Shop Good Gift Guide | Gifts that Give Back: 50 Ethical Businesses & Social Enterprises for your Christmas List

It goes without saying (nope, I’m saying it anyways) that I obviously want you to do ALL of your shopping at dignify!

But, I also know that there are other factors involved, like price point, interests, and the fact that not everybody wants a second blanket for Christmas. Because, of course, I’m assuming you’ve already bought one at some point for every one of your family & friends! ;)

If you love dignify and want to shop “good”, here is a list of our kindred spirits. These are specifically brands & stores that are either providing dignified work to someone in the world, or who prioritize philanthropic or social goals. It is not exhaustive, and there are fabulous new businesses popping up all the time.

Generally, I’ve included stores that have a selection of items under $50 and under $100, though some items (like leather) simply cost more than that. Many of the items here are specific, but if you click & browse around, the shop has a number of great things . The list for guys is the best one, because let’s be honest here, if you are reading this, you are probably a woman, and the most difficult to buy for is probably a man. And if you are a man reading this, just buy her a blanket. Trust me. And if you’ve already done that, then go snoop her Pinterest board or browsing history, because I can guarantee there are some hints she’s left out there for you.

Finally, if you like the list, share it! A high tide rises all boats, and the more we can shift the buying power to socially-minded shops, the better. Feel free to add any more links in the comments below, and...

HAPPY SHOPPING (GOOD)!

For Guys:

• Beanies/Toques & Scarves at Krochet Kids ($20-$38) (A)
• Backpacks at State Bags ($75-$110) (B)
• Men’s Scarves at Beza Threads ($30)
• Sweaters & Cardigans at Slumlove Sweater Co. ($85-$95) (C)
• The 10-Year Hoodie at Flint & Tinder ($99.50)
• Socks for Causes (Hunger, HIV, etc.) at Conscious Step ($20-$75)
• Wristwatch at ChapterTen Watches ($79) (D)
• Dopp Kit or Leather Belt at Sword & Plough ($69) (H)
• Leather Billfold or Passport Wallet at Parker Clay ($48) (E)
• Shave Set or Shave Set with Travel Kit at Harry’s ($25-$50)
• Headphones, Earbuds, & Bluetooth Speakers at LSTN ($29-$199) (G)
• Ultra-Durable Soccer Balls at One World ($40-$45)
• Whisky Tumblers at Rose & Fitzgerald ($75) (F)
• Space Pen at Apolis ($28)
• Beer Soap at Damn Handsome Grooming Co. ($8-$9)
• Mobile Gym Kit at Rubberbanditz ($45-$75)
• LifeStraw for the outdoor enthusiast ($20-$35)
• Annual Subscription to Wilderness Magazine ($60)

For Gals:

When it comes to gifts for women, there are a number of options! If you like scarves, bags, and jewellery, then you are in luck, big time. Who am I to say what are the highlights? We all have different tastes. Browse the brands below to find your favourites:

• TOMS (Shoes, Eyewear, Bags, Apparel, Accessories, Coffee)
• Sseko Designs (Shoes/Sandals, Leather Bags, Accessories)
• FashionABLE (Leather, Accessories, Home)
• Tribe Alive (Bags, Jewellery)
• Krochet Kids (Beanies/Toques, Apparel, Bags, Accessories)
• Raven & Lily (Apparel, Bags, Accessories, Jewellery)
• Enrou (Apparel, Jewellery, Bags, Accessories, Home)

More specifics for gals:

• A Party Box (Table Linens etc.) at FashionABLE ($44-$198)
• Tea Towels or Napkins at Raven & Lily ($24-$34) (I)
• Housewares at Badala ($14-$60) (J)
• Turkish Beach Towels at LeSouque ($34) (L)
• Canvas Storage Pots at Accompany ($30-$48)
• Journals, Hand-Painted Binders, or Coloring Pencils at Dot for Schools ($12-$18)
• Soaps, Lotions, & Soaks at Revive Bath & Body ($3-$30)
• Camera or Guitar Strap at 107 Market Street ($28-$35)
• A Pair of Precious Metal Rings at Forget Me Knots ($35-$45)
• Annual subscription to Darling Magazine ($64) (K)

For women’s fashion/apparel there are a number of sources and resources already out there; plus, I don’t know how much clothing would be purchased as gifts v. just for yourself. In any case, Johanna Tropiano is the ethical fashion maven, so check out her ethical brand resource list here. The Good Trade also has a very solid list of ethical fashion brands. Apart from our own jewellery offering, there are loads of ethical & fair trade businesses out there and here is a great list of sources.

For Everybody & Anybody:

• Mugs from The Created Co. ($18) (M)
• Custom Photo Calendar, Wooden Displays & Frames, Photobooks & More of the Photo-tangible at Artifact Uprising (N)
• For the dog lover: Sari Collars at Keys Apparel ($21-$25)(O)
• T’s at Ugmonk ($26) 
• T’s at So Worth Loving ($25-$40) (P)
• Aprons at Hedley & Bennett ($55+)

Subscription Boxes:

• Gramr Gratitude Co. – Weekly cards to inspire the expression of gratitude
• CauseBox – Ethically made goods that give back and empower others
• Love with Food – Organic & all-natural snacks
• BonJoy – Goods that support employment & restoration for women survivors of exploitation

• Fair & Simple offers a unique gift concept: the gift buyer purchases a gift card (physical or digital) and their gift recipient can redeem it for any single item in their marketplace of ethically made goods. There is a great selection (many are the same as the items above), it is super-simple, and it gives your gift recipient options & flexibility. Great idea!

Coffee:

There are endless fair trade & ethical options, which is very exciting! You can try out some different local roasts, find what you like, etc. But, for subscription services, we've found two great ones:

• In USA: Bella Goose Coffee gives 100% of gross profit of their coffee subscriptions to fight sex trafficking via Wipe Every Tear)
• In Canada: Good Coffee Co. works exclusively in Burundi to empower farmers & enable transformation to the country's economy

Please add any missing great gifts in the comments below, and don't forget to browse around dignify, too.

Shop thoughtfully, shop confidently, shop good!