20 of the Best Gifts That Give Back

Available in December, the Give Love lipstick from Toronto-based beauty brand Fancy Face is “the perfect red” according to the brand, thanks to its blue undertones which makes teeth look whiter. For every Give Love lipstick sold, the brand will donate one full tote bag to Hope Totes, a national organization providing essential items for women in need at shelters across Canada.

Vancouver-based tableware brand Fable needs to be on your radar for many reasons including, but not limited to, the fact that its minimalist designs are oh-so chic. Plus, for every set purchased, the company will donate a meal to a youth in need through Mealshare.

Toronto-based jewellery brand Zephyr Grey’s company mantra is “Made for women, by women” and this necklace from its newest collection perfectly embodies that message. 15 per cent of profits from sales of The Form Necklace will be donated to Oxfam Canada to help their fight for women’s rights across the world.

Cheekbone Beauty has teamed up with Métis artist Christi Belcourt on a limited edition box of lipsticks for the holiday season. Featuring three wear-everywhere colours and a custom box adorned with one of Belcourt’s prints, this is the perfect gift for beauty lovers in your life. Plus, $5 from every purchase will be donated to Nimikki Aazinbikong, a year-round land-based language and traditional arts camp.

Toronto-based designer Hilary MacMillan’s varsity jackets (which can be customized) are a timeless gift and 100 per cent of the proceeds from the Equal Pay emblazoned jackets are donated to Black Women in Motion, a Toronto-based, youth-led organization that empowers and supports the advancement of black womxn and survivors of sexual violence.

‘Tis the year for at-home pampering and The Body Shop’s holiday collection is full of great products to bring the spa experience to your bathroom. This year, the company is donating $1 from every gift purchase from its holiday collection to the Canadian Women’s Foundation to help end gender-based violence.

Luxury Canadian handbag brand Piper & Skye has released its Holiday Red Capsule Collection which features four of its best-sellers, including this pretty and practical wallet. 25 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of any piece in the collection will be donated to Safe Transitions, a non-profit organization working with survivors of domestic abuse, homelessness and human trafficking in Canada.

Self-care has never been more important, and this pack of gold foil eye masks from Wander Beauty makes pampering easy. The masks are formulated with aloe leaf, calendula and camu camu extracts and work to hydrate and de-puff the under eye area whilst also minimizing fine lines and dark circles. For every holiday kit purchased until December 31, Wander Beauty is donating 16 meals to The Farmlink Project, a US organization working to alleviate food insecurity.

This year, why not trade in your usual advent calendar for this one from 24 Good Deeds which – as the same suggests – includes a good deed for every day leading up to Christmas. For just $24, you will be supporting 24 charities across Canada and around the world with focuses ranging from healthcare to the environment, education and nutrition.

A healthy smile is a gift that keeps on giving well past the holidays and Brüush serves up a stylish take on the traditional electric toothbrush via its subscription service. The brand just launched three new colours – sky blue (pictured above), sunshine yellow and fire red – and for every brush head refill shipped, the brand will donate a toothbrush, toothpaste and fluoride treatment to A Reason To Smile, a non-profit organization working to eradicate dental disease in Africa.

You’ll never go wrong with a fragrance, and we love this one from Philosophy for many reasons. Not only does it smell, ahem, amazing, but the company also donates one per cent of all product sales across its entire lineup to community-based mental health efforts across North America.

Canada-based company In Focus is known for its stunning scarves – which they call “wearable art” – printed with images from photographers across the country and beyond. 10 per cent of scarf sales are donated to various charities and foundations in Canada and across the world.

A gentle exfoliator is key in any skincare regimen and this one from Dr. Brandt helps to reveal brighter, smoother skin. $1 from every purchase will be donated to the Dr. Brandt Foundation (a fiscal sponsorship fund of The Miami Foundation) in support of mental wellbeing programs.

Canadian handbag brand Lambert has you covered when it comes to gifting the bag lovers on your list. The Stella Tote is a sleek, practical tote that will see you through all manner of outings. Plus, it’s made using vegan materials so it’s as good for your wardrobe as it is for animals. For every Stella bag sold, designer Mélissa Lambert will donate $5 to Make-A-Wish Canada.

To celebrate the holidays, David Yurman has created a new collection called ‘Star Dreaming’. 20 per cent of the purchase price of select pieces from the collection (including this bracelet) will be donated to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization that uses the power of food to heal communities and strengthen economies during times of crisis.

Hairdresser Tim Binnington created the MANTA hair brush for his wife after she lost her hair during a battle with a life-threatening illness. Designed with patented FlexGuard technology, the brush bristles have a 360 degree range of motion and they glide effortlessly through the hair whilst also stimulating and exfoliating the scalp to promote hair growth. 15 per cent of the sales of each pink MANTA brush until December 31 will be donated to Rethink Breast Cancer, too.

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez was one of the biggest beauty launches of the year, and this eyeshadow palette is the one of the brand’s newest products. Rare Beauty has committed to donating one per cent of its annual sales to the Rare Impact Fund which will work to support mental health services on a local, national and global scale.

Orcé Cosmetics was launched in 2019 by Yu-Chen Shih to deliver a range of foundations made specifically for Asian complexions. 15 per cent of every purchase of the brand’s new setting powder will be donated to Rise Justice Labs’ Safe Haven Initiative which is helping to address the spike in sexual and domestic violence as a result of COVID-19’s stay-at-home orders.

ShopNK has teamed up with Mary’s Brigadeiro, a local, Black-owned business, to offer a custom chocolate gift box with 12 mouthwatering treats inside. Proceeds from the sale of each box will be donated to Black Women in Motion, a Toronto-based, youth-led organization that empowers and supports the advancement of black womxn and survivors of sexual violence.

Canadian hosiery brand Threads is known for its high quality tights which can be ordered as a one-off or on a rolling subscription basis so you’re never without a pair. From November 25-December 1, the brand will donate 10 per cent of it sales to Margaret’s Housing and Community, a Toronto-based organization that provides housing and support to women living with mental illness and substance abuse.