With the holidays just about here, we may all be so occupied with buying for ourselves and our loved ones, but there’s also something to keep in mind: holidays are all about giving. Why stop at just buying for your loved ones?
There are many charities out there that could use a lot of love and care, adding the holiday spirit to their warmth. We’ve complied a list of ways you can donate or products that give back to those in need. These methods are so integrated that it will feel like you’re shopping normally, but you’re making a contribution to the greater good and helping those in need.
1) (RED)
If you’re one of those individuals that’s really passionate about helping fight HIV/AIDS, then you probably have heard of (RED). (RED) has partnered with companies like Apple and Mophie that donate a percentage of your purchase to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
There are many products on the market that you can buy and support (RED). For example, there’s the Beats Solo3, Beats Pill Plus portable speaker, Mophie charging cases, and even a Vespa 946 scooter.
2) Amazon Smile
If you’re looking to shop on Amazon this holiday season (and don’t lie, you are), then you have to check out Amazon Smile. You can pick from a long list of charities you want to support and then shop like normal. Amazon will donate half a percent of your eligible purchases to your charity (excl. taxes, rebates, shipping, and any other fees).
Amazon said that it has donated over $62 million to charities this way. So what’re you waiting for? You know you’re going to shop on Amazon this holiday season. While you’re at it, pick the charity you want to support and get shopping. You’d be surprised as to how many products you buy can help contribute to the Smile program.
3) WeWood
If you’re one of those individuals who cares deeply about the environment, then you have to check out WeWood watch. It can be a perfect gift for yourself or for your loved ones. WeWood is an Italian company that makes sophisticated watches out of wood that are free of artificial materials and toxic.
WeWood, as you’d expect, cares a lot for the environment. They have teamed up with Trees for the Future and American Forests to plan a tree for every wood watch that’s sold. So far, WeWood has planed over 500,000 trees with all of its partners, and wants to hit one million trees mark by 2020.
If watches aren’t your think, the company also makes sunglasses and other accessories.
4) eBay for Charity
If you’re a seller that goes on eBay often, then you have to check out eBay’s charity shopping experience called eBay for Charity. This charity program from eBay enables sellers donate anywhere from 10 to 100 percent of the proceeds of a winning bid to charity.
eBay has gone out so far to say that donating to charity will increase your chances of the listing selling. When your listing is marked as donating to charity, then it ensures to the buyer that charity is important to you, thus increasing your chances of your listing being sold.
5) LSTN
If you’re looking for a pair of headphones this holiday season, you should check out LSTN. The company makes earbuds, headphones, and speakers with wood finishes. Proceeds from each purchase you make allows LSTN and the Starkey Hearing Foundation give hearing aids to people in need all over the world.
So far, the company has helped more than 22,000 people regain hearing and it wants to ramp up their efforts even more. If you want to help other regain hearing, then shop at LSTN this holiday season.
