Season of giving: Gifts that give back

We get it. You want to give your family and friends meaningful, cool, interesting and eco-friendly gifts this holiday season that won’t end up at a thrift store or in a landfill and were made by adults earning fair wages. It’s not too much to ask.

You might consider a gift with a charitable component—a “gift that gives back.”

Gifts that give back often support nonprofit organizations or causes. Some prompt dollar-for-dollar donations through your purchase, some contribute funds directly to charitable causes, and still others provide employment at fair wages to people who need help getting their foot in the door.

Research shows that intentional gift-giving can both boost your mood and affirm and support your relationships with others.

Whoever you have on your list, there’s a socially responsible option that supports timely causes, such as racial justice organizations, food insecurity funds, and efforts to support wildfire victims.

Of course, the best way to give back is to donate to the causes that are important to you, but buying gifts that give back is a great way to supplement those donations and make your holiday purchases go the extra mile, too. To help you find the perfect present, we’ve compiled various opportunities and gift suggestions.

Gift your time

These small and inexpensive reminders of our togetherness can have a big impact.

Volunteer with others. This summer we shared some on-the-ground and virtual volunteer opportunities and the benefits people derive from volunteering. Grab your ugly sweaters, reindeer antlers and a thermos of hot cocoa and organize a festive holiday volunteer event for your family or friends.

Share your skills. It is easy to overlook our own skills and what we have to offer others. Do you bake delicious cakes? Know how to knit beautiful sweaters? Play trumpet like Miles Davis? Pro photographer? Give a gift of yourself with a coupon for classes or a session with you.

Gift a night out. Stressed out parents everywhere appreciate nothing so much as a chance to get away for a few hours, especially these days. Volunteer to babysit for a few hours and treat them to dinner or brunch or happy hour – even an hour to go for a walk.

Gift your support

Have a cow! Heifer International is the standard in gifting animals to families in need in countries around the world – pigs, cows, goats, chickens, sheep, alpacas – but you can also gift water, stoves or gift cards for the giftee to choose their own area of support. Heifer helps you create an “honor card” to send to your giftee via email, mail, or print at home options. World Vision has a similar program in place as well.

Virtual Holiday Meals. Consider supporting your local food bank or shelter with virtual meals. Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission has a long-standing Thanksgiving meal program, where a donation of just $5.15 provides a holiday meal and care for one person experiencing homelessness.

Or, you can sponsor a boxed meal at Ronald McDonald House Seattle and provide dinner for up to 60+ residents each day.

Support a virtual pet. Your favorite animal lover can’t have all the pets, but you can make a gift to support a local animal shelter in their name. Both Homeward Pet Adoption Center and Seattle Humane offer custom engravable tribute tiles that you can personalize in honor of a special pet or person in your life. Or support the care and feeding of a cat or dog at PAWS with a kennel sponsorship.

Think outside the gift box. Does your mom volunteer at the senior center? Is your sister into live theater? Does your best friend teach literature? Make a gift to a place or program you know they support by searching thousands of charities in the UW Combined Fund Drive. Many organizations provide virtual or actual cards with your gift message.

Gifts of experience

Memberships are a great experience gift and a good way to support nonprofit organizations that might be struggling financially in the wake of the pandemic.

Consider Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Seattle Children’s Museum, Washington Trails Association, Sierra Club or MoPop (Museum of Pop Culture).

Give them a pass. People have been getting outside and on the trails in record numbers the last couple years. An annual pass to our National Parks makes a great gift, as does a Washington State Discover Pass.

There’s a museum for everyone! Get passes or a membership for one of the many amazing organizations in the area. On campus, there is the Henry Art Gallery or the Burke Museum. Check out the Northwest African American Museum, National Nordic Museum, Wing Luke Museum, Seattle Art Museum or the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI). Flight enthusiasts will love the Future of Flight and Flying Heritage Combat Museum. Like to go fast? Head over the Hydroplane &Raceboat Museum or LeMay – America’s Car Museum.

A great option for your theatre-loving friends or family who want to experience Seattle’s lively arts and culture scene, historic theaters like The Paramount Theatre, The 5^th Avenue Theatre and The Moore Theatre offer single tickets, flex packages and season passes.

Sports fans can check out a game, set or match at the UW. Soccer fans will enjoy a pair of seats at a Sounders FC or a Seattle Reign match,  watch the four-time WNBA champions, Seattle Storm or one of our hockey teams, the Seattle Kraken or the Seattle Torrent. Kids are always welcome at Aquasox , Rainers and Silvertips games.