Holiday Gifts that Give Back 2011

Forget gifts that keep on giving; this year get gifts that give twice — with 100% of net proceeds benefiting worthy causes.
Christmas is just around the corner, but instead of buying run of the mill presents this year, you might want to consider something totally yummy that loved ones on your list will love and that will do some good in our world as well.

Here are 10 do-good gifts that scale new philanthropic and fashionable heights:

UNICEF Woven Reed Handbag
Support vulnerable children worldwide with this beautiful bag that is both practical and spacious. One of the most recognisable charities in the world, UNICEF provides support services for children in need whether it be in famine stricken Uganda or post-disaster Haiti. ($60)

The Joyful Nuddle Blanket
These cozy fleece blankets will give Mom her “serenity now”. The nuddle blanket (nap + cuddle) covers the body from neck to feet with arm openings to use your hands without leaving the cocoon. The best part? For every Joyful Nuddle purchased, one is given to a victim of sexual abuse. ($75)



JUICY Robe
Wrap yourself in fashionable comfort with this warm, fluffy robe from Juicy Couture. Cotton-poly blend, signature JUICY logo and ruffled sleeves come together for a touch of sassy fun. All profits from this robe go directly to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, a facility treating children with life-threatening and terminal cancer. ($98)


Viva Glam lipstick or lipglass
Stocking up on any of the various flattering shades means that 100% of the selling price goes to the MAC Fund which supports the fight against HIV/AIDS. To date, MAC Cosmetics has raised over $100 million for the Fund. ($16.50)

Noodle & Boo Believe Honey Bar
As if you didn't already love this hypoallergenic soap before, now with 100% of the selling price from their Believe Honey Bar, going to the Raise Your Hand campaign (funding water purification systems in Ethiopia), Noodle and Boo offers the ultimate in luxury and double-gifting. ($12)

Warrior Woven Scarf
If you haven't seen the fashion forward silk scarf and other warrior-wings apparel on TV or in the latest magazine, then head over to fordcares.com and find out how you can help fight the good fight with fashion! 100% of net proceeds from all Ford “Warriors in Pink” apparel goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. ($38)

Charity Pot
When you buy a Charity Pot of hand and body cream from Lush.com, the Canadian handmade cosmetics company, every penny of the retail price (excluding taxes) goes directly into an assortment of nonprofits, including Oceana, Bicycles for Humanity and Amazon Conservation Team. ($20.95)




Kiehl's Acai Damage Protecting Toning Mist
All the profits from this 100% organic acai-berry toner, with a label designed by actress Julianne Moore, benefit the Rainforest Alliance which works to protect biodiversity and give people living in forested areas sustainable livelihoods. ($26)

Hope Love & Healing Necklace for Haiti
Turquoise, soothing blue and natural, is the stone of healing. Paired with sterling silver hand-cast charms, this necklace bring hope and love to all that wear it! The Satya Foundation donates 100% of the proceeds from this necklace to the Give Love Foundation for displaced children and families in Haiti. ($38)

WWF Lunch Bag
In honour of Eco-friends give a handy, reusable neoprene lunch bag that benefits The World Wildlife Fund. This lunch bag is made from 100% neoprene rubber – yes, the same fabric as wet suits, and insulates both hot and cold foods for up to 4 hours. Perfect for those who are aiming to make a difference by using fewer plastic bags and bringing fresh food for lunch each day. ($29.99)

L'oreal Paris ~ Color of Hope Collection ~ Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

A sobering statistic:  More than 20,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year - and only about half will live to see the five-year mark.  To suport research, L'Oreal Paris is donating a dollar of every purchase from its Color of Hope Collection - a line of glosses, shadows, lipsticks and laquers - to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.  Check the products out at your local drugstore. 

Here's to hope and a helping hand...

I think this poem greatly reflects how many of us feel on the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001.  Amid the reflection of the tragic events that unfolded ten years ago, many are celebrating the remarkable news of 3-year old Kienan Hebert  returned to his family safe and sound after being abducted.

There is always something beautiful to celebrate.  There is always hope when we keep working together...

If I can stop one heart from breaking;
I shall not live in vain.
If I can ease one life the aching,
or cool one pain,
or help one fainting robin onto his nest again;
I shall not live in vain.
-Emily Dickinson

ReadGive.com: Combine your passion for reading with your passion for giving

Glamour, Cosmo and Lucky... I love 'em all!  And I especially love buying my favorite mags from companies who give back. 

I'm talking about ReadGive! 

ReadGive offers a large selection of magazines at competitive prices and with every subscription and renewal you order through ReadGive, you contribute 40% directly to the charity or organization of your choice — at no additional cost to you! How great is that?

