14 great gifts that give back

Niminimi Silk Scarf

"Ouvre Moi Ta Porte" which translates to "Open Your Doors to Me" was designed by Niminimi in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees—a program created to help protect and support refugees. For every scarf purchased, the Montreal-based designer will donate $100 CAD to the UNHCR's efforts.

Ouvre Moi Ta Porte, $300.

Gifts of Light: Pet Therapy

CAMH's Gifts of Lights initiative is aimed at helping patients in their care suffering from mental illness and addiction. This year, help those in crisis on their journey to recovery by supporting weekly visits from pet therapy volunteers and their canine companions. 

CAMH's Gifts of Lights Pet Therapy, $35.

IKEA's Let's Play For Change

Designed by kids for kids, this cute, quirky owl is part of IKEA's 2017 SAGOSKATT collection. This year, 100% of the proceeds will be donated globally to support children's rights to play. 

IKEA's 2017 SAGOSKATT collection, $3.99 to $7.99.

TOMS Sunglasses

To date, the TOMS Eyewear program has helped restore sight to over 500,000 people. With every purchase, you can help someone in need with a full eye exam by trained medical professionals who then determine the treatment he or she needs. 

Lottie Blush Sunglasses, $190.

WWF Symbolic Adoptions

This holiday season, you can help reverse the decline of iconic wildlife in Canada with World Wildlife Fund Canada's symbolic adoptions. It's a great way to wow animal-lovers and teach the little ones in your life about generosity and the importance of helping the planet.

WWF Symbolic Adoption Kit, $40 to $50.

The Shoebox Project

Use up those leftover shoeboxes and turn it into a beautiful gift. This great initiative from The Shoebox Project goes towards supporting women who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. Decorate your box and load it up with essentials like shampoo, conditioner and a supportive message. For a full list, step-by-step and drop-off locations in your city, visit www.shoeproject.com/make-a-shoebox.

The Shoebox Project, approx. $50 value.

New Charity Pot

This lotion does so much good and not just for your skin! With every purchase, Lush donates and divides 100% of the proceeds between grassroots organizations of environmental conservation, animal welfare and human rights. Now that's something we can get behind. 

New Charity Pot, $8 to $28.

Holiday Animal Socks

Three cute holiday socks, three ways to give back. This year, Bootlegger has teamed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada to launch a limited edition collection of holiday socks. For every pair purchased, $1 will be donated to the charity to support mentoring services across Canada.

Holiday Slipper Socks, $10 per pair.

 

Blue Ruby Aqua Crystal Bracelet

Gift this beautiful bracelet to someone you love while also supporting a great cause. Blue Ruby Jewellery will donate 100% of the proceeds to Cause We Care, a charity group that supports single mother families from the poorest neighbourhoods of Vancouver. The proceeds will help support resources such as after-school care, single mother workshops and emergency funding for single mothers in need.

Bracelets range from $20 to $75. 

Bidi Bidi Scarf

Beautiful and with a powerful message, this scarf was the result of a collaboration between Obakki founder, Treana Peake and the Sudanese women who fled to Uganda to escape the brutality of civil war, violence and famine. The whimsical drawings of these women are a representation of who they are, the trauma they've been through and their belief in what is possible. With 100% of net proceeds going towards helping these resilient women rebuild their lives, it's a great gift for a fantastic cause.

Bidi Bidi Scarf, $39.

Me to We Earrings

A great gift for a loved one (or for yourself), this pair of stylish earrings are made with hand-cast recycled brass by a skilled artisan in Kenya who is empowered to earn a fair wage for their trade. Every purchase goes towards access to education for impoverished communities globally, and you can easily track the impact of your purchase at trackyourimpact.com.

Toggle & Bar Earring, $34.

Music Loves Everybody Socks

Music is for everybody which is why SOCAN designed these cozy knit socks and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Unison Benevolent Fund. This non-profit charity provides emergency relief services to the Canadian music community in times of personal and professional crisis.

SOCAN Music Loves Everybody Socks, $17.
 

HBC Bear

Meet Hudson, the 13th limited-edition charity bear from Hudson's Bday. This year, all proceeds will go towards supporting CAMH and the Children's Aid Foundation of Canada, through HBC's HEADFIRST Program, which launched this year to support mental health initiatives across North America. This cute bear initiative has raised more than $1.6 million to help improve the lives of Canadians since it's 2005 launch.

Hudson The Charity Bear, $21.99.

Aldo Mx. Sneakers

Aldo has teamed up with Global Citizen to support education for all with the launch of their unisex Mx. Sneakers. The sneakers are available in grey mix, deep red and black on black, and 100% of the proceeds will go towards supporting Global Citizen's initiative to help 264 million children gain access to education globally.

Aldo Mx. Sneakers, $90.