The 2016 Conscious Gift Giving Guide
The holidays are upon us. This year more than ever, I've been thinking a lot about consumption and our planet, holding a strong desire for any gifts I give this year to honor my values while leaving a light footprint on the earth.
Here are some of the places I've been shopping. Any favorites you'd add to this list?
- Ubuntu Trade: I discovered Ubuntu Trade during the Madison Women's Expo and loved talking with April about where the goods came from and the ways that their purchase supports women and families in Uganda. No physical store - so check out the online shop for their goodies.
- LUSH: I remember the day I first discovered LUSH, in a department store in Chicago. I have always loved their delicious-smelling, hand-made products and the fact that you can see an actual name of an actual human on every single product. Lately, I've been impressed by the work that LUSH is doing to prevent internet shut-downs and support Grassroots organizations through their Charity Pot.
- Nubian Soap: sticking with the theme of delicious smelling things, this is my favorite soap of all time, and I have been known to buy it in every 'flavor' on the rare occasions it's on sale at Whole Foods.
- Five Minute Journal: as many of you probably know by now, I'm a bit obsessed with the Five Minute Journal. Since a friend and client told me about it a couple years ago, I've been using it almost daily ever since. I think I'm on my third one. I've tried lots of different 'knock-off' versions of the five minute journal, as well as the Productivity Planner (made by the same company); however, this one is still my favorite.
- Desire Map Daily Planner: this planner is beautiful, functional, and soulful. I use Google Calendar as my official, everything-must-go-there-calendar, and I use this planner to do my daily prioritization each morning. I have used this planner consistently through 2016, and am really excited about the updated 2017 version.
- Danielle LaPorte's Candles: I swear, I'm not secretly employed by Danielle LaPorte. I just really love her stuff. These candles are wonderful - they are made with essential oils and provide just the right amount of balanced scent. I like all of them, and light different ones depending on my mood.
- Sunski Sunglasses: fun, affordable sunglasses by a company that gives 1% to the planet.
- Moleskine Notebooks: my favorite notebooks. I'm currently in the process of investigating potential new favorites that are made from recycled paper.
- Stabilo Pens: my favorite pens lately. They don't bleed or run, and they write beautifully on all types of paper. Several people mentioned that they ordered them after I talked about them in a recent newsletter, and reported similar delight with these colorful little pens.
- The Conservation Fund: as some of you saw, I'll be donating 10% of program sales for December to this organization. For other nature lovers, a donation in someone's name could be a great gift option. This organization is rated an A+ nonprofit, with 96% of funds going directly to programs.
- Paper Culture: a great option for holiday cards, invitations, and other printed paper products. Printed on 100% recycled paper, with a tree planted for every order.
Okay, those are a few of my favorites for now. How about yours?
Happy Conscious Holiday Shopping!