It's not long before the holiday season is upon us, which means it's time to start collecting gifts for your loved ones (and yourself, because, you know, treat yo self). This year, get the gifts that keep on giving by shopping at one of these online stores:
Market Colors: This organization employees young men and women artisans in impoverished areas of Africa and India, giving them work and pay that they would otherwise struggle to find. Each artisan that is supported by this organization has their story on the site for you to read about under "Our Artisans". This store sells everything from phone cases and jewelry to cute and casual tees. Check them out here!
Roma Boots: "Our mission is to bring impoverished children throughout the world hope, love, and lasting change through aid and education." For every pair of boots sold, Roma Boots will donate another pair that is filled with school supplies to impoverished children. Help "give poverty the boot" by shopping this chic online store (they even have a sale section)!
Pura Vida: This online store sells hand-crafted bracelets from Costa Rica! Each bracelet is uniquely designed, and some of them are made to support specific charities. The giving doesn't stop there: Pura Vida donates 1% of their annual net profits to helping the environment. Help save the world and your bank--they have discounts, sales, and free shipping on orders of $25 or more! Shop Pura Vida: the pure life.
Headbands of Hope: Headbands of Hope has astonished children's hospitals by donating to every single one in America. For every purchase made on their site, they donate a headband to a child with cancer. Help this sweet mission by taking a look at their site!
Love your Melon: Love your Melon shares a similar vision through a BOGO program (buy one, give one). The "First Frost Release" of the hats is coming up, and I can personally say these are the warmest and cutest hats! Check them out here.
Musana International: Breaking barriers and the cycle of poverty, this organization employs women so that they can provide for themselves and their families. Women are more likely to pour their earnings back into their families and communities, helping their communities take steps out of impoverishment. Musana International not only provides employment opportunities, but also provides educational opportunities for their artisans and so much more. Learn more about them and shop their accessories and notebooks today!
Article 22: This is absolutely the most unique organization and helps a cause that tends to be overlooked in the states. The company helps artisans who would not normally have employment opportunities build incredible jewelry out of shrapnel. In turn, they use those profits to uncover some of the 80 million un-detonated bombs that were dropped on Laos. The metal from those bombs is then used by the artisans to create more jewelry. Check out this amazing shop here!
Most of these groups have shopping selections for both men and women. These gifts are invaluable to the people you are helping through the various causes that they support. Giving makes you feel good, but giving twice will make you feel even better. Encourage your friends and family to do the same!