If It's Thought That Counts, Put Some Thought Behind Your Gifts

1.

There is no bad time to give back, but there is something about the holiday season that puts people in a charitable mood. And while most people pay it forward, you can pay it forward twice over when you give your loved one a charitable gift. This year, it is even more important to consider where your money goes. As a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, millions have lost their jobs, forcing them to go without the essentials needed to survive. Additionally, the racial injustices the occurred over the past year have resulted in a greater need for funding to raise awareness and support the families who've been affected. And there are still plenty of other organizations supporting worthy causes that need financial support to keep going. Do you give charitable gifts at holiday time?

Yes

30%

684 votes

I have in the past

28%

655 votes

Not usually, but maybe this year

9%

196 votes

No

33%

766 votes

2.

Here are some interesting ways to give back -- do any of these sound like something you would consider doing this year?

'Family Meal: Recipes from Our Community' -- If someone has been perfecting their cooking skills in quarantine, then they'll appreciate this digital cookbook that features recipes from some of the top food and drink authors in the U.S. All proceeds benefit the Restaurant Workers' Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund, which supports on-the-ground efforts in the restaurant community during this challenging time. Available on Amazon for 5.99

16%

364 votes

Red Devil Cocktail Kit -- This kit contains everything needed to make a devilishly good cocktail. And 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Another Round Another Rally, which supports U.S. hospitality workers who've lost their job due to COVID-19. shakerandspoon.com for $50

8%

192 votes

Black-Owned Tea Brands Collection -- Elevate your tea time while supporting Black-owned businesses. This proceeds from this collection of delicious teas go toward supporting up-and-coming Black-owned tea brands and help them grow their businesses. sipsby.com for $40

8%

194 votes

ONEHOPE Wine -- Every bottle of this cabernet helps fund Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism. onehopewine.com for $25

7%

162 votes

None of them

73%

1691 votes

3.

Are any of these gift ideas ones you would consider this year?

WWF Adopt a Hippopotamus -- They'll get a cute stuffed hippo (plus an adoption certificate and more, depending on which option you choose); the World Wildlife Fund receives support to help protect the species, which are at risk from habitat loss. worldwildlife.org for $55

11%

263 votes

The Giving Keys Mini Key Necklace -- Small and subtle, this half-inch necklace will fit in nicely with any friend or family member's existing jewelry collection. Each purchase also helps provide jobs and other support to people transitioning out of homelessness. thegivingkeys.com for $45

12%

273 votes

Piecework Power Lunch Puzzle -- This high-quality 1,000-piece puzzle celebrates high-powered women who lunch—but it also gives back to them by supporting the National Women's Law Center, which fights for gender justice, with some of the proceeds from every purchase. , pieceworkpuzzles.com for $36

8%

187 votes

Fire Department Coffee Rum Infused Coffee -- This small-batch coffee delivers quality beans with a sweet, tropical finish thanks to an infusion of rum. Even better, 10 percent of proceeds for this veteran-led, firefighter-run business goes to aid for first responders through the Fire Dept. Coffee Foundation. firedeptcoffee.com for $20

14%

324 votes

None

69%

1599 votes

4.

The concept of "get a gift, give a gift" has never been more important. So many have to do without, and these gifts truly do give back. Are there any on here you would consider giving?

Sock Fancy Triple Layer Premium Face Mask -- Everyone can use another reusable face mask, and these all send powerful messages. For every mask sold, Sock Fancy is donating one, so everyone can have some protection against coronavirus. sockfancy.com for $15

15%

334 votes

Sackcloth + Ashes Heritage Smoky Quartz blanket -- This gorgeous, sustainably made blanket will be their new go-to for cold nights on the couch or picnics in the park. For every purchase, Sackcloth + Ashes donates a blanket to your local homeless shelter, so the giving aspect of this gift that gives back is close to home. sackclothandashes.com for $109

11%

247 votes

Hand in Hand 4 Pack Bar Soap Set -- These four fantastic scented soaps make a lovely gift and the knowledge that every bar of soap purchased means the donation of one bar of soap and a month of clean water will keep them feeling good. handinhandsoap.com for $22

15%

339 votes

Bombas Socks -- For every gift purchased, Bombas donates one pair to someone affected by homelessness. Socks are the #1 most requested item in homeless shelters. bombas.com

21%

487 votes

None

64%

1464 votes

5.

You may have someone on your list who is impossible to buy for because they have everything. When asked, they always say they want "nothing". This year maybe give them the Gift Of Nothing, actually available on Amazon for only $9.87! Literally this box contains NOTHING -- it even is printed with the message "this gift is proof I listen". Or better yet, instead of giving Amazon the money for this empty box of air, consider giving your hard-to-buy-for person a charitable gift, which is a gift of "everything" to someone in need. Which would you prefer to give:

A charitable gift

33%

749 votes

The gift of Nothing from Amazon

6%

145 votes

Neither

39%

900 votes

Maybe both -- it is a funny novelty gift idea!

22%

507 votes

Results: If It's The Thought That Counts, Put Some Thought Behind Your Gifts