This has been a crazy year, to say the least. And I don’t want you worrying about what gifts to get on top of everything else! That’s why I wanted to make an easy resource for you to find the best Christmas gifts 2020.
With so much hardship and turmoil in the world, I think we’ve all realized what’s truly important – being there for and taking care of others (and the planet, of course).
As our priorities shift, maybe it’s time that our gifts do, too. Instead of buying from the same old brands with the same old meaningless products, check out these social enterprises & non-profits. Not only do they make amazing products, but they make an impact on other people and/or the planet.
Additionally, I’ve assorted all kinds of items here from jewelry and clothing to popcorn and chocolates to headphones and booze and more. So I guarantee you can find a gift for just about anyone in here!
If you’re ready for your 2020 Christmas gifts to be meaningful to you and your loved ones and to make a real difference, keep on reading.
To browse christmas gifts 2020 by category, click on the links below:
Foods & Beverages:
1951 Coffee Company is an awesome non-profit with high-quality, Arabica coffee. And as you can see from the coffee bag, they’re all about supporting refugees!
To be more specific, they promote the well-being of the refugee community in the US by “providing job training and employment to refugees, asylees, and special immigrant visa holders while educating the surrounding community about refugee life and issues.”
With their help, many refugees are able to find jobs and achieve financial stability. Such a great cause!
I’ve already bought two bags for family members for Christmas this year, so I’ll update you with their reviews of the coffee itself soon.
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee is such a happy, wholesome company to support. It was started by the Wright family back in 2016 and inspired by their two youngest children – Bitty & Beau – who have Down syndrome.
The Wrights have now dedicated their lives to making the world a better place for people living with disabilities.
As such, they have many employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. So, when you buy from Bitty & Beau’s, you can rest assured that those are the people you’re supporting and creating jobs for.
This is another company I recently ordered from, so I can tell you more about their coffee soon!
Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolates is the first business enterprise of the non-profit foundation Every1 Can Work.
Their amazing chocolates are made by a group of volunteers and young adults, many of which include individuals who have special needs. You can get to know more about their team here.
This is definitely an incredible business to support! Personally, these chocolates are what I’ll be gifting my Grandma for Christmas this year.
Harry Specters is pretty similar to Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolates in that they employ young people with autism. But where they are US-based, Harry Specters is UK-based! So if you’re in the UK or Europe, this is a great place to buy from.
One difference though is that this brand sells luxury chocolates. So, on top of being delicious, they absolutely gorgeous.
Be sure to go to their website and see for yourself! They’re like perfect little pieces of art.
Women’s Bean Project sells lots of different tasty snacks and foods. From baking mixes to coffees & teas to trail mix, they have a little something for everyone.
What’s great about this social enterprise is that they’re all about helping women who are chronically unemployed become self-sufficient. By joining their transitional employment program, women are able to break the cycle of unemployment and change their lives forever.
To find out exactly who your purchase is helping, check out some of the women’s stories here.
Popcorn for the People is one of my favorite new finds. They have so many fun and interesting popcorns to choose from, including flavors like french toast and dark chocolate espresso.
This is one I’ve also bought from before, so I can vouch for how good it is!
What I love about them is that they’re working to combat the unemployment rate in the autistic community by employing adults with autism. They’re responsible for the entire process from creating to cooking to packaging and selling the popcorn.
Plus, the best part is that, when you get your order, you get a signed card from the person who made your popcorn! So you know exactly where your money is going.
Homeboy Foods sells a bunch of sweet treats like cookies, cakes, chocolates and more.
This non-profit is based in California and provides training and support to formerly gang-involved and recently incarcerated men and women. 100% of proceeds go to their wraparound programs that allow these men and women the opportunity to redirect their lives and contribute to their communities.
As they like to say, Homeboy Foods “is in the business of second chances.” So be sure to check them out and support their amazing rehabilitation program!
Ethan & the Bean
Ethan & the Bean sells coffee and branded merchandise like T-shirts and coffee tumblers.
In the photo here you can see Ethan himself, who was the inspiration for this non-profit. At Ethan & the Bean, they train and employ people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
At the core of their mission is the hope of changing the way people with disabilities are seen for the better.
