8 Great Gift Ideas That Give Back
Feeling charitable but tight on time? We have the solution with these great gift ideas that are fun to give and benefit charities, all at the same time.
During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we don’t often think about anything more than what to get that friend who has everything, or what sparkly holiday dress to wear to the next Christmas soirée. This year, though, as you check off your Christmas to-give list, consider one of these gift ideas that give back. These items found locally have charitable factors, making doing good this holiday season a breeze!
Anchal products
The Anchal Project, a Louisville-based nonprofit, offers alternative careers in textiles to marginalized and exploited women in India. Anchal sells ornaments, pillows, scarves, quilts and totes, each made by artisans who are, in turn, empowered through design training, health benefits, education workshops and financial security. To shop, click here.
Helping Hands at Nanz & Kraft
With each order at Nanz & Kraft Florists, customers can select a charitable organization and Nanz & Kraft will make a $2 donation to that charity. Select the Helping Hands pull-down menu on the order form, and choose which organization will receive your contribution. This is valid for sending flowers in town or around the world via online ordering. This program goes on year round, too, not just during the holidays. Click here to see a list of the organizations.
Lee W. Robinson Company (this week only)
For the remainder of this week, the Lee W. Robinson Company is donating proceeds from store and online sales to benefit certain Louisville charities. Get 10 percent off your purchase, and the company will donate 10 percent to the charity allotted for the particular day. Here is the list:
- Tuesday, December 9: Home of the Innocents
- Wednesday, December 10: Cabbage Patch
- Thursday, December 11: National Council of Jewish Women
- Friday, December 12: CASA
- Saturday, December 13: Susan G. Komen, Louisville Chapter
Pura Vida bracelets
These fun, colorful Pura Vida Bracelets, sold locally at Celebrations and Apricot Lane, are the perfect gift for your fashionable friends. Best of all, every bracelet purchased helps provide full-time jobs for artisans in Costa Rica. Additionally, you can choose bracelets from Pura Vida’s Charity Collection, which includes such charities as animal awareness, education, children, environmental causes, cancer, military and more.
Chavez for Charity bracelets
These lovely beaded Chavez for Charity bracelets, sold locally at Dandelion for $10, are another colorful gift that gives back. For every bracelet sold, Dandelion and Chavez for Charity will donate 25 percent of the profit to the charity the bracelet color represents. Chavez for Charity has 20 amazing and worthy charitable causes to choose from, including Little Kids Rock, Water.org and Whole Planet.
Nepalese hats
These cozy hats, sold at Just Creations for $29, are hand-knitted by low-income women in Nepal. With each sale, these women, who were taught to knit by the Kumbeshwar Technical School, are provided with employment opportunities. Additionally, hat sales also support a Nepalese school, community health-care initiatives and an orphanage.
TOMS Shoes
Since the start of TOMS, we have seen them progress from slip-ons to sunglasses to boots. Now, we even have wedges! With the purchase of one pair of TOMS shoes, another pair is given to a child in need. Grab a pair at several local Louisville locations, including Clodhoppers, Apricot Lane, Tradehome Shoes, Whole Foods Market, Journeys, Quest Outdoors, Nordstrom Rack and Target.
Fair-trade coffee
It’s no secret Heine Brothers is a staple in every Louisvillian’s morning routine. The Kentucky Dream coffee, $14, is a great gift for the early bird, and it’s one that gives back. Each purchase of this cinnamon bun-smelling coffee yields $5 to Kentuckians For the Commonwealth to continue their efforts in ending mountaintop removal mining in the Appalachian region and to help move towards a successful economic transition.
With a wide range of gifts that pull double-duty in the feel-good department, you can go ahead and check “being charitable” off of your holiday to-do list. Go you!
