Himba performance, Namibia. Notice their beautiful bracelets. Photo Credit: Michaela Guzy.

Written by: Nikki Pepper; Edited by: Michaela Guzy.

The holidays are meant to be a time of giving and spending time with those you hold dear. What better way to celebrate those special people in your life than with ethnically chic gifts that support local people from one of our favorite destinations…Africa?

Michaela Guzy (top center) shows us how to #wearyourimpact. Photo Credit: The Base Project.

#1 The Base Project, Namibia: The Base Project doesn’t just sell fabulous arm candy. The sweet part: the up-recycled bracelets are made by female artisans from the Himba (pictured above) and Herero tribes, and brought to the United States’ fashion scene via a partnership with The Base Project.The profits are reinvested into the communities where each bracelet is crafted. Start by purchasing on TheBaseProject.com and “wear your impact”!

#2 Even the packaging is pretty, with a description this tiny treasure’s big impact.

#2 The Tswalu Collection, South Africa: We can’t blame jewelry designer Roger Doyle for being enthralled with his time at Tswalu Kalahari game reserve in the Southern Kalahari Desert. So inspired by his experience, he designed a jewelry line that gives back. Our favorite gift: a delicate necklace with a charm in the shape of Africa that comes in brass and silver. You can purchases at the reserve or via Doyle’s website. A portion of each purchase goes to The Tswalu Foundation, a foundation dedicated to environmental conservation and research.

#3 Oryx Desert Salt.

#3 Oryx Desert Salt, South Africa: This course salt from South Africa’s Kalahari Basin is the perfect gift for all the foodie friends on your list. A percentage of profit is donated to the !Xaus Lodge, owned by two communities who were granted the land by the government and have focused efforts on building tourism. The salt can be purchased online at Faithful to Nature.

Mfuwe Students in Zambia, Africa. Photo Credit: Michaela Guzy.

#4 The Bushcamp Company, Zambia: Give the gift of education by sponsoring an African student through the luxury lodging company headquartered out of the Mfuwe Lodge in the town of Mfuwe. The company works with two local schools to connect sponsors with students. For as little as $50USD per year, you can send a child to primary school and for just a couple hundred dollars, you can sponsor a child’s high school education. The little necessities for success – books, supplies, food and uniforms – couldn’t  be afforded without individual donors. Aside from helping break the poverty cycle with the gift of education, you will receive letters from Mfuwe and your student every quarter updating you of his or her progress. Get inspired by OTPYM founder Michaela Guzy’s experience and then head to one of the bushcamps in Zambia to treat yourself and meet the student you are helping.

#5 Kalahari Ancient Desert Secrets. Photo Credit: Michaela Guzy.

#5 Kalahari Ancient Desert Secrets, Southern Africa:  This aromatic diffuser is a simple yet memorable way to bring the scents of the African desert home. The company also sells candles and body products: lotions, oils and soaps. All ingredients are sustainable and indigenous to the Kalahari Desert, which spans Botswana, South Africa and Namibia.

Aside from the environmental awareness, Kalahari Ancient Desert Secrets has social effort as well- the Kalahari Bead Project, which sells bracelets and donates all proceeds in support of the Khoi San community, and Kopan School, where children are taught the ancient language Khoi San in an effort to preserve the dying language.

#6 Because it’s never too early to be a socially conscious traveler!

#6 Continent Africa, South Africa: Africa onesies and tees for the little ones on your holiday shopping list. Continent Africa’s manifesto “trade is aid” is reflected in its efforts: simple, locale, iconic clothing that profits the community it represents. The tees come in adult sizes also, making thoughtful gifts for everyone, but our favorite are the pint-sized versions. What a colorful and fashionable way to teach the next generation to shop local!

#6 Michaela modeling one of the adult sized t-shirts in the townships surrounding Cape Town, South Africa. Photo credit: James Fernie, Uthando.

#7 Baobab Batik- Namibia’s go-to place to find colorful handmade wears. Photo Credit: contributor Aly Sohigian.

#7 Baobab Batik, Swaziland: Baobab Batik is more than a retail store. Batik – an ancient art of dying and waxing fabric – is taught to local women who work together to produce the products sold in Baobab’s retail stores. Proceeds support the beautiful and talented local artisans. We love the esthetic of the colorful Batik scarves and that they are 100% handmade!  They do not sell directly from their site, but Shake the Dust sells them, and has free shipping in the USA.

#7 Vibrant patterned fabrics made by the local women. Photo Credit: Aly Shoigian.

#8 Shake the Dust, Swaziland: Shopping site Shake the Dust has launched a Gone Rural line featuring tons of beautiful locally produced products from Swaziland. From the baskets to the earrings, everything is woven from an indigenous grass and 100% handmade. Profits go back to improve living conditions for the artists and their communities.

#9 Michaela at Wilderness Little Kulala, Namibia. Photo Credit: Colin Glaum.

#9 Wilderness Safaris, Various locations: For the adventurers in your life, give the gift of safari! Each of Wilderness Safaris’ 70 luxury camps is unique to the areas they operate in. Wilderness embraces and protects the environment and most importantly supports the local community by ensuring at least 85% of employees are from the surrounding areas. 30 years of creating experiences and educating travelers has made Wilderness Safaris a leading ecotourism company. Choose an adventure in one of the nine African countries they are located in and book now.

#10 Anna Trzebinski designed jacket and handbag, Kenya. Photo Credit: Michaela Guzy.

#10 Anna Trzbenski, Nairobi, Kenya: For high design, locally produced women’s clothing, cashmere shawls, accessories, shoes and even homeware, Anna’s pieces are not to be missed. Each of her designs are handmade by the Nairobi based team she has hand selected and trained. Her designs are locally inspired, sourced and produced.

#10 Designer, Anna Trzebinski with two of her local artisans in her Nairobi, Kenya based workshop. Photo Credit: Michaela Guzy.

#9 A view of the Wilderness Sossevlei from Little Kulala, Namibia, Africa. Photo Credit: Michaela Guzy.