Shop with Purpose: 15 Small Gifts that Make a Big Impact

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As the Holiday season approaches, I'm going to take a wild guess and say you've already been inundated with charity and donation requests. And that's not a bad thing. There are a lot of great organizations that need help more than ever this time of year!

But you can't do it all. No matter how badly a charity needs assistance, or how much you're willing to sacrifice—you still have to decide where your money is best spent. 

That's exactly why I LOVE gifts that give back.

You have the opportunity to purchase a purpose-filled gift that creates fair-wage jobs all over the world, and in return, you receive a hand-crafted, well-made item that's appropriately priced. Honestly, I'm amazed at what you can get for less than $25!

This list includes my favorite picks so you can make double the impact, with only half the effort. Are you ready to make a difference? Let's do this.

1. Saddleback Leather Journal

Jesus Economy is a fair trade organization that provides a sustainable job economy for local artisans. Not only does this help communities fight poverty, JE also uses profits to plant churches too! This particular gift is a hand sewn journal made with goat leather, and the attention to detail will inspire you to fill up every page. {$15.00 on Jesus Economy}

2. Bombas Socks

Socks are the number one most requested clothing item in homeless shelters, and this surprising statistic was the cornerstone of Bombas' business model. For every one pair of socks bought, Bombas will donate a pair to those in need, and with so many styles and sizes to choose from, your friends and family will actually want socks for Christmas! {$12.00 on Bombas}

3. Travel Bag

Admission time: I LOVE travel bags. I use them for makeup, toiletries, pencils, snacks, you name it! It doesn't hurt that they come in some of the most amazing designs, just like this Cherry Blossom Travel Bag by Della. Della is a woman-owned and woman-run company that provides jobs, education, and skills training to their employees in West Africa, who handcraft these gorgeous, socially responsible fashions.  {$24.00 on Della}

4. Burlap Sling Bag

This cute sling bag from Jesus Economy is made from recycled burlap by an artisan in Haiti, and is completely hand sewn. So, not only is it good for the job economy in Haiti, but the recycled fabric is good for the environment too! {$25.00 on Jesus Economy}

5. Fruit Herbal Tea Blend

Trying to buy for that non-coffee drinker in the family? Unique and fragrant teas are always a good choice. Frontier Co-op is an organization that believes in quality-grown organic products. With every cup of tea you are being good to yourself and the earth. Plus, Frontier Co-op gives 4% of their annual net income to a number of charities. {$20.50 on Frontier Co-op}

6. Liquid Hand Soap

Many illnesses around the world can be prevented with a simple solution that many of us take for granted every day—hand soap. Every time you buy a Soapbox item, a bar of soap is donated to areas around the world that lack essential hygiene products. So, not only are you helping others avoid preventable illness, you are also getting a household basic in deliciously smelling scents.  {$3.99 on Soapbox}

7. Hand-Dyed Napkins

Another beautiful example of Haitian artistry from Jesus Economy, are handmade napkins colored with a process called batik. Hot wax is applied to the cloth and then dyed different colors. However, these unique table pieces are not only beautiful, they also help Haitian artisans retain their jobs and fight poverty. {$25.00 on Jesus Economy}

8. Fair Trade Coffee

Fair trade coffee is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to implement conscious spending because almost every household is buying it anyway! Equal Exchange has a particularly high standard resulting in delicious and ethically grown coffee beans that give every morning a great start. This particular bag sends $2 from every sale to the Panzi Hospital, which helps thousands of sexual violence survivors get the medical treatment they need. {$12.00 on Equal Exchange}

9. Handcrafted Necklace

Ten Thousand Villages is probably the most well established fair trade organization there is, and one of the many benefits about buying from them is their far-reaching impact on communities all over the world. This particular necklace was handcrafted in India from natural bone, an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. {$18.99 on Ten Thousand Villages}

10. Peanut Butter

It might seem a little silly to give such a mundane gift like peanut butter, but this is one gift that almost everybody can use. Plus, who doesn't love peanut butter? I, for one, am a total addict! 🙂 For every jar of Good Spread peanut butter you buy, a malnourished child will get the treatment and the nutrition they so desperately need. {$18.00 on Good Spread}

11. Gourmet Dessert Gum

If you buy this dessert pack of gourmet gum from Project 7, you'll have more than enough stocking stuffers to go around. While enjoying these deliciously unique flavors like birthday cake and red velvet cupcake, you can envision all the good your chewing is doing. Project 7 gives back to 7 main areas of need, including education, clean water, feeding the hungry, and much more. {$19.95 for a 12-pack on Project 7}

12. Hand-stitched Greeting Cards

Hiptipico is an ethical fashion brand located in sunny Guatemala. Hiptipco's goal is to bring gorgeous Mayan designs to the global fashion marketplace as well as support the indigenous cultures of Guatemala, all with these stunning hand-stitched greeting card designs. I think their place in the global fashion world is well deserved! {$17.50 on Hiptipico}

13. Handmade Bowtie

Krochet Kids works with highly vulnerable women around the world in poverty stricken regions. They empower them with jobs, education, and mentorships because they believe that empowered women are the cornerstone to positive change within communities. Each crocheted fashion piece is handmade and personally signed by the woman who made it, giving your purchase a personal touch. {$22.00 on Krochet Kids}

14. Soy Candle

Fair Trade Winds is a family owned company that believes no one should be exploited for the things we buy. One thing I love about Fair Trade Winds is that they believe fair trade should also be practical, and their products reflect a wide array of items from kitchen supplies to birthday cards. These candles are completely non-toxic, and feature scents like Yuzu Coconut and Lemon Tea. {$6.00 on Fair Trade Winds}

15. All Natural Dog Treats

Don't forget the furry member of your family when you're shopping for presents. These all-natural dog treats are healthy for your dog AND healthy for the world through Whimzee's socially responsible production process. Healthy, happy doggies guaranteed! {$10.39 on Amazon}

All these fair trade organizations offer the unique ability to gift and give at the same time, which is one of the things I absolutely love about sustainable, purposeful, shopping. As you look over your gift list this year, I encourage you to not just *think* about shopping fair trade this Holiday season, but to actually do it.

These lovely gifts will give you a great head start!

What fair trade organizations do you love to support?

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.