7 Feel-Good Gifts to Relieve your Gift-Giving Fatigue
Between birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, housewarmings, engagements, weddings, and showers, we buy a LOT of gifts. And, as consumers, we already have a LOT of stuff. It’s really easy to think your way into “what’s the point?” territory and just stockpile a stack of Starbucks gift cards in varying degrees of value. Nothing says “I love you, mom” like half a dozen no-foam lattes, amirite?
If you’ve fallen prey to gift-giving fatigue, this article is for you. Gift-giving can still be fun and meaningful for both the giver and the recipient, especially when the gift has a charitable or social purpose. We’ve found seven unique gift companies that are great all on their own, but also have a charitable component to boot.
Love with Food
You may recognize Love with Food as one of our generous Admin Week partners. They’re a subscription service that delivers snack boxes filled with all-natural and organic treats. And, on top of providing guilt-free goodies, Love with Food donates two meals to hungry children in the U.S. for every single box that’s sold.
TOMS
This company is best known for its casual footwear, but TOMS now does bags! And these bags, just like their ubiquitous, canvas slip-ons, are helping to improve the lives of people all over the world. For every bag that’s purchased, TOMS helps mothers and newborns in Haiti and around the world by funding safe birth kits and training for skilled birth attendants. With dozens of colors and styles for men and women, TOMS bags can work for anyone and pretty much any occasion.
21 Drops
Know someone who needs to “De-Stress?” Or maybe “Focus” or “Carry On?” 21 Drops, the maker of therapeutic essential oil blends, can help! Their fragrant blends are specially formulated to aid with everything from headaches to will power. And 21 Drops contributes to a number of environmentally-focused charities including World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club Foundation.
Marquis Vodka
Yep, you read that right. This vodka company has a heart. The packaging of every Marquis Vodka bottle invites the imbiber to use the product code on its website to support one of four deserving charities including the Worldwide Orphans Foundation, Footprints Foundation, Meals on Wheels and The Trevor Project.
Ananda Soul
All of Ananda Soul’s beautiful silver, gold and gemstone jewelry pieces are ethically handmade from high quality, sustainable materials. While each stunningly delicate bracelet, necklace and pair of earrings will bring joy to the recipient, each purchase helps the women and children of Bali. Ananda Soul aims to combat child trafficking in Indonesia by employing local jewelry makers and donating 10% of all profits to the Balinese center for street children.
Better World Books
Books are a solid gift-giving go-to. They’re affordable, there are millions of options, and they can be super personal (“This book changed my life”) or more general (“Enjoy this book on container gardening”). And you don’t have to go to “the man” to get them! Better World Books is a charitable, social purpose site that carries new, used and electronic titles. And, for every book that’s purchased, Better World Books donates a book to a community in need.
Prosperity Candle
Prosperity Candle’s elegant soy candles come in delicious fragrances including Vanilla Bean & Peppercorn and Lavender & Citron. But, what makes these candles truly special is the story behind their production. Prosperity Candle, a certified B-Corporation, employs women refugees who earn a living wage while practicing the art of candle-making.
Feeling less fatigued and more inspired? We hope so! Gift-giving has the power to not only make someone’s special day, but also change the world!