Holiday Gift Guide 2020: Travel Gifts That Give Back

There’s nothing more rewarding than giving a gift, especially one that doubles its impact by donating to a good cause. Not only do you make your recipient happy but you actually make a difference in the world.

All of these travel gifts give back so you can shop with a conscience and easily rationalize buying for yourself as well as your loved ones.

Hawthorne Slip On Words Matter from SeaVees

SeaVees’ Hawthorne slip on is a wardrobe essential in itself so it’s the perfect canvas for an essential message. “Words Matter” is etched all along the foxing, and the classic sneaker has been printed with original redacted government document-inspired artwork by DJ Javier. Available in both men and women’s sizes, each shoe is unique, and the print on the left is slightly different from the print on the right, making it even more of a conversation piece. Because comfort matters, too, the Hawthorne features a contoured, cushy foam footbed with extra heel-strike cushion. Price: $95, with 5% of all proceeds going to the Committee to Protect Journalists, an organization that promotes freedom of the press worldwide and defends the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.

Essential Cases from Someone Somewhere

These multi-tasking bags would be highly desirable for their looks alone but the fact that they’re helping to lift artisans out of poverty in Latin American countries should raise them to the top of your gift list. The Essentials Bag comes with a detachable strap so it can be worn in six different ways, and it’s made with a traditional weaving technique passed down through generations. What makes it really special, though, is the interior label signed by the Someone who crafted it and indicating the Somewhere they call home. Price: $35, with sales increasing the monthly income of artisans in poor Latin American communities by more than 300%.

Jabots for Justice

These beautiful replicas of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s iconic collars are ethically handcrafted by female artisans in Guatemala, through La Casa Cotzal, a partner of Nest, a nonprofit that works with artisans and makers to build a world of greater gender equity and economic inclusion. The stunning beadwork makes for a fitting tribute to the Notorious RBG, and the jabot comes in its own little pouch so you can travel with it and find yourself in fascinating conversations with people around the world. Price: $40, which is a tax-deductible donation to Nest.

JIGGY Reach for the Stars Sis Puzzle by Pink LoMein

Travelers are always pushing boundaries and trying to explore as far as possible, so this beautiful puzzle from JIGGY will definitely inspire them to Reach for the Stars Sis. JIGGY has turned the whole process of doing puzzles into an art form, from the unique glass jars in which they’re packaged to the artist-driven imagery to the fact that they include a tube of glue so you can frame your finished creation. Price: $49, with a percentage of every sale going back to the artist who designed it.

Lucie II from Anothersole

Hold everything, we have found your new favorite travel shoes. Not only do they have a breathable ergonomic footbed for maximum comfort and support but the leather is soft as butter and these flats are so lightweight, you’ll want to buy them in every color. Best of all, Anothersole’s philosophy, #Buy1Feed1, is stamped inside each shoe so you will always remember to do what you can to help another soul. Price: $125, with 10% of profits going towards feeding children around the world.

Hope and a Future: Life, Survival, and Renewal on the Streets of an African Slum by Paul Higdon

Travel has the power to change us — and those around us. Paul Higdon never imagined, when he visited Africa, he would form an unbreakable bond with a young man from the slums of Nairobi who he would ultimately call his “son.” This is an inspiring memoir about the power of love and support to overcome even the most harrowing circumstances. It’s also a reminder that each one of us has the ability to make a difference and to become more than tourists Price: $19.95, with all proceeds going to help vulnerable kids through Little Boost Children’s Fund.

LifeStraw Go Advanced Water Filter Bottle

You know it’s better for the planet to use refillable bottles than single plastics but this water filter bottle from LifeStraw makes it better for you, as well. Their revolutionary filter protects against 99.999999% of bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella, 99.999% of parasites and microplastics, chlorine, organic chemical matter, dirt and cloudiness, letting you fill your bottle anywhere and immediately have clean, drinkable water. Price: $39.95, with every purchase providing one child one year of safe water.

Pocketalk Voice Translator

Use the brilliant little Pocketalk one time and you’ll wonder how you ever traveled internationally without it. This pocket-sized device translates 82 languages, utilizing the best speech-to-text, translation and text-to-speech engines from around the world so you can actually have a conversation with anyone anywhere. As we’ve learned over the past nine months, connection is everything, and being able to communicate with each other is the greatest gift of all. Price: $299, with a Pocketalk Classic donated to a teacher in need with each purchase of a new device.

Ku’una Leather Slippers from OluKai

Give your feet a treat with these cushy slippers made of premium nubuck leather and lined in genuine shearling. Paying tribute to island culture, OluKai knows a thing or two about chilling out, and they’ve crafted the perfect footwear for relaxing in comfort. The patented Drop-In heel lets you wear them as shoes or slides and they provide all-day support, which is good because you won’t want to take them off. Price: $120, with a portion of every sale directly supporting the Ama OluKai Foundation, honoring those who preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage and Aloha spirit of Hawai‘i

Better & Better Toothpaste

We love when a product lives up to its name, and Better & Better does just that. Not only is their subscription-only premium toothpaste better for you, it’s also better for the planet. It’s free of chemicals and filled with pure, natural ingredients that clean, whiten and strengthen your teeth. And, unlike those tubes that eventually start looking gross with old toothpaste remains stuck to them and everything they touch, Better & Better comes in a pouch that you place inside a simple, sophisticated dispenser that adds a nice touch to any bathroom counter at home or away. It even comes with an hourglass to make sure you’re brushing long enough, and everything gets delivered right to your door so you never run out. Price: $29.94 for one year of toothpaste and the dispenser Starter Set included free, with a donation to One Tree Planted made for every Toothpaste Starter Set sold, so they can plant one tree in their reforestation efforts.

