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Holiday Gift Guide 2018: 9 Gifts That Give Back

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Gift Guide 2018

Holiday Gift Guide 2018: 9 Gifts That Give Back

November 28, 2018

What to get the do-gooder in your life? Here are nine gift ideas that come with a promise to give back.

cotton hot water bottle cover aerende
Above: The Cotton Hot Water Bottle Cover is £34 from Aerende, a UK shop offering “a lovingly sourced collection of handmade items for your home,” founder Emily Mathieson says. “All of our products are created in the UK by people facing social challenges.” (For more, see our post A New Range of Life-Improving Housewares from a UK Travel Editor.)
ishkar artisans glassware 1
Above: Our London correspondent Christine Chang Hanway clued us in to newly launched company Ishkar, founded by Flore de Taise and Edmund le Brun, who are on a mission to help people from conflict zones make a living (read their story here). Among the wares on offer: glassware made by traditional 2,000-year-old methods by Afghan glass blowers; prices start at $68 for a set of six Lapis Shot Glasses. (For the above photo, art direction and set design by Lea Mazet and photography by Timothee Chambovet, courtesy of Ishkar.)
threaded home bedding
Above: Threaded, a new female-founded bedding company, is committed to giving back to women and the environment. “We partner with mills and factories that are committed to offering community empowerment initiatives, education, and support,” founders Margaret Wakeland and Patti Bernstein say. In addition, they use no plastic in their shipping and work with factories who employ and educate women and use water recycling and solar technology. Go to Threaded to see the range (we like the Mosaic Embroidered Frame Sham for $39).
local and lejos bowl set
Above: Founded by Sheeva Sairafi, Local & Lejos supports local artisans from around the world by paying fair wages and helping members of the community to develop sustainable skills. Handcrafted in Rwanda by the Kwizera Cooperative, the Esther Bowl Set is $135 and is suitable for wall mounting.
krochet kids kitty stuffed animal
Above: Founded by three high school friends with a fondness for crocheting, Krochet Kids is on a mission to see Northern Uganda transformed by hook and yarn, as the owners say. Crocheted in Uganda, the Kitty Stuffed Animal is $35 and is hand-signed by the creator. “Over the last decade we have employed hundreds of people in Uganda and Peru to create a broad array of gifts that give back,” according to CEO and cofounder Kohl Crecelius.
bolé road textiles founder hana getachew partners with artisans in et 22
Above: Bolé Road Textiles founder Hana Getachew partners with artisans in Ethiopia, who execute her vision using traditional weaving methods. Each purchase from her line supports artisans and contributes to the education of girls in Ethiopia (for more info, go to Bolé Road Textiles: Ethiopian Style, by Way of Brooklyn). The trio of pillows shown above includes the Berchi Pillow in Dusty Rose ($185), the Melkin Pillow in Dusty Rose ($175), and the oversized Aman Pillow in Dusty Rose ($280).
state kane backpack navy canvas
Above: For every backpack sold, State Bags delivers “a backpack packed with essential tools for success for an American child in need.” The coated canvas Kane Backpack is $95.
swell water bottle angel
Above: The S’Well Water Bottle is $35 for the 17-ounce size and $45 for the 25-ounce size in Angel Food (other colors available as well). Owner Sarah Kauss founded S’Well in 2010 with a mission to rid the world of plastic bottles; the company also partners with UNICEF, (RED), and other charities.
Holiday Gift Guide 2018 9 Gifts That Give Back portrait 6
Above: In response to what they saw as a throw-away culture, three MIT students founded a company “rooted in sustainability.” The company’s Sprout pencils are made with sustainably harvested wood with clay/graphite “leads.” But the best part is the end, which contains non-GMO, pesticide-free seeds. So when your pencil is used up, simply plant it. An 8-pack of Original Sprout Pencils is $14.95 on Amazon.

See more 2018 Holiday Gift Guides:

Gift Guide 2018: 15 Actually Useful Stocking Stuffers, The Organized Home Edition

Gift Guide 2018: For the Plant Lover

Holiday Gift Guide: 7 Beautiful Books Every Houseplant Lover Needs

Gift Guide 2018: 15 Stocking Stuffers for Under $15(ish)

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