The Giving Back Gift Guide

This is the time of year when I pull together gift guides and share holiday ideas but I thought I would start off the season by sharing a gift guide that gives back. There are many ways we can give back and like it or not it seems we focus a little more on doing this during the holiday season. Whether you prefer volunteering your time at a local food bank; making a donation to a charitable organization or purchasing a tangible gift from an organization that sells fair trade products; I've gathered together a list for you to explore.  There are many beautiful and stylish fair trade gifts that you can buy that are sourced from artisans in emerging economies. I'll definitely be exploring these a little bit more.
It's a different kind of online shopping. I hope you feel inspired to act, donate or purchase.
1/ Flying Dove Ornament via Ten Thousand Villages 2/ Geometric Patterned Notecards via Far and Wide Collective 3/ Kantha pillow via Ten Thousand Villages 4/White Round Placemats via Far and Wide Collective 5/ Turquoise Endito Three Strand Necklace via Far and Wide Collective 6/ Winter Wonderland gift set via Me to We




For more gift ideas visit sites such as:

Give a micro-loan and help empower someone to start a business and change their life:






Give the gift of sport:





  • Kidsport Provides financial assistance to kids under 18 for registration and equipment through a confidential application process.
  • Right to Play Uses play to teach important life skills to children through sports and games.
  • Jumpstart Canadian Tire's charitable organization helps kids participate in sports by providing necessary funds to community groups and helps families cover the cost of equipment and registration.


Gifts that help children:







Artsy Gifts:



 
  Other community driven charities:







Gifts for Animal Lovers:



Finally, The Toronto Star published a list of ways you can donate your time to help this season. Read it here.

By the way...

So much has happened since I last posted on my little blog. I've been busy with design projects and a new gig I started last spring with The Toronto Star. I'm writing a weekly column for their new tablet product "Star Touch" as well as working on other features that appear across all platforms (print, tablet and web). Have you seen the column? It's called "Try It or Buy It". Every week I share a simple DIY project with step by step photos. Then I show readers where they can buy it - buy something similar - for those who aren't feeling very crafty but still want the look.

I've been missing this place and was feeling a bit odd about just reappearing out of the blue. Instagram has been my main spot to share. It's so easy, right?