11 Holiday Gifts that Build a Better World

If you haven't finished your holiday shopping yet, you're running out of time. If you're looking for some last-minute gift ideas, here are 11 great presents. Of course, the best part of these gifts is that the proceeds benefit worthy causes and organizations. We spend so much money during the holidays, why shouldn't some of it go to help others? Here are my favorites:

	Rosie's Peace Tee Benefits Children's Charities Rosie has made a high-quality shirt in sizes that fit real people. The 'Peace' tee has a wonderful, simple message and proceeds from Rosie's store go towards children's charities. Of course, the 'Love' tee shirts are just as nice. get it now
	Lance Armstrong Live Strong Skull Cap Benefits Lance Armstrong Foundation for Fighting Cancer However noble the cause, those bright yellow livestrong bracelets just aren't cool anymore. Fortunately Lance has some cool stocking stuffers. At just $14, this skull cap makes a perfect gift for a friend. get it now

	2007 Ford Warriors in Pink Silk Scarf (by Lilly Pulitzer) Benefits Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation This may be your last chance to buy the limited edition 2007 Ford Warriors in Pink Silk Scarf. At $35, it's an affordable gift for friends, and a great way to raise awareness of breast cancer. get it now
	Barclay Butera "Angels in L.A." Pillow Benefits AIDS Project Los Angeles This lavish, white-on-white pillow made from heavyweight, high quality linen contains 4,000 stitches that form the AIDS ribbon and the words “Angels in L.A.”. At $295, it's an expensive present, but a great reminder of how you honored your friend or family member by supporting AIDS Project Los Angeles get it now
	Hand Made Lidded Basket Benefits the Women of Uganda The horriffic genocide that occured in Rwanda in 1994 took the lives of nearly a million people, or 10 percent of the population of Rwanda. The women of Rwanda, many of whom are now widows, are leading the way in rebuilding their economy and their country one basket at a time. Buy one of these beautiful handmade baskets and be a part of their heroic efforts. get it now
	Love and Pride 1138 Products Benefits Lambda Legal The 1138 Collection is designed to get people talking. Bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry feature innovative designs around the number 1138. 10% of the purchase is donated to Lambda Legal to work toward a day when all loving couples have equal access to marriage and equal access to all 1138 rights. get it now
	Kiva Gift Certificates Loans that change lives. Kiva let's you lend money to an individual entrepeneur in the developing world, empowering themselves to lift themselves out of poverty. I love Kiva, and was a member long before Oprah gave Kiva her seal of approval. This is the perfect last minute gift because you can print out gift certificates straight from the website. get it now
	Clinton Presidential Center Cookbook Benefits The William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation Over 250 supporters from Clinton friends including Madeleine Albright & James Carville. The Clinton Foundation has done amazing work on HIV/AIDS around the world. Here's a chance to show your support. get it now
	Housing Works Online Auctions Benefits Housing Works You don't have to go to their thrift store in New York City to purchase an item from Housing Works. Some of their best stuff is available online. Housing Works auctions have raised over $2 million for people living with HIV/AIDS. Check it out. You're sure to find something special here housing works online auction
	Same Love, Same Rights Pin Benefits Various Marriage Equality Efforts Get this beautiful 'commitment' lapel pin for a friend who is participating in the fight for Marriage Equality. get it now
	Amnesty International 2007 Calendar Benefits Amnesty International Amnesty's 2007 calendar includes stunning portraits from the world-renowned photo-journalism agency Contact Press Images. buy it now

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A. J. Lopp | December 17, 2007 10:23 AM

All these gifts are good suggestions ... some a little more "high class trendy" than others, but all benefit worthy causes.

I have two suggestions to add:

First, for someone who will appreciate your gesture more than an umpteenth sweater they will never wear, make a donation to Heifer International, an organization that supplies livestock to rural and small village residents of third world countries. The livestock, such as cattle, goats, chickens, or even honeybees, supply healthful and often high-protein foods while allowing their owners to economically transform their lives --- in many situations, one cow can empower an entire family to go from complete poverty to entrepreneurism and relative wealth. www.heifer.org

Second, consider a donation to the Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA) Villiage Banking program, which is one of several "micro-credit" operations --- supplying the impoverished in the third world with start-up capital for various forms of homecrafts and/or trading. Again, a small loan of only a few US dollars can often put an idle soul into profitable business. Find them at www.villagebanking.org

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David Mariner | December 17, 2007 11:21 AM

Both great suggestions!

David

Alex Blaze | December 17, 2007 1:38 PM

Hmmm... You know what Miss Manners says about giving money to charity as a gift, but I think these suggestions are a bit outside of that realm, since everything you buy is going to benefit someone, it might as well be someone who'll do something good with that money.

Thanks for posting this list, David.

Bil Browning | December 17, 2007 1:58 PM

I really like Rosie's t-shirt and I love Kiva.

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11 Holiday Gifts that Build a Better World

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