Social Innovation Forum
The gift-giving season is upon us! If you're looking for great gifts that also give back to the community, check out our list of ideas below featuring unique gifts from the Social Innovation Forum's portfolio of Social Innovators and Impact Entrepreneurs for everyone on your list. Of course, you can also always make a donation to an organization you're passionate about in the name of a family member or friend. Happy holidays from the SIF team!
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Artisan Products
A Little Easier Recovery - Jewelry
Any of the beautiful pieces in A Little Easier Recovery’s “Just Be You” Jewelry Collection would make a great gift for a jewelry lover. The pieces feature the "All In" symbol of support and strength. 100% of the net proceeds of every item sold goes directly to their programs that support advanced breast cancer patients.
Artisan’s Asylum - Handmade Crafts
Artisan’s Asylum, a community fabrication center in Somerville, supports and promotes the teaching, learning and practice of fabrication in many mediums and styles. Click here to view their list of online shops and pages from member artists to support the local artist community. For the artist in your life, consider giving a membership to work in the Asylum space.
Project Repat - T-Shirt Quilts
Project Repat’s handcrafted, personalized T-Shirt Quilts are perfect for someone with an accumulation of old t-shirts. Project Repat makes it easy to give the gift of a T-Shirt Quilt, providing all the materials needed for your loved one to send in their favorite old t-shirts which will be sent back in the form of a beautiful, and practical, quilt just in time for winter snowstorms!
United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) Woodworking - Cutting Boards
The young people employed by the UTEC Woodworking program use 100% reclaimed east coast hardwoods to produce beautiful, high-quality cutting boards. This gift comes in two sizes, which makes it the perfect addition to any kitchen.
Books
More Than Words - Books
More Than Words, a nonprofit social enterprise that works to empower youth through business leadership, has an online bookstore featuring a vast collection of affordable books with something for every reader. They also offer in-store book bundles at their locations in Boston and Waltham. Visit their website more information about More Than Words, their work, and how to find them.
Fitness
InnerCity Weightlifting - Apparel & Training Packages
Inner City Weightlifting, a gym with a mission to reduce youth violence, sells both workout apparel and training packages for all fitness levels. Give the gift of health while supporting ICW and its talented student trainers.
Janji - Running Apparel
Janji is a running and fitness apparel brand dedicated to helping solve the global water crisis. Janji's apparel features bold designs inspired by different countries around the world, and a portion of the profits from each sale goes to support access to clean drinking water in those same countries.
Home & Garden
Green City Growers - Gardening
For a gardening enthusiast, or even your friend who has yet to develop a “green thumb,” a gift certificate for an urban farming workshop or a book from Green City Growers will give them the unique opportunity to learn about creating their own food source for a more sustainable community.
Kids
ChopChop Kids - Cookbook or Magazine
The ChopChop Kids’ Cookbook or a ChopChop Kids’ magazine subscription is a fun gift that will teach children how to cook simple, healthy, and delicious meals.
Kinder Lab - Robotics Kit
Inspire a creative child with programming blocks and a buildable robot from KinderLab children’s robotics kits.
Specialty Food Items
City Feed and Supply - Craft Beer & Specialty Foods
For the beer connoisseur, a membership to City Feed and Supply's New England Craft Beer Share will provide them with a monthly package of four large format bottles of craft beer plus a locally produced food-pairing. City Feed and Supply’s selection of local natural foods and specialty groceries are great for friends visiting from out of state. For a local, a gift card would be perfect.
Music & Theater
Tickets to see a play or show make a wonderful gift, especially during the holiday season. There are options to meet the interest of any friend or loved one.
Actors’ Shakespeare Project - Theater
Actors' Shakespeare Project uses the words of Shakespeare to inspire inspire civic dialogue.
Boston Children’s Chorus - Music
Boston Children's Chorus hosts numerous performances by an internationally recognized children's choir with a social mission.
Company One Theatre - Theater
Company One produces original, socially provocative performances representing the richness of Boston's diversity.
The Theater Offensive - Theater
The Theater Offensive is a nationally-awarded group representing diversity and LGBTQ+ perspectives and experiences through theater and the arts.
If you'll be hosting family and friends this holiday season, there are many more ways to incorporate impact into your festivities. Consider ordering catering from Café UTEC, City Feed and Supply, Fresh Food Generation, or Haley House. And make sure to check out Zumix, a program dedicated to building community through music and the arts, and their online music store featuring holiday albums and oportunities to book incredible musicians for your next holiday party.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dana Gingras is a Fall 2016 College for Social Innovation Fellow with SIF. Allison Hajjar is an MSW intern from the Boston College School of Social Work working with SIF during the 2016-2017 academic year.