Looking for the perfect gift? How about a gift that gives back

Don't Waste Your Money

holidayshopping_20111201114927_JPG


Photographer: Getty Images
Copyright Getty Images

Advertisement

Posted: 12/01/2011

(WXYZ) - Chances are you’ve got at least one person on your holiday list who’s almost impossible to shop for .

Consumer Reports ShopSmart just might be able to help get you out of a pinch. Its editors shopped at more than 25 sites to come up with great gifts that give back.   

Instead of fighting the crowds at the mall, Consumer Reports ShopSmart says consider giving a “feel-good gift.” It scoured the web to find sites that that sell unusual, affordable gifts for everyone on your list.

One nonprofit site to consider is BeadForLife.org . It boasts handmade jewelry made from recycled paper, including bracelets that cost $5 each.

Ecoist.com sells a variety of products, such as handbags and home goods.

And EConsciousMarket.com is filled with great eco-friendly gifts, including an iPhone alarm-clock dock for $40. 

For young artists, finger-print art sets go for just $10 at Giggle.com . The site lets you round your purchase up to the nearest dollar, and the extra goes to a children’s charity.

And delight someone’s taste buds with an $18 gift set from Greyston Bakery . This company’s mission is to give jobs to hard-to-employ people. In fact, their slogan is “We don’t hire people to bake brownies. We bake brownies to hire people.” The brownies are delicious.

So this holiday season consider a gift that keeps on giving for tough-to-buy-for family and friends.

And if you’re shopping for a pet, Consumer Reports ShopSmart didn’t forget about your furry, four-legged friends. Editors found some great gift ideas at OliveGreenDog.com , — everything from fair-trade pet toys to dog collars made from recycled products.

Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  • Comments
advertisement

Did You Hear?


  1. Futuristic ways to stay cool

    Futuristic ways to stay cool

    As featured on The List, here are several futuristic ways to stay cool this summer.

  2. 4 women, 4 men new NASA astronauts

    4 women, 4 men new NASA astronauts

    NASA has eight new astronauts -- its first new batch in four years.

    • Girl, 5, sells 'Pink Lemonade for Peace'

      Girl, 5, sells 'Pink Lemonade for Peace'

      A 5-year-old girl raised more than $1,000 dollars for peace by setting up a lemonade stand and asking for donations on her own initiative.

      • Stay Connected