These gifts pull double duty. Find something for everyone on your "nice" list, and your hard-earned money goes to a good cause like AIDS research, help for endangered animals, support for the homeless, and much more. This year, bring a little joy into the life of someone you don't know, as you shop for someone you do.
Handmade Chicken Ornament
From Global Goods Partners.You can't go wrong giving this adorable chicken ornament, handmade from alpaca-blend yarn by Peruvian artisans. It would look great on a Christmas tree or year-round in a child's bedroom.
Global Goods Partners is an online marketplace of fair-trade products made by women in need around the world.
Price: $15
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Moges Plaid Scarf
From fashionABLE. Keep a loved one warm this season! Each scarf is made from 100% Ethiopian cotton, and the plaid design has subtle variations, making each one unique and one-of-a-kind.
FashionABLE partners with local business to employ women who have overcome challenges, and supply them with fair wages. Each of their products is named after one of these women.
Price: $48
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Charity Charm Bracelet
From Altruette. Jewelry company Altruette's motto is "Change the world with a charm!" Each charm purchase means a donation to a charitable cause. For example, an elephant charm means a donation to The African Wildlife Foundation, and an ice skate charm symbolizes support for the Special Olympics. Girls' colorful charms cost $15 (with $1 donated to the cause) and women's silver and gold charms cost about $50 and up (with 50 percent of the net profit benefiting the cause). All Altruette jewelry is made in the USA. Philanthropy is so fashionable!
Prices vary
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TOMS Shoes
From TOMS. It's simple. With each pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS will give a new pair to a child in need. Not only can you get everyone on your list a pair of comfy slip-ons, but you can feel good about helping children who are less fortunate around the world.
Price: $19-$45
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Sweet Home Gift Basket
From Dancing Deer's Sweet Home Project. How sweet of you! Anyone on your list would be delighted to receive Dancing Deer's special Sweet Home selection of cookies and brownies. The Dancing Deer's Sweet Home Project donates 35 percent of the retail price to help the homeless and at-risk mothers further their education.
Price: $36.99
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Underdog Pet Tag
From Hooray for the Underdog. The pet lover on your list will surely appreciate this gift. Hooray for the Underdog gives 10 percent of its proceeds to animal welfare groups and shelters. They also offer fine stationery and photography prints featuring shelter dogs.
Price: $25.00
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Global Giving Gift Card
From Global Giving. Looking for a gift for the person who has everything? Global Giving's gift cards start at just $10, and the recipient can choose from hundreds of charitable causes to support using their gift card. The causes range from saving endangered animals in the Congo rainforest to underwriting a high quality SAT preparation course for low-income high school students in the U.S.
Price: $10 and up
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Check out more great gift ideas.
Cranberry Shower Gel
From Philosophy. Philosophy's famous three-in-one (shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath) formula now comes in a cranberry-currant scent called "to believe." When you buy this gift for the loved one on your list, all proceeds support Why Hunger, an organization seeking to end hunger and poverty using grassroots, self-sustaining solutions.
Price: $20
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