13 Holiday Gift Ideas that Give Back, in Honor of Giving Tuesday
Feel good about your purchases knowing that a portion of the proceeds will go to a worthy cause.
After the mega sales and general shopping madness that is Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is like a breath of fresh air. It’s an opportunity to have the value of your purchases go even farther, not only by giving to those you love but by giving back through organizations that support people and communities who need your help the most. This year especially, if you participate in Giving Tuesday, you can feel good about your purchases knowing that a portion of the proceeds will go to a worthy cause, whether that’s the fight toward greater racial equality, medical research, mental health support, or coronavirus (COVID-19) relief efforts.
To make it even easier, plenty of brands offer give-back initiatives that benefit those in need, and will automatically donate a portion of their proceeds for you. Meaning all you have to do is shop thoughtfully. To help you out with where to look, we rounded up these gifts with a charitable component from brands that are committed to paying it forward. Thanks to these companies, you can really give the kind of gift that keeps on giving. After all, ’tis the season!
Holiday Gifts that Give Back:
1. Kiehl’s Merry Masking Kit
Any skincare-lover will appreciate this holiday-themed set of three trial-sized face masks that target and treat common skin concerns for an overall radiant glow. For each purchase of the set, $1 will be donated to Feeding America’s efforts to end U.S. hunger, and Kiehl’s has pledged to give a minimum guaranteed amount of $100,000 to the organization. According to the site, just $1 can help provide up to 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks.
2. Oleamea Organic Olive Oil
OLEAMEA, a Turkish organic extra virgin olive oil brand that is family-owned and operated, donates 10% of all online sales to The Conscious Kid, an education, research, and policy organization dedicated to equity and promoting healthy racial identity development in youth. So, grab a bottle or two to give to your most cooking-crazed friend.
3. Everlane’s 100% Human Collection
Send a positive message with Everlane’s 100% Human Collection, an assortment of comfy T-shirts, sweatshirts, face masks, and more that are ideal for anyone on your gift-giving list. For every 100% Human product sold, the brand donates 10% to the ACLU, an organization that fights to protect fundamental freedoms for the past 100 years. To date, Everlane has donated over $1 million to the cause—and has no plan of stopping anytime soon.
4. Billie Razor Subscription
We love the brand Billie for its unapologetic stance on body positivity, and its colorful monthly razor subscriptions are the kind of gift people in your family will actually use. The company has always been committed to donating 1% of all revenue to worthy causes and recently donated $100,000 across Black Lives Matter and the NAACP. Going forward, it is focusing on allocating funds to specifically support BIPOC women.
5. Philosophy Skincare
When you make a purchase from Philosophy (be it a skincare gift set like this one, a luxurious perfume, or bath and body item) you can feel good knowing that you will be part of supporting the brand’s widespread hope and grace initiative, which seeks to address mental health challenges for women and families.
6. Kendra Scott Jewelry
Choose a jewelry item from Kendra Scott’s “Shop for Good” collection, which includes dozens of trendy necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that give back. Depending on the item, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a worthy cause, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, COVID-19 relief funds, and more.
7. PopSocket Accessories
$$15
Shop itWith all the FaceTime and phone calls we’ve all been making to stay in touch with loved ones, a PopSocket phone accessory is a great gift for anyone on your list. PopSocket created two new grip designs to give back: one for Doctors without Borders and one for Feeding America. Half of the profits for each PopGrip will be donated to their respective charity.
8. Uncommon Goods Tote
Meant to symbolize hope and solidarity during challenging pandemic times, the Uncommon Goods Rainbow Collection celebrates the small reminders of togetherness that can be found all around us. By compiling real-life children’s rainbow art, the company created this sweet and functional tote and is donating 100% of its profits to Americares’ COVID-19 response efforts in the United States.
9. The Little Market Candle
Think you can’t shop gifts that give back on a massive retail site like Amazon? Think again. Lauren Conrad’s co-founded non-profit, The Little Market, features tons of ethically-sourced, artisan-made products that you can now shop on Amazon and support the local makers. Every purchase from The Little Market supports dignified income opportunities and essential resources for underserved artisan groups and social enterprises around the world, so these are worthy gifts.
10. Reformation Masks
In addition to selling reusable cloth masks for you to purchase or donate, the sustainable fashion brand Reformation is partnering with the City of LA and LA Protects to help local manufacturers make five million non-medical masks for essential workers. Keep your friends and family safe with one of the floral printed masks, and get some for yourself, too.
11. Lush Charity Pot
Tons of extra hand-washing and sanitizing this year means everyone could use a little extra nourishment from a lotion like this one. Lush’s charity pot is a rich cream that leaves skin feeling smooth and soft, and features ingredients that are sourced from the brand’s Sustainable Lush Fund projects, which support regenerative agriculture. Additionally, 100% of the proceeds from each Charity Pot purchased go to a number of small grassroots organizations that advocate for a variety of issues including animal protection and human rights.
12. Bombas Socks
Bombas socks not only come in tons of fun prints and colors but are incredibly comfortable. Each pair features special stay-up technology (so they won’t roll down or get stuck in your boots), a seamless toe, and a honeycomb arch for all-day support. The best part, however, is that for every one pair of socks purchased, the brand gives one pair to a homeless person in need.
13. Shades of Rose Clothing
The Bachelor alum Lauren Burnham Luyendyk recently launched a clothing line full of super trendy dresses, bodysuits, blouses, and more that are perfect gifts for the fashionista on your list. What’s even better is that the brand is partnering with Girl Talk, a non-profit organization dedicated to building a world where all girls can discover their unique value and are equally represented where decisions are made. When making your purchase on the site, you’ll have the option of rounding the price up to the nearest dollar and have the rest be donated to Girl Talk.
