S’well Echo | Sephora Stands FEARLESS Rouge Cream Lipstick | Rent the Runway Unlimited | Bright Endeavors Special Edition Winter Lodge | Anti-Cruelty Society 2018 Holiday Card |
Shrill Society Nasty Woman Shirt | TOMS Ivy Slippers
Maybe I’ll sound like the Grinch, but I think as we get older, the holidays and all of its consumerism become less and less exciting. Don’t get me wrong, I love a gift as much as the next girl, but sometimes I feel guilty about all of the purchasing that happens this time of year. To help combat that, last year I made more of an effort to support small businesses through my holiday gift giving so I could feel like I was making a positive impact in our community. This year, after being introduced to Bright Endeavors, I wanted to learn more about how I could support businesses that give back.
Bright Endeavors is a Chicago nonprofit and paid job training program. Through candle making, it provides the guidance and job skills young moms need to secure quality employment and begin working toward professional success. I loved the idea of gifting something that normally any of us would take for granted, but actually could really help change a life. So after that idea sparked, I decided to round up other holiday gifts that give back. They are:
S’well Echo – Not only are S’well water bottles the “it” sustainable gift, buying one means you’re supporting a woman-owned business that gives back. The founder started the company to reduce single-use plastic consumption worldwide, and today through its success, S’well is able to partner with UNICEF, (RED) and many other important charities. Browsing the site for gift ideas, I saw there are currently so many cool new arrivals, including a water bottle in this featured pattern and several floral designs.
Sephora Stands FEARLESS Rouge Cream Lipstick – Who knew something as tiny (and chic) as a red lipstick could do such good? For every lipstick sold, Sephora gives $10 to Sephora Stands: a program dedicated to empowering women and positively impacting communities.
Rent the Runway Unlimited – Know a shopaholic? I’ve written here about the good I feel like I’m doing for the environment with my Rent the Runway Unlimited membership, and now you have the opportunity to pass it on to someone else. Who wouldn’t want to shop an endless closet and at the same time save on the byproducts of of the fashion industry.
Bright Endeavors Special Edition Winter Lodge – I am so excited to include the Chicago charity Bright Endeavors on this list. I was introduced to the charity recently and learned about their efforst to transform the lives of young moms by teaching them to craft premium soy candles in a supportive, professional environment. They gifted me several candles to try and I was instantly impressed. They are in high-end looking holders and smell amazing. Each candle purchase will help them continue the work they’re doing and a young mom move closer to her goals.
Anti-Cruelty Society 2018 Holiday Card – If you have an animal lover in your life, gift them this pack of cards and let them know all proceeds benefit the animals in the Chicago location care. I really couldn’t resist opening an envelope and having an adorable dog in a Santa hat staring at me!
Shrill Society Nasty Woman Shirt – Do you have a nasty woman in your life? Purchase someone this adorable T and 50 percent of proceeds from the shirt will go to Planned Parenthood. To date, Shrill Society has donated more than $136k to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, the Houston Food Bank, Unidos Por Puerto Rico, and She Should Run.
TOMS Ivy Slippers – You’re probably well aware of the TOMS One for One® model for shoes: for every pair of shoes purchased, a pair of new shoes is given to a child in need. Shoes are such a personal thing I wouldn’t normally recommend giving them as a gift unless you’ve been specifically directed to a pair. But now slippers, there’s more wiggle room in the gift buying there, and I think these plaid ones couldn’t be cuter to keep someone’s footsies warm.