I know this is one of those awkward, small talk conversation starters like the weather, but can I just say that the Harris Teeter down the street from me needs to take down the Christmas decorations IMMEDIATELY. And while we're on the topic, the Santa at the mall on November 1st can pack up his bags too. I'm not ready and in my house C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S is still a four letter word we don't speak of yet.
But in the name of peer pressure, I feel like I need to at least start thinking about what I'm going to get everyone on my list so that I'm not hiding under my covers with anxiety the week before Christmas. I hate that the whole reason behind Christmas is getting so lost and thats the first thing I think about when I think of December. So in that spirit, here are some great gifts that not only everyone on your list will love but also change the lives of others around the world!
FashionABLE Scarves and Leather Clutches- Not only do I truly love these scarves, I love the cause and people behind them even more. You may remember in August I had the opportunity to go to Ethiopia and meet the women behind this brand and I wish more than anything that I could put into words the love I felt while I was there. Each scarf is handmade by women in Ethiopia who have escaped their previous life of sex trafficking and hopelessness all because of this amazing line.
The Giving Keys- I first learned about The Giving Keys on my trip to Ghana when my friend, Kris, was wearing one and I just thought it was a cool necklace. After learning about the meaning behind each key I loved it even more. Each one is engraved with an inspirational word, such as love or hope, and when you feel someone needs that message more, you pass it on to them and hopefully they'll do the same for someone else. Whats even cooler is that the people making the pieces are transitioning out of homelessness and because of The Giving Keys, they're able to open bank accounts, get apartments, and have hope for their future again.
Fashion & Compassion- I was given this necklace as a gift myself and I get compliments on it everywhere I go! Each piece is handmade by women around the world overcoming poverty and injustice, so by purchasing one of these pieces you're changing the life of not only that woman but also her entire family. To me, the most amazing part is the newfound dignity and hope these women feel in their heart that they most likely never would've without Fashion & Compassion.
Drop in The Bucket- Can you believe that there are millions of people around the world that wake up everyday without clean water? While you and I can reach in our refrigerator and grab a bottle of water or turn a knob and take a warm shower, people in some parts of Africa and Asia have to walk an average of 3.75 miles just to get a bowl of water. Just by giving this as a gift, you're helping to bring water to the 783 million people who go everyday without. And besides that, my friend Cassie helped start Drop in the Bucket and her passion for the cause is contagious!
OneHope Wine- With the holidays brings lots of holiday parties and I think it's the southerner in me that couldn't imagine showing up empty handed, so I usually end up grabbing a bottle of wine on the way. OneHope Wine is one of my favorite tasting wines and they also give half of the profits of each bottle sold to needy causes. Each kind of wine gives to a different cause whether it's breast cancer research, education, animal rescue and many more. And let's be honest, at the end of the day, sometimes nothing sounds better than a glass of wine so I always grab a bottle for myself too!
Do you know of any other great gifts that also give back? Let me know in the comments!
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Oh my gosh I know Emily!! November 1st for Christmas decorations and Mr. Santa himself is WAY TOO EARLY!! I still don't even want to think about Christmas just yet lol!!!
Love that scarf and I love that key necklace, it's so cute!!!
Have a great weekend girl!
xo,
www.sincerelymissashley.blogspot.ca permalink
This is great! I have friends in Austin that own a sock company that gives! Mitscoots.com!! Buy a pair of socks and they give a pair to homeless. They also employee the homeless and are working on a homeless community in partnership with Mobile, Loaves, and Fishes and the city! Get, give, employee! permalink
My husband works for a company called sevenly! They do awesome work for non profits and seven dollars of each purchase goes to the charity of the week. They partner with krochet kids, 31 bits, giving key to name a few. And they always have amazing items! They also design their own t shirts. Check them out at www.sevenly.com permalink
Look at akolaproject.org it's gorgeous necklaces and jewelry made by women in Uganda with proceeds going back to their villages to build wells and get their families out of extreme poverty! I have seen them in boutiques where I live, but I had no idea of the story behind it! permalink
31bits has the cutest jewelry that gives back
Gotta love toms shoes and glasses permalink
Hey Emily….we met through Brooke Christmas last year as we were planning our Barefoot Gala. We also sell Sandals of Hope… beautiful hand-beaded sandals and belts…with all of the profits going towards our education and healthcare projects in Burundi. Check us out on our FB page at Women Ambassadors of Samaritan's Feet. Thanks! permalink
Emily - thanks for blogging about the Fashion & Conpassion piece!! The founder is a friend of mine here in Charlotte! Hugs for the awareness!! permalink
Hi Emily, I know about your love of bracelets, so I thought you and Ricki might enjoy these: http://www.100gooddeeds.org/shop permalink
Love all of these. I love to buy things that I know are helping others. This website makes these bracelets that help people in Africa to have clean drinking water. Check them out http://www.mudlove.com/ permalink
So many great ideas. Thanks so much for posting these. I have mad love for FashionABLE having visited the women in Ethiopia last year and I could probably open my own shop with all of my goodies from there. Another great item this year is the Limited Edition ONE Heifer Goat > http://bit.ly/1dKQ1Vw. 1 goat can produce 1 ton of milk/ year. That's enough to pull 1 family out of poverty! permalink
Thank you for introducing me to these companies! I love these types of gifts and picked up some FashionABLE scarves this week! permalink
Also another awesome company to shop with a purpose is Little Loves Clothing! Check them out - read their story - spread the word! :) permalink
That's really awesome & I love all the ideas!!
www.allthingsc.weebly.com permalink
Hi my name is Michelle and I just wanted to tell you, Emily, that you are such an amazing role model and inspiration to me! Thank you for what you do!
Michelle Korn
Boston, MA
Michellek0810@gmail.com permalink