What we buy has a direct impact on others. There are organizations world wide that hire child laborers or practice unfair wages. Through purchasing these types of products, we are indirectly endorsing the continuation of unethical treatment and labor practices, as well as often unfair wages towards women, men and even children. Each year during the holidays I look to spend at least half of my gift budget on social justice and ethically resourced gifts. What does that mean exactly? Well, they are gifts that give back. Perhaps they are from artisans in challenging situations locally or abroad or an organization may donate certain proceeds to local or worldwide causes.

I'm all about giving a young girl some legos for Christmas. Or buying a friend a fabulous book and a pair of socks. Oh and I totally want a kitchen aid mixer. These gifts likely won't make the social justice gift guide, but there are many organizations whom have fantastic products that are ethically based. Check out this 2016 Ethical Gift Guide for any last minute purchases you may be needing and consider how your giving can give twice.

FEED: Creating products that help feed the world. In places like Cambodia, Chad and Guatemala, founder Lauren saw a program making a dent in child malnutrition: school meals. When a child is given a free, nutritious school lunch, it can break the cycle of poverty she was born into and empower her to change her own life. FEED was started with the simple idea of creating products that would engage people in the fight against hunger in a tangible way. Every one of the products has a number stamped on it that signifies the amount of meals or micronutrient packets provided with its purchase.

Cuddle+Kind: Ethically produced hand knit dolls that provide 10 meals for every doll sold. The dolls are handmade by women in Peru, which enable these women with a sustainable fair trade income.Cuddle+Kind provides nutrition to 18.2 million children in 65 countries as well as meals to the US and Haiti through the Children's Hunger fund. Guys, I've seen these dolls. They are fantastic and definitely heirloom quality!

Trades of Hope:  Many women live in poverty, not because they lack abilities, but because they lack opportunity. Trades of Hope was started to give women the opportunity for a better life. Each woman has a story and Trades of Hope helps woman to reshape where their stories are going by working with artisans and organizations that are helping women in difficult circumstances.Some women have been rescued from sex slavery. Others are raising handicapped children alone. Some are in war torn countries and others have HIV/AIDS and leprosy. These women have never had the chances we've had, yet they are just like us in so many ways. They love their families and hope and dream of a better life for them. Trades of Hope has come cute ornaments and a ceramic nativity set I've been eyeing.

Child Voice International builds therapeutic communities by creating a village of refuge for children and youth traumatized by conflict – war orphans, former child soldiers, and members of displaced families. Within the residential center, participants engage in a comprehensive array of activities designed to promote healing. One of these activities include teaching marketable skills that can provide a livelihood for youth once they leave the program. Each year I buy 2-3 necklaces to give as gifts.. and I may have kept a few for myself.