{"id":6322,"date":"2025-12-01T20:09:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T20:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/cfd\/?p=6322"},"modified":"2025-12-01T21:19:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T21:19:06","slug":"season-of-giving-gifts-that-give-back-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/cfd\/2025\/12\/01\/season-of-giving-gifts-that-give-back-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Season of giving: Gifts that give back"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bring more meaning to giving season this year with gifts that give back to charitable causes and efforts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

We get it. You want to give your family and friends meaningful, cool, interesting and eco-friendly gifts this holiday season that won\u2019t end up at a thrift store or in a landfill and were made by adults earning fair wages. It\u2019s not too much to ask.<\/p>\n

You might consider a gift with a charitable component\u2014a \u201cgift that gives back.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

Research shows<\/a>\u00a0that intentional gift-giving can both boost your mood and affirm and support your relationships with others.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Whoever you have on your list, there\u2019s a socially responsible option that supports timely causes, such as racial justice organizations, food insecurity funds, and efforts to support wildfire victims.<\/p>\n

Of course, the best way to give back is to\u00a0donate to the causes that are important to you<\/a>, 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\u2019ve compiled various opportunities and gift suggestions.<\/p>\n

Gift your time<\/h2>\n

These small and inexpensive reminders of our togetherness can have a big impact.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Volunteer with others.\u00a0<\/strong>This summer we shared some on-the-ground and virtual\u00a0volunteer opportunities<\/a>\u00a0and 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Share your skills.<\/strong> 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?\u00a0Give a gift of yourself with a coupon for classes or a session with you.<\/p>\n

Gift a night out<\/strong>. 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 \u2013 even an hour to go for a walk.<\/p>\n

Gift your support<\/h2>\n

Have a cow!<\/strong>\u00a0Heifer International<\/a>\u00a0is the standard in gifting animals to families in need in countries around the world \u2013 pigs, cows, goats, chickens, sheep, alpacas \u2013 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 \u201chonor card\u201d to send to your giftee via email, mail, or print at home options.\u00a0World Vision<\/a>\u00a0has a similar program in place as well.<\/p>\n

Virtual Holiday Meals<\/strong>. Consider supporting your local food bank or shelter with virtual meals.\u00a0Seattle\u2019s Union Gospel\u00a0Mission<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Or, you can sponsor a boxed meal at\u00a0Ronald McDonald House Seattle<\/a> and provide dinner for up to 60+ residents each day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Support a virtual pet<\/strong>. Your favorite animal lover can\u2019t have all the pets, but you can make a gift to support a local animal shelter in their name. Both\u00a0Homeward Pet Adoption Center<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Seattle Humane<\/a>\u00a0offer 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\u00a0PAWS<\/a>\u00a0with a kennel sponsorship.<\/p>\n

Think outside the gift box<\/strong>. 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\u00a0UW Combined Fund Drive<\/a>. Many organizations provide virtual or actual cards with your gift message.<\/p>\n

Gifts of experience<\/h2>\n

Memberships<\/strong>\u00a0are a great experience gift and a good way to support nonprofit organizations that might be struggling financially in the wake of the pandemic.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Consider\u00a0Woodland Park Zoo<\/a>,\u00a0Seattle Aquarium<\/a>,\u00a0Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium<\/a>,\u00a0Seattle Children\u2019s Museum<\/a>,\u00a0Washington Trails Association<\/a>,\u00a0Sierra Club <\/a>or MoPop (Museum of Pop Culture<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Give them a pass.<\/strong>\u00a0People have been getting outside and on the trails in record numbers the last couple years. An\u00a0annual pass to our National Parks<\/a>\u00a0makes a great gift, as does a\u00a0Washington State Discover Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

There’s a museum for everyone!<\/strong> Get passes or a membership for one of the many amazing organizations in the area. On campus, there is the Henry Art Gallery<\/a> or the Burke Museum<\/a>. Check out the Northwest African American Museum<\/a>, National Nordic Museum<\/a>, Wing Luke Museum,<\/a> Seattle Art Museum<\/a> or the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)<\/a>. Flight enthusiasts will love the\u00a0Future of Flight<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Flying Heritage Combat Museum<\/a>. Like to go fast? Head over the Hydroplane &Raceboat Museum<\/a> or LeMay – America’s Car Museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A great option for your theatre-loving<\/strong>\u00a0friends or family who want to experience Seattle\u2019s lively arts and culture scene, historic theaters like\u00a0The Paramount Theatre<\/a>,\u00a0The 5th<\/sup>\u00a0Avenue Theatre <\/a>and The Moore Theatre<\/a>\u00a0offer single tickets, flex packages and season passes.<\/p>\n

Sports fans<\/strong> can check out a game, set or match at the UW<\/a>. Soccer fans will enjoy a pair of seats at a Sounders FC<\/a> or a Seattle Reign<\/a> match,\u00a0 watch the four-time WNBA champions, Seattle Storm<\/a> or one of our hockey teams, the Seattle Kraken<\/a> or the Seattle Torrent<\/a>. Kids are always welcome at Aquasox<\/a> , Rainers<\/a> and Silvertips<\/a>\u00a0games.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bring more meaning to giving season this year with gifts that give back to charitable causes and efforts. We get it. You want to give your family and friends meaningful, cool, interesting and eco-friendly gifts this holiday season that won\u2019t end up at a thrift store or in a landfill and were made by adults…<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-give"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSeason of giving: Gifts that give back - UW Combined Fund Drive<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/cfd\/2025\/12\/01\/season-of-giving-gifts-that-give-back-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Season of giving: Gifts that give back - UW Combined Fund Drive\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Bring more meaning to giving season this year with gifts that give back to charitable causes and efforts. 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