With the holidays quickly approaching, you’re likely rushing to buy the perfect gift for friends and family.
Life is hard, but giving thoughtful gifts that are good for you, your loved ones, and the planet shouldn’t be.
Noel & Co.’s latest endeavor, better made easy, is a sustainability-focused online store that curates unique gifts that give back.
By partnering with Gabi’s PALS, every single gift purchased from better made easy creates job opportunities for people with disabilities and will be sent using the most sustainable packaging possible.
To help make it a bit easier to find these bada** mission-driven companies, we wanted to share a few of our better products you can shop today:
1. better gift boxes!
We’ve launched a collection of curated mission-driven boxes with fun themes like the better puppy box and the ultimate give back better gift box where $5 of each sale goes back to A Place at the Table — a pay-what-you-can cafe in Raleigh! Browse all 7 of our launch gift boxes here.
2. Greyston Bakery
This Certified B Corp is on a mission to provide good jobs and job training for individuals who face barriers to employment. Oh, and their brownies are delicious! They’re so good that, in fact, they are also the brownies you find in all of Ben & Jerry’s ice creams! Shop our better gift boxes that include these treats or buy them separately!
3. Wicks for Wags
Buying a Wicks for Wags candle means sending a donation to animals in need!
These hand-poured candles are mixed in small batches and poured into reusable jars. They contain environmentally friendly soy wax made from soybeans grown on American Farms, are phthalate, paraben and sulfate FREE and have natural cotton (lead free) wicks for a clean burning experience. Each candle is 100% dye free, vegan, and eco-friendly. Each scent has been tested to perfection. They also eliminate odors and are safe for you and your dogs, cats and all pets!
4. Designed for Joy
Designed For Joy provides women in crisis with stability through immediate employment and support, removing the stigma of vulnerability. To date, they have hired over 120 women with $400,000 in living wages earned. Shop their beautiful Raleigh ornaments, jewelry, and bags! They are perfect additions to a custom-built gift box or as a thoughtful gift for a loved one.
5. Big Spoon
Big Spoon Roasters makes handcrafted nut butters and wholesome snack bars from scratch in Hillsborough, NC. Uniquely fresh, delicious, and nutritious, each small batch is made to order with the best possible ingredients sourced directly from local and like-minded producers. Explore our favorite flavors here!
6. Imani + Kids
Imani + Kids is a leading ethical impact brand making lifestyle goods. All of their products are handmade by 130+ empowered artisans in Kenya. Every purchase empowers another human!
Dignified employment is a key ingredient for economic development and poverty alleviation in developing countries around the world.
Imani Collective’s innovative model for providing women, men and their families with consistent wages, skills training, community and access to education has proven highly successful at improving artisan livelihoods and well-being. Gift the kids in your life the cutest toys and inspiring decor!
7. Sweeter Cards
Meet Sweeter Cards – the greeting card and gourmet chocolate bar all in ONE!
This is the perfect holiday gift and stocking stuffer, and is a genius combination of a gift and a card…together!
They are woman (and mom!) owned, use fair trade certified chocolate, recyclable card packaging, and employ adults with disabilities to bring their two-for-one concept to life.
Their chocolatier has been making unbelievably delicious and ethically-sourced chocolate for over 40 years, and they are proud to be based and made in St. Louis, Missouri.
8. Counter Culture
Counter Culture believes they can make a positive impact on coffee’s future through their everyday commitments to quality, sustainability, education, and transparency. Their coffee is traceable from seed to cup (and delicious)!
We all know a devout coffee-lover. Look no further for the perfect gift box!
9. Conscious Step
Love them or not, socks are a classic holiday gift. Up your sock-gifting game with these socks that save lives!
Conscious Step supports people and the planet with every purchase. You can count on them for supreme comfort, ethical and sustainable production, and designs that make you smile; all while empowering non-profits to support their causes and communities. Their range of super soft socks and calming candles means they have something for anyone and everyone to help build a better world.
10. Clif Family Napa Valley
Clif Family Executive Chef John McConnell has created a selection of artisan food products inspired by their Napa Valley home that pair perfectly with wine. The Clif Family Howell Mountain farm and vineyards are CCOF certified organic and their artisan food products are made from organic ingredients.
“We’re working to run a different kind of company: The kind of place we’d want to work, that makes the kind of food we’d like to eat, and that strives for a healthier, more sustainable world – the kind of world we’d like to pass on to our children.”
We hope this list provides the inspiration you need to surprise your loved ones. And regardless of what products you chose from, know that your purchase is helping a greater cause that’ll positively impact people, planet, or both for the better!