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Gifts That Give Back 2017

August 28, 2017
Photo: Hooray for the Underdog!
Let your holiday gifts do double-duty this year: Wow and impress your loved ones, and also give to people in need. From helping people in rural communities get access to clean drinking water, to funding literacy and reading programs, there's bound to be a cause you feel passionate about in our list. Charities like Oxfam and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital are always in need of contributions, and this is a way to spread a little extra gratitude and warmth during the holiday season. 
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Jacques Pepin Limited Edition Apron

Photo: Art of Simplicity.

Constructed of pink Turkish denim, this fashionable apron is specifically fitted to move with you in the kitchen thanks to herringbone double stitching. These aprons, handcrafted in California, also benefit Editha House, a Arizona-based charity that provides affordable lodging for adult cancer patients seeking treatment in Phoenix. 

$88, aosbysosa.com. 

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BeBrilliant Classic Tote

Photo: Andrea Billups

This is the ultimate functional, yet stylish, carry-all for heads of households and overall busy bees whose days are unpredictable and dangerous, per se – neoprene lines most of this bag to protect contents from the elements, including costly spills that otherwise would wreck your day. There's a pocket and space for everything you'll ever need in this one bag – a laptop sleeve, tablet pocket, and even a secret zippered compartment on the bottom for a second pair of shoes. The renaissance women behind the brand, Andrea Billups and Marsa Truscott, are putting 10% of purchase profits towards endowments for other self-made women in business. A bonus for Cooking Light readers: use promo code HOLIDAY17 for 20% off your purchase. 

$269, bebrilliantbags.com.

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Madécasse Dark Chocolate Library

Direct trade chocolate means that this company purchases chocolate directly from the growers and farmers, creating more transparency and less middlemen. The company was started by former Peace Corps Volunteers in Madagascar, and the company has made three trips back to the area to refurbish schools and build a water system. 

$45, madecasse.com

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(S’WELL)RED 17oz. Bottle

These stylish, sleek steel bottles are perfect for travel or hauling to the gym, and the (RED) brand means the proceeds go to fight AIDS. A purchase of this bottle can provide 23 days of life-saving medicine to someone in need. 

$35, red.org

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re:loom Placemats, Set of 4

Photo: re:loom

These handwoven placemats are a great way to spruce up the dining table of a loved one, and each purchase helps to provide affordable housing to homeless and low-income families in Atlanta, Georgia. 

$86, reloom.org

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LUSH Charity Pot Lotion

Made from sustainable ingredients, LUSH donates 100% of the profits of this purchase to organizations supporting environmental conservation, human rights, and animal welfare. 

$8, lushusa.com

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FEED 10 Bag

Photo: FEED

A simple tote bag perfect for lugging to the gym or traveling, its cause is right on the bag: One purchase provides 10 school meals to children in need. 

$25, feedprojects.com

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Faucet Face Hummingbird Feeder Bottle

Faucet Face

Faucet Face donates filters and a portion of their profits to help residents of a rural Indian village have access to clean drinking water. Made out of sturdy glass and a BPA-free top, you'll also be cutting down on your plastic use with this adorable water bottle. 

$12, faucetface.com

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Global Goods Gold Mango Wood Tray

Global Goods

A versatile gift to give to a loved-one who's obsessed with home decor, this tray can be used to serve drinks or as storage to hold and organize knick knacks. Global Goods is a non-profit, dedicated to empowering women to become economically independent by selling handmade goods. 

$48, globalgoodspartners.org

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Hiptipico Cafe Loco Coffee Pitaya Pack

Photo: Hiptipico

These gorgeous variety packs of fresh Guatemalan coffee is perfect for anyone who's addicted to their morning cup of joe. Every Hiptipico pouch is hand-woven by Maya artisans, making each one unique. Cafe Loco works with farmers in rural Guatemala, and a portion of their proceeds are donated back to coffee cherry pickers and their children via school supplies, clothing, and facility repairs.

$48, hiptipico.com

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Out of Print "The Joy of Cooking" Apron

Out of Print

Perfect for a foodie loved one who's a passionate cook. Purchases of "The Joy of Cooking" cover apron and other Out of Print products help fund literacy programs and book donations for communities in need. 

$22, outofprintclothing.com

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Shopping for a Change Copper & Wood Mixology Set

Shopping for a Change

Containing a strainer, double jigger, and stirrer, this gift set is perfect for your friend who fancies themselves a bartender. Shopping for a Change is a non-profit that supports small businesses and works to fund community improvement projects in artisan communities. 

$68, shoppingforachange.org

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Oxfam Goat

Oxfam

No, this isn't a joke—purchase an actual goat for a person in-need in a rural community to help them become financially independent. Buy a goat from Oxfam in a loved-one's name, and they'll recieve this card. 

$50, oxfamgifts.com

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Bloom & Give Malabar Handloomed Kitchen Towels

Photo: Bloom & Give

These gorgeous towels are made from hand-spun natural cotton and spun on a traditional South Indian loom. Half of the profits from these towels fund girls' education programs in India.

$32, bloomandgive.com

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Farm Sanctuary Vegan Holiday Truffles

Photo: Farm Sanctuary

Blitzen the steer inspires happiness and joy — and at Farm Sanctuary, America’s leading farm animal protection organization, he’s an ambassador for his species opening hearts and minds about our relationship to farm animals. Farm Sanctuary’s holiday truffles, packaged in Blitzen’s honor, offer a decadent vegan treat and a perfect way to celebrate compassion this holiday season. This box includes 12 truffles (flavors: Cappuccino, Hazelnut, Coconut, Almond, Raspberry, and Cherry) and they come in a red holiday box with a coordinating bow and a sweet gift tag with an image of Blitzen on front. Proceeds go to support Farm Sanctuary’s lifesaving work.

$32, farmsanctuary.org

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charity: water Votivo Candle

The scent's name, "crisp, clean white" is inspired by clean water, this charity's cause. All of the profits of these purchases help with the operating costs of bringing clean water to people in need.  

$30, charitywater.org

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St. Jude Faith and Love Racerback Tank

Photo: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Perfect for the runner or gym rat in your life, 100% of the proceeds from the purchases go back to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

$24, stjude.org

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Hooray for the Underdog! Holiday Card

Photo: Hooray for the Underdog!

These adorable sets of 10 holiday cards are the perfect way to send out memorable holiday greetings this season. Every purchase from Horray for the Underdog! helps shelter pets and animal welfare charities. 

$19, hoorayfortheunderdog.com

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