Gift Giving With A Mission: The Best Kind Of Gift Guide

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When I was a little girl, I absolutely loved creating handmade Christmas presents. I loved this process so much that I would turn on Christmas music in July and most of the time, had the gifts completed and wrapped all by October. While I still have a huge love for gift giving at Christmas, I now frequently find myself looking for just the right gift all throughout November and sometimes, even up until Christmas Eve. I don’t make many of my own handmade treasures these days, but this love for handmade items as a child now encourages me to celebrate the creativity and talents of other artisans. In the age of consumerism and “ultimate holiday gift guides”, it is helpful to see that our purchases have profound weight in the lives of those they support. They can be used to support missions and charities that aim to give back, help the downtrodden and create an atmosphere of human flourishing whether here or abroad. As Halloween has passed and the holiday season is upon us, I hope that these next shops will encourage you to pursue gift giving with a mission and to purposefully support groups that seek to make a difference in the world. 

Amazima

Founded by Katie Davis Majors, Amazima (meaning “truth”) is an organization based in Uganda that seeks to provide “dignity, meals, education and medical care” for families throughout their Jinja community. Not only have they created Christ-centered primary and secondary schools, but they also provide relational vocational training for farming and handmade goods to help families support themselves. Whether showcasing handmade jewelry (ranging from items made with paper beads and natural seeds to ethically sourced cow horn!), local Ugandan coffee, books or apparel goods, the Amazima store has a variety of options that provide hope and encouragement through each purchase.  

These gifts are perfect for: the jewelry lover, coffee drinker, biography reader and sweatshirt fanatic 

Fawn & Foster

Joyn

Begun in 2011 with the mission to slow down the production process through ethical handmade measures that celebrate the work of their artisans, Joyn has been making gorgeous block print and leather goods for the past 11 years. Based in India, founders Mel and Dave sought out to give new livelihoods to men and women coming from challenging backgrounds frequently marked by abuse and trafficking. Now, Joyn provides English training, onsite daycare, employee education and lunch provision options for over 200 employees who have gained confidence and a new life through their craft. Using age-old art forms of spinning, weaving and block printing, Joyn offers handcrafted bags, wallets, accessories, and backpacks made from beautiful leather and block print patterns. 

These gifts are perfect for: the purse enthusiast, bag connoisseur and leather buff 

Land Of A Thousand Hills Coffee 

With the tagline “Drink Coffee, Do Good”, Land Of A Thousand Hills Coffee company has sought to change the world one bean at a time. After the Rwandan Civil War tore apart the country, relationships and coffee industry, founder Jonathan Golden sought to bring restoration and empowerment  through coffee fields. Today, LOTH has worked with and brought together more than 10,000 farmers, many of whom hadn’t spoken to one another in years, to create not only amazing coffee products, but also purposeful work and a flourishing community. Land of A Thousand Hills Coffee produces a plethora of coffee products including flavored coffee (both ground and whole bean), coffee subscriptions, stickers, apparel goods, handcrafted baskets/ mugs, coffee brewing sets, etc. 

These gifts are perfect for: the coffee addict, pour over devotee, French press aficionado, sticker collector and T-shirt lover 

Manna Pottery

Inspired by the Kurdistan influenced Iranian cultures in which he grew up, artist Rezgar Mamandi creates hand-painted tiles and ceramics (plates, platters, bowls, ornaments etc) that showcase immense attention to detail and gorgeous patterns. In addition to his ceramic works, Mamandi sells the handmade goods of women from his hometown in an effort to support their craft. With products ranging from Balochi needlework jewelry to handwoven Kurdish rugs, bags and pillows, Manna Pottery offers a wide variety of goods that celebrate the beautiful talents that have been passed down through the generations. 

These gifts are perfect for: the jewelry fan, travel collector, home goods admirer, and hospitable host 

Revive Jewelry

Statistics show that approximately: 10% of those 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s (1), 40% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetimes (2), 10% of couples experience fertility issues (3)… The statistics could go on and on, but thankfully shops like Revive Jewelry are looking to fund research that will change these numbers. After personally seeing lives around her touched with illness, Nikki sought to make a difference by creating jewelry for a cause. Each piece, whether a ring, necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings,  incorporates the cellular structures of a particular illness and funds research against that disease in its profits. Whether you are looking for a way to support a friend or family member, or just want a unique piece of jewelry that is a power for good, Revive Jewelry has an offering for you. Collections include causes like Alzheimer’s, Breast Cancer, Covid-19, HIV/AIDS, Infertility, Liver Cancer, Lupus, Melanoma… and many more. Similarly, she will make custom jewelry as well if the collection you are searching for does not already exist. 

