16 Awesome Gifts that Give Back
From handmade goods in developing countries to one-to-one products, we’ve seen more socially-conscious gifts this year than ever before. And we want to share some of our favorites.
Here are 16 gifts you’ll feel great about giving:
1. Bears for Humanity
These plush, 100% organic cotton and hemp teddy bears are made by people in the Welfare to Work Program in Union City, California. And when you buy one, you get to choose a charity where its mate will go.
2. Water Changes Everything Cookbook
When we say “water changes everything,” we mean everything. To make that point even more real, we teamed up with 10 of our favorite chefs, bakers, and food-makers to create a beautiful holiday cookbook filled with recipes that change dramatically when you take away water as an ingredient. With a simple donation to charity: water, you can bring delicious meals to your table while bringing clean water to tables around the world.
3. Bomba Socks
Everyone needs a comfy pair of socks to wear during the chilly holiday season! These cushy footies come in bright colors and varying styles. And for each pair sold, another is donated to a homeless shelter (socks are among the most-requested items in shelters!). In the two years they’ve been around, Bomba Socks have donated over 600,000 pairs of socks to homeless shelters around the country.
4. Jambox
Give your audio some visual punch with this awesome Jerry Can Yellow Jambox. It will give you sound big enough to fill any space, in a size small enough to carry around. This limited edition Jambox comes from our partnership with Jawbone, and each one helps fund our operating costs so we can bring more clean water to people in need.
5. Local + Lejos Akazi Bowl
Help your favorite host share the love far beyond her living room. Local + Lejos partners directly with artisans around the world to curate an exquisite and unique home décor collection. The Akazi Bowl, for example, was handcrafted in Rwanda by the Kwizera Cooperative. In addition to sustainable work and fair wages, the women get empowerment training, learn financial management, get health insurance, and can keep their children in school. Each bowl sold allows the artist to pay for annual health insurance for one family member.
6. Mizu Water Bottle
Quench your own thirst while helping us create a world where no one is thirsty. This water bottle, made by our friends at MIZU, will come in handy when you’re climbing a mountain, riding your bike across the country, or just picnicking with some friends.
7. Sevenly The Mountains Are Calling Tee
Based on a core belief that “People Matter,” the founders of Sevenly began a journey to do their part in helping to change the world for the better. By creating trendy graphic and social-statement shirts like this The Mountains Are Calling tee for men and women, Sevenly is on a mission to lead a generation of generosity by supporting a different cause each week and donating 7% of sales.
8. Ona Camera Strap
Here at charity: water, we believe in using inspiring images to help tell the story of how clean water is transforming lives around the world. With the Sahel Camera Strap, which is part of our partnership with ONA Bags, we encourage you to take beautiful photos, explore your world, and tell the stories that need to be told while helping us continue to tell stories and bring clean water to people in need.
9. Sseko Designs Ribbon Sandals
Women in Uganda hand-make these elegantly simple ribbon sandals so they’re able to hold their own economically and pursue a university education. The fashion brand, which employs 50 women, says it has helped at least 60 former employees go on to university.
10. Sudara This Shirt Does Good Tee
Best known for its chill t-shirts and comfy-but-cute pajamas, Sudara forges partnerships
with indigenous organizations to create sewing centers that train Indian women escaping sex trade so they can have productive, healthy, and free lives. That’s a momentous task, given the high rate of human trafficking there – the country is home to an estimated more than 3 million sex workers, many of whom are believed to be victims of exploitation. Your purchase of this shirt can do good, just like it says.
11. Purefix Cycles
Up your street status while upping awareness for the cause. These bikes are part of our partnership with Pure Fix Cycles, a team of fixed-gear and single-speed bike builders in LA. There are two color combos and plenty of sizes available.
12. 31 Bits Saguaro Necklace
Looking for a pretty gift that has a major social impact, too? 31 Bits is another Ugandan enterprise that uses fashion and design to empower people to rise above poverty. They help to empower women by providing good jobs, education, and a plan for the future – all within a supportive community – through sales of festive, earthy jewelry. The beads on this necklace were made from recycled paper! To date, at least 16 women have “graduated” from the program to build their own businesses.
13. Votivo Candle
The scent’s name, “crisp, clean, white” was inspired by clean water. It’s nothing
overpowering, just the right amount of “oh my gosh, it smells incredible in here!” But this candle isn’t just about smelling good, all the profits support our staff and operating costs and help charity: water grow so we can continue bringing clean water to people all around the world.
14. Soma Black Pitcher
Black is back with our partner, Soma’s Black Pitcher. This limited-edition pitcher is stylish, goes with everything, and does a world of good. With every pitcher sold, Soma will donate $15 to charity: water that will go directly to funding clean water projects in Cambodia. But you have to act quick, there are only 2,400 of these one-of-a-kind pitchers!
15. Krochet Kids The Watchman Hat
What started as just three snowboarding enthusiasts crocheting their own hats to wear on the slopes has turned into something so much more. Krochet Kids now works to empower people to rise out poverty by teaching women in Northern Uganda and Peru how to crochet everything from hats and scarves to t-shirts and backpacks. And what’s even cooler? Every product they make is hand-signed by the woman who made it.
16. The Created Co Gather Water Bottle
Inspired by our Who’s At Your Table campaign, The Created Co designed this beautiful glass bottle for when you and your loved ones gather around your table this holiday season. With every purchase of this swing-top water bottle, The Created Co will donate $10 to charity: water to help us bring clean water to people in need.