Portococo Spray and Refill Bundle

Since you have to carry hand sanitizer everywhere you go these days, you want one that looks good. Portococo, founded by designer extraordinaire Aaron Stewart, has created refillable spray bottles that are so simple and stylish, they’re like fashion accessories themselves. Plus, they minimize waste, keeping plastic out of landfills. This starter pack comes with a spray bottle in your choice of vibrant colors and a bottle of FDA-approved Sanitizing Spray refill, made from 70% plant-based alcohol. Price: $25, with every purchase supporting the afterschool and education programs of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico.

High West X Coalatree Kachula Adventure Blanket

Made from 100% recycled materials and easily convertible into a travel pillow or poncho, this limited-edition indoor/outdoor blanket is a charitable collaboration between eco-minded outdoor gear and apparel company, Coalatree, and High West Distillery, makers of American Prairie Bourbon. The two pair perfectly for a picnic – whether on a mountain or in your background. Price: $83, with $30 from each blanket sale donated to support the conservation efforts of American Prairie Reserve, the largest nature reserve in the contiguous United States.

Primal New Year’s Eve 2.0 Mask, Filter and Frame Bundle

Celebrate the new year safely with this festive — and protective — face mask from cycling apparel company, Primal. Made of two layers of SpeedPro fabric, its got a patent-pending X-frame for breathability, adjustable ear straps and a reusable filter. Price: $22, with 5% of sales donated to non-profits in the fight against COVID-19.

Lush Charity Pot

While you’re ordering your favorite skincare products and gifts from Lush, pick up a couple of travel-sized Charity Pots as well. With its mix of ylang ylang and rosewood oils, this rich body lotion smells heavenly and leaves your skin soft and hydrated. Plus, it supports regenerative agriculture around the world by using ingredients sourced from their Sustainable Lush Fund. Price: $7.95, with 100% of the price (minus taxes) donated to small, grassroots organizations.

CJ “I Am A Voter” Shoes from Ma’am

This limited-edition shoe is good for the soul as well as the sole. Its elegant shape features a soft Italian suede and leather fabrication and a supportive insole with plus foam padding. Sure, it lets you put your best foot forward but it also gives you an opportunity to raise your voice every time you raise your leg. Price: $245, with $10 donated to I am a voter, a non-partisan movement that helps increase voter registration and turnout for every election and aims to create a cultural shift around voting and civic engagement.

Nunbelievable Assorted Pack Cookies

Holy deliciousness! These soft-bake cookies may have a funny name but they are seriously good. Each cookie comes in its own package and is non-GMO and preservative-free with no artificial flavors. They are the perfect travel snacks, and you’ll want to buy them by the carton or sign up for a monthly subscription. Back to the name: Inspired by a group of nuns who devoted their lives to feeding the hungry, Nunbelievable is all about ending hunger. Price: from $17.99, with one meal donated to someone in need, through relief agencies around the country, for every cookie purchased.

Dazzle Dry Deck the Nails Manicure Kit

Known for its award-winning four-step system, Dazzle Dry nails it with the perfect all-in-one manicure kit for the holidays, whether you’re celebrating at home or away. It comes with its celebrated Remove and Maintain Oil and all the tools you need – cuticle remover, nail file, nail buffer and 3 orangewood sticks – to prepare your nails for one of their gorgeous lacquers. Price: $50, with one tree planted for every purchase, in partnership with WeForest Project, a global nonprofit that engages with scientists, corporations and other organizations to advance forest landscape restoration.

Taylor Beauty Quartet

This tropical scented travel set contains two-ounce bottles of Peche, Blue Razz, Coconut Kiwi and Strawberry Avocado lotion, each of which smells like a vacation in itself. Taylor Beauty is a Black-owned business co-founded by a father and daughter, with each product representing an aspect of their life. You can feel the family love in the story behind each one. Price: $20, with a portion of every sale donated to a cause that represents Culture & Community.

Art for Animals

Famed photographers David Yarrow and Adrian Steirn have teamed up with Space for Giants to release two limited-run, never-before-seen wildlife photographs to help end the illegal wildlife trade. Yarrow’s “Space for Giants” is a haunting portrait of Craig, one of the last remaining elephant tuskers in the world. Tuskers are African elephants with tusks so long, they reach the ground. There are fewer than 30 tuskers left in the world today. Steirn’s “Spotted Cat” is a powerful and rare shot of a majestic leopard standing over a body of water at Singita Sabi Sands. The elusive leopard, one of Africa’s great cats and most imposing predators, is one of the most difficult animals to photograph. Both photographs are signed and numbered on the reverse, and will transport you straight to Africa every time you look at them. Price: $650 each/$1200 for both, with 100% of profits donated to stop the illegal wildlife trade.