Post- Justin C. Blomgren

Ho ho ho! Its the most wonderful time of the year. Isn’t giving people gifts the best!? Harper and I are always trying to find that perfect gift for our family and friends (and each other) each year during the holiday season. This year is no different… EXCEPT, this season we wanted to be a bit more intentional and pick out gifts that could actually make an impact on our world. We got this idea from a friend of ours who works for a great group called Social Enterprises Alliance. Each year they put together an awesome Holiday Gift Guide that highlights some of the great businesses that are truly trying to make an impact on our world.

There are so many awesome items on their guide that we decided to highlight some of our favorites! Sincerely hope this helps you find something for your hard to get family member. Check these out!

Nisolo: @nisoloshoes

These boots are seriously so beautiful. Nisolo is all about sustainability and style. Their producers in Peru must be 18 years old, make above fair trade wages, receive health care, and have a healthy working environment. Check out this page for more info on their ethical standards.

Mission: To push the fashion industry in a more sustainable direction--where success is based on more than just offering the cheapest price--a direction that not only values exceptional design, but the producer and the planet just as much as the end consumer.

Impact Focus: Nisolo products are ethically made. All producers receive beyond fair trade wages, healthcare, and a healthy working environment.

Harper got the Luciano Boot

I got the Men’s Chelsea Boot Stone

Causegear: @causegear

Roll Pack

CAUSEGEAR is a social enterprise dedicated to giving their workers a living wage, which therefore frees them from the vulnerability of being tricked or forced into slavery or sex trafficking. Find out more about their mission and model here.

Mission: Transform the lives of one million people trapped in unfathomable poverty & injustice to become self-sustaining

Impact focus: Fighting Global Slavery through opportunity employment

Hand in Hand Soap: @handinhandsoap

Buy a bar. Give a Bar. I love this idea. Their mission is to provide soap and clean water to children in developing countries. This quote is so eye opening. “In 2011, we stumbled upon an article stating 5 million children die each year from water related illnesses. After some research, we learned that 45% of these deaths could be prevented with simple hand washing alone. We decided to create a household product that could also save lives and Hand in Hand Soap was born!” Definitely check out their products.

Mission: to provide soap and clean water to children in the developing world through our buy a bar, give a bar & clean water programs.

With My: @sharewithmy

Lemonade Toothpaste

Toothpaste with a mission. With My is Cruelty free, all natural ingredients AND vegan. On top of that, 10% of all their profits go to children’s oral care and education. It tastes good too!

Mission: WITH MY's goal is to provide you with tasteful all natural products that not only work, but also gives back while caring for the environment. Brush, Save, and #ShareWITHMYgoods

Impact Focus: WITH MY sells organic toothpaste and gives back 10% of the profit for children's oral care and education.

SoapBox: @soapboxsoaps

Soapbox’s mission is Soap = Hope! Each Soapbox product donates a bar of soap and proper hygiene education.

“Access to Soap can change a life, Which is why we believe that Soap= Hope. Each of your soapbox products donates a bar of soap to someone in need and often these bar donations are also paired with proper hygiene education.”

Impact Focus: Providing soap and hygiene education to people globally

Bambu: @bambuliving

Bambu creates a variety of beautiful kitchen products that are all handcrafted, promote fair labor, and safe working conditions for their workers. They have so many great items, including

Striped Towel, round plates, knife and spoons, utensils set and a cutting serving board

Mission: To reduce our use and reliance on plastic by providing people with beautiful, non-toxic products made from nature.

Good good good: @goodgoodgoodco

Mission: The Goodnewspaper is a tangible way to celebrate the good being done in the world, helping you to become good news in the world around you.

Humphreys Street: @humphreysstreet

Mission: to create jobs in our neighborhood, provide mentoring opportunities that empower youth, and train teenagers in job skills such as customer service, marketing, and craftsmanship, Humphreys Street Coffee was created.

Thistle Farms: @thistlefarms

Mission: “Thistle Farms' mission is to HEAL, EMPOWER, AND EMPLOY women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. We do this by providing safe and supportive housing, the opportunity for economic independence, and a strong community of advocates and partners. We believe that in the end, love is the most powerful force for change in the world.”

Impact Focus: Working with survivors of trafficking, prostitution and addiction

Pals Socks: @palssocks

Mission: To inspire our future global citizens, kids, to promote inclusivity and acceptance. This mismatched child sock company hopes its products inspire children to be more open minded and friends with someone different. Check out Pals Socks here.

Women’s Bean Project: @womensbeanproject

Great gift baskets featuring lots of gourmet food combinations.

Mission: They are a Colorado 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to change women’s lives by providing stepping stones to self-sufficiency through social enterprise.

Impact focus: addressing chronic unemployment, recidivism, welfare dependency, and a host of other challenges for women.

Greyston Bakery: @greystonbakery

These brownies are seriously sooooooo delicious!

Oops, had to have a bite. So gooey and delicious.

Mission: Greyston’s mission is to create thriving communities through the practice and promotion of Open Hiring™. They hire without interviews, resumes, background checks or applications. Beyond providing an opportunity to work, the Open Hiring Model includes community services programs to support new employees. When people have the opportunity to participate fully in our economy and contribute to our collective values, we all benefit.

Eco Bags: @ecobags_us

Mission: ECOBAGS is a manufacturer of reusable, eco-friendly bags. Our mission is to offer thoughtful, ethically and sustainably sourced, durable-reusable bags that inspire people to reduce, reuse, recycle and re-imagine the world we live in. We believe that less can be more. We are passionate about living greener, simpler and more abundant lives.

Perfect for all our trips to the grocery store.

Well there you have it. Holiday gifts that actually make a difference. And this is just a sampling of all the great products they have at their Holiday Gift Guide. Definitely check them out. I hope you all got some great ideas. Definitely check out these brands for a more intentional and sustainable holiday season! And please forward to any friends or family who you think might be interested :) Thank you all for reading!