Gifts That Do Good Guide

Gifts That Do Good Guide 2020

It’s the most wonderful time of year! And with it comes the season of giving. If you are looking for the perfect gift for the perfect someone, we suggest shopping some of our hand-curated and giftable picks so you can give well and do good.

You’re sure to find something for everyone — from your parents to your partner to your friends, including gifts for the foodie, the fashionista, the reader, the work-from-homer (so, everyone, right?), the kiddo, and more.

And remember this giving season: By shopping from small businesses and do-good companies, you have the opportunity to make a difference.

Welcome to Good Good Good’s 2020 Gifts That Do Good Guide.

We’ve curated Good Good Good’s best recommendations for the following themes:

Warm & Cozy Gifts
Food & Drink Gifts
BIPOC Owned Gifts
Jewelry & Fashion Gifts
Home Goods Gifts
Books Gifts
Stocking Stuffers
Kids Gifts
And More…

All of the products and brands featured in this gift guide are independently selected by the Good Good Good team. Some of the links in this gift guide are affiliate links — which means that when you click them, we may earn a commission — which supports our ability to continue sharing good news. Thank you!

P.S. We linked to Amazon for some of these for convenience and accessibility — but please consider Amazon alternatives as you do your shopping.

Warm & Cozy Gifts:

These loungers from Allbirds come in a variety of colors and have a flexible sole, so you can technically wear them inside OR outside — no one will notice you’re wearing slippers out and about! | $95
Shop Allbirds

This rechargeable lighter from The USB Lighter Company gives you up to 300 uses on a single charge from your USB port, and it’s completely butane-free. It’s slim, elegant, and fits almost anywhere. You'll never need to throw away an empty lighter again. | $32
Shop The USB Lighter Company on Food52

Depending on your needs, you may also want to check out our list of the best electric lighters.

Thistle Farms is a nonprofit social enterprise that helps women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction by providing a safe place to live, a meaningful job, and lifelong support. Their Three Trees candle smells of spruce, cedar, and fir balsam with a hint of lavender. | $32
Shop Thistle Farms

Check out our other recommendations for top eco-friendly candles

Anyone else living in their pajamas 24/7? If we’re speaking to you, then this lyocell waffle bathrobe is just what you need. It’s made sustainably from organic bamboo and is luxuriously soft. You’ll want to cancel your plans and stay in! | $80
Shop Ettitude

Food & Drink Gifts:

Give the gift of learning a new skill by ordering a food subscription box for your loved ones. Purple Carrot is a plant-based meal company — choose from meal kits to cook at home, or buy pre-made meals for on-the-go! | $9.99 per serving
Shop Purple Carrot
Use the code GGG30 for $30 off your first box

The Tria serving board from Newly comes in a unique triangle shape and is made from 100 percent repurposed hardwood. It’s perfect for cheese, crackers, and charcuterie. You can even use it as a trivet, which would pair well with the next gift on our list. | $38
Shop Newly

We love the Our Place Always Pan because it’s ethically and sustainably made and is a stylish addition to any kitchen. It’s available in six colors and comes with a steamer basket, colander, and spatula, too. | $145
Shop Our Place
Currently only $95 — while supplies last

For the coffee lover in your life, Atlas Coffee Club offers a Coffee of the Month Club. You can purchase a subscription just once, and your recipient will get a new kind of coffee from around the world on their doorstep every month. | $14
Shop Atlas Coffee Club
Use the code GOOD10 for $10 off

Don't Forget: Buy Gift Cards to Local Restaurants & Businesses

It's always important to support small businesses — but this year they need our support more than ever. They're going to be depending on high year-end spending to help them survive until COVID and the recession are over. If they don't get the funds they need, many businesses will likely be forced to close.

Consider giving gift cards to local restaurants and small business in your (or your recipient's) community. Many businesses now offer physical or digital gift cards on their websites.

Think of this as an opportunity to vote with your dollar. Vote for the businesses you want to stay in business in 2021 — and treat your loved ones to delicious food or local treasures while you do it.

BIPOC Owned Businesses to Shop:

Many people are choosing to shop this year from companies owned by BIPOC — Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Why? Well, it’s a way to make our world more equitable. By shopping from these businesses, we have the chance to redistribute wealth and move it into the hands of people who historically haven’t had a fair share of the pot.

Think of your support as a way to “spend” your privilege. Your dollar is your vote — and we believe in voting for a world full of more justice and equality. Plus, all of these products are great.

