2021 Guide for Gifts that Give Back

By Published On: December 14th, 2021

It’s the most wonderful time of year! And giving a gift that gives back makes it even more special. To add some altruism to your holiday shopping list, we put together a comprehensive list of family-owned brands that focus on serving parents, kids and grown-ups alike—all while making the world a little bit better. Check out our list of mission-driven brands to shop this year:

My Green Mattress

Developed by a dad who couldn’t stand to see his daughter suffering from eczema and allergies, a hypoallergenic crib mattress made from organic materials was created. The My Green Mattress mission is to handmake safe, non-toxic and healthy mattresses for the whole family. What parent isn’t wishing for more sleep? Don’t miss the Emily Organic Crib Mattress for babies, the Kiwi for big kids and the Natural Escape for adults.

OOLY

With arts-and-crafts options aplenty, OOLY has something inspiring for all ages to encourage creativity, imagination and expression. The bonus boxes are every artsy kid’s dream with an extra gift to make it even more dreamy. And equally inspiring, this women-owned biz is übercommitted to making sure teachers can outfit their classrooms with the supplies they need to make an impact.

Sweet Bamboo

This mom-owned clothing brand takes standards to new heights with sustainable, hypoallergenic clothing for kids up to 12 years old. Not only are the patterns on point, the silky-soft fabric derived from bamboo is OEKO-TEX certified, which means it’s humane and eco-friendly. Grab those matching jammies for your littles while the holiday styles are still in stock.

cuddle+kind

When it comes to buying for the new baby in your life, cuddle+kind is guaranteed to tug on your heartstrings. Handknit and heirloom-quality, these sweet dolls are oh-so cute and impactful. For each purchase made, 10 meals are donated to children in need.

Glo Pals

What started as a university project quickly morphed into a genius tool for sensory-sensitive kids who may need a little more encouragement to be comfortable in the bathtub. These unique toys are meant to make bathtime an adventure by introducing a light-up buddy. A portion of every purchase goes to Children’s of Mississippi, the only children’s hospital in the state.

The Tot

For parents looking for the ultimate in brand safety, this seriously stocked online boutique offers a completely unique shopping experience. With a wide range of toys, gear and gifts, every single item goes through an independent vetting system so that your family can access only the safest products available.

Birdie Bean

This mom-owned boutique carries everything from swaddle blankets to dresses to teethers to loungewear for grown-ups. With something for everyone on your list, Birdie Bean donates a portion of proceeds from their limited-release items to charitable organizations dedicated to animal rescue, child cancer awareness and more.

Fizzy Magic

It’s no secret that kids go bananas for bath bombs. One mom decided to level up with an organic bath fizzy, safe for children’s skin, that reveals a secret toy! What’s more, they teach kids about giving back. A portion of the proceeds is donated to Graham’s Foundation, founded to support and empower parents of preemies.

Kidstir

The pandemic taught us many things, with the value of eating at home being one of them. But for most parents, getting kids to eat a well-rounded meal is a task. Enter Kidstir‘s fun and interactive kit that helps kids learn to cook, eat more types of foods, and embrace their independence. We especially love that their subscription boxes are prepared by individuals at Elwyn, an organization that provides education and job opportunities to adults and children with developmental disabilities.

Snuggy Buddy

This wearable blanket is as cute as it is thoughtful. We all know having loose extras in the crib is a no-no, so one mama invented a safe way to let babe have the comfort of a companion with her to sleep. A gently weighted lovey is safely attached for self-soothing—hopefully ensuring a longer, better snooze. This fam-owned brand donates fabrics to Project Linus to make blankets for babies who need them.