Consuming for Good – 2013 Holiday Gift Guide

Consumers (that means you) are the most
powerful people on the planet.

You may not feel so mighty when you are doling out the dollars for that new iPad or that designer denim, but let’s face it, when you open up your wallet or swipe that plastic, you are contributing support and investing in something. YOU decide what businesses thrive and what brands make it big. From the coffee you drink to the shoes you choose, every decision you make counts.

As we navigate through the most commercialized time of year, let’s make the decision to give for good and spend our hard-earned dollars on those that deserve it most. Here are my top ten picks for good giving in 2013:

1.  For the Beauty Queen
   Acure
   Consider this food for your skin. All natural, plant-based organic skin care made from the purest ingredients around. I started using the facial cleansers about a month ago, and can’t say enough good things. Not only does ACURE make great products for bettering your skin, they are also committed to bettering the planet, and 5 percent of all proceeds go to Bright Pink., a national non-profit organization that provides education and support to young women who are high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Take that, and stuff it in your stocking.
2. For the Craft Afficionado
   Etsy – Handmade Shops
   There is something to be said about giving someone a homemade gift for the holidays. But if the crafty ideas on your Pinterest feed cause you to break out in hives, maybe you should leave it to the more handy-dandy folks to help you out. Etsy is full of talented people who make everything from reclaimed wood furniture to beautiful handcrafted jewelry and clothing. My personal favorite this year are these handmade mugs from Owl & Brew:
3. For Our Furry Friends
   Polka Dog Bakery
   I am such a dog lover, that if I had one I would probably make him his own steak dinner every night. A more sensical approach may be to rely on the canine-culinary talents of Polka Dog Bakery. I bought these fun holiday treats for all of my four-legged friends last year, and had so much fun playing with the vintage packaging. (You twist the top to create different doggie portraits.) Also the treats are made with really good ingredients – no fillers for Fido!
4. For Field Trip Families 
   Zoo Memberships
   In the words of the late great Whitney, I believe the children are our future. So buying them gifts that help them learn about the world that they live in (like a membership to the local zoo) will only make the world a better place.  Also, supporting your local wildlife conservation will ensure a future home for your favorite baby gibbons and mother marsupials. Family memberships are a great gift for multi-kid families.

   Source: Getty Images

5. For the Planner
   The TUTU Project Calendar 
   They say that laughter is the best medicine. And seeing a man in a pink tutu will make you LOL for sure. That’s the idea that photographer Bob Carey had when his wife Linda was diagnosed with cancer. He wanted to make her laugh. The result: a pink tulle-filled collection of self-portraits in the most unexpected places. This calendar is a reminder to us all to laugh at life in 2014. Proceeds go to the Carey Foundation.

   Source: NPR

6. For the Nostalgic
   Project REPAT 
   Having a hard time parting with that track & field tee circa 1991? We all have that drawer full of memorable, not necessarily wearable t-shirts taking up real estate in our dresser. Project REPAT will make something out of them. Not just something – a handmade quilt, cut and sewn in the USA – making it possible to treasure your cotton collection forever. The T-Shirt Quilt Blanket Box makes a great gift for any t-shirt hoarder.
7. For the Foodie
   Mortgage Lifter Tomato Sauce
   My love affair with the Beekman Boys started back in 2010 when I got hooked on their charming show on Planet Green. I fell even further after reading Josh Kilmer Purcell’s Book The Bucolic Plague, and The Heirloom Dessert Cookbook (also great gifts!). But the most noteworthy piece of  merchandise from these fab farmers has to be the Mortgage Lifter Tomato Sauce. After winning the Amazing Race in 2012, they decided to pay it forward and help local farmers pay off their mortgages too. Here’s the story and here’s where to buy it.
8. For the Meat Lover
   Fleisher’s Butcher Shop T-shirts 
   If you’re looking to hoard more t-shirts, then at least wear a funny one that supports a mom and pop shop. Fleisher’s Butcher Shop has been a Brooklyn hot spot for almost a decade, serving up the best grass-fed beef, free-range poultry and homemade bacon that New York has to offer. And their apparel is even fresher than their meats.  A perfect gift for any meat-lover, the “Live and Loin” Tee is my personal favorite.
9. For the Wine Enthusiast
   House of Mandela 
   The legacy of Nelson Mandela lives on through sustainable values and fruitful libations. House of Mandela Wines is the bottled conception of his daughter and granddaughter, rooted in the idea of making delicious South African wine the right way. All of their wines are ethically and environmentally responsible, and a portion of the profits go to the House of Mandela Family Foundation. You can buy it here.
10. For the Little Ones
    Goldie Blox
    Princesses, Barbies, and babies oh my! Little Susie may be fun to buy for, but ever feel like we are guiding our girls down the pink path of girly goodness?  Engineer Debbie Sterling feels the same way. That’s why she created Goldie Blox – a fun, smart series of toys and books that introduces girls to engineering and science concepts.

So there you have it. Hopefully you can find something for everyone on your nice list this holiday season. But as you’re buying, remember to be nice to the little man trying to make it big, and the brands that are trying to make a difference. You are the consumer. You make the decisions. You have the power to buy for good.

Happy shopping!