As we think about giving this year, maybe we should be thinking a bit beyond ourselves. Maybe we should make sure the money that we’re spending is going to support others who are suffering or working through some trials towards a grander goal and future.
That doesn’t mean our gift list needs to be an itinerary of charity donations. (Not that there’s anything wrong with charity donations.)
It’s just that we can still get useful and meaningful gifts while supporting good causes.
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Ten Thousand Villages
I’ve been gifting or receiving from Ten Thousand Villages since I was a little kid. My amazing aunt introduced our family to the organization, which brings wares from artisans in developing areas the world over into its shops and online marketplace.
They make sure everyone is being paid fairly and that working conditions are safe. A lot of the materials used are recycled or 100% naturally-sourced. When you shop at Ten Thousand Villages, you support small businesses and individuals by giving them employment — which leads to access to healthcare and education because money.
Plus, you get really phenomenal products. Here are just a few examples of the types of jewelry, housewares and personal care items you’ll find:
Summer Day Hammock
How This Gift Gives Back
The Summer Day Hammock is made by Oyanca Artesania in Nicaragua. The organization — whose employees are 50% female — was started as a way to boost export opportunities for artisans in the Central American country. Today their artisans mix traditional Nicaraguan arts with contemporary design to make amazingly beautiful items like this hammock.
Mosaic Bird Pendant
How This Gift Gives Back
This gorgeous white metal pendant is made by women from Manushi in Nepal. Manushi works to empower women living in poverty with the power of artistry. They also work on community development, provide entrepreneurial training, and issue microloans for small businesses.
Gingerbread Soap
How This Gift Gives Back
India operates under a caste system. At the lowest rung are the Harijans, or untouchables. If you are a Harijan, you are not allowed to purchase land. Palam — who makes delicious-smelling soaps — works to to mediate this by using profits to buy land and homes for Harijan artisans in southeast India. They also build schools for their artisans’ children, on top of providing healthcare and pensions.
Krochet Kids
Krochet Kids fights poverty through:
With locations in both Peru and Uganda, the company is focused on building ladders to sustainable businesses. The women they employ get paid fairly for their work, have opportunities for management positions, and receive training in personal finance, business and their craft should they choose to venture down the road of entrepreneurship solo.
One of the many cool things about Krochet Kids is that the woman who makes your gift signs the tag. Then, you can go online and write her a thank you note.
Are you giving gifts that give back this year? Would love to hear about your plans in the comments.
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