Gift-giving with a Conscience
11 websites that support a worthy cause
Thinking of a unique gift can be hard –– and even harder to find. ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, shares these 11 websites that feature gift ideas for less than $50. Your purchase will help make a charitable donation, protect the planet, promote fair trade –– or all of the above.
WomensBeanProject.com
This nonprofit teaches job and life skills to low-income women in Denver, and every purchase helps further its mission. You can also buy a single sleeve of bean-soup mix –– a yummy stocking stuffer –– for $4.50.
Order by: Dec. 13
Gift wrapping: No
Shipping: Starts at $5
Returns: 30 days from purchase
Hug Me Pillow and Wrap Me Around You Throw from vivaterra.com
VivaTerra.com
All of the stylish housewares at this site are Earth and people friendly. Shop for presents by recipient, occasion, and price. The under-$50 section has lots of great hostess ideas.
Order by: Dec. 20
Gift wrapping: $6.95
Shipping: Starts at $4.95
Returns: 30 days from receipt
SokolBlosser.com
This business aims to do good and make wine that tastes good. The organic vintages are grown sustainably and harvested with tractors using 50 percent biodiesel fuel. Buy single bottles, a gift set or an annual membership.
Order by: Dec. 14 (East Coast), Dec. 19 (West Coast)
Gift wrapping: No, but wine sets come in a custom box
Shipping: Starts at $25
Returns: Anytime if flawed or damaged
GreystonBakery.com
This company’s slogan is “We don’t hire people to bake brownies. We bake brownies to hire people.” It gives “hard-to-employ” people a living wage and more. The decadent desserts are a bonus.
Order by: Dec. 15
Gift wrapping: All gifts come in a reusable gift box
Shipping: Starts at $7
Returns: For errors, notify within two days of receipt
GreenGlass.com
The groovy glassware on this site is all made from recycled glass, like old soda bottles. You’ll find lots of serving pieces (pitchers and carafes), decorative items (vases and candleholders) and drinkware (wineglasses and tumblers).
Order by: Dec. 19
Gift wrapping: No
Shipping: Starts at $7
Returns: 30 days from shipping
WearYourMusic.org
The music lover you love will adore a gift from this site where you’ll find unisex bracelets made from old guitar and bass strings. Choose a bracelet made of strings from musicians like the Bacon Brothers and Carlos Santana, and sales help their favorite music charities.
Order by: Dec. 15
Gift wrapping: Starts at $3
Shipping: Starts at $4
Returns: 30 days from receipt
Sniff Pet Candles from sniffpetcandles.com
SniffPetCandles.com
Organic candles for dogs sounds wacky, but these are designed to provide aromatherapy for the four-legged and two-legged alike, and a portion of the sales benefit animal-rescue groups. Scents include Splendor in the Grass, Day in the Hamptons, and the dog owner’s true friend, Fart & Away, to neutralize odors.
Order by: Dec. 16
Gift wrapping: No
Shipping: Flat $10
Returns: 7 days from receipt
Madre.org
Handmade is the name of the game for this nonprofit, which links women’s groups in Sudan, Iraq, Peru, Bolivia and other countries to help them advocate for social justice and change. Proceeds from sale of the clothing, jewelry and home products help the women advance their families and communities.
Order by: Dec. 13
Gift wrapping: Free
Shipping: Starts at $2.50
Returns: 30 days from receipt
OutOfPrintClothing.com
The supersoft T-shirts on this site feature the covers of classic (and sometimes out-of-print) books. For each shirt purchased, the company donates a book to communities in need via another charity organization, Books for Africa.
Order by: Dec. 15
Gift wrapping: No
Shipping: Starts at $6
Returns: 14 days from receipt
Jungle Play Mobile from giggle.com
Giggle.com
Shop here for baby and kid toys and essentials. At checkout, round up your order to the nearest dollar, and the change will benefit one of three children’s charities: Healthy Child Healthy World, Prevent Child Abuse America and Childhelp.
Order by: Dec. 18
Gift wrapping: Free
Shipping: Starts at $5.99
Returns: 30 days from purchase, store credit after
GoodWorksMakeaDifference.com
This site donates 25 percent of its net profits to various charities. Its brightly colored wrap bracelets are popping up on celebrity wrists all over Hollywood. Each features empowering messages.
Order by: Dec. 16
Gift wrapping: No
Shipping: Starts at $8
Returns: 90 days from purchase
