Put your change to work this gift-giving season.
As a consumer, every purchase you make–from movie tickets to kid’s toys–is a powerful vote for the values of the company and processes required to produce that good. If we want businesses to become more ethically conscious, so do we, the consumers, have an obligation to demand change. Put pressure on the system by supporting companies whose practices benefit our environment and who lead a healthy and happy society.
This holiday season, give with more than just a gift in mind. See the bigger picture of how mindless consumerism contributes to climate change, inequality, and poverty. Most of us really enjoy giving and receiving gifts–it feels good to make others happy and feel that love returned from others. But in that moment, we’re not thinking beyond our small exchange to the larger picture.
Socially-mindful gifts is a more powerful way of giving. You’re not only giving someone a gift for the holidays, but a priceless story and ideology whose value goes way beyond it’s obvious functionality. You’re including them in a growing movement working towards changing the way we do business. These gifts are perfect for those who care about not accumulating more crap for the holidays. And if even if it is more stuff, at least they can be proud that their gift, and your purchase, was able to make someone’s life, or a dire environmental situation, better. They start conversations about changing our decisions in order to change our planet.
Started by two McGill students, Heart City Apparel gets designs from local street artists in cities, prints them on clothing, sells the clothing and gives the proceeds to local charities fighting homelessness.
Far & Wide Collective partners with some of the most talented artisans in post-conflict and emerging countries. Their handmade artworks for home and wear benefit the communities of the artists.
Noonday Collection is a socially responsible business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world. They design and sell an inspired collection of jewelry and accessories made by Artisans across the globe.
This B corporation sells products with stories. “It’s that of an emerging designer just introducing her work to the world; artisans working collaboratively in a low income country; or a seasoned artist crafting each of his pieces by hand.”
For every product sold, United By Blue removes one pound of trash from oceans and waterways through company organized and hosted cleanups.
Founded by Miki Agrawal a former professional soccer player from Montreal, Thinx is disrupting the female-hygiene market. Thinx sells (sexy and comfortable!) underwear that is period-proof, reducing the dependency on environmentally unfriendly period solutions. For every pair bought, Thinx also donates pads and tampons to girls in developing areas without access to these necessities.
Lush has been a player for quite some time in the sustainable market world. They buy ethically from handmade sources, usually women in emerging areas.
Krochet Kids words with extreme cases of poverty in the developing world to provide income to their artisans in Uganda and Peru. Their program shows bona fide results, boasting a 10X increase in income through the program!
Nothing is more important during the holidays than gathering together and giving thanks for all that we have. Remembering that may not be the case for everyone, so let’s resolve to give what we can to change the inequalities in the world. Together, we can make a difference – support a social enterprise this holiday season and choose a gift that keeps on giving!
