12 Christmas gifts that give back, so you can actually gift twice the joy.

After the past year (well... two years), in reflecting on the challenges we've all experienced, the season of giving, kindness and connection feels more important than ever.      

I love Christmas for the sheer reason that I get to think about all my loved ones, including my three grown children, and get the excited buzz in hunting for gifts that are meaningful to them. And what better way to do this than giving a gift with purpose – in giving back to the community in their own socially responsible way.

I always take a lot of time to find the right gift for people I love; it is even better when I can bring joy to more than one with my Christmas gift choices. I feel that I've helped a special cause or community in need, in a very small way as the gift-buyer, which is then appreciated by the give-receiver... and the joy cycle continues.

To help you out with finding a beautiful gift with purpose for your loved ones (and to help ease that mental load!), here's a list of gifts that also give back in special ways, so you can actually gift twice the joy this year.

Beauty

The Body Shop was always going to make this list! It's the ultimate go-to for sustainable gifts with purpose. The Body Shop has a range of initiatives that are good for the planet and support communities around the globe, including their partners at Amnesty International and Little Dreamers’ Young Carer Advocacy Project. 

Let's get shopping, shall we? My picks from The Body Shop definitely include:

Shea Body Butter, $27

Image: The Body Shop.

This vegan body butter that not only nourishes and protects dry skin, it also gives back through the Community Fair Trade program, sourcing Shea butter from Ghana and babassu oil from Brazil. 

You can feel good about the packaging as well with the plastic tub made from Community Fair Trade recycled plastic from India, meaning you can love your planet as well as your body. 

Hemp Hand Protector, from $10

Image: The Body Shop.

The Hemp Hand Protector is made from hemp seed oil sourced from a hemp crop in France that helps to regenerate land and provide a habitat for local wildlife.

Kindness & Pears Essentials Gift, $45

Image: The Body Shop.

It includes a shower gel, body butter made using Community Fair Trade Shea butter from Ghana, a beautiful body yoghurt and a hand cream to ensure that your hands get some loving too. 

This gift set is perfect for someone who loves vegan-friendly self-care, or it might be the one you even pop under the tree for yourself. 

White Musk Eau de Toilette, from $29

Image: The Body Shop.

This delicate, calming scent has notes of clean aldehydes, comforting jasmine and cruelty-free musk.

Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, from $9

Image: The Body Shop.

This would have to be my favourite gift to give to my loved ones this Christmas for some intense TLC. A face mask is such a versatile gift! 

It's made from Community Fair Trade tea tree oil and works in just 5 to 10mins each use. I am pretty sure I will find one of these under the tree for me ('To me, love, me'). 

(I recommend checking out The Body Shop's Joy Hub too this season, filled with more inspiration and ideas to spread the love and share the joy this season, including the celebration of everyday people who spread selfless joy, love and kindness to others!)

Clothing 

Outland Denim 

Spell x Outland Denim Maxi Skirt. Image: Outland Denim.

This Aussie company is doing wonderful things too, and has a social goal in mind to fight human trafficking in Cambodia.

Each pair of jeans or jacket purchased is actually life-changing in the way it's giving back (and this Denim Maxi Skirt surely must be added to all wishlists?).

Soxy Beast 

I mean, who doesn’t need socks? You can buy a pair or get a subscription for 3, 6 or 12 months from these Melbourne makers! Soxy Beast also give back to Footscray Community Arts Centre – who, through their ArtLife program, FCAC provides a creative outlet for artists with a perceived disability. Soxy Beast also support the Port Phillip EcoCentre in their work to protects our environment.

Etiko

Natural Rubber Thongs, Animals Australia. Image: Etiko.

It’s summer, so a fresh pair of thongs will never go astray when you're living in Australia! Etiko are the perfect gift that supports local communities in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan and are Fair Trade Certified. 

There is bound to be a gift for someone you love, which may include this fun pair, with 10 per cent of proceeds going directly to Animals Australia.

Pets 

Savour Life 

You may or may not be a Christmas gift-giver to a furry family member (we know we are in our household!), and in the likely chance you might be: Savour Life gives 50 per cent of their profits to support pet rescue organisations. 

PUCCII 

Image: PUCCII.

This is an amazing company initiated by kids, who love dogs and care for our environment. So 10/10 wholesome from all angles! PUCCII sell leads and collars for our doggo friends made entirely of recycled materials and packaged in environmentally friendly jute bags. 

They also donates at least 50 per cent of profits to dog shelters across Australia. 

Drinks

Goodwill Wine

Image: Goodwill Wine.

In 2009, Goodwill Wine founder, David Laity, nearly lost everything in the Black Saturday bushfires. With donations to help him start his venture again, his business philosophy is now to pay it forward. Goodwill Wine to date has now given back over $424,477, towards Australian causes including 200,000 meals for people living in poverty in Australia, fire-fighting equipment for volunteer fire brigades and finding five International Animal Cruelty Investigations for Animals Australia.

Gift Tags

The Body Shop are also donating 100 per cent of proceeds from these gift tags to Amnesty International Australia to support their Raise The Age campaign – to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. 

The tags feature a beautiful design by Indigenous artist Bobbi Lockyer, titled ‘Healing’, and are available in-store from $2. Knowing what important work they're contributing towards, I'm making sure that there will be one on every gift under my tree this year.

Image: The Body Shop.

Feature Image: Mamamia/The Body Shop/Outland Denim.