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Gifts That Give

Great places to shop for gifts that make a difference.

Mandy Wark
Jun 20, 2016
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
66
Gifts That Give
Arbor Day Foundation

When you have no idea what to get your roommate, your favorite coach, or your grandmother, look no further. The best presents are both useful and meaningful. What better way to show you put some extra thought into appreciating your favorite people than by shopping for a cause? Take the stress out of gift giving for friends, family, and coworkers and buy gifts that give back.

1. Ivory Ella

Ivory Ella is one of my favorite websites to shop for gifts. The site features cute elephant accessories, apparel, and more. The shirts are great for the beach and I am personally a fan of their water bottles. The best part? 10 percent of the net profits are donated to savetheelephants.org to help fund research of elephant behavior and to protect elephants from ivory poachers. They also have themed prints that donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Toys for Tots, among other causes.


2. Snow Bear Outfitters

For all your friends that take advantage of winter sports instead of hibernating, Snow Bear Outfitters is a perfect fit. Help save the polar bears and give them a warm sweatshirt or a cozy winter hat they will love. The organization donates to Polar Bears International for every shirt sold.

3. Nashelle

For the jewelry lovers in your life, Nashelle offers classic pieces that make great Mother’s Day gifts. For every piece of jewelry sold, Nashelle will donate 1 plate of food to Neighbor Impact or Feeding America. The ‘Hope’ necklace donates 50 percent of profits to cancer awareness organizations, and a portion of overall proceeds goes to KIDS Center for prevention and treatment of child abuse.

4. Toms

If you are willing to splurge, Toms is a great place to buy gifts for anyone. Whether you are looking to buy shoes, sunglasses, backpacks, or apparel, Toms has it all. Many people are aware of the One for One campaign, which donates one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold. Many people are also critical this idea, but keep in mind that you are buying from a for-profit company. Toms also donates money to other causes such as sight-saving surgery, water systems, and training for birth attendants.

5. MAC Cosmetics

MAC Cosmetics is known for their crazy colors and have revolutionized the makeup industry with their wide variety of products. They have also earned a reputation for raising awareness with their products. The VIVA GLAM line is dedicated to continuing the conversation about HIV/AIDS, and has been endorsed by RuPaul, Lady Gaga, Elton John, and Rihanna, among others. The line features any lip product you could possibly need, such as a classic red lipstick or a light pink lip glass. All proceeds of the products from the VIVA GLAM line are donated to the cause.


Buying gifts that donate money to other causes is like getting two presents in one, and it shows that you wanted to get the people you love something meaningful instead of the usual gift card or another tie to add to the collection. Other stores like these are easy to find on Etsy and Pinterest when you have a specific gift in mind. If you want to treat yourself, buy from these places and shop guilt free. Well, maybe just with less guilt.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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