Each holiday season, I undergo a jolly quest to find the perfect collection of gifts. I annoyingly beg for wish lists, devote hours upon hours to my gift hunt, and recruit a creative advisor (my husband) for help. Even with the best intentions, I consistently end up with a pile of last minute, uninspired purchases.
To bring back the Holiday joy, a shift in how I gift became crucial. As Shri Radhe Maa eloquently stated, “The true value of a gift is the sentiment behind the gifting.” The answer became clear: If I shop from companies that embody the giving spirit, I will be gifting with purpose and bringing back the true meaning of this time-honored tradition.
The true value of a gift is the sentiment behind the gifting. – Shrii Radhe Maa
So, this year I have a personal goal to purchase gifts from companies that have a mission to give back with every purchase. And in doing my research, I discovered many extraordinary companies that strive to make this world a better place.
The companies below are unique in that they donate (a good or service) with EVERY single purchase. Perhaps our favorites will inspire you to shift how you gift:
1. TOMS
The Gift of TOMS: One for One — For every purchase, one service is donated to a person in need. See details of specific purchases below.
Shoe Purchase = Gift of Shoes, One for One
TOMS has donated more than 86 million pairs of NEW shoes to children around the globe. Based on the culture and needs of each child, a pair of classic slip-on shoes, winter boots, wet-weather slip-on shoes or sports shoes are gifted.
Eyewear Purchase = Gift of Sight
TOMS works with 13 countries to help provide communities in need with access to eye care. By helping provide eye exams, medical treatment, prescription glasses, and site saving surgery, TOMS has helped restore sight to over 600,000 people in need.
Coffee Purchase = Gift of Water
TOMS donates 140 liters of safe water to a person in need with EVERY Roasting Co. Coffee bag sold. To date, over 600,000 weeks (140 liters is 1 week) of safe water has been gifted.
Bag Purchase = Gift of Safe Birth
TOMS provide vital birth kits and skilled birth attendant training with each bag purchased. These services have supported over 175,000 mothers.
2. FEED
The Gift of FEED: One purchase = school meals provided to children in need (the number of meals varies on the purchase).
Every FEED bag and gift product has a number stamped on it that signifies the number of meals or micronutrient packets provided when you purchase it.
Hunger is a solvable problem, and every time you buy a FEED product, you are part of the solution. To date, FEED has donated over 103 Million meals, truly impacting the individuals, families, and communities served.
3. Bombas
The Gift of Bombas: one purchase = a pair of socks donated to the homeless.
Bombas has provided more than 11 million pairs of socks to homeless shelters across the U.S. With the hardships of being homeless in mind, the donated socks are specifically engineered with an anti-microbial treatment, reinforced seams and in a darker color for better durability with less visible wear.
4. Lillypost Subscription Box
The Gift of Lillypost Box: one box = a new book to a child in need.
Lillypost—a subscription book box—believes that reading is fundamental in a child’s development and works hard to provide new books for homeless and low-income families. In partnership with Project Night Night and The Children’s Book Bank, Lillypost has donated over 20,000 books. Our editor is a paid subscriber to Lillypost for her two little ones and loves it!
5. cuddle+kind
The Gift of cuddle+kind: One hand-knit doll purchase = 10 meals to children in need.
With the mission to help children reach their potential, cuddle+kind has donated more than 5 million nutritious school meals and food packs. This program has a direct impact here in the United States and in 65 additional countries. By purchasing one of these beautiful hand-knit dolls, you are helping cuddle+kind reach their goal to provide one million meals per year.
6. One Happy Leaf
The Gift of One Happy Leaf: One purchase = one tree planted.
One Happy Leaf is committed to creating an environmental legacy and is on a mission to plant one million trees by 2023. In partnership with Trees for the Future, over 10,000 trees have been planted, directly impacting the earth and the lives of the people who need it most.
7. Happy Blankie
The Gift of Happy Blankie: one blankie purchased = one blankie donated by you.
One to love, one to give. Happy Blankie is wholeheartedly committed to delivering smiles to those who need it most. Making this company different from the rest, with each purchase Happy Blankie sends their customers the donated blankie directly. When the customer receives the donated blankie with their purchase, they are given the opportunity to pay it forward and choose who receives the donation.
8. Shady Rays
The Gift of Shady Rays: Each order = 11 meals to fight hunger in America
Shady Rays are made for action-seekers who appreciate innovative gear & paying it forward. Proud of their craft and thankful for their fortune, Shady Rays has donated more than 3 million meals to Feeding America.
9. Mable
The Gift of Mable: The purchase of one Mable toothbrush = 1 toothbrush sent to a child in need
Mable has two missions, to reduce plastic waste by using bamboo and to provide dental hygiene to those in need. Through donating biodegradable toothbrushes and visiting local schools, Mable teaches children the value of personal health and making sustainable choices.
10. YOOBI
The Gift of Yoobi: The purchase of kids stationery and fun school supplies = school supplies donated to a local school.
Yoobi’s mission is to provide students with the tools necessary to learn and be creative. Yoobi also aims to alleviate the burden on teachers who spend their hard-earned money on classroom materials. To do this, classroom packs are sent to schools around the U.S., filled with 425 items including pencils, crayons, colored pencils, markers, pencil sharpeners, pencil cases, erasers, folders, glue sticks, rulers and stickers.
11. STATE Bags
The Gift of STATE Bags: each bag purchased = one bag filled with essentials donated to a local child in need.
STATE’s mission is to use the power of business to give back and shift narratives around social injustices. “PackMen” and “PackWomen” lead motivational rallies around renewing children’s spirits and present fully-stocked backpacks filled with essential tools for success.
12. Headbands of Hope
The Gift of Headbands of Hope: every item sold = one headband donated to a child battling cancer.
Fighting cancer is a difficult journey for anyone, but when a child is a patient, emotions run deep. Headbands of Hope was started to restore confidence in these strong, brave, resilient children. To date, more than 300,000 headbands have been donated and the company has big plans moving forward.
13. tentree
The Gift of tentree: Every item purchased = 10 trees planted
Tentree has a monstrous goal of becoming the most environmentally progressive brand on the planet by planting a billion trees by 2030. Striving to be a vehicle for change, Tentree uses sustainable materials and to date, has planted more than 24 million trees.
14. Roma Boots
The Gift of Roma Boots: Every pair purchased = a pair of boots donated to a child in need
Roma Boots highly values fashion and philanthropy and aims to merge the two. To date, more than 2 million rain boots have been donated across 26 countries. Roma also invests in educational initiatives to “give poverty the boot.”
15. Ecōths Clothing
The Gift of Ecōths: One garment purchase = 3+ meals donated
This family owned and operated company dates back to 1965 and continues to value quality and community. Paying it forward, three meals at a time, Ecōths has donated more than 400,000 meals to families in need since 2014. Sustainability and fair-trade partnerships only add to the impact.
We challenge you to shift how you gift this year. By purchasing from any of the companies on our list, or discovering your own, you will feel the difference as you spread cheer and truly impact the world around you.