While gifts make up a small portion of our overall spending, they offer a wonderful opportunity to share your values with friends and loved ones. And this guide makes it easy!
We love socially conscious gifts that give back because they tell meaningful stories and make an incredible difference in artisans' lives. In a world of fast fashion and clever marketing, it's easy to miss out on the amazing brands and gifts for a cause out there that are doing good for people and the planet.
So we created a simple guide for you to feel good about your holiday purchases and enjoy finding holiday gifts that give back. It only takes one small action to become a more conscious gift-giver and make a positive impact in the world.
1. Choose Quality over Quantity
The amazing thing about artisan-made gifts is that you don't have to compromise on quality. Gifts for a cause are designed to do good, whether they are made with environmentally-friendly ingredients or support business practices that give back. Each handmade clothing, pair of shoes, or candle is a tangible celebration of an artisan's skills and creativity.
You can just tell when you open the packaging the care and thought that went into crafting that one gift experience. These thoughtful details are what make the quality of ethically-made gifts that give back so much more than ordinary products on the shelves. You'll be happy to know your gift will be appreciated for years.
2. Support Artisans with Living Wages
Know that gut feeling that a product is priced too cheaply? With textile workers and farmers exploited in sweatshops around the world, now it is more important than ever to know the story behind your product. Every year, we see more conscious consumers voicing their concerns for how a product is made. And we're right there with them. A gift should do more than empower the recipient - it should empower the artisans who make it.
If you're unsure about a company's ethics, take a look at their story page on their website. Do they say anything about the artisans' names, who they are, where they are in the world, or an impact the products have in their communities? Ethical brands honor the artisans who make their products with living wages for gifts that truly give back.
3. Give Yourself Time
If you're planning on shopping ethically online, you won't have to face the pressure of other shoppers rushing for the lines! The great thing is you'll have the time and resources at your fingertips to find gifts for a cause.
Just remember to order a couple weeks before you need your gift to arrive. This motto of planning ahead actually works great for retail shopping too. We always find it super helpful to have a little extra time to read a new product's label or look up a company for a meaningful gift.
4. Connect with Ethical Living Resources
Among all the incredible ethical living blogs out there, we always find ourselves going to The Good Trade for their beautifully curated lists of gifts that give back. A second, equally powerful resource for doing good is the mobile app and Chrome desktop extension Done Good. It's super cool.
Founded in 2015, their team is dedicated to empowering consumers by providing an easy platform to find sustainable companies and brands in your everyday purchases. Their mission is to amplify the good we do through our purchasing dollars - for people, animals, and the planet.
Both of these ethical living platforms remind us of how grateful we are to be a part of a wonderful online community that supports creating positive change.
5. Look for Fair Trade or B Corp Certifications
The fair trade and B Corporation labels were created to empower consumers and take away the mystery of what happens behind a company's doors. With fair trade certification, gift-givers can be sure that brand is committed to providing artisans with living wages, safe working conditions, transparency, and environmental respect.
B Corporation has the added element of a social or environmental mission. Every 2 years, Prosperity Candle goes through the B Corp certification process and it's challenging - as it should be. We're proud to be supporting women artisans and refugees who are building a brighter future with each of our candles and gifts for a cause.
As a social enterprise, we stand for empowering women, artisans, and giving back with every product. We strongly believe that consumers and brands have the power to shape a brighter future, together.
Let us know how you'll be giving back this holiday or any gifts that give back you've found in the comments below!
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