Yahoo Finance 29 great gifts that give back to the community
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'Tis the season for giving—not just for giving gifts, but also for giving back. Fortunately, there are ways you can do both at the same time. While you can always donate directly to the charity of your choice (or in the name of a loved one), you can also shop for gifts that give back to important causes across the country and even around the world.
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To help you buy gifts that you feel good about (and that benefit more than just your giftee), we at Reviewed have rounded up 29 amazing presents from brands that give back. Whether it's donating proceeds to COVID-19 relief efforts or providing clean water to developing countries, these are the products and brands that are helping to make the world we live in a better place this holiday season.
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1. For the hibernator: Nordstrom Bliss Plush Throw
There are few better ways to spend a chilly winter night than snuggled up on the couch in a fluffy throw. With nearly 2,000 glowing reviews, this one is a crowd-favorite at Nordstrom thanks to its plush material that's both cozy and breathable. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from each Bliss Plush Throw will go to Operation Warm, an organization that donates coats to kids in need.
Get the Bliss Plush Throw from Nordstrom for $39.50
2. For the creative cook: Always Pan
The Always Pan, which claims to replace eight different pieces of cookware and once had a 30,000-person waitlist, is one of the year's hottest gifts. When we tried it at Reviewed, we loved how versatile and easy to handle it is. Plus, Our Place—the brand that makes the popular pan—partners with different charities for each of its collections. Over the course of the pandemic they've donated more than 200,000 meals to Feeding America, and by supporting Our Place you can also help aid in their work with the Los Angeles Food Policy Council.
Right now the Always Pan is on sale for $46 off, so grab one before the sale's over!
Get the Always Pan from Our Place for $99
3. For the one with classic style: Madewell jeans
Madewell is arguably best known for their super comfortable, super flattering jeans (even some of Reviewed's staff swears by them!), which any woman or man on your list will love. And once they've worn out their new denim? They can recycle via Madewell's Do Well program, which turns their jeans into housing insulation for needy communities. Plus, your recipient will also get a discount on their next pair.
4. For the ultimate host: An Uncommon Goods Cheese Board
Uncommon Goods has some uncommonly good products to offer, among them almost everything from succulent candles to this space-saving, highly rated cheese board. This holiday season if you shop with Uncommon Goods, $1 from your every purchase will go toward a Better to Give partner you choose.
Get the Personalized Compact Swivel Cheese Board from Uncommon Goods for $80
5. For the thoughtful one: Ban.do Good Intentions necklace
Ban.do's "Good Intentions" collection consists of six different necklaces each featuring one of the following inspiring words: confidence, strength, optimism, kindness, joy, and gratitude. When you buy one for a friend or family member (or yourself!), a portion of the proceeds will go to Girls, Inc., a non-profit that helps empower and educate young girls.
Shop the Good Intentions necklaces at Ban.do
6. For the one with opinions about socks: Bombas socks
Never underestimate the value of a good pair of socks. Your giftee—and their feet—will be more than happy with these ones from Bombas, the highly talked-about brand that's known for its comfortable (and colorful) socks. The best part? For every pair purchased, another pair is donated to someone in need.
7. For the least hydrated one: S'well water bottle
Buying a S'well water bottle will not only help your giftee stay hydrated in the new year, but it will also donate to Unicef's efforts to bring clean water to African villages in need and support ocean conservation via 2020's S'well's Million Bottle Project Challenge and partnership with Lonely Whale. That's a win-win for everyone.
8. For the skincare guru: Tatcha skincare
For the beauty-obsessed on your list, upgrade their skincare routine with one of Tatcha's highly-rated skin creams, moisturizers, and cleansers. For every full-size product purchased, the brand will fund an entire day of school for young women around the world and provide diverse books to underserved communities as part of Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program.
Shop Tatcha skincare products at Sephora
9. For the one who just wants to be cozy: Everlane loungewear
Everlane makes some of the most popular loungewear of 2020 (just ask our experts who dubbed their basic men's tee the best T-shirt out there). And if you shop their 100% Human line, which consists of tees, sweatshirts, and more, 10% of your purchase will go towards the ACLU.
