The hand-carving about to begin. Photo Credit: The Brave Collection.

Eight gifts (one for each day leading to Christmas!) that your friends and family will love and that you can feel good about buying in the final holiday push this season. From eyeglasses, lotions, jewelry, fuzzy fleeces and shoes, we’ve selected great gifts that give back…isn’t that what the spirit of the season is all about?

Our kind of motto: “Look good, do good.” Photo Credit: Altruette.

#1 Altruette: An Altruette bracelet is a unique gift that you can customize with a selection of charms for the ladies in your life. 50% of the net sale of each charm goes to the cause that charm represents: education, children’s programs and the environment- you can search by cause and support a variety of charities through Altruette purchases. Aside from gold and silver, the story behind each charm adds holiday sparkle (girl sizes too!).

The JoBird Carryall, more than just a yoga bag. Photo Credit: Jobird.

#2 Jobird Yoga Carryalls: This carryall is more than just a yoga bag. It fits all your necessities- from your mat, towel and block, to phone, keys and toiletries. It even has a compartment for after-class clothes– perfect for the yogi in your life who pops into class between meetings. In addition to doing good for the environment (the bags are made from recycled plastic bottles), Jobird sales support JoBird’s Nest, an effort to bring free yoga classes to children and adults who otherwise wouldn’t have access to yoga.

#3 The Brave Collection (pictured above):  Is more than just a cute wrist accessory. The handmade braided wrap bracelets are made by a local underprivileged artisans and are adorned with “Brave” in Cambodia‘s language, Khmer.  The company is addressing a major issue in Cambodia, human trafficking, by donating a portion of the proceeds to the cause. The fair-trade bracelets are made of brass and come in a dozen colors from neutrals to metallics– a strong but subtle way to empower artisans and fight human trafficking while gifting a beautiful gift with meaning this season.

Fit for any size on your list. Photo Credit: TOMS.

#4 TOMS: Buying TOMS isn’t just good for loved one’s feet (yes, they’re super comfy and easy to slip on), it’s good for a child too. Every pair purchased is a pair donated to a child in need, effectively cutting down disease and illness commonly spread by not wearing shoes in poorer places. This season, we’re loving the Haitian Artist Collective, a line of hand painted shoes by artists in Haiti! Purchase them here.

A Patagonia store and some live music at the recent Worn Wear Film event. Photo Credit: Patagonia.

#5 Patagonia: The go-to outdoor adventure brand is known for keeping you protected and at the perfect temperature no matter how far off the grid you venture. But what you might not know about is Patagonia’s commitment to reduce it’s environmental footprint and increase awareness of consumers’ impact through their ongoing Common Threads Partnership and The Responsible Economy campaigns. You can pledge on their website to make conscious purchases, repair what you can keep wearing, and donate what you no longer wear. So pick up a fleece for your dad or hat and gloves for your mom and you’ll know you’re supporting a greener planet.

‘Tis the season…to give the gift of sight. Photo Credit: Warby Parker.

#6 Warby Parker: Not only will your gift recipient see better and look infinitely more stylish, but someone else will too–thanks to your Warby Parker eyeglass purchase. Warby Parker partners with various non-profits that train budding entrepreneurs to develop their own eyeglass businesses and distribute glasses to those unable to purchase themselves. As of summer 2013, 500,000 people in need have been given the gift of sight.

ZAANHA’s impact: sending Afghan children to school. Photo Credit: ZAANHA.

#7 ZAANHA: ZAANHA sells scarves in every color, pattern and material from a women’s cooperative in Afghanistan. A portion of the proceeds goes back to the women that handmade each scarf and another to funding Afghan slum childrens’ education and uniforms. For the holiday season, ZAANHA has also organized The Sweater Project which also accepts donations– for just $20USD, ZAANHA will provide a knitted sweater for a child in Afghanistan this winter.

Just Shea products and the inspiring story behind them. Photo Credit: Just Shea.

#8 Just Shea, Ghana: Cold weather means dry skin, which is not festive or fun! Avoid the less-than-attractive look with Just Shea (a shea butter product line). You might remember our journey to Ghana early this year where we featured a women’s cooperative who produce their own line of superb shea butter products. The proceeds go directly back to helping their community– support their budding revenue generating business while protecting a loved one’s skin (or your own) this winter!

Still have shopping to do? Check out 10 gifts that give back, inspired by one of our favorite destinations- Africa!