And it gets even better!

ReadGive is partnering with Giveback.org starting July 25, 2011 when GiveBack announces their $50,000 winner! ReadGive is offering Giveback customers 50% back to their foundations on Giveback.org until August 31st (normally 40%). Customers can renew their old magazines, buy new subscriptions for themselves or give magazines to friends and families as a gift!

With a large array of children, home, and entertainment magazines ReadGive is the perfect way give back to the foundations you hold dear while getting something for yourself.

I love their selection of magazines. I love the ease of navigating their site.  I love their “Give Back” philosophy. And I love buying things I normally use, with that added punch of charitable goodness.

Next time you order magazines or resubscribe, please go through ReadGive and make a difference with every purchase! And don't forget to pass this simple way to help charities on to others!!!

Be sure to check out ReadGive on Twitter and Facebook

www.facebook.com/readgive - With several contests and Giveaways for all ages, ReadGive is an enjoyable  page worth following.

And if you're looking to fundraise, ReadGive offers an innovative ReadGive $15 gift card to both schools and charities alike. Here's a great opportunity to raise incredible amounts of much needed funds with an easy to use gift card.

To get in touch with ReadGive call 1-877-316-5787, email info@readive.com or visit them at www.readgive.com

Miranda Cosgrove, Vanessa Hudgens, Hayden Panettiere – Neutrogena’s Wave For Change Bags

Emma Roberts has has got on board the Neutrogena's Wave For Change campaign by promoting Neutrogena's new range of pretty Tote bags. The profits go to charity Global Giving. So you can feel good AND get a stylish bag.

The bags have been designed by the Neutrogena Brand Ambassadors Vanessa Hudgens, Hayden Panettiere and Miranda Cosgrove.

As Neutrogena ambassadors, Miranda, Vanessa, and Hayden were asked to help design a bag to support the cause of their choice. Miranda’s (center) is a heart constructed of pencils – made to benefit educational courses. Vanessa’s (right) benefits disaster relief projects in the United States, and Hayden’s (left) benefits environmental charities.

The bags are available from July 1st to August 31st at Target stores.

Also, during July and August, Neutrogena® will be donating $1 for every Neutrogena® Acne, Cleansing or Cosmetics product sold and registered on their website, with a minimum of $100,000 and up to $250,000 to GlobalGiving.

Wave For Change is a charitable program that makes it easy for teens everywhere to give back in the U.S and other parts of the world where can make a huge impact before they head back to school and this year doing good has a stylish reward

Tom's of Maine Giving Back: 50 States for Good

Join Tom's of Maine in supporting nonprofit organizations.

Celebrating grassroots goodness efforts nationwide is the ongoing mission of the Tom's of Maine annual "50 States for Good" program. 50 States for Good is a national initiative to support the goodness behind grassroots community projects. Six organizations will share in a $150,000 sponsorship fund, including one organization that will be given $50,000!

The six winners will be determined by a public online vote starting in early August 2011. The organization with the most votes will receive $50,000 in sponsorship funding; five additional organizations will each receive $20,000. Each finalist, along with its project, will be showcased at the Tom's of Maine Web site during the voting phase. Projects must be completed within six months of receiving funding.

The panel of judges will select 20 organizations doing great things in their communities to be voted on by you. In the meantime, here's what you can do:

• "Like" Tom's of Maine on Facebook to stay updated on the results and to share your own volunteer stories.
• Check back in August to vote for your favorite nonprofit.

Bake On and Give Back! Duncan Hines 1,000,000 Cupcake Challenge.

Duncan Hines^® invites bakers across the country to join its 1 MILLION Cupcake Challenge to help end childhood hunger. Working with Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale^®, Duncan Hines hopes to inspire passionate bakers with a national baking and fundraising movement.

“Each cupcake sold at $1 will help connect hungry children to up to 10 healthy meals and gets us closer to fulfilling our mission of no kid hungry by 2015.”

Join the Duncan Hines One Million Cupcake Challenge!

One cupcake at a time, you can help end childhood hunger. And, passionate bakers could win a trip for two to Los Angeles including seats on the Red Carpet of the 63rd Primetime Emmy® Awards and weekly Great American Bake Sale donation matching of up to $5,500 per week.

Those who join the Duncan Hines 1 MILLION Cupcake Challenge and host an official Great American Bake Sale from April 11 through July 24 are eligible to win one of five grand prizes in the Duncan Hines 1 MILLION Cupcake Challenge Sweepstakes. Each grand prize includes a three-day/two-night trip for two to Los Angeles including Fans in the Stands seats on the Red Carpet of the 63^rd Primetime Emmy^® Awards on Sept. 18, 2011.