Shop with Purpose – 10 Gifts that Give Back
The holiday season is coming up quick! It’s time to start thinking about gift ideas or maybe even purchasing a Thanksgiving Happy to give to a family or friend. My mom loves to give us a Thanksgiving Happy – aka a gift on Thanksgiving. It’s usually an ornament or some kind of Christmas decoration. I love that idea because then you have all season to enjoy it rather than waiting until Christmas to get the Christmas Decor.
I LOVE gifts. It is a love language of mine. Not just receiving (which I enjoy!), but for me the most joy comes in giving. I love to spend time thinking through something really special for a friend or family member then seeing their faces when I give it to them. The most special gifts are those that speak to you about that person. Another factor in gift giving I always take into account is if the gift gives back in some way.
More and more companies are doing this now. They are planting trees, giving education, or digging wells. The opportunities are really endless these days! There are so many amazing companies that I love focused on giving some or ALL of their proceeds back into bettering life for someone else.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.
Trades of Hope
One of these companies is Trades of Hope!! And I am SO excited to get to begin my Partnership with them! Trades of Hope sells Fair Trade handmade goods from around the world while supporting artisans and helping free women and men from poverty, abuse, addiction, and sex trafficking.
If you’ve known me for very long, you know that I’ve always had a heart for missions and serving others. Becoming a Partner allows me to do this from my living room! I can advocate for these artisans and promote their products to help fight injustices all over the world. Trades of Hope has artisans in 19 countries! When you shop with them, your impact is far reaching! From the US all the way to North Asia. You also get high quality, beautiful, handmade products from encouraging and loving workplaces.
Go here to shop for yourself!
Other Companies that Give Back
Here are some other companies I love and want to share with you also. I hope you find something that speaks to you or someone in your life! Since I am not partners with the companies listed below I don’t have great photos. I have shared some of my personal photos, but I highly recommend just checking out each website to see their great products!
Mission Driven Roasters
I may be a little biased to this company since I have close ties, but I don’t think it gets much better! 100% of their profits go back into funding Christian ministries and church planting in hard to reach areas of the world. The coffee beans are hand brought back from mission trips where amazing relationships are being developed with local farmers there and then all of the roasting, packaging, and delivering is done by some amazing guys who do it for FREE! Talk about selfless. So you know if you purchase this coffee you are 100% investing back into missions with no overhead! I’m not a coffee drinker, but I have it on good authority from a coffee loving dad and husband that it is very tasty as well!
Janji
This is a great option for the runner in your life. Not only do they create high quality running apparel and accessories, they are dedicated to providing clean water all over the world. Here they show all the countries they have invested clean water in.
The 2911 Story
These are not only bracelets and necklaces but a ministry. Beautiful handmade necklaces and bracelets by women with stories of struggle and hope in Huntsville, AL. The proceeds benefit these women plus their children through investing in a local preschool. What I love the most about this jewelry though is the story it tells. It takes Biblical stories and expresses them through beads. It is truly beautiful. And when you wear it you have a chance to explain the Gospel from your necklace or bracelet!
Fawn & Foster
Your perfect stop for adorable, organic, huggably soft baby products. Fawn & Foster not only creates high quality baby products such as outfits, burp cloths, swaddles, and headbands, but they donate 50% of their proceeds to helping foster children! That’s win-win in my book.
Prodigal Pottery
Want some beautiful pottery made with a purpose? Prodigal Pottery is a ministry that seeks to employ, equip, and empower women fleeing homelessness, sex trafficking, and domestic abuse outside of Birmingham, AL. All of the pieces are handmade by these women and absolutely beautiful. When you purchase a piece, you are investing in a women’s life and future.
Bombas
Everyone wears socks. A favorite stocking stuffer! Why not get some super comfy, high quality, moisture wicking socks while giving back to the homeless community?? Yes please! I have been a fan of Bombas for years. They are some of my favorite socks, and they support homeless shelters with whatever clothing they need. A great combo!
JOYN Bags
I LOVE JOYN bags! I have been buying from them for years. They are beautiful, functional, and best of all handmade by women in the foothills of the Himalayas! I promise you’ll be able to find something for the women in your life.
Krochet Kids
Krochet Kids has been around for awhile and is my go-to for knit goods. They employ hundreds of people in Uganda and Peru giving them a sustainable income and chance to make a life for their families. I love how each product comes with who made it. It becomes a lot more personable. There’s something for everyone, even adorable crochet stuffed animals!!
Ajiri Tea
For the tea or coffee lover in your life, Ajiri Tea is it. Delicious tea and coffee from Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt with adorable handmade boxes from women in Kenya. My favorite is the Black Tea with Ginger but honestly I haven’t had a bad one yet. I don’t drink coffee so I haven’t tried it, but all the teas are awesome! I love this so much we actually gave this tea away as our wedding favors! And the very best part is that 100% of the profits go to providing education to orphans in Kenya. So not only are they providing jobs for adults, they are providing the chance at an educated and better life for those who would have no hope of a future.
These are some great places to begin or complete your Christmas shopping (or any other shopping). If you are interested in giving a more symbolic gift like giving a goat to a family in need in a third world country in somebody’s name, my favorite options are World Vision, Compassion International, and Heifer International. And for the animal lover in your life there is also the World Wildlife Foundation. Please take some time to browse these catalogs, and maybe make it a goal to give a family gift to one of these great causes.
What are your favorite places/brands to shop that give back?
