Gifts

10 thoughtful Christmas gifts that give back to others

Article by Homes to Love

This Christmas spoil your loved ones with these stylish and thoughtful gifts that give back to others in need

Whilst it’s fun to spoil and indulge our loved ones with gifts each Christmas, it’s also a privilege. By purchasing local products and supporting companies that give back, we can make sure the festive spirit reaches those who don’t usually get to celebrate it. Here are 10 gifts that give back and support others in need:

1. Humble Hoodies

Who doesn’t love a comfy sweater? It’s a wardrobe staple no matter the season, and a Christmas gift anyone would want to receive.

Humble Hoodies not only look great but for every hoodie purchased, another is given away to a Kiwi kid in need.

There’s a choice of crews and hoodies for $89 each, take a look at their range here.


2. Misery x Oxfam Art For Good

Purchase this stunning limited edition A2 print by New Zealand artist Misery and you’ll also be giving the gift of clean water. All profits from each print will help deliver safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to twelve schools and eight health-care centres supporting 30,000 people in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.

“I was inspired to paint a dreamy underwater seascape exploring Papua New Guinea’s magnificent coral reefs and sea life,” says Tanja Jade McMillan (Misery). “It’s been an honour to collaborate with Oxfam on this special project.”

Click here to purchase the beautiful print.


3. Nisa

Undies and socks are a Christmas go-to, and these ones come with a fabulous back story. Ethical underwear and sock label Nisa make kick-ass briefs, all lovingly sewn by women from a refugee background.

Their aim is to provide these women with meaningful and interesting paid work. For most of their employees, Nisa is their very first job in New Zealand. It’s a chance to improve their language skills, join a community and gain experience for future employment.

Check out their cute range here.


4. Frank Stationery

Diaries, journals, notebooks and planners, Frank Stationery deliver the cutest stationery out there. But there’s another reason to love their work, with every purchase from Frank Stationery a school book is donated to a child in need.

“Every book that gets donated not only supports children in need but also equips schools to be able to provide the best education possible,” they say.

See their diaries and journals here.


5. Thankyou

Thankyou commits 100 per cent of its profits to help end extreme poverty. Their beautifully designed products, including body wash, hand wash, bar soap, hand cream, hand sanitiser and scrub, not only refresh and nourish your skin but also helps to get water, toilets or hygiene training to people in need.

Each Thankyou product has a unique tracker ID so you can see the exact details of the project your product is assigned to fund. So far, Thankyou has raised $6.2 million and impacted over 857,000 lives.

Click here to shop their incredible range.


6. Downlights 

These beautifully handcrafted soy candles are lovingly created by New Zealanders with Down Syndrome.

Their candles are made from 100 per cent biodegradable wax and contain no GMO’s or zinc and lead in the wicks. The fragrances are bespoke and top quality, their Christmas candles, ‘Noel’ and ‘Silver Pine’ are sure to bring the festive spirit indoors.

See all their sweet-scented products here.


7. Kind Bottles

These stylish drink bottles are kind on the planet twice over. By purchasing one you’re helping to cut down on plastic bottles but also with each Kind Bottle purchased, $1 is contributed to the Sustainable Coastlines charity.

Shop their chic sustainable range here.


8. Douse and Co

Douse and Co’s cute pins are exactly the thing your jackets and shirts have been asking for. And what’s even better, 50 per cent of the profit made from this pin goes to the charitable cancer programme, Look Good Feel Better, which dedicates its time to empowering and bringing joy to those living with cancer. They offer free classes, tools and products that focus on the problems associated with the visible effects of cancer treatment including hair loss, eyebrows, eyelashes and other skin related issues.

Her super cute biscuit pins (Philanthro-pins) donate half of the proceeds to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Click here to shop the pins at socially conscious store Crushes.


9. Bees Up Top

Jess and Luke have been urban beekeepers for six years. Their aim is to help increase New Zealand’s bee population by supplying healthy hives in urban areas. They rescue swarms before exterminators are called in and re-home them.

You can help them by renting out one of their hives (gift this to the honey-loving person in your family). There are a couple of different options available, depending on how much honey you want a year. Jess and Luke will come to your location for a free site inspection, set up your new hive (complete with signature yellow and white striped roof and grass mat) and make monthly inspections.

If you’re not wanting to rent a hive, you can always gift a jar of their delicious honey instead. 80 per cent of their proceeds go back to helping more rescue bees.


10. The Loyal Workshop

The artisans at The Loyal Workshop are women with backgrounds of trauma and oppression from being forced against their will into the sex trade. The Loyal Workshop gives these women employment and purpose. With every purchase of a bag, you’re supporting a woman and her freedom.

You can find their beautifully handmade leather bags here.


Words by: Bea Taylor

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