Double Duty Holiday Shopping 2020

My idea of Christmas, whether old fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.

-Bob Hope

Disclaimer: There are NO affiliate links in this post. I haven’t yet gotten my act together. Bountiful Days will not make one red cent from your purchases to companies linked in this post.

I have a confession. I REALLY geek out over efficiencies – maximizing resources like time and money and minimizing waste. Tack on stamps to my Costco haul to avoid a trip to the post office? YES PLEASE. Grabbing the mail at the same time as bringing the garbage can back down? Which also means a wee bit of fresh air and exercise? This makes me ridiculously happy.

This personality oddity surely contributed to my growing desire to make my gift giving dollars work as hard as possible. If we were going to buy gifts anyway, why not have those dollars pull double duty and support local businesses, artisans, non-profits and small family owned companies?

Teachers got holiday soaps from family owned Apple Valley Natural Soap. Birthdays were celebrated with bright bouquets from local farmers markets. Coffee from our friend’s local roastery was always a welcome gift.

Then there are organizations that are doing amazing work in the world, utilizing market based approaches that positively impact people affected by things like poverty cycles, addiction, abuse and more.

These artisans and shops create beautiful, high quality jewelry, clothing, leather goods (so many gorgeous bags!), and home decor. Whether you want to support black owned businesses, companies that work with survivors of trafficking, or shops providing fair wage, sustainable employment solutions for those in poverty around the world, there are endless good options.

We are spending our holiday dollars anyway – why not make pull double duty?

Without further ado, here is my curated list for 2020!

Noonday Collection

Noonday Collection works in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, partnering with local artisan businesses to support growth and job opportunities. As a bonus, Noonday actually originated as a fundraiser by the founder to adopt a child from Rwanda. Years later, Noonday continues to give 10% each year to support adoption efforts.

From charming jewelry pieces like these Forestry Ear Climbers to statement pieces like this Wild and Free Cuff, Noonday offers a large variety of collections at great price points.

Bend Soap Company

Family owned and operated out of Bend, OR, Bend Soap Company began from a desperate attempt to soothe their son’s eczema. After discovering the nearly miraculous effect of goat milk, they started a goat farm and never looked back.

We love how soothing and gentle their goat milk soap is in this dry Nevada desert. These bundles make a great gift idea, and include a variety of soap, lotion, lip balm and more.

Bombas Socks

Bombas mission is to support those experiencing homelessness and they do that buy donating one item for every one sold. Why socks? They are the top most requested item by homeless shelters because they are rarely donated.

Good quality socks are a great gift idea for just about anyone and Bombas has you covered with options for men, women and kids. Check out these adorable Toddler Holiday Socks, perfect for cold winter days!

Thistle Farms

Abuse survivor Becca Stevens opened the first home based sanctuary for 5 women survivors of trafficking in 1997. Since then, Thistle Farms has provided safe housing, counseling and job training to thousands of women with extremely high long term success rates.

Their Love Heals Bath & Body Collection uses natural, nourishing ingredients like shea butter and organic coconut oil. The 2020 Holiday Collection includes some adorable finds like this sweet Puffin Ornament handcrafted in Peru.

Bookshop

If you really want to maximize your bookish dollars, consider Bookshop. Bookshop is an online bookstore whose mission is supporting local, independent bookstores. At the same time, you are supporting your favorite authors. With an impressive selection, I’ve never failed to find a particular book at Bookshop.

One book I loved and gifted a few times this year: Miracles and Other Reasonable Things by Sarah Bessey.

Starfish Project

I gave a necklace from Starfish Project at a gift exchange last year and it was not only a beautiful, well made piece, but the lovely packaging was a sweet surprise.

Starfish Project is also supports escapees of trackiffing and prostitution, specifically in Asia.

Clean and simple necklaces, rings and bracelets like this Deirdre Navy and Gold Wrap Ring are right up my alley and maybe yours too?

Krochet Kids

Krochet Kids’ is working to break the cycle of poverty in Uganda and Peru, providing living wage jobs to hundreds of “makers”. Each item comes with an introduction to one of the real life people that made it. Their popular hats are a great gift idea for anyone (which is exactly what we did last year).

The 5207.5 Slouchy Beanie just might find its way to my own wish list. Their collection of crocheted stuffed animals like this adorable elephant is perfect for the tinies on your list.

Ornaments 4 Orphans

The cheerful ornaments at the top of this post are from Ornaments 4 Orphans, handmade by Peruvian artisans. Their selection of ornaments handmade in Uganda, Kenya, Peru and Nepal provide support to vulnerable children throughout Africa using a fair trade, sustainable approach.

Bailee’s Nail Box

This is such a fun one. If you are looking to support a black owned business started by a firecracker young entrepreneur, here’s your girl. At 6 years old, Bailee put a twist on the classic lemonade stand with her own nail stand providing neighborhood manicures. It was so popular she started Bailee’s Nail Box, providing a box of nail goodness to customers near and far.

Bailee’s Big Nail Box is the perfect gift for girls, with goodies like nail polish, buffer, scrub and more.

One final idea – you can still enjoy the convenience of shopping on Amazon (I mean, let’s be honest) and put your dollars to work in a few ways:

• Amazon Support Small Program. This is so cool guys. You can search for small businesses by type of product like toys, electronics, hand made and more. You can also search by region including Pacific, Rocky Mountain and Southwest. There are 6 regions covering the U.S. Finally, you can search by type of owner / business. You can learn all about the owners of military family owned companies, innovator type companies and much more.
• Amazon Smile. This program donates 0.5% of your purchase to the charity of your choice. We’ve supported Wounded Warrior for many years through this link. Granted, 0.5% doesn’t sound like much but it adds up these days when we are all using Amazon more than ever.
• Amazon Affiliate Links. Support your favorite blogger, podcaster or YouTuber by clicking on their Amazon affiliate links for recommended products. Once you’ve clicked on the link, they will actually get credit for everything you put into your Amazon cart – not just the product with the link. If you are planning on upgrading your phone, buying a recliner for grandma, or ordering a Christmas tree anyway, send some holiday love out at the same time!

And that’s a wrap!

Sending lots of holiday love from our house to yours,

Alicia