20+ Gifts Under $50 That Give Back!

Every year, I put together a list of companies that give back. With all the spending that goes on in December, why not spend in places where you’re spreading a little good too. These companies all donate a portion of their proceeds to  different causes and non-profits.

1. Pick Your Charity, on sale for $19.
Ok, so it’s not the Apple watch you’ve been dreaming of but it’s a great looking watch that comes in tons of colors! The 1Face watch gives money to support 9 causes; cancer, hunger, breast cancer, clean water, disaster relief, environment, AIDS, education, and animal rights, and have partnered with different charities to bring global change. Each 1Face watch cause has a specific metric that tells you exactly what your purchase does. For example, 1 red watch provides aids treatment for 8 patients or a lifetime of water for someone in need. From building wells to providing a year of education, 1Face is committed to bringing about change, worldwide. ifacewatch

Gifts That Give Back

2. A Ball That Never Goes Flat, $38.
Is there anything more universal than a ball? The One World Futbol is an ultra-durable, all-terrain soccer ball that will never go flat, even if it gets punctured. If you buy one ball, the project will give a ball to a community in need in a refugee camp, war zone, or poverty-stricken community. Balls have so far been distributed in Rwanda, South Africa and Iraq while the Sager Family Foundation purchased 10,000 balls to be sent to Haiti. Don’t need a ball? For only $25, you can donate one. One World Futbol $25.

3. Sleek Earbuds Crafted from Real Wood, above $49.
With unbeatable sound quality and unique style, the LSTN Sound Company‘s earbuds start at just $29.99. These must be the most stylish earbud I’ve seen. And the headsets are gorgeous but more of a splurge. The LSTN Sound Company provides high quality products that help fund hearing restoration and spread awareness for the global problem of hearing loss and hearing impairment. They’ve been able to travel around the world with Starkey Hearing Foundation to help over 20,000 people hear in the U.S., Peru, Kenya, Uganda, China, Sri Lanka and Indonesia! Check out the videos and watch the kids’ faces as they slip on their hearing aids and their whole world changes. lstnsound.co/collections/earbuds

4. Deck Yourself Out, cuff bracelet, $25.
Noonday Collections designs and sell an inspired collection of jewelry and accessories made by Artisans across the globe. To date, they’ve sold handcrafted items made by 4,000 Artisans in 12 countries. For many of the artisans, working with Noonday begins as a way to earn a living, but turns into a passion and a true career. We especially love the brass Crescendo Cuff bracelet.

gifts that give back5. A Custom Phone Tote, $43.
I love this company and love their products. Better Life Bags‘ mission is to hire women who have various barriers keeping them from finding employment–like moms with little ones who can’t afford day care. They tell you your seamstress’ name and a little about her story. The women end up earning between a very respectable wage–$18-$25/hour–depending on the bag and how proficient they become over time. You can completely customize your bag when you choose details like the leather, the fabric, even adding an inside pocket. Check out their higher end bags. BetterLifeBags

6. Dudes Who Crochet!
“Among other things, my brother taught me how to crochet.” Krochet Kids started with a couple of high school guys from Spokane, WA who loved to snowboard and, well, crochet. They spent summers volunteering in developing nations and realized that teaching a skill to people in developing countries could be a means of breaking the cycle of poverty. They are a non-profit 501; 100% of public donations go directly toward funding our program initiatives on the ground. Thanks to Krochet Kids, over 150 people in Uganda and Peru are working, receiving education, and mentorship. Besides snuggly knit beanies, $19, and sweaters, Krochet Kids also makes these soft, relaxed fit 100% cotton tees, $29. Their standard tee retails for $20.  WildandFreeTee

7. Perk Someone Up, $48.
Ok, caffeine addicts, have the freshest coffee from Guatemala delivered within one week of preparation by Hiptipico! This 3-pack features three different flavors and regions: Acatenango, Huehuetenango and Atitlan. Coffee comes Cafe Loco, a company that obtains coffee from micro-lot farmers in rural Guatemala who are paid a fair wage and learn valuable new processing techniques to help farmers compete globally and have a sustainable future. A portion of their proceeds are donated back to coffee cherry pickers and their children via school supplies, clothing and facility repairs.  Hiptipico Guatemalan Coffee.