I love this one! As a former Special Olympics coach, I definitely have a soft spot for a non-profit like this one.
Ugly Cake Shop is an online cake shop as well as a cafe based in Singapore. As you can tell, their cakes are very much not ugly!
In addition to making delicious and beautiful artisanal cakes and other treats for us to buy, Ugly Cake Shop helps to feed hungry kids in Timor-Leste.
So in buying mouth-watering sweets for yourself, you’re also feeding those in need as well. Love it!
Purple Door Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster located in Denver.
Their mission is to help young adults looking to leave homelessness behind by providing them with support and meaningful employment. They want to make sure all lives are valued no matter what they looked like before.
Plus, on top of the good they’re doing for the homeless, their coffee is ethically-made and roasted to order.
Don’t forget to head to their homepage or IG to read about some of the amazing people they’ve been able to support!
At Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co., “every cup helps a pup.”
They sell a huge variety of eco-friendly and organic specialty coffees as well as apparel, mugs, and other gear. When you buy from them, 20% of the profits go to rescue organizations that help pups in need.
The idea was inspired by the founder & CEO having adopted a rescue animal himself. Now, he wants to give back to the animals who so selflessly provide us with happiness.
Ground Up sells a bunch of fun and interesting nut butters.
What I love about them is that they’re all about helping and empowering women. There, they provide job training to women overcoming adversity in the Portland area.
How? They’ve created a 6-9 month employment training program where women gain the skills, confidence, and work experience they need to transition into the next period of their lives.
Such a great cause to support!
Clothing:
Chnge is one of my personal favorites both on this list and in the sustainable fashion industry in general.
In their online shop you’ll find all kinds of cool T-shirts, sweatpants, and more. What I love about them is that they use their clothes as a way of speaking out against social and environmental injustices.
They’re also super transparent about how and where their clothes are ethically and sustainably made.
Plus, they’ve been huge supporters of BLM and have donated over $270,000 to the organizations listed on this page.
Love love love this one!
This wouldn’t be a true Christmas list without socks on here somewhere! That’s why I’ve included Bombas, where you can find all sorts of fun socks and T-shirts that make for the perfect stocking stuffers.
What’s awesome about Bombas is how they’ve dedicated themselves to helping those experiencing homelessness. For every purchase made, an item is donated on your behalf.
So far, they’ve donated over 40 million items!!
Tentree is another favorite of mine in the sustainable clothing industry. They have so many different clothing items for men, women and children alike, as well as accessories ranging from hats to socks to wallets.
So not only will you be able to find something for everyone here, but for every purchase made, a whopping ten trees are planted.
Plus, everything is made ethically and sustainably. This might just be your new one-stop-shop for Christmas shopping.
Mayamiko is such a cool and colorful fair trade clothing brand that I’ve mentioned before in my post about ethical & sustainable loungewear. There you’ll find accessories and all kinds of clothing to choose from.
My favorite thing about them is their transparency. They tell you all about their makers and materials on their website. Plus, you know each item is made by handpicked artisans around the world.
On top of that, they provide opportunities for disadvantaged women in Malawi by nurturing their talents and providing them with skills for the future.
I could go on and on about all the good they do, so read more about that here.
Outland Denim is another environmentally-friendly clothing brand doing lots of good.
As you can tell from the name, they sell denim items for both men and women.
The cool thing about them is that the brand was actually founded as a way of helping who have experienced sex trafficking. Through Outland Denim, these women gain training and employment opportunities.
At Ivory Ella, there are tons of cute and cozy clothes and accessories to choose from. This is definitely the perfect place to find Christmas PJ’s!
And, as you might be able to tell from the name, they’re all about helping elephant populations that are at risk due to ivory trade and accelerating habitat loss. That’s why they donate 10% of profits to elephant rescue organizations.
Amazingly, so far they’ve donated $1.9 million to Save the Elephants and other charitable organizations.
At Kotn, they’re all about improving quality of life for our global community. There, you can find all sorts of beautiful, high-quality clothes for men and women. Plus, they sell gorgeous home items like duvet covers and tea towels.