OUI the People is a beauty company you’ll be proud to have on your shelf. We love their calming bath soak — and the fact that they use reusable, refillable, and recyclable packaging. | $28
Shop OUI the People

The greeting cards from paper goods company CheerNotes are beautifully designed and of the highest quality. The founder created the company after feeling left out of the greeting card aisle. Now, the company is here to celebrate diversity in representation. Our favorite is this Blessed Angels card. | $6.50
Shop CheerNotes

Diverse and nontoxic with shades for every body: Range Beauty supports, uplifts, and includes all people of all genders to be confident in their skin. We love their foundation, available in 21 shades. Plus, it’s cruelty-free and vegan. | $21
Shop Range Beauty

Rayo & Honey makes “goods with positive intent.” This “Joy Is An Act of Resistance” tote is both functional and an hopeful message to share with all you see. FYI: It’s listed on Oprah’s Favorite Things list this year! | $65
Shop Rayo & Honey

You might have seen these spices on Instagram — and for good reason! Diaspora Co. exists to build a more equitable spice trade that champions Indian farmers leading the way on sustainable agriculture. Their Trio Spice Pack is perfect as a gift and allows you to build your own creative combo of their iconic spices. | $54
Shop Diaspora Co.

Each stunning piece by Middle Kingdom is thoughtfully handmade by artisans in China. This 5-inch-tall vase is made of Chinese clay porcelain and comes in five pastel colors. (It comes in other shapes, too!) | $21
Shop Middle Kingdom

Jewelry & Fashion Gifts:

Dear Survivor creates stunning jewelry from upcycled materials. Better yet, a portion of every sale goes to supporting survivors of human trafficking. We love these bold leopard print earrings. | $48
Shop Dear Survivor

Hands-free and chic? You have our attention. This stylish leather purse from ABLE works as both a belt bag and a crossbody bag — all you have to do is convert the strap. We love ABLE for their radical wage transparency, combatting sweatshops, and sustainability initiatives. | $128
Shop ABLE

Work from home uniform or workout attire? No one has to know. Girlfriend Collective’s high-rise leggings are made from recycled water bottles, they’re recyclable, and — this is huge — they have POCKETS! | $68
Shop Girlfriend Collective

You can’t go wrong with sunglasses that give back. The tortoise Kaia sunglasses from DIFF Eyewear are scratch-resistant, go with everything, and better yet, for every pair sold, DIFF helps to provide the gift of sight to someone in need through eye exams, surgeries, glasses, and medicine. | $89
Shop DIFF Eyewear

From Our Partner: Nisolo

Nisolo is the maker of intentionally designed, ethically made, and fairly priced shoes and accessories. They're a B Corporation and Climate Neutral Certified brand committed to living wages, supporting garment workers, and reversing climate change.

This year, Nisolo recommends the Dari Boot in black, the Amalia All Weather Boot in brandy, and the Lori Tote in rosewood and bone.

Shop this weekend to take advantage of their holiday discounts

Home Goods to Gift:

Perfect for the hostess or homebody, these geometric granite candle holders are guaranteed to please even the pickiest recipient. They’re from Parachute, a company that sends life-saving malaria-prevention bed nets to those in need through a partnership with the United Nation’s Nothing But Nets campaign. | $68
Shop Parachute
Currently on-sale!

This hand-woven basket from Ten Thousand Villages is the perfect way to hide clutter without compromising on style. It’s made with Fair Trade practices by artisans in Bangladesh. | $60
Shop Ten Thousand Villages

How can a pillow be both neutral AND fun? This handwoven patterned throw pillow from Novica was made in Peru on a traditional artisan loom. Novica supports local artisans all around the world. | $68
Shop Novica

No, thank you, water rings. These beaded coasters by Kazi are made with glass beads and natural fibers by artisans in Rwanda. They’re equal parts beautiful and functional. | $98
Shop Kazi

From Our Partner: Made Trade

Ethical and sustainable online store, Made Trade, is offering you the choice to give or get this year for their Black Friday Fund! Now through November 30th, you can either get 10% off your order, or donate 10% of your entire purchase to provide meals to food-insecure children, families and individuals in Portland, OR through their non-profit partner, Urban Gleaners. Each purchase on Made Trade directly supports multiple small businesses, independent makers and artisans in the U.S. and around the world.

Start shopping with Made Trade

Books to Gift:

“The Future Earth” by Eric Holthaus — Finally, a book that's hopeful about climate change. Climate change activist and weather journalist Eric Holthaus presents a compelling vision for reversing the short- and long-term effects of climate change and tells us just how it’s possible through radical solutions. This is the book for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the current state of our environment and hopes to play a part in creating a better future.
→ Shop on Bookshop

“While the Earth Sleeps We Travel” by Ahmed M. Badr — The debut book from social entrepreneur, speaker, and former Iraqi refugee Ahmed M. Badr is a diverse and moving collection of poetry, personal narratives, and art from refugee youth around the world. The book centers on the perspective of those navigating the complexities of displacement and came together through Badr’s storytelling workshops with displaced youth.
→ Shop on Bookshop

“Our Time Is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America” by Stacey Abrams — This New York Times bestseller is a blueprint for ending voter suppression, empowering citizens, and protecting civic engagement and fair voting. If you’re interested in integrity in elections and politics, this book is for you.
→ Shop on Bookshop

“There I Am: The Journey from Hopelessness to Healing” by Ruthie Lindsey — Ruthie Lindsey’s memoir tells the story of defying medical odds, living with chronic pain, facing heartbreak, and finding joy, redemption, and healing. It’s a raw and moving account of Lindsey’s resilience in cultivating optimism and hopefulness.
→ Shop on Bookshop

Explore more of our good book recommendations.

