Giving Back Gift Guide 2011

First, gifts for others.  Then, gifts for me.  Then that made me feel guilty.  So now gifts for others that help others.  Yay for people!  And giving!  And gifts that give!  And consciences!

The Rose Bracelet, $95.  100% of proceeds benefit the programs of Invisible Children, which develops programs to help the people of Uganda.

Kate Spade Hand in Hand Cashmere Scarf, $195.  These scarves are made by women in Afghanistan, creating jobs for Afghan women.  Each scarf is hand knit and has a tag bearing the signature of the woman who made it.  The site also features scarves made by women in Bosnia.

FEED Peace Bag, $45.  The purchase of each FEED Peace bag provides 25 meals in areas of war and conflict.  You can also choose FEED Love, which provides 25 meals in areas with high rates of HIV/AIDS patients, or FEED Green, which provides 25 meals in areas devastated by the effects of natural disasters.

Philosophy Sweet Dreams Fresh Cream Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath, $20.  100% of proceeds benefit First Book, which helps provide new books to children in need.

Sweet Home Gingerbread Folk Cookie Tin, $26.99.  35% of the price goes to help homeless mothers and their children fund educations, find jobs, and move into homes of their own.  You get 50 cookies.  Win/win. 

For $25, Project Night Night provides Night Night packages containing a new security blanket, a book, and a stuffed animal in a new canvas tote bag to homeless children.  This makes me want to give someone a hug.

Manure, $12, through Oxfam America Unwrapped.  Buy this in someone's name and organic manure goes to people who need it around the world to help increase crop yields in an environmentally friendly manner.  Give someone who deserves it shit.  But with class.  Like a lady.  (This idea came from a retweet by The Bloggess.  It is brilliant.)

If you have a favorite charity gift or ideas for giving back, please let the rest of us know!

(P.S.- If you're ever not sure about a new charity or want to check up on an old favorite, check them out on Charity Navigator before giving your money/time.  Charity Navigator is itself a non-profit which evaluates the financial health of over 5,000 charities to make sure your money and efforts are really going where you think they're going.)