What I love about Kotn is the way that they value their workers and what their products are made of. They’re all made with quality in mind while ensuring their employees are treated well and items are made sustainably.
Plus, they’re working hard to provide education in the Nile Delta, where half a million children currently don’t have access to education.
When buying from Kotn, you’re helping them help the kids!
Sudara sells all sorts of colorful clothes for men, women, kids, and even dog bandanas!
This social enterprise was actually founded by Shannon Keith after a trip to India where she heard all sorts of stories about women being forced and sold into sex slavery.
These women were at high risk of this due to a lack of education, skills, and resources. So, she decided to help by employing them there.
Now, Sudara continues to empower women and keeping them out of sex slavery through meaningful and safe living-wage employment.
Jewelry:
Nashelle sells gorgeous dainty jewelry that I am absolutely obsessed with. Plus, this company is woman-owned and run by women. Love that!
I also love the fact that they’re all about helping those in need. Whether it be helping to clothe and feed a child or helping a family with unforeseen medical expenses or supporting local schools, Nashelle aims to help their community and beyond.
For example, so far, they’ve raised over 1 million meals for those struggling with food scarcity. So cool!
Pura Vida Bracelets sells colorful, fun, and functional jewelry that really embodies that famous Costa Rican “pura vida” lifestyle. There, you can find a bunch of rings and bracelets that are easy to layer and fun to wear.
The cool part is that all jewelry is handmade by artisans all over the world, from Costa Rica to India to El Salvador and more.
Without access to Pura Vida’s network, these artisans might otherwise struggle to make a living. Helping those artisans was the inspiration for this brand.
As a designer and artisan myself, this is a brand that’s easy to get behind!
Omi Woods is a brand I’ve mentioned before in my post about sustainable and ethical black-owned jewelry brands. But I’m in love with their jewelry and had to mention it again!
At Omi Woods, you can find truly high-quality and beautiful jewelry of all kinds. It’s also all ethically handmade.
Beyond that, the founder of this brand wanted to make a difference as a way of honoring her grandmother’s legacy. So each year, a portion of profits go to charities or non-profits like AllOneBlood and 8 Billion Trees.
Yala Jewellery is another brand I’ve mentioned before that sells gorgeous and unique jewelry.
It’s all made sustainably and ethically with a focus on transparency. Also, this is a female-founded and black-owned brand with roots in Kenya. 👏👏👏
Their mission is to empower the people who made this jewelry and challenge misconceptions about Africa and people from Africa through “beautiful design, entrepreneurship and creative talent.”
Learn more about the brand and the talented artisans behind it here!
Allbirds makes all kinds of functional and attractive shoes for men, women, and kids alike. What’s great is that they’re made sustainably from natural materials with practicality and comfort top of mind.
As a certified B corp, doing good for the environment is a big priority for them.
Additionally, thanks to their partners at Soles4Souls, they’re able to send lightly-used Allbirds to people in need around the world.
At Nisolo, you can find tons of different types of high-quality shoes and accessories including bags, belts, and more for men and women.
I love that everything is ethically made and even combats climate change by protecting trees from deforestation in the Amazon Basin.
They also set up a circular shoe reclamation program that sends old shoes to Soles4Souls. As mentioned above, they then send the shoes on to those in need.
Lastly, Nisolo even has an ethical marketplace on their site where you can find gifts from vendors with similar values!
Indosole makes comfortable and simplistic sandals for men, women, and kids that are made from tire waste.
You might be wondering why. Well, turns out tire waste is a bigger problem than you might realize! There’s a massive amount of it around the world and it doesn’t decompose and often becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which leads to awful diseases.
Indosole aims to combat that problem. They also make sure to treat and pay workers fairly and ethically.
As you can tell from the photo, Veja makes super cool and functional shoes. I basically want every shoe they’ve designed.
Looks aside, however, Veja is on a mission to accomplish a lot of good as well. All of their shoes are made using fair trade and organic raw materials. They’re also super transparent about their entire supply chain and the people they employ.