Shop the 100% Human collection at Everlane
10. For the one who always has their phone in hand: PopSockets
Those little grips everyone has on their phone (a.k.a. PopSockets) make for the perfect stocking stuffer. There are plenty of colors, patterns, and designs to choose from in the "Poptivism" collection, which includes a whole range of causes, from voting rights to breast cancer research to COVID-19 relief. PopSockets will donate up to 50% of the proceeds of your purchase to whichever cause you choose. They're not just for show; we found PopSockets PopGrips to be both functional and durable.
Shop the Poptivism collection at PopSockets
11. For the one obsessed with their 8 hours: Tuft & Needle mattresses and bedding
Bedding makes a great gift, since it's something people need but often forget or neglect to buy for themselves. We're big fans of Tuft & Needle's products, from meditation pillows to mattress bundles. Tuft & Needle supports several different charity endeavors, including a School Fundraising program.
Shop mattresses and bedding at Tuft & Needle
12. For the ageless one: Function of Beauty skincare and hair care
Whether you're shopping for shampoo, hair masks, face masks or cleansers, you're likely to find something at Function of Beauty. Each product is heavily personalized according to your giftee's hair and skin needs and the packaging is cute too! The brand actively supports women and girls in STEM, working with organizations like Girlstart to provide hands-on experiences in STEM spaces and open up career paths in STEM fields.
Shop skincare and hair care at Function of Beauty
13. For the one who wants to try new looks: Warby Parker glasses
Besides the fact that Warby Parker glasses are very trendy and stylish, they also give back through the brand's "buy a pair, give a pair" program. For each pair of frames sold, Warby Parker distributes a pair to someone in need. You can choose from tons of styles of glasses and sunglasses for both women and men and, if you're shopping for someone who stares at a screen all day, you can even add in blue light-blocking lenses.
Shop glasses and sunglasses at Warby Parker
14. For the eco-conscious commuter: Allbirds sneakers
At Reviewed, we're big fans of Allbird sneakers. They're comfortable, lightweight yet supportive, and, the best part, machine-washable. You can feel good about gifting Allbirds to your friends and family this year knowing that the brand donates shoes to those in need via Soles4Souls and also launched a buy-one-give-one program to provide sneakers to those on the frontlines for COVID-19.
15. For the world traveler: Away luggage
The luggage you've seen all over Instagram is a gift you can feel good about giving this year. Not because your giftee will love it (which, FYI, they will), but because Away has partnered with Peace Direct, a non-profit that works to prevent violence in developing countries. In 2020, Away also donated both money and luggage to essential workers and COVID-19 relief efforts.
16. For the pet owner: BarkBox
Looking for something for the pet parents in your life? They—and their furry friends—will appreciate a subscription to BarkBox, which delivers toys, treats, and more right to their door each month. One of our editors (and dog owner!) tested it and dubbed it the best dog subscription box you can buy. Bonus: 5% of proceeds from BarkShop go to helping dogs in need at shelters across the country and they partner with rescues and shelters to ensure that our furry friends are being cared for.
Give a subscription to BarkBox starting at $35/month
17. For the one who wants wine on the go: Corkcicle tumbler
Corkcicle makes some of the cutest, trendiest drinkware, from wine tumblers to the OG canteen, and the brand has partnered with charity:water to help bring clean water to those who need it in developing countries. Corkcicle currently donates 5% of all website sales to the non-profit.
12. For the one who sleeps in: Parachute Sateen Venice Sheets
The bedding brand behind the internet's favorite bathrobe also makes super soft sheets. Like the Venice set, which is made of a silky smooth sateen material that reviewers say feels like being wrapped in clouds. For every Venice sheet set sold, Parachute donates a life-saving bed net to Nothing But Nets, a malaria awareness and fundraising campaign by the UN.
Get the Sateen Venice Set from Parachute for $279
19. For the ones who want to cuddle: Cuddle + Kind doll
Little ones will love snuggling up with a Cuddle + Kind doll this holiday season. The hand-knit dolls and stuffed animals are popular for being very soft and plush and, more importantly, for giving back. Every doll sold provides 10 meals to hungry schoolchildren in the U.S. through the United Nations Food Program (WFP).
