Shop with Purpose

“No person was ever honored for what he received. He was honored for what he gave.”    -Calvin Coolidge

It is easy to get distracted at Christmas by all the flashing lights, the black Friday sales (which seem to start well before Friday), even the sappy commercials advertising yet another item they think you must have under your tree this year. But if you take the time to really focus on the meaning of CHRISTmas, then you know it is about giving because we have already been given the greatest gift of all.

So how can you give this year? It is a simple idea…shop with purpose.

Two years ago, my husband and I decided for Christmas to only buy from companies that give back in some way. It was a challenge at first because we had to do some research, but we soon realized that so many companies are giving back with every purchase you make. So if you are going to spend money, why not spend it with people who are doing good things with your money?!? Honestly, it was so much more fun buying gifts knowing we were also helping a cause in some way.

Here are a few companies, some big, some not so big that we found during our search. I hope you too will think about where you are shopping this holiday season and really shop with purpose. A purpose to help others, to give back, to pay it forward.

Toms: With every product purchase, Toms will help a person in need. One for One. Most of us know if you buy a pair of their shoes, a pair of shoes goes to a child in need. But now they are doing the same thing with eyewear (restoring sight for a person in need), bags (providing a safe birth place for a mother and baby in need), coffee (providing safe water to a person in need), the list goes on…

International Princess Project: This is a line of loungewear, called Punjammies, that creates ways of freedom for women escaping sex slavery. Every pair of punjammies is named after a woman who is now steadily employed in a stable, living-wage job with a Sudara sewing center partnership.

One Hope Wines: With every bottle of wine purchased a part of the sales goes to different charitable organizations. Some of the causes are; Save Our Planet (40,215 trees planted), Provide Clean Water (3,372 people provided with clean drinking water), Help Preemie Babies (64,903 babies provided with diapers), Support our Troops (756 veterans sent aid in natural disaster), the list goes on…

Subsidy Shades: A sunglass company that is helping families ease the financial burden of adoption. Not many people realize that the adoption process can be an expensive process, but these adorable, affordable glasses are helping families make their dreams come true, one adoption at a time.

Survival Straps: Selling customizeable, expedition ready products that can help in an emergency. American made, small family company where proceeds go to The Wounded Warrior Project and helping men and women in uniform.

Yoobi: For every purchase of one of their school supplies an item will be donated to a classroom in need, right here in the U.S. A simple, yet impacting company helping one classroom at a time (now being sold at Target).

Krochet Kids: Selling hats, clothes and bags for men, women and children. They work with women who live in poverty stricken regions of the world and give them the skills, education, and resources to change their circumstances. Each piece is hand signed by the woman who made it (some items sold at Whole Foods).

Starfish Project: This company sells fair trade jewelry that employs trafficked women. Every purchase you make brings freedom by employing an abused woman and it also gives her housing, counseling, education and health care.

There are so many more amazing companies out there, these are just a few of the ones I have come across while doing my own research. I highly encourage you to shop with purpose this year. You CAN make a difference with one purchase. Merry Christmas!