Gifts That Do Good

Still searching for that perfect gift for someone in your life? Check out these under-$50 gifts that have more to them than materialism:

Body Balm from beelove: This gentle balm is formulated with beeswax and oils to soothe dry skin. I love beelove’s mission to provide employment to the formerly incarcerated (check out my friend Leah’s review of their products here).  $12.

Soap from MADE by DWC: The Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles is dedicated to ending cycles of chronic homelessness and unemployment. These handmade soaps are among several products providing job skills for DWC clients and capital for the center’s programs. Available in Lavender, Sweet Orange, or Goat’s Milk and Honey. $9.

Cuff from Branded Collective: The perfect gift for the Wonder Woman in your life! Branded Collective employs trafficking survivors from End Slavery Tennessee to handcraft each piece of jewelry. Each item is branded with a unique number to represent one of the millions of people trapped in human trafficking. $35.

Candle from Thistle Farms: Employing residents and graduates of Magdalene House, Thistle Farms is a social enterprise that provides job skills to survivors of addiction, trafficking, and prostitution. This “Three Trees” soy candle features fir, cedarwood, and spruce essential oils and a natural fiber wick. $22.

Travel Wallet from Stalyon: Made-in-the-USA accessories and gear from Stalyon aid their mission to give the gift of adventure, and this small wallet is a great choice for the on-the-go minimalist in your life. Proceeds from Stalyon’s products help run in-hospital camp experiences for kids with life-threatening illnesses. $48.

Tee from A Beautiful Refuge: A Beautiful Refuge is continuing to expand their product line as they employ women from Safe Refuge International to screenprint their fair trade tees. I recently ordered this “Ethics Over Aesthetics” tank for myself. $32. (Extra thanks to those of you who supported this brand’s launch last spring!)