The Best Way to Give

I saw an Instagram post the other day that said “The average American will spend $700 on holiday gifts and goodies this year, totaling more than $465 billion.” This estimate, from the National Retail Federation, blew me away. I began to think of all that we could do with that amount of money and what would happen if we used that money in a different way, besides to buy gifts…

Although the later is unrealistic within our materialistic society (me included), I had to wonder…what would happen if when we bought our gifts, we bought with others in mind and purchased from companies that create with a social impact? What if, when we spent our $465 billion this year, as we will, we purchased solely from companies with efforts toward making our world a better place. Even if we just spent half that amount, we would still contribute $233 billion, even more, 1/3 of that amount would contribute $155 billion to those in need. In spending a third, that would be less than $250 of our $700 on gifts that give back.

This post truly struck a cord with me and as a result, I decided that my husband and I would make a commitment to spending our money on brands that give back. If that is not a possibility, then purchasing from small, local businesses because even though my husband and I are only two people, we are two people that can make a difference in someone else’s life. We are two people that can help make the holidays a little bit better for someone else, and that, my friends, is what Christmas and the season of giving is all about.

Below you will find some amazing products from companies that have put others before themselves and have made helping those in need, their primary focus. I encourage you, to do the same. After all, it is the season of hope.