These gifts are perfect for: the supportive friend / family member, health care worker, cancer warrior, and jewelry connoisseur 

Sackcloth & Ashes

Inspired to help the homeless community, Bob Dalton asked homeless shelters in his area what they needed. Each response was the same: blankets. From these responses, Sackcloth & Ashes, a blanket company, was born. For each S&A blanket purchased, a fleece, cotton or wool blend blanket is donated to homeless shelters around the country. Sackcloth & Ashes blankets are sustainability made from donated clothing and factory fabric scraps which are shredded into fibers and spun into yarn with other similar colors before being woven together, making the entire process sustainable from a waste perspective in addition to being both water and dye free. Their blankets come in a variety of collections including Star Wars, Plaid, NatGeo, Heritage, Mountains etc. 

These gifts are perfect for: the avid traveler, Star Wars fanatic, and blanket lover 

The Little Market

With perhaps the widest array of products available to shop for, The Little Market has a little bit of everything. From organization/décor and baby gifts to kitchen goods and bath accessories, The Little Market is a nonprofit fair trade shop that sells artisan made, ethically sourced goods from around the world. While not focused on one particular category, The Little Market seeks to source from enterprises serving refugees, young mothers, human trafficking survivors and those in poverty. With the power of a purchase, The Little Market is looking to provide “meaningful income opportunities for artisans and their families”. Whether you are looking for linens, baskets, serving pieces, totes, candles or so much more, The Little Market has a beautiful selection to offer. 

These gifts are perfect for: the home décor addict, person who has it all, self care enthusiast, and hospitality enjoyer 

The Spotlight Project

Created to provide employment to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, The Spotlight Project celebrates the lives and talents of each of their makers. Within a variety of collections, each beaded bracelet is lovingly handmade and provides a voice for those with unique abilities. Designed to help encourage employment for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and shine a light on their creative contributions, The Spotlight Project provides purpose with a purchase. Whether bringing awareness for autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and epilepsy or a creation of the maker’s own imagination, each bracelet beautifully tells a story. 

These gifts are perfect for: the bracelet buff, special education teacher, and caregiving champion 

Thistle Farms

Designed with the mission to heal, house and employ, Thistle Farms creates meaningful safe housing, therapy and employment options for women survivors of trafficking, prostitution and addiction. Whether creating candles, body and spa products, essential oils, home décor, jewelry or gift sets, women at Thistle Farms can make products that feed a second chance at life. Named after the resilient Thistle flower, Thistle Farms seeks to demonstrate that love can heal and change a life, one little light at a time. With a plethora of product offerings for men, women and children, Thistle Farms is a one stop shop for the whole family.   

These gifts are perfect for: the essential oil enthusiast, miraculous mother, candle lover and gift set giver 

Upcycled For Hope

Lastly, but certainly not least, we have Upcycled For Hope. As textiles are the fastest growing component of US landfills, De Leo Textiles through Upcycled For Hope is looking to reduce waste and support others by creating luxury upcycled bags from upholstery fabric scraps. With each bag purchase, profits are given to the Epilepsy Foundation and Take It Away for Cystic Fibrosis. If you are a bag person, you must check out the variety of tote, tray, pouch, clutch and wristlet options that Upcycled For Hope has to offer. 

These gifts are perfect for: the tote admirer, clutch fan and wristlet wearer 

Final Thoughts

While some of these shops are new to me and others I have bought from in the past, I am thrilled to explore their products again and have so enjoyed learning more about their missions. With Christmas around the corner, I have many gift ideas swirling around in my mind and am encouraged to support groups that are making a difference. I enjoy department store finds and absolutely love TJ Maxx and Home Goods for a good deal, but knowing that my purchases have power to bring life to others is a far more encouraging thought. I hope that these shops might have inspired you as well and that you will find great gift treasures for your loved ones this year. If you normally shop with a mission, do you have other favorite shops to support? If so, I would love to know in the comment section below!

Happy gifting!

Chloe