The Ultimate Guide To Gifts That Give Back

The Ultimate Guide To Gifts That Give Back

There’s a chance you’ve heard the phrase “voting with your dollars.” Essentially, it means that all of us have the power to make the world a better place and make our voices heard by where and how we spend our money.

In this complicated capitalist society, those of us passionate about social and environmental justice often struggle with shopping for others during the holidays. And chances are, the people we want to shower with gifts also care a whole lot about making the world a better place.

We know the feeling of balancing those “oh that’s so cute, I gotta buy it” impulses with our “I don’t want to contribute to unethical and unsustainable cultural norms” values. So, we took the guesswork out of it for you! 

In this article we’re highlighting our top 10 recommendations for gifts that do good. 

We hope this serves as a roadmap to help you find the perfect tokens of your love and appreciation for the special people in your life, all while making a difference for causes they believe in.

We’ve also compiled a number of specific gift guides to help you shop intentionally, too!

By the way, some of the products and links in this article are partners and affiliates, which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Everything in this article was independently and honestly written by the Good Good Good team. Thank you!

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Top 10 Gifts That Give Back

Conscious Step Socks

Supports over 20 various causes

Conscious Step creates stylish, sustainable, and 100% organic cotton socks that support independent farmers while also giving back to over 20 different nonprofit organizations doing good in the world. 

Whether your gift recipient cares about protecting the rainforests, educating kids, fighting food insecurity, or saving LGBTQ+ lives, there’s bound to be a pair for them. 

Made with GOTS organic and Fair Trade-certified cotton and recycled polyester, these cute socks are ethical, sustainable, and oh-so-giftable! Conscious Step’s gift boxes are the perfect, hassle-free way to give — and to give back. 

→ Shop socks that give back from Conscious Step

Check out our full list of socks that give back to explore other options, too!

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Calyan Wax Co. Candles

Supports human trafficking survivors

Give the gift of dignity — and a darn good candle. Calyan Wax Co’s mission is to support human trafficking survivors through the sale of natural candles. Five percent of the brand’s revenue is donated to trusted and vetted nonprofits that uplift human trafficking survivors. Calyan has donated over $226,000 to date. 

→ Shop Calyan Wax Co candles on Amazon

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Grounds & Hounds Coffee

Supports rescue animals

Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co’s tagline is: “Every cup helps a pup.” 

The brand creates organic and eco-friendly specialty coffees that support animal rescue initiatives. 20% of all Grounds & Hounds profits go directly to rescue organizations that provide a second chance for pups in need of a helping hand. 

Since its inception, Grounds & Hounds has helped provide 4.2 million meals, 24,000 toys, and 22,250 vaccines to shelter dogs. 

→ Shop Grounds & Hounds coffee blends

Check out some of our other favorite gifts for animal lovers!

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BLK & Bold Tea

Supports at-risk youth

BLK & Bold is a certified B Corp that makes high-quality coffees and teas that impact the community. 

The brand donates 5% of its profits to support at-risk youth both locally and nationally, including efforts to sustain youth programming, enhance workforce development, and eradicate homelessness. 

Gift some high-quality, flavorful loose-leaf tea or matcha to the do-gooder in your community this holiday season.

→ Shop BLK & Bold tea from Amazon

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World Central Kitchen Cookbook

Supports humanitarian aid

Shopping for a chef? Look no further than “The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope.”

This cookbook is full of recipes inspired by the many places in which World Central Kitchen — and its founder, Chef José Andrés — have served following disasters. It also contains gorgeous photos and narratives that tell inspiring stories about chefs, volunteers, and communities on the front lines of crisis.

And of course, all author proceeds from the book support WCK’s emergency response efforts.

→ Shop from Bookshop or Amazon

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Terra Threads Backpack

Supports meals for community members facing food insecurity

We all have stuff, and we all need a place to put that stuff when we’re on the go. Terra Threads offers a beautiful, spacious everyday backpack to depend on — and they’re all sustainably and ethically made!

Better yet, your purchase helps end food insecurity. Terra Threads  supports Feeding America and its work to end hunger by donating meals to kids and families in need. 

→ Shop the Everyday Backpack from Terra Threads

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“Defend the Parks” Merch Bundle

Supports national parks and public lands

Ensure your national park-loving gift recipient can spread the word unapologetically: Our parks and public lands need defending.

This pocket tee and water bottle combo from Parks Project should do the trick.

Plus, every purchase from Parks Project benefits national parks and public lands. Since 2014, Parks Project has donated over $2.7 million to parklands, which has helped support wildlife restoration, advocacy and education, and volunteer programs.

→ Shop the bundle from Parks Project

Explore more gifts that give back to national parks!

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Pottery With a Purpose Beginner Clay Kit

Supports mental health

Does your gift recipient already seemingly have everything? Then, the gift of an experience is a no-brainer. 

Pottery With Purpose is a woman-owned brand that offers vegan, USA-made crafting kits that help people tap into their creativity and let go of their need for perfection. 

This Beginner Kit is perfect for folks to design, sculpt, and decorate and original piece with simple instructions. Founder Sam Hoff calls it a “hands-on, tech-free pause button.”

Plus, your purchase helps fund mental health organizations like Active Minds, Mental Health America, The Trevor Project, and more.

→ Shop the kit from Pottery With a Purpose

Explore other experience gifts!

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CARIUMA Shoes

Supports reforestation

CARIUMA is a certified B Corp that creates skate shoes and sneakers in a low-impact way. Every time you purchase a pair of shoes, two trees are planted in the Brazilian rainforest. Plus, they’re super stylish.

Need to get rid of an old pair of sneaks that are no longer useful? Check out our guide to recycling your old shoes. 

→ Shop a pair of CARIUMA shoes

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Material Kitchen reBoard Cutting Board

Supports food justice

The Material reBoard is a BPA-free cutting board is made entirely from upcycled and renewable materials (75% repurposed kitchenware plastic scraps, 25% renewable sugarcane) and donates to food justice organizations like Heart of Dinner, Apex for Youth, City Harvest, and more.

Together with shoppers, Material has donated over $190,000 to organizations feeding underserved communities in the U.S.

→ Shop the Material Kitchen reBoard

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You might also like: 15 Best Amazon Alternatives for Ethical Online Shopping | 12 Places to Find Black-Owned Businesses to Support | How to Sustainably Shop for Christmas Trees | 7 Good News Stories About Small Businesses 

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