‘Tis the season for dashing through the malls. Oops – I mean HALLS! It’s holiday crunch time, and between the ugly sweater parties, office pot lucks, decorating, tree lightings, Christmas card sending, holiday baking sprees and open houses, you won’t be able to actually breathe until New Year’s. And then there’s the SHOPPING! Between Black Friday and Christmas Eve you’ll do your part to single-handedly revive the retail environment, purchasing gifts for family and friends, pets, co-workers, kids- kids that don’t even belong to you- and those distant relatives you haven’t seen in a year.
It’s easy to get caught up in the beautiful, glittering madness that defines the holiday season, so Philly Gives has made it easy for you to make a huge impact and help some incredible causes –just by doing your holiday shopping! This is not your typical charitable shopping list – we’re talking sugar scrubs, crystal earrings, and Instagram cookies…oh my!
Check out the list and get inspired!
Waveborn Sunglasses
Did you know that 37 million people worldwide are visually impaired? Did you know that just by rocking an incredible pair of sunglasses that you could provide corrective vision to one of those 37 million people? For every pair of Waveborns sold, the company gives away one prescription pair of glasses to a person in need, or helps fund a sight restoring cataract surgery. I love a good oversized frame, and I need the Monica Oversized Sunglasses in my life. Like, now.
Senhoa Jewelry
The decadent, opulent statement jewelry from Senhoa is as grand as their mission – to end human trafficking among the most vulnerable populations around the globe. The Senhoa Foundation supports those in danger and survivors of human trafficking through prevention, rehabilitation and advocacy programs – 100% of net profits benefit this incredible program. The ANTOINETTE Bronze earrings definitely made my Christmas list!
Baking For Good
Just when you thought Instagram couldn’t get any hotter, Baking for Good has made it EDIBLE with their famous Instagraham Cookies! That’s right – you can upload your favorite photos and have them made into a gift that is guaranteed to be envied by all. Baking For Good is an acclaimed online bakery dedicated to selling irresistible gourmet cookie gifts, but the best part is that they donate 15% of your purchase to a charity of your choice. So add some yumminess (is that a word?!) to your Christmas list!
Hand In Hand Soap
Getting clean has never been more meaningful. Hand crafted in Philadelphia, Hand In Hand “Sustainable Suds” products are fair-trade, cruelty free, and palm oil free. Shop their selection of soaps, lip balms, candles, and sugar scrubs (I am obsessed with the Orange Blossom Sugar Scrub) and for every product purchased, they will donate one bar of soap and one month of clean water to children in need. How incredible is that?!
Threads For Thought
These uniquely sustainable threads are definitely on the hot list this holiday season and have been featured on The Talk, Vampire Diaries, New Girl, Walking Dead, Sleepy Hollow and Tosh.O. She’ll fall head-over-heels for their Brooke Sweatshirt (the lace is to die for), and he’ll be stylish and warm in their Thermal Henley Hoodie. When you spend over $100 (no problem there) 10% of your purchase will be donated directly to the International Rescue Committee’s New Roots program, which helps refugees become self-sufficient and contribute to their new home through community gardening, nutrition education and small-business farming. A perfect gift for the cause-conscious fashionista!
For the rest of your holiday shopping needs, shop online at Amazon Smile – which makes it SUPER easy to support your favorite charity this season! Once you’ve logged in and selected your charity (you can choose from nearly 1 million registered 501c3 organizations) they will donate 0.5% of every purchase automatically to the charity of your choice – at no cost to you. So now there is absolutely no excuse for not giving while you shop!
Original article by Katie Everett, Founder of Philly Gives – an organization aimed at maximizing positive community impact in Philadelphia by fostering collaboration and generating increased awareness, support and involvement in local charitable efforts. You can connect with Philly Gives by liking them on Facebook, following them on Twitter or e-mailing them at hello@phillygivesmore.com.