8. A Gift that Makes Scents, $6.
In 2011, when Bill Glaab & Courtney Apple learned that 5 million children die each year from water-related illnesses and that 45% of these deaths could be prevented–with simple hand washing alone–they knew they had to do something! So they founded Hand in Hand Soap (and scents.) For every bar you purchase, Hand in Hand donates one bar of soap and one month of clean water to a child in need. Available in six scents: Coral, Lavender, Orange Blossom, Sea Salt, Noble Fir and Vanilla Spice. Gift set above, $38.

toms gifts that feel good to give9. These Shoes Are Made for Walking. $36.
Who is Tom anyway!? There is no “Tom.” Their name comes from the abbreviation of “Shoes for Tomorrow.” The original idea was for every pair purchased today a new pair of shoes will be given tomorrow. This is how the One for One® Movement was born. They make everything from shoes to backpacks for kids and adults. TOMS® is a for-profit company with giving at its core. With every pair purchased, TOMS® gives a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Something new: When you purchase a backpack, your purchase helps provide training for school staff and crisis counselors to help prevent bullying.  toms.com

10. Handmade Mulberry Silk and Cotton Scarf, $50
Every purchase of one of these lovely scarves helps send a girl to school in India! 50% of their profits go to girls’ education programs in India. It’s lightweight for spring and summer, but with just enough weight to add a layer of warmth for cooler months. Scarves are made using a traditional block-printing process using only non-toxic, AZO-free dyes. Every step of the creative process–from carving of the wooden blocks, to dye mixing–has been done entirely by hand. This tradition dates back thousands of years. bloomandgive.com

one hope wine gifts that give back11. Every Sip You Take Can Help, starting at $18.99.
Here’s a no-brainer; I can definitely drink for a cause! For every bottle of One Hope Wine that you buy, 50% goes to charity. To date, One Hope has provided 1,108,159 meals; 9,223 people with clean drinking sand have helped 13,605 animals to find homes! The company breaks it down so that you can understand the impact that your purchase makes. For example, every bottle of their Gold Glitter Sparkling Brut provides 15 meals to children in need. Shipping Charges start at $10 for 5-7 day delivery depending on location. One Wine is available on Amazon or www.onehopewine.com.

screen-shot-2016-11-27-at-11-16-35-pm12. Handcrafted Leather Clutch, $20.
I love designer Rosa Tellez’s version of a sleek, chic clutch…and at a fraction of the price that a leather clutch would normally cost you. Use this clutch as a conversation piece at a party to spread the word about spending to help others. Rosa Tellez grew up in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Bogota. She knew from an early age that she wanted to save money so that her children could attend school and have more opportunities than she had. She first started working with leather at a shoe factory, while her husband made his living as a truck driver. Today, her children both work in offices and she is so proud of all they’ve accomplished. Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit social enterprise that partners with independent small-scale artisan groups, co-ops and workshops to bring their wares to our markets. 9Lx4H inches TenThousandVillages.com

13. Save a Life…While You Sleep, $33
Goodbye Malaria pajamas are made from 100% super-soft cotton and available in 5 fun patterns their symbol, a citronella flower, a natural insect repellent, has been cleverly incorporated into their design. Bottoms have a secret pocket too. Their colorful mashozi teddy bears are $38. Goodbye Malaria is an initiative started by African entrepreneurs who believe that African creativity can solve one of Africa’s biggest problems: Malaria. 70% of deaths in Africa in children under 5 are caused by malaria. Your purchase can help in two ways: by creating jobs by supporting African entrepreneurs; and because the proceeds directly fund a spray program in Mozambique.