Pro-tip: Get Two Audiobooks For the Price of One From Libro.fm & Support Local Bookstores.

Libro.fm is an Amazon-free alternative to Audible, making it possible to buy your favorite audiobooks and simultaneously support your local bookstore. It's only $15/month (the same price as Audible) and has all the same books.

You can even gift a membership to the bibliophile in your life at libro.fm/goodgoodgood.

And if you're signing up for yourself, you can get two audiobooks for the price of one with promo code GOOD.

Stocking Stuffers:

Give the gift of good in a fun and unique way with Lotto Love, a scratch-off “lottery” card that benefits someone in need. Instead of winning a monetary prize, a charitable prize is donated to causes related to literacy, clean energy, food, or solar energy. Here’s how it works: You buy a Lotto Love card as a gift for someone else, the recipient scratches off the card and discovers what they won for someone in need, and the money used to purchase the card is donated to one of the company’s charitable partners. | $8.50
Shop Lotto Love

From the company that made the Final Straw, the Final Spork is meant to be just that — the final spork you ever use. FinalCutlery creates reusable cutlery that reduce the need for plastics, empower people to change their buying habits, and raise awareness of the impacts of our everyday decisions on the environment. The Final Spork is foldable, portable, and can be used to eat anything you’d need a fork OR spoon for — and is the perfect addition to any eco-friendly kitchen. | $35
Shop Final

The holidays can be a stressful time for anyone, especially with the unique challenges 2020 has brought us. This stress relief essential oil roller from True Botanicals is tried and true. Its blend of Tarragon and Frankincense promote calm and have a powerful grounding effect. | $36
Shop True Botanicals

For the sentimental one in your life, a mini photo book from Artifact Uprising might get the happy tears flowing. This 5x5” book is easily customizable and made from recycled paper. Small book, big impact. | $15
Shop Artifact Uprising

From Our Partner: Tonico

Tonico is a CBD tincture using only two ingredients: organic coconut oil and organic, full-spectrum, thrice-filtered cannabis oil.

Why is it good?

Tonico is just CBD in Coconut Oil. That’s all.
Tonico believes in compassionate pricing — their CBD is far less expensive than what’s out there.
Tonico donates 12% of all profit to holistic rehabilitation for veterans and research on the medical uses of CBD

Learn more about CBD and shop Tonico

Use the code GOOD to save 25%

Explore more sustainable stocking stuffers

Gifts for Kids:

A Kids Book About creates books that help kids and their grownups have honest conversations about challenging, empowering, and important topics. You may have heard about their children's books about antiracism. Impressively, 10 of their books were selected this year for Oprah’s Favorite Things list. Titles include A Kids Book About Optimism, A Kids Book About Empathy, A Kids Book About Feminism, and A Kids Book About Creativity. | $20
Shop A Kids Book About
Save an extra $5 with the code GOODGOODGOOD

Crafts with no trash to throw away? Count us in! Green Kid Crafts creates kid subscription boxes that help kids exercise creativity, develop a love for discovery, and learn about the world around them without contributing to our world’s massive waste problem. It was founded by an environmental scientist who wanted her kids to engage in creative learning but was dismayed by the amount of waste generated by traditional crafts. Some of their best-selling sustainable subscription boxes include a volcano-making kit, slime-making kit, and a weather science box. | $30
Shop Green Kid Crafts

With every purchase of a Sackcloth & Ashes kids blanket, a cozy blanket made from recycled materials, you get a free copy of the book “Everyone Is Someone,” a children’s book that we are all more similar than we are different — that everyone, everywhere, is someone. For every blanket you buy, one blanket and one book are donated to a child in foster care. | $89
Shop Sackcloth & Ashes
Use the code GOODGOODGOOD for 30% all purchases

Tired of having plastic toys strewn all across your home? Look no further than Tegu for beautifully designed toys that inspire creativity. Their magnetic wooden toys are made for a variety of ages — and with their minimal design and muted colors, they would look great on your shelf, too. | $20
Shop Tegu

Shameless Plug: Give the Gift of Good News

The Goodnewspaper is the print newspaper filled with good news. This year it was highlighted by Miley Cyrus, Ben Higgins, and thousands of happy subscribers. Pick up a subscription for yourself and for all your friends.

Gift a year of the Goodnewspaper

Article Details

November 14, 2020 4:00 PM
The Netflix headquarters' sign

Lily Gladstone, Greta Gerwig, more join Netflix committee to award trans, nonbinary, female filmmakers with life-changing grant

Gerwig and Gladstone join forces with industry giants to award $50,000 grants to underrepresented filmmakers through new Netflix program.
Left: The Teal Wand; Right: Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman

This new at-home cervical cancer test aims to replace traditional pap smears — and it’s backed by Serena Williams

With promising trial results and pending FDA approval, the Teal Wand aims to empower women with greater control over their health care.
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