: Water: You could probably shop for anything you’d ever want in your life at this online shop—baby onesies, bikes, speakers, clothes, candles, and of course, water bottles—but with the smugness of knowing that your dollar went to help get clean water for people in developing countries. $5-$399

The Doll Kind: These cute huggable dolls come with 10 tokens that encourage children to pay it forward with kindness. For each doll sold, another goes to a less-fortunate child. $59

The Giving Keys: Keys to nowhere have a new home on bracelets and necklaces and get stamped with an inspirational word, such as “BRAVE.” The wearers are encouraged to pass them along down the road to someone who might need such encouragement. The effort is a way to make jobs for homeless people in Los Angeles. $30-$56

Goodbye Malaria: Sales of these bright pajama bottoms, teddy bears and bracelets support malaria-elimination programs in Mozambique. $5.50-$45

Joggo Bags: Each messenger bag by this Toronto-based outfit is made by a women’s cooperative in Nepal and supports education of refugee children via CARE Canada. $66.69

Kidbox: Sign up your kid to a seasonal delivery of clothing, and an outfit will go to a child in need (the company will send two this holiday season). Six to seven items run about $100, and you can return what you don’t want.

Lifestraw: Clean water saves lives—yours, when you’re out in the wild, and also those of people in developing countries. Sales of this innovative water-filtration bottles and straws help others have access to clean water, where it’s otherwise impossible. $17.37 for a simple straw to $230 for a high-volume purifier

Love41: All proceeds from this seriously lovely leather, accessories and home goods shop support victims of the Rwandan genocide. $29 on up

The Maker’s Collection: Minnesota artisans joined with the American Refugee Committee to come up with an eclectic collection of handmade gifts (some edible, such as the Changemaker Chocolate Bar spiked with coffee bean bits). $6-$195

Mercy Ships: Silver and copper jewelry with a hand-hewn edge supports health care and special surgeries for people around the world who might not otherwise have access to life-saving procedures. You can also skip the formality and “give” bandages, tumor removal and other gifts directly to those in need. Jewelry $18-$75

Pique Tea: When you buy organic tea in a holiday gift box, 10% of profits help the Peach Foundation, which educates children in Yunnan, China, via the Peach Foundation. $30-$40

Purpose Jewelry: This company, which sells folksy, elegant jewelry, was set up specifically to combat sex trafficking and care for its victims via the International Sanctuary organization. $19-38

Simon Pearce: Contemporary glass designer Simon Pearce has dedicated a line that gives 20% of proceeds to the LoveYourBrainFoundation, in honor of his son’s traumatic brain injury sustained as he trained for the Olympics. $28-$160

Story Shares: A Boston-based nonprofit supports literacy efforts. When you buy one paperback, another gets donated to a school or teacher who can distribute it to someone who needs it. Prices vary.

Sudara: Women escaping the sex trade in India make these joyful, comfy robes, pajama bottoms and Tshirts (for men, women and children) to learn new skills and go on to lead more fulfilling lives. A pajama set runs around $54

Ubuntu Made: These durable canvas/leather bags and accessories come with a traditional Maasai-beaded twist. They’re made in Kenya and support not only tribal artisans, but also (RED)’s fight against AIDS. $3.49-$149

Yoobi: For every school and office supply item you buy another goes to support a school in the United States. Some things start at less than $1.

Zulily: Look for “Buy One, Give One” badges on items at the children’s gear retailer. (The only annoying part of this is that you have to provide an email address to even browse.) When you purchase one branded thing, another goes to Treehouse, a foster-youth support agency in Seattle, or First Book, which helps underserved children get books and other resource materials.

This is part of a 2016 gift guide series. Read 11 Smart Gifts for College Students, 14 Purr-fect Presents for PetsGift of the Year and Gifts for Geeks.

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