Giving a Gift that Gives Back

With the holiday shopping season upon us, why not give a gift this year that also gives back? Here are a few of my top selections for holiday gifts for children that will make both the recipient of the gift and someone else in need smile when purchased.

Almost everyone knows about TOMS, but in case you don’t—with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. They have shoes for everyone in the family, from your newborn to dad!

ever/after will donate 25% of the net profit from every garment that you buy to the cause of your choice. They have partnered with charities that share their vision of creating powerful and sustaining change in the lives of children in need. My son is obsessed with the pants in their collection. They are so comfortable (and the cut is fabulous); he rarely wants to wear anything else.

The UNICEF website has an assortment of gifts, including puzzles and books, which donate to the UNICEF and help children around the world. My personal favorite is the I Never Forget a Face Matching Game. It helps teach children that people look beautiful and different around the world. It is also an Oppenheimer Best Toy Award Winner.

If helping children has a special place in your heart, then another great gift resource and foundation is FEED. Each Feed Our Small World Bag purchased helps generate funding to UNICEF to help supply children with a year’s worth of Vitamin A supplements, which are essential for a growing child, and sadly, there are so many children around the world who don’t receive enough of this simple vitamin. The Feed Our Small World Bag is a hip and functional bag great for carrying lunch or items back and forth from school and friends’ houses. The children on the strap represent children of different cultures from around the world.

Now for mom, my favorite bag (perfect for a plane ride with kids for carrying all those toys, snacks and supplies) is the weekender bag. The company Rising Tide Fair Trade not only promotes fair trade for artisans in developing countries to earn fair wages, but a portion of their profits is also donated to charity.

For more ideas, visit the blog Milkshake, which focuses on featuring companies, causes, people, places and products that give back and make a difference.