Shopping: Gifts That Give Back

The holiday decorations are already glittering throughout the many of the beautiful streets of the city, lights have been strung on trees waiting for their great reveals and the window displays are just about ready to draw back their curtains and be seen by the adoring crowds. The holiday season is upon us, and that means it is time to get started on hunting down the best gifts for your loved ones. We’ve put together a special gift guide, which will not only make your loved ones happy, but will also contribute to helping those in need.

FEED + Faribault Tote
Faribault Woolen Mill has collaborated with FEED to come out with a limited edition collection, woven and sewn entirely in Minnesota. Each product in the collection is made from the heritage mill’s signature wool in a camouflage pattern, which was inspired by Faribault’s long history of creating army blankets and providing meals for Americans in need. The bag can be purchased for $350, and will provide 300 meals to Americans. feedprojects.com
Ladurée Limited Edition Nutcracker Box
Ladurée has teamed up with the New York City Ballet to celebrate their 60th Anniversary of the iconic Nutcracker Ballet. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these yummy macaron boxes will be donated to the New York City Ballet’s education programs. This special limited edition box will only be available in NYC. Boxes are available at Ladurée SoHo and Ladurée Maison. $26, laduree.com
J.Crew Kids’ crewcuts for David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Sweatshirt
J Crew is currently featuring a crewcuts collection where all of the net proceeds of the clothing purchased will go to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which rescues and protects orphaned elephants and rhinos in East Africa from ivory poaching and extinction. Brooklyn-based artist Hugo Guinness designed the collection, which features many of the orphaned animals that the organization has saved so far. The sweatshirt below features four-year-old Bongo, who was rescued by DSWT last year. $59.50, jcrew.com
LemLem Kulkulu Split Scarf
Lemlem, the name of the brand, means “hand-made in Ethiopia from natural cotton.” CEO (and renowned model) Liya Kebede, started the company after she realized that the traditional weavers in her native country were losing their jobs due to a decline in loyal demand for their goods. LemLem aims to raise awareness about this unfortunate situation and to preserve the ancient art form of weaving. $185, lemlem.com
TOMS Stripe Knit Tiny TOMS Biminis
TOMS has created an adorable version of the boat shoe for any little sailor. With every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, TOMS will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need. $36, toms.com
Jonas Paul Eyewear: The Paige Sunglasses Frame
Jonas Paul Eyewear was founded by the parents of Jonas Paul who was born in 2013 and diagnosed with Peter’s Anomaly, a rare disorder that limits his vision and subjects him to many surgeries and procedures in hopes of improving his sight. The company’s goal is to provide function and new form to children’s vision. For every pair of Jonas Paul Eyewear frames, the company gives support to CBM International, which brings vision to a person in need through glasses or corrective surgery. The frames seen here are made to fit children ages 2-8. $99, jonaspauleyewear.com
United By Blue Wilderness Bottle
United By Blue (UBB) is a company that is dedicated to connecting the sale of each of their eco-friendly products with a concrete environmental action. For each product they sell, UBB will remove 1 lb of trash from oceans and waterways through company organized and hosted clean-ups around the world. The Wilderness Bottle, featured below, is made from one-hundred percent recycled aluminum and is one-hundred percent BPA-free. $22, unitedbyblue.com
glassybaby "Grateful Red" Candle Holder
Glassybaby was founded in 2001 by Lee Rhodes, mother of three, and three-time cancer patient. For each glassybaby sold, Rhodes donates money from sales to charities meant to help cancer patients heal, as well as to charities that help cancer patients with day-to-day needs that are not covered by health insurance. Glassybaby has donated over $2 million so far. $44, glassybaby.com
Ann Taylor Limited Edition Elephant Charm Jewelry Collection
Ann Taylor has pledged to give 50 percent of proceeds from this limited edition collection to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Ann Taylor chose to feature elephants in this collection because they bring good luck, have a high attentive memory and rate of longevity, and they also live in families that take care of one another when something goes wrong. Similar to the elephant, St. Jude strives to aid and take care of families whose children are suffering from deadly diseases. The collection became available both in-stores and online on November 11. anntaylor.com
Dsenyo Little Friends Fox
This snuggly Fox Friend is handmade by Dsenyo—a Fair Trade women’s cooperative—in Malawi, Africa. With its fun printed fabric, it makes a gift for infants to grow with and love for years to come. $24, dsenyo.com
The Little Market Alpaca Mittens
The Little Market, created by Lauren Conrad, aims to create partnerships with talented artisans from throughout the world and connect them to customers through an online marketplace. The site strives to empower women artisans to overcome struggles with poverty and help support their families. The mittens shown here were made in Peru by Manuela Ramos—whose About the Artisan page can be found on the site alongside other product artisans. $40, thelittlemarket.com
Cheeky Home Products
Cheeky strives to provide fun and colorful paper and plastic tableware products to brighten a family’s day. The company has teamed up with Feeding America and aims to provide 10 million meals to Americans facing hunger this year. For every Cheeky product you buy (available exclusively at Target), one meal will be donated to someone who needs it in the U.S. $3.99, cheekyhome.com & target.com