Holiday Gift Guide #3: The Socially Conscious Gift

In the last installment of our holiday gift guide we are covering the socially conscious person on your list. It can be hard to find the perfect ethical gift, whether that be fair trade, vegan or the philanthropic gift that gives back. Lucky for us, you and others behind the scenes of these products we have a few items that could satisfy the socially conscious person in your life.

Beyond just crossing someone off your list, you too can feel good about giving a gift to someone that is more than just an item. A gift that provided someone with a fair wage, didn't kill an animal in the production or helped out someone in need by your purchase. Plus just by shopping local you are doing your part!  So without further ado here are our suggestions for the gift that gives beyond it's use...

Image provided by awesome customer Lo Pabian

Sseko Sandals
Price: Base $45 Straps: $10-$13


Sseko sandals are fun lightweight DIY sandals hand made by women in Uganda and are perfect for the person who strives to be unique with their own style and flare.

How it works is you purchase the base and then pick your straps and lace up a pair of sandals to your choosing.  Sseko provides lacing instructions on the back of the strap packaging and through YouTube videos, but once you get going it is easy to come up with your own unique strapping style.

Sseko Designs was created as a Not-Just-For-Profit business that helps bright young women of Uganda continue their education and pursue college educations. Sseko hires recent secondary school graduates for the nine months to live and work together while earning money that will go directly towards their university educations. Like many third world countries there is not equal opportunity for women to earn money to go the university, which often leads to bright women falling to poverty. The women who participate in Sseko's work program will not make sandals forever. They will go on to be doctors lawyers, politicians, writers and teaches that will bring change and unification to a country divided and ravished by a 22-year long war.


TOMS Shoes
Shown: TOMS Classic $49

TOMS Classic Style

Inspired by the traditional shoes of Argentina, TOMS shoes gives back with every purchase, with their One For One movement.

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with $10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS Customers. To date, TOMS has put over 1 million pairs of shoes on children in need.

Due the popularity of people wanting to give back and participate in the One for One (yeah!), TOMS has expanded their line of shoes from the Classic slip-on to lace up sneakers, boots and wedges.


Ethletics: Autonomie Project
Shown: Hi-Top $56 & Low-Top $54

Ethletic Hi-Top and Low-Top options

Ethletics are the fair trade version of every one's favorite, the classic Chuck Taylor.  Taking home a pair of Ethletic sneakers can make you feel extra good about yourself because this sneaker is 100% Fair Trade. Workers are paid a fair wage that will put an end to their poverty and uplift their community. Ethletic sneakers are also 100% organic, all natural and free of toxic chemicals. On top of that if you thought it couldn't get any better, they are also 100% vegan and cruelty free!

Ethletic is made possible by the Autonomie Project, a fair trade fashion company. Proceeds from the sale of Ethletic footwear goes directly to the workers fund that helps pay for their children's schooling. health insurance, and other community improvement projects like providing clean water access to an entire village in Sri Lanka.


Happy Holiday Shopping, Keep it Local!