Congrats to the winner Suzanne Lewis!
These next 8 gift picks are wonderful options for the moms who (especially) care about giving back to charity and the environment.
Charitable Picks
1. The Avon Foundation for Women: There are some noteworthy fundraising products from the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Collection (Breast Cancer Awareness products) as well as the Avon’s Empowerment Collection (Domestic Violence Awareness products). Both collections donate 100% of their net profits to their respective causes. (I admit that I have a “soft spot” for Avon, because I used to make the rounds with my mom when she had a side job as an Avon lady!) I especially like the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Watch ($20).
2. Charity Navigator Good Card: Before I donate to a charity, I research it on the independent charity evaluator Charity Navigator. With their “Good Card”, you can give a charity gift card that can be redeemed as a donation to the recipient’s favorite charity. (FYI: One of my favorite causes – City Harvest – is one of their “4-star” charities.)
3. eBay Giving Works: I love this concept of shopping, selling or donating items on eBay for the recipient’s favorite cause. You can also make a direct donation to the desired charity through PayPal on this site. Currently, there are over a million items that are for sale…with a percentage of the proceeds (from 10% to 100%) going towards charity.
4. Warby Parker: If you’re going to pay $95 for eyeglasses as a gift, do good (twice). What I like about their “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair” program is that they provide a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair that is purchased by partnering with local nonprofits.
“Green” Eco-Friendly Picks
1. Rukus Portable Bluetooth Solar Powered Wireless Speaker System: I actually learned about this pick while serving as a Giftees judge last year. (It won as “Best Eco-Friendly Gift”.) Rukus ($129.99) is a portable Bluetooth wireless speaker that includes a solar panel. The solar charger helps provides a good option for wireless audio on sunny days outside. (In addition to playing music, it can also charge many devices that use a USB cable.)
2. Smock: Based in NY, this sustainable stationery company offers a variety of simple yet elegant designs. This wind powered company only uses vegetable oil based and low-Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) inks and they use sustainable bamboo to make their paper and envelopes.
3. Sur La Table Bamboo Cutting Board: Sur La Table offers a lot of amazing kitchenware products to fit most budgets. This set of 3 bamboo cutting boards ($24.95) is both reasonably priced and eco-friendly. Made with sustainable bamboo, a renewable resource, this set would be a welcome gift for any home cook.
4. Mrs. Meyers Scented Soy Candle: The Mrs. Meyers brand is known for being earth-friendly and affordable. Moms who like candles will appreciate the garden scents of their soy candles ($9.99). The candles are made of a wax that burns cleanly. They also include non-metal, lead-free wicks and arrive in a reusable jelly jar.
Speaking of Mrs. Meyers…
Mrs. Meyers is giving a set of their soy candles to one lucky Mom in the City reader. To enter to win the set of candles, simply let me know your favorite charitable or eco-friendly gift pick in the “Comments” section below. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on May 10th at noon. Good luck!
{This post contains links and photos from my Amazon affiliate partner and sponsors. However, no one paid to be included as a pick!}
