It’s the time of year where we’re bombarded with sale after sale, long checkout lines and to make it worse, a countdown reminding us how many shopping days we have left. Avoid the hustle and bustle this year and give gifts that you can feel good about. Each of the organizations, products or events below gives back to the community or even makes a difference on a global scale. Happy giving!
Fashion & Compassion
1717 Cleveland Avenue
The beautiful jewelry found at Fashion & Compassion does more than just look great. Founders Michele Dudley and Celeste Bundy wanted to use their business to connect women overcoming poverty and injustice with western markets where they can thrive as artisans. Beautiful necklaces, bracelets and more  made by vulnerable women around the world line the Dilworth Fashion & Compassion boutique. Profits help these women create a future free from poverty and increase awareness of the injustices facing women around the world. Join them for their Christmas Open House on Wednesday, Dec. 9.
JLC Warehouse
1117 Pecan Avenue
Shop till you drop at the JLC WearHouse. Brand names like Kate Spade, BCBG and Tory Burch fill the floor with endless shopping possibilities. Best of all, proceeds help fuel the community-changing work the Junior League of Charlotte is doing.
The Mint Museum
500 South Tryon Street
It’s get a gift give a gift November 27-Dece,her 31 at the Mint Museum. For every gift membership purchased, the Mint will give a free family membership to a family being served by Camino Community Center.
Hops & Shops Holiday Market
Atherton Market-2104 South Blvd
Wednesday, Dec. 9
Get your holiday shopping done with help from local artisans and entrepreneurs at the Hops 7 Shops South End Holiday Market. Get the complete package with a donation based wrapping station benefiting Bee Mighty.
Metrolina Association For The Blind Fundraiser
Kendra Scott Southpark
Thursday, Dec. 10
Have a Kendra Scott lover on your list? Plan to shop on Thursday Dec. 10, when 20% of all proceeds help fund the mission of the Metrolina Association For The Blind. Call orders are also accepted!
Holiday Market Mingle & Music
Salvaged Beauty NoDa
Friday, Dec. 18
Join local art vendors and musicians for the Holiday Market Mingle & Music. Shop local vendors, enjoy music from CMS students and enjoy arts & crafts projects for children. The proceeds from the event’s raffle, food and beverage sales benefit music and art programs in CMS schools.
This one’s perfect for when you want to exercise your online shopping muscles and help out the community at the same time. Share Charlotte makes it easy to select items from nonprofits‘ Amazon Wish Lists and have it delivered right to them. If you have a giving heart on your shopping list, consider donating in their name for this year’s gift.
TreesCharlotte aims to attain 50% tree canopy in Charlotte by 2050. Help them beautify our city and give a meaningful gift by purchasing during their Tree-Gifting Program. Shoppers may purchase a tree for delivery, either for themselves or as a gift. Or, they may choose to have a tree planted at a local elementary school in honor of a loved one. Learn more here.
Shining a light on modern day slavery one candle at a time. Take home heavenly scents like Christmas Hearth, Lavender and Black Raspberry Vanilla. For every candle sold, $1 will be donated to the fight against human trafficking in Charlotte. P.S. to all you planning brides out there-they also do wedding favors!
Free Store Charlotte
1138 N Caldwell St
Gifts are great, but what’s better than teaching kids and teens about the joy of giving? Before the holidays this year, start a new tradition of “out with the old, in with the new” by donating clothes, books, small household items and more to the Free Store Charlotte, who accepts these donations and distributes them to the community in need free of charge. The free store is the work in action of Vision Possible Ministries, a local non-profit that engages in activism, educates the public and performs acts of compassion to improve the outlook for the homeless members of our community.
Looking for great teacher gifts or treats to send to family? Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is Cornelius-based a non-profit cooking up a sweet way to raise money for new and improved treatments for pediatric cancer. You can order online to have your cookies shipped to friends and family, or order a batch to give away as gifts locally. Proceeds provide annual research grants to five of the nation’s leading pediatric cancer centers.
Heartpicked at Handpicked
8040 Providence Road Suite 600 and 1721 Kenilworth Ave
Support A Child’s Place with a purchase from their Heartpicked collection. You’ll love the clean, white musk scent that’s already ready to gift. $5 from each candle sold will go directly to A Child’s Place, an organization working to provide stability and education to children of homelessness.