They have a whole lot more information on their website about how these shoes are made so sustainably, so read more about that here.
BANGS Shoes were developed with the idea of simple work boots in mind. The style of the shoes is classic yet fun and they’re very functional.
They’re also made from 100% vegan and ethically-sourced materials. Plus, BANGS was sure to partner with a factory with similar values to their own that treats workers with dignity and respect.
And, 20% of their profits go to entrepreneurs that they hand-select to invest in! That’s why their motto is that “your adventure helps others find theirs.”
I’m guessing most of you have heard of TOMS shoes before. They have lots of comfy styles of shoes for men, women, and children.
You also may know that their original business model was to give away a pair of shoes for every pair bought.
Today, they continue that tradition of giving in many ways. Currently, for example, they’ve donated over $2 million for global relief efforts through the TOMS COVID-19 Global Giving Fund.
So this is definitely a great one to support right now!
Beauty & Self-care:
Bossy Cosmetics has a bunch of makeup products, especially if you want your lips looking lovely. They also currently have lots of fun holiday-themed items!
Also, everything is cruelty-free and ethically-made for all hues and genders. And they partner with non-profits to support the human rights of women and girls all over the world.
Find out more about the good they’re doing and organizations they support here.
If you’re looking for calming and beautiful self-care products like bath balms, candles, and soaps, Musee Bath has you covered.
Not only are all of their products handmade in the US with ethically-sourced, natural ingredients (and are cruelty-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free and safe for all skin types), but they support great causes and people.
Primarily, they hire women in recovery, people with disabilities, and people who have lived in chronic poverty.
Plus, they’ve partnered with Schools for Haiti to help change the lives of children in Haiti.
KPS Essentials took more of a scientific approach to skincare than any of the other brands on this list. The founders combined their backgrounds in engineering, gardening, and more to create organic, performance-based, and clinically-validated skincare.
There, you’ll find all sorts of effective and relaxing cleansers, serums, and more.
The best part about this brand, however, is that they partnered with Hello Gorgeous – an organization all about giving back the beauty that cancer steals – and donate a portion of proceeds to them.
Tatcha has amazing high-end skincare products for all types of skin. As a traveler, something I love is that they have lots of travel skincare items as well.
This brand was inspired by classical Japanese beauty secrets and a holistic approach to beauty. Not surprisingly, their skincare products are therefore made from a whole bunch of natural ingredients.
In terms of giving back, each purchase supports students through their Beautiful Faces, Beautiful Futures program. The program provides education, mentorship, materials, and more for young girls all over the world.
Beautiful Rights has a small range of high-quality yet fairly-priced makeup items you’ll love.
They’re about much more than makeup though. At Beautiful Rights, they believe in beauty that inspires, empowers, and challenges the status quo.
That’s why 20% of all sales (not just profits!) go to women’s rights and gender justice initiatives of your choice. There’s a long list of incredible organizations they support, so check those out here.
Thistle Farms has a bunch of beautiful and calming products for your home including essential oils, candles, and bath & body care products. They also even have some miscellaneous items for your home as well as jewelry and apparel.
The mission behind Thistle Farms is what makes it such a great brand to support though. This company lights a pathway to freedom for women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.
And, if you ask me, the best part is how they welcome these women in with open arms and instead of saying, “What did you do?” they ask, “What happened to you?” I know from my own experiences (#metoo) what a big impact that mentality makes.
Abhati Suisse sells high-quality hair care, skincare, and body care products made mainly with natural ingredients. They also have some nice gift sets like their nomads kit and self care body ritual that would be great Christmas gifts!
They make sure to operate sustainably and fair trade with the hope of creating a cleaner environment. Part of their profits even go to local farms and woodland programs.
Also, they’re all about empowering women in rural India through education. That’s why they partner with NGOs like www.educategirls.ngo and have helped an estimated 378,000 girls gain an education so far.
Thrive Causemetics is a beauty brand with tons of makeup and skincare options that will make you look amazing.
What’s different about this brand is the fact that it’s truly centered around philanthropy. That means that for every product bought, one is donated as well (or a monetary donation is made).