20. For almost anyone on your list: State Bags backpack
State Bags is popular for its high-quality and stylish backpacks, totes, and bags that come in a range of colors, designs, and styles. There's one for everyone on your list, whether it's a backpack for your child or a briefcase for your dad. Bonus: For every bag purchased, State Bags will donate to American kids and families in need.
21. For the sleeping beauty: Eberjey pajamas
Loved by celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Meghan Markle, Eberjey pajamas are a gift that's worth splurging on for the friends or family members who like the finer things. Even better than how the pajamas feel is how they give back. Eberjey has partnered with Reading is Fundamental to provide books and reading resources to children across the U.S.
Shop the collection at Eberjey
22. For the frequent bather: Hand in Hand soap
Everyone can use a nice, fragrant bar of soap in their stocking. Of all the brands and types out there, Hand in Hand is one of the best options if you're looking for a soap that smells delicious and also donates to a charitable cause. For every bar of soap purchased, Hand in Hand donates a soap bar, plus a month of clean water to a child in need.
23. For the gym-goer: Free People athleisure
You know that Free People athleisure is popular among style influencers and celebrities alike. But did you know that it also gives back? If you purchase anything from the Free People Movement line, 1% of your sale will be donated to Girls, Inc., a non-profit that inspires and empowers young girls.
Shop the FP Movement collection at Free People
24. For the one who prefers to be comfy and casual: Toms shoes
Toms is the OG of "buy a pair, give a pair" brands. For every pair of Toms shoes (which are praised for their comfortable and supportive fit) purchased, the brand will give a new pair to someone in need. Not only has Toms donated over 100 million pairs of shoes to date, but now, the brand has pledged to donate $1 for every $3 made. You can shop men's, women's, and kid's shoes at Toms for the holidays.
25. For the young scholar: Yoobi school supplies
If you have any school-age kids to shop for this year, consider gifting them some fun school supplies from Yoobi. For every item purchased, the brand donates one to kids in classrooms in need across the U.S. Yoobi notebooks and other desk supplies have received rave reviews for being durable, long-lasting, and coming in a variety of playful colors and prints.
26. For the moisturized one: Lush Charity Pot
Fans of Lush rejoice! The cult-favorite skincare brand came out with a body lotion—aptly named Charity Pot—that donates 100% of the proceeds to grassroots organizations in the U.S. The lotion, which is made with a moisturizing cocoa butter base and smells like ylang ylang and rosewood oil, is the perfect stocking stuffer.
Get the Charity Pot from Lush for $29.95
27. For the well-adorned one: Pura Vida bracelet
Pura Vida has a whole collection of charity bracelets, each of which support a different cause. While the brand donates 5% of the proceeds from the bracelets to the corresponding charity, including disaster relief bracelets like the wildfire relief one, Pura Vida donates 100% of the sales.
Shop the charity bracelets at Pura Vida
28. For the camper: Patagonia Better Sweater
Name a sweatshirt that's more recognizable than the Patagonia pullover... we'll wait. The knit fleece is incredibly popular for reasons besides the fact that it looks good—it's also cozy yet breathable, high-quality, and made with recycled materials. Plus, as part of Patagonia's "1% for the Planet" campaign, 1% of your purchase will go towards environmental preservation and restoration.
Get the Women's Patagonia Better Sweater Pullover from Nordstrom for $119
Get the Men's Patagonia Better Sweater Pullover from Nordstrom for $119
29. For the avid hiker: LifeStraw filter
The adventurer or outdoorsy one on your list could definitely use a LifeStraw filter if they're planning any hiking or camping trips for 2021. It has over 80,000 (!!) reviews on Amazon for how well it filters water and for its portable design. More importantly, for every LifeStraw product sold, a child gets access to safe drinking water for a year.
Get the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter from Amazon for $17.47
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Gifts that give back: Shop from Our Place, Madewell and more
