Each year I try to create a list of gifts that are not only super cool, but also make a difference in the world when you buy them.  Unlike buying $300 worth of gifts at Target, why not buy some gifts that do more in this world.  Buy gifts that benefit adoption,

 

Here's what we have for 2011:

 

FOR THE CITY NETWORK

If you would like to serve our city here in Austin, or donate to a ministry here in Austin then the FOR THE CITY NETWORK has it all laid out for you.  Head over to their webpage to find out how you and your family can serve, donate items, or give money to help organizations around Austin that are doing great things.

 

NOONDAY COLLECTION

This is one of my favorite places to buy gifts for loved ones.  In fact I just might have bought a certain special friend a bracelet from Noonday!  This organization started as a fundraiser for my friend Jessica's adoption (they just recently brought Jack home) and now it is a full blown company that does great things to assist women around the world.   You can even host trunk shows and help assist many people in bringing home their children via adoption!

I have these sandals and LOVE them and these bracelets I've been eyeing!!

 

HAITIAN CREATIONS

I have one of these purses and love it.  I've seen this ministry first hand and it is legit and you will get a great purse with the name of the lady that made it on the inside.

 

 

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL GIFTS

Compassion is an organization that we love and support!  We sponsor 2 kids through their sponsorship program, Aaron's been on numerous trips with them, and Aaron speaks on behalf of them whenever he gets a chance.  Here's a way that your family can give a bit more this year and give specific gifts to people.  This is a fun way to give gifts in people's names.  What a great card to slip into a Christmas card, telling your loved one that in their name you donated $ for a goat!

For $75 you can give a family a pig, that will have 16 piglets a year!  That will help a family keep an income throughout the year because of your $75 gift!

 

 

 WORLD VISION

World Vision does the same thing and has so many fabulous opportunities to put your money to great work around the world!

For $100 you can give a goat and two chickens that will help a family with not only income, but also food!

 

 

HELLO SOMEBODY

I keep hearing about these watches and I just might need to get me one!  They are super stylish and I imagine would go with just about anything I wear since they aren't too fancy, and I'm not too fancy!  You can read their story on their website and see what organizations they support.

 

 

147 MILLION

Two moms started this organization that is set out to lessen the number of orphans in the world!  They have great appearal that you'll love to wear and will help out orphans all over the world!

 

 

LOVE 41

Love 41 gives 100% to Africa New Life and they have lots of super cute stuff in their store!

 

TABITHA'S HOPE

Tabitha's Hope employes tailors in Africa to make beautiful homemade bags and linens.

COME TOGETHER FAIR TRADE

Come Together has tons of stuff that is all fair trade products.  Look at these handmade copper bells.  I would love this!  I bet your friends would too!


INTERNATIONAL PRINCESS PROJECT

I keep hearing about this organization and I think I might just buy my new jammies this year from them.  I mean why buy them at Old Navy when I can get them here and they'll not only be unique, but make a difference in the world!

PUNJAMMIES™ are made by women in India rescued from forced prostitution seeking to rebuild their lives. Proceeds from the sales of PUNJAMMIES™ provide fair-trade wages, savings accounts, and holistic recovery care. Please support International Princess™ Project as we bring hope and a voice to those who have none.

 

HAND AND CLOTH

At Hand & Cloth, women gain job skills, develop into leaders and entrepreneurs, and experience Biblical values lived out.  Working together, the women stitch kantha, a traditional two-sided blanket made from repurposed vintage sari cloth.

 

OUR BEAUTIFUL COLLISION

Heather also contacted me on facebook and told me about her adoption fundraiser.  She's selling Organic Ugandan Vanilla Extract.  Here's what her website says:

If you’re like me you might not have even known that Uganda exports high quality vanilla beans. I was excited to learn that Ugandan vanilla contains a notably high vanillin content of around 2% (up to 3.2% is found in the highest Ugandan grades) whereas Madagascan vanilla, currently the most well reputed and recognized origin, generally averages about 1.8%.

I LOVE cooking with vanilla.  This would make a great stocking stuffer or great teacher gifts!

GLOBAL GIRLFRIEND

I don't know much about this organization, but it was refered to me by another friend.  Here's from their website: 

Global Girlfriend was created by Stacey Edgar in 2003 to help women worldwide gain economic security while providing you unique products and a simple way to help women in need. Our fair-trade boutique offers a line of trend-setting, women-made, fair-trade products including stylish apparel, accessories and gifts with one purpose — helping women in need help themselves. We believe passionately that economic opportunity for women holds the promise for real change in the world; because when women have an income, they reinvest in themselves and in their children's health, education and nutrition, building stronger families and communities over time.

They have tons of options and it looks like you could do lots of shopping there!  Like this super cute apron!  I have an apron and I love it.

 

GIGI HILL BAGS by Lauren Shingleton

Lauren sent me a message on facebook and told me that her and her sister donate 10% of all their profits to Reece's Rainbow, which is an organization that helps families adopt children with down syndrome.

 

This list is so minimal … leave your link below and spread the word about what you have on your site that makes a difference!

Jamie Ivey