This is my first year (possibly ever) that I am not participating in Black Friday of some sort. With the Ferguson chaos going on in our town, sadly, it has seen to be the best option to stay at my parent's house a couple hours away for another day or two to maybe stop in at Target for a bit, but beyond that, stay home... I use to love, love, love Black Friday. I remember it as a family affair from when I was a child. We would load up into the car late Thanksgiving evening and drive to the city suburbs which were full of magic to me as a child. It was the first glimpse of my favorite holiday each year. We would go to bed earlier than normal and wake up hours before the sun. We would shiver in chilly car until the store manager would open up the door to that JCPenney or Famous Barr or Sears. My sister and I would be delighted to receive the freebie -- maybe an elf-eared headband or a cheap plastic snow globe. We adored it, and we would shop until we dropped.
Once I was sixteen, I worked those retail lines. First K-Mart, then Walt Disney World, then Best Buy -- not skipping a beat or even one holiday season. By the time I "retired" from my retail life, I had eleven years of Black Fridays. Last year, I got the joy of shopping the outlet malls early morning Black Friday. It was not the same. The halls of the outlet mall were like a ghost town due to the late-night Thanksgiving openings.
This year I struggled with going even before all of the city violence. Even though this is the first year that Thanksgiving is not personally touched by retail in my family, the hours creeping earlier and earlier, imposing on the holiday and "family" part of the weekend makes me sad. This year I am attempting to buy products that give back, help others, support local or small business. I know that not everything will fit into this mold. My husband's wish list is filled with Nike, Titleist, and J Crew; and that is okay for us. But maybe making the bit of effort here and there can make a difference.
So today, it is all about the gifts that give back and the companies that care! I have rounded up five great gift options from my favorite companies that give back that anyone is sure to love. What are some other ideas on your list?
Warby Parker :: Similar to TOMS, this company operates on the buy one-give one system. For every pair of their wonderfully designed eyeglasses or sunglasses you purchase, the company donates a pair of glasses to someone who needs them. Their glasses are easy to order as well! They ship you five designs free-of-charge to try on. Once you have decided which style is best for you, just go online and enter in the prescription from the eye doctor. Have a special eye wear need like my husband? My husband orders their frames with standard, nonprescription lenses and then takes them down to the local optometrist for his lenses. They even are reimbursable through many insurance carriers!
TOMS :: At one point in my life, my husband and I owned eleven pairs of TOMS shoes! Who doesn’t love TOMS shoes? In fact, people love them so much that Target even partnered with them this year for some shelf space in their stores. For every pair you buy, a pair gets donated to a person in need. Don't need another color in their basic model? TOMS has recently expanded its product line to ballet flats, desert boots, high heels, slippers, and even more clothing items beyond shoes!
Man Candles :: This company, started by a 13-year old from Ohio, sells unique candles with scents like “Fresh Cut Grass” and “NY Style Pizza.” The candles are made inside of an actual soup can — after the soup inside is donated to a local soup kitchen! These sound like a great gift idea. If you’re not so into the ManCan scent, the company also makes SheCans with more traditional scents.
Project 7 :: Project 7 has seven main causes that their company gives to: Save the Earth, House the Homeless, Feed the Hungry, Quench the Thirsty, Heal the Sick, Teach them Well, and Hope for Peace. From food products, like coffee and gum, to clothing, each of their products represent one of their causes and gives back. The options are endless!
Sevenly :: My husband and I stumbled upon Sevenly about their second or third week in business. Years later this company has grown astronomically! Starting out with a simple business platform, $7 for each t-shirt purchased went to the cause of the week. Raising over $4 million, each week there is a new cause, a new foundation, and a new artist displayed through the wonderful design work. High quality t-shirts have now grown into other articles of clothes, accessories, and print design.
Noonday Collection :: Similar to any other company in the home trunk show or catalog party craze, i.e., Thirty One Products, Lia Sophia, Pampered Chef, etc., this company takes these types of parties to a whole new level. The company works really similar to the previous mention companies. Individuals can either join the company as a representative or you can simply host a party. From there, clients, family, friends, coworkers, etc. can look through the online store or a magazine and purchase handmade products from women in developing countries. The company partners with artisans in the developing world, empowering them to grow sustainable businesses. By creating a marketplace for their goods, they create dignified jobs at living wages. This allows our artisans to earn more in order to support their families. The company also offers no interest loans and makes advance payments on orders. They additionally offer scholarship programs and emergency assistance. Noonday Collection also donates a portion of sales from adoption trunk shows to place orphans in forever families. How much better does that sound than a typical corporate party??
Noonday Collection :: Click Here
design credit :: hb fotographie