Their main causes are helping women to thrive while they are emerging from homelessness, fighting cancer, surviving domestic abuse, and adjusting to life during and after military service.
Prosperity Candle creates unique and handmade fair trade candles that make for wonderful Christmas gifts. All of the ingredients in these candles are natural and they have candles for every occasion.
I love the fact that they’re made by women artisans and refugees who, by working with Prosperity Candle, get the chance to create a brighter future here in the US for themselves and their families.
We all deserve an opportunity, and that’s just what this company provides refugee women. Love this! You can learn more about who they support here.
Booze:
Tinte Cellars is a family-owned wine collective that makes all sorts of Washington wines. They even have tasting kits that would make for a great gift!
What makes them stand apart from other wineries is the fact that they put a lot of effort into strengthening their community.
They make sure to uphold their values of community, volunteerism, and philanthropy by donating a portion of sales each year to nonprofits.
I have to say I’m not much of a beer-drinker, but if I were, this is what I’d drink! At Toast Ale, you’ll find a few different beers from an IPA to a lager to a couple pale ales.
What I love about them though is that their beer is made from surplus bread instead of virgin barley, which reduces the demand for land, water, energy, and avoids emissions.
They also donate profits to charity to help fix the food system. So far, they’ve donated nearly 47,000 meals!
North Coast Brewing is a fun holiday option because they have so many different beers to choose from for all kinds of tastes.
More importantly than the beer itself though is the work this company is doing in philanthropy and sustainability.
Not only do they make their beer in the most earth-friendly way possible with zero waste, but they also have 14 non-GMO beers and work on a carbon farming project to reverse their carbon footprint.
Plus, they donate to a bunch of charitable causes you can find listed here.
Ilegal Mezcal is a super cool brand that originated in Guatemala.
They have a super interesting backstory that you can read more about here, but basically they used to illegally transport Mezcal into Guatemala to supply their bar.
Their name partially comes from that past, but partially because it ties into more pressing concerns such as immigration reform, borders, freedom, and more. So nowadays, it makes sense that they contribute to a number of groups working to affect social change for the better.
Fair Drinks is a good place to get multiple spirits at once. There, you’ll find vodka, a couple liqueurs, rum, and gin.
As you can tell from the name, this is a fairtrade brand and they are pioneering the fairtrade movement in spirits.
The entire concept of the brand was built upon the idea of supporting farmers in developing countries. And of course, they make sure to pay these workers fairly so they can sustain their families.
They also use high-quality ingredients that are organic, gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and all-natural with no carbs.
As a whiskey-lover, I had to add a nice bourbon to this list. Luckily, that was easy to do when I discovered Horse Soldier Bourbon!
This is an authentic, all-American, award-winning whiskey. The brand was created by a group of friends who came together after years of serving their country.
So if you want to support veterans and the veteran community, this is one to support.
The name of this brand tells you exactly what this brand has set out to do: protect the endangered snow leopard.
If there are any animal-lovers in your family, this is the vodka to get for them!
It is estimated that, sadly, there are only around 3,500-7,000 snow leopards left in the wild. Snow Leopard Vodka wants to help rectify this issue. That’s why they donate 15% of all profits to the Snow Leopard Trust, which develops conservation programs.
For your pets:
When you buy from Wagster Dog Treats, you’ll know exactly what ingredients you’re giving to your pup.
All their ingredients are listed right on their site for you to see. It’s important to them that we don’t give our pups any chemicals or preservatives.
And in order to make more of an impact, their kitchen is part of the non-profit Homeward Bound of Marin, which helps homeless and low-income people find employment and create a more stable future for themselves and their families.
The Kenyan Collection has a gorgeous and vibrant assortment of dog collars, belts, accessories, and more to choose from.
What I love about this brand is that each item is handmade by artisans in Africa. (To learn more about the culture and what the beaded creations mean, check out their about page here.)
So, when buying from them, you know you’re supporting the artisans who make these items, as well as Africa and its’ place in the global marketplace.
P.L.A.Y. makes quality dog beds, toys, and travel pet accessories. Each dog bed is made with your pup’s comfort in mind, with the best ergonomic support possible.