giftsthatgive-back14. Buckle Up, $48
Everyone can use a leather belt, but this one is special because of it’s where it was made and who made it. Nisolo‘s leather artisans live in Peru in where only 25% of employment is in the formal sector. Their employees have experienced an income increase of more than 140% by working with Nisolo; receive paid vacation and healthcare for themselves and their families; and receive a formal contract guaranteeing stable employment year-round. Their Owen Belt Oak comes in two tones: oak and brandy.

gifts that feel good to give15. Feeling Parched? Hydrate Yourself and Others, $27.
I love these water bottles just for their color choices. But the fact that with every bottle purchased $1 goes to provide one person in need with clean water for one year? Double happiness. They ask third parties to audit their sourcing, production, and giving to ensure social and environmental sustainability standards are met. Their bottles are esthetically pleasing and functional! www.miir.com/hydration


alex ani
16. Alex and Ani’s Charity By Design, $21-38
Alex and Ani’s Charity By Design bracelets give back to more than 50 organizations. There’s no doubt that you will find one that means something to you–or to the person receiving that is your gift. The charities range from the Alzheimer’s Associationto the National Autism Association to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Bracelets come in gold or silver finishes and can be added on to. Charity by Design.

boots gifts that give back17. You’ll Be Singing in the Rain, $35.
Made of all natural, these bright colorful rain boots are made of soft rubber with convenient pull-up loops. Boots come in pink, red and blue. Roma makes boots for grown-ups. For every pair of Roma Boots sold, a brand new pair is donated to a child living in poverty.  Additionally, 10% of all proceeds fund educational initiatives around the world. Roma was founded in 2010 by Samuel Bistrian, who wanted to combine his love of fashion and philanthropy to help children in his home country of Romania. Abel boot.

18. Get Your Om On, $42.
Every Hiptipico yoga strap is handmade by Maya artisans which produces one-of-a-kind variations. Their funky yoga mat strap come in beautiful colors and are woven from the traditional fabric of various Maya villages. Repurposing discarded fabric from female weavers in Guatemala, your purchase supports our sustainable project to utilize recycled materials. Minimize your fashion footprint! By purchasing one of these, you provide a dignified job opportunity to female artisans in rural Guatemala, aiding in their quest to escape poverty.

19. Beanie, starting at $35.
A whopping 50% of their profits from the sale of all Love Your Melon products is given to Love Your Melon’s nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer. It was started in 2012 by two friends, Zachary and Brian, who were on a mission to improve the lives of children battling cancer. Their pom beanie, $45 above, is knit from 100% cotton yarn and comes with a detachable, natural faux fur pom for washing. One size fits all.

20. Inspiration from the Cup, $14
Sevenly has given away nearly $5 million in five years, plus they’ve donated products and volunteered hours for causes big and small. Sevenly makes a pledge of $7 per purchase in its 7-Day Campaigns and  give 7% to their charity partners. Choose from a list of products including housewares, clothing, jewelry. Or choose from their list of causes ranging from kindness and the environment to cancer research. Their breakfast mug collection, $ 14 each, feature inspiring phrases are hand-crafted; no two mugs are the same. You’ll own a one-of-a-kind original! And you’ll know they’re made with love: Sevenly is etched onto the outside bottom of these limited edition pieces. Your teacher will love and be touched by a gift that gives back like their teacher mug is $14.

 


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Author: Heather Zachariah

Former Art Director for Home Magazine, Heather Leahy Zachariah, left her career in publishing after baby number number one. She now works from home as a freelance graphic designer and a chauffeur to her 3 busy kids. "Working on TipsFromTown has been a wonderful outlet for me. It renewed my love of publishing where I can design colorful, enticing pages online and allows me to share the things I love about being a mom." Heather grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a place that still is near and dear to her. " After living in Brooklyn for 18 years and studying Graphic Design at Pratt Institute, she now lives in the Jersey burbs. "I love living so close to NYC, but in my heart, I'm an Ohio girl."

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