Gifts for Good: 4 Sustainable, Charitable Gift Ideas

The end-of-year holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but they also present an opportunity for us to make a difference. As we exchange gifts with our loved ones, we can choose to make more conscious choices that have a positive impact on the planet.

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Beyond the traditional labels of "green," "eco-friendly," and "sustainable," there are countless options that allow us to give meaningful and thoughtful presents. Here are some ways in which you can leave a positive impression on your loved ones and the planet:

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Make a donation in your loved one’s name

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Instead of giving a tangible gift, you could make a donation to organizations that are tirelessly fighting the climate crisis and are working towards building a more sustainable planet. Some of our favorite ones are The Ocean Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace. Some of these are tax-exempt as well. A great gift for an environmentalist friend of yours.

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Plant trees and save threatened species

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There is no gift more evergreen than planting a tree. Consider donating to organizations like Rainforest Trust that work towards saving endangered species and protecting rainforests worldwide. Your donation can help protect wildlife and forests from threats such as deforestation, fires, poaching, and climate change. If you prefer to directly plant trees, check out Arbor Day, a non-profit organization with a mission to plant 500 million trees by 2027. They also offer Give-A-Tree® Cards that allow you to plant a tree in honor of your family, friends, customers, or associates with each card sold.

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Buy gifts from the stores of non-profits

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If a donation isn’t your thing and you would still like to gift something tangible to your loved ones, consider buying these gifts from the gift stores of non-profits. Your monetary contribution would still be impactful, but you would also have something tangible to gift. Surfrider Foundation is working on protecting our oceans, and they’ve got a beautiful apparel and accessories section. If you’re unable to decide, you could also purchase a gift card. The National Wildlife Federation also has an incredible assortment of holiday gifts for both you and wildlife.

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Buy from Climate Neutral Certified brands

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Climate Neutral is a nonprofit organization that certifies businesses as carbon-neutral by rigorously assessing, reducing, and offsetting their carbon emissions. Brands that are certified Climate Neutral are committed to a sustainable and carbon-free future.

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Discover hundreds of Climate Neutral Certified brands on Commons

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