Giving Gifts that Give Back

The ads for Black Friday have already come out. Since I hate crowds and am not fond of spending the money I would save at the emergency room for trampled-related injuries, I will not be heading out to them. Instead, I give you my list of 2011 Holiday Gifts that Give Back. It's like Oprah's Favorite Things list except all these gifts also help charities and I will not be giving you each one of them like she did with her studio audience (her dogs are wealthier than I am). So if you like the idea of being able to give back with each purchase and being able to shop in your pajamas without getting a lot of weird looks from other shoppers, enjoy. An added bonus- you can also give the finger to corporations like Wal-Mart who are cutting employee health benefits because of the cost while the CEO Michael Duke earns about $17,000 an hour (feel free to call 1-800-WALMART or mail them a letter at their corporate offices to let them know of your intent). Now on to the list.

For the book-lover on your list-
I suggest buying your books on-line from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . Not only do they fund literacy programs with each book, but they also give a book to a person in need for each one you purchase. And the service is second to none (not to mention their free shipping). The other on-line bookstores don't even come close. Speaking of books, I always choose a book with meaning to give out as holiday gifts. This year's choice is An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski. It is the true story of an 11 year old panhandler in NYC and a business executive whose chance encounter changes both of their lives. You might also want to check out Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS shoes. In it, you will learn all about his decision to start a one-for-one company where he gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair you purchase. You'll also learn why a guy named Blake started a company named TOMS.
If the reader in your life prefers e-books to the paper version, check out the cool e-reader cover by Juicy Couture in the St. Jude Hope Gift Book  http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/shop.do?cID=13743&pID=21401 .
They also have a matching purse available and besides being stylish, all proceeds from the Hope Gift Book help fund St. Jude in the fight against pediatric cancer.

To warm those on your list from head to toe, check out these awesome ideas.
Go to http://www.krochetkids.org/ and pick out the perfect hat for that special someone. The hats are handmade by women in areas such as Uganda and Peru, which allows them to rise above poverty. I'm kind of partial to the Riley style myself. They also make the fabulous Africa Love tee that I am so fond of wearing for those of you in warmer climates. Now to warm those toes, check out these cool boots from The Hunger Site https://www.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?item=Cozy_Classics_Peace_Sign_Sweater_Boots&itemId=42800&siteId=220&sourceClass=Category&sourceId=2616
I have an older version of this boot and practically live in them in the winter. Not only do they donate a pair through Soles4Souls for each pair purchased, they also donate 50 cups of food. For the man with cold feet, check out the new styles at www.toms.com . The Movember collection not only sports a stylish moustache on the shoe, it also helps fund programs to fight men's cancers. And as always, they give a pair to a child in need for each pair purchased.

For the sport nut or green fan on your list, try the thermos hydration bottle from http://www.charitywater.org/store/ . Not only is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic water bottles, it helps fund water projects through Charity:Water. And to keep them looking cool during their workouts, check out the cool tees and hoodies there as well. You can even make a donation in their name and feel good knowing that 100% of your donation goes directly into the building of wells to end the water crisis (overhead costs are covered by sales of Charity:Water merchandise). What other charity can say 100% of your donation goes directly to the cause?

For the little ones on your list, head back over to the Hope Gift Book at www.stjude.org and check out the awesome toys such as these adorable dolls (perfect if you have a future neurosurgeon on your list like I do).
 http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/shop.do?cID=13744&pID=21390

For the four-legged friends on your list (or those who love them), check out the cute pet accessories like these argyle doggie sweaters. https://www.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?item=Argyle_Doggie_Sweater_Vest&itemId=38700&siteId=310&sourceClass=Category&sourceId=2832
They'll keep your canine warm and toasty and each purchase supplies 28 bowls of food for rescued animals thanks to The Animal Rescue Site (part of GreaterGood Network Stores).

Finally, if you are planning on doing on-line shopping at another site but still want to give back with each purchase, there's an easy way to do it. Simply go to  www.giveback.org and sign up. Not only can you track your donations through this site, but you can earn money for your foundation (which you then give to the charity or charities of your choice) by simply clicking on the Shop & Earn link to shop at retailers like Nordstroms, Petco or B&N.com.

Here's hoping you have an excellent holiday season and got some good gift ideas from this blog. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to add them in the comments below. And since this is the list of gifts I will be giving this season, allow me to apologize to those on my list for spoiling the surprise. Ashley, at least I'm not giving you a goat again this year.

Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy/Merry (insert your holiday here) to you all!

Pax,
Pixie