Their products are also made from sustainable materials to protect Mother Earth.
There’s a lot P.L.A.Y. does in terms of paying it forward. They’ve partnered with PetFinder Foundation, whenever a dog bed is purchased from their site, another is donated to a shelter.
2% of profits also go to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), 30% of sales from their Snow Leopard Plush Toy goes to the Snow Leopard Conservancy, and they created a scholarship for high school students.
Books, headphones, & glasses:
If you like to give books as Christmas gifts, you might consider buying from Better World Books this year.
There, you’ll find all your regular books and when buying from them, you’ll also contribute to their mission to fight for literacy. By donating a book for every book sold and contributing monetarily to non-profits, they hope to reduce global poverty through education. In reusing and recycling books, they also do their part for the environment.
So far, they’ve donated over 26 million books, raised over $28 million for literacy and libraries, and reused/recycled over 320 million books.
At LSTN Sound, you can get high-quality headphones, earbuds, speakers, and more.
This brand is such a cool one that’s all about creating change through the power of sound and music.
To accomplish this mission, they send proceeds from each purchase to Starkey Hearing Foundation so that they can give hearing aids to people all over the world. So far, they’re responsible for helping over 30,000 people receive hearing aids.
Warby Parker is the perfect place to find a whole range of beautiful styles of affordable prescription sunglasses and eyeglasses.
What I love about this brand isn’t just the philanthropy of it, but the fact that they aim to solve a major problem: glasses are too expensive. So they set out to make buying glasses easy, fun, and affordable.
On top of that, they’re working hard to help the 1 billion people worldwide who don’t have access to glasses. So for every pair sold, they give away a pair to someone in need.
SOLO Eyewear offers a nice range of eco-friendly eyeglasses and sunglasses. They also have a couple blue-light options for those of you getting used to staring at your computers all day during the pandemic!
In order to do their part for the planet, each pair of glasses is made with repurposed bamboo or recycled plastic.
Additionally, they donate 10% of all profits to partners that help restore people’s vision. So far, they’ve restored the vision of over 13,000 people in need.
Gift marketplaces with social mission:
If you don’t have any specific gifts in mind and just want to do some general browsing, Gifts for Good is a fantastic place to start.
There you can find a huge assortment of gorgeous gifts where each purchase gives back. Read more about their mission and impact here.
By working with so many different companies, they’re also able to support tons of different causes. From creating jobs to empowering women to protecting the environment and more, you’ll be able to find a gift that supports whatever cause you can think of.
Uncommon Goods is another marketplace with all sorts of gifts that give back. They are all about supporting independent makers and making a positive impact on our planet.
What I love about this brand is the focus on the people behind the goods. Under each item description, you get to learn more about the maker. Also, if you want to support BLM and black makers, you can type that into the search bar to find items made by them.
In terms of giving, they donate $1 for every purchase and have donated over $2 million through their Better to Give program so far. Find out which organizations they support here.
As mentioned above, Nisolo is a great shoe brand doing lots of good for other people and the planet.
They’ve also created an ethical marketplace with a ton of nice gift options from other brands that have similar values to theirs.
There you’ll find a beautifully-curated collection of goods including backpacks, gloves, kitchenware, and more.
That's it! Those are my favorite christmas gifts 2020.
Like I said before, this year is the perfect time to focus on what really matters and doing our part to help others. Buying from these social enterprises and non-profits is a great place to start!
I hope this list of Christmas gifts 2020 is helpful and that you and your loved ones are happy with whatever you decide to get.
Let me know your thoughts and if you have any other suggestions to add to the list! Can’t wait to hear about the gifts you choose.
If you’re looking for more options to choose from, be sure to check out some of my other favorites, for example, from this list of black-owned sustainable jewelry brands and woman-owned sustainable activewear brands.
Thanks for reading and see you next time. Stay healthy out there!
Love,
Emily
P.S. – Don’t forget to share this list of Christmas gifts 2020 with your friends and family! Let’s spread the extra cheer and pay it forward this year.
Liz
This is amazing thank you! I got popcorn for the people before and it’s sooo good