CharlotteFive gift guide: Give gifts that give back
The holidays are upon us and it’s time to shop for everyone on your list. We started our CharlotteFive Gift Guide highlighting presents for women, men, your parents, dogs and Panthers (fans). Now it’s time to talk about giving back.
The best way to not feel guilty about shopping? Choosing gifts that give back. Here are a few options:
Trees Charlotte
Give the gift of a White Oak, Eastern Redbud or even a Sango Kaku Japanese Maple this holiday season through Trees Charlotte, a local nonprofit that is dedicated to expanding Charlotte’s tree canopy (i.e. tree cover) by 50% by 2050. The trees range from $150-225 in price and come with a certificate of dedication. Brick markers available for an additional fee.
Dreading that #blackfriday shopping? Give #trees for #christmas this year! https://t.co/SlbVpEQ6xy pic.twitter.com/A5ZnRgonoO
— TreesCharlotte (@treescharlotte) November 25, 2015
Dsenyo
This fair trade company works with women artisans in Africa and Brazil who create apparel, accessories and home décor for national and international customers. The communities in which Dsenyo works are often scarce of businesses so they help provide sustainable jobs, training and more to empower women and artisans to help them get out of poverty. Pick up a bangle or a pair of earrings at Pura Vida Worldly Art in NoDa.
Today ONLY! Save $20 on orders of $50 or more. Use code: #FAIRTUESDAY https://t.co/n7KRSOlCNN pic.twitter.com/9ed4c062XF
— Dsenyo (@dsenyo) December 1, 2015
A membership to one of Charlotte’s cultural attractions
From museums to botanical gardens and everything in between, the purchase of a membership not only provides access to arts and culture to the giftee but it allows the community to enter and experience something new. Most include workshops, educational classes, summer camps and discounts within their walls and at their sister locations, too.
Great modern gifts can be found at the #Bechter Musem store this holiday season. pic.twitter.com/i1gKO1Innh
— The Bechtler (@thebechtler) December 20, 2015
Some options (there are more):
– The Mint Museum
– The Bechtler
– The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
– Levine Museum of the New South
– Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
– Discovery Place
A Child’s Place & Huntersville Christmas Lights
Always thinking of innovative ways to reach their mission of working to erase the impact of homelessness on children and their education, A Child’s Place offered holiday sponsorships, and Give Back Gift Shops which were set up in local schools this holiday season.
Currently, the nonprofit is partnering with Huntersville Christmas Lights, a free synchronized musical Christmas light show where the donations will go to help local homeless children and their families.
ONEHOPE
Most don’t need a reason to open a bottle of wine, but ONEHOPE makes you feel better about it. The organization started in 2007 with one goal in mind — to give back to various causes year-round. Through selling their wine and other products, ONEHOPE has been able to do just that and to date has donated $1.8 million to well-deserving organizations. Cheers to that!
Photo: John D. Simmons/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 8:02 PM with the headline "CharlotteFive gift guide: Give gifts that give back."