Should we shop with purpose?

I had the sweet opportunity to work for one of my favorite organizations several weeks ago at a conference that was here in town. 

We have sponsored children through Compassion International for a while now. Sponsoring a child through this amazing organization has been a joy for me and for the kids too. If you have never considered sponsoring a child, I hope you will click the above link and see what your $38.00 a month can do in the life of a child.

It was hard to look at all those faces that needed someone to sacrifice what basically amounts to a take out meal for a family once a month to provide education and other basic necessities. I am thankful for the new sponsors that we saw sign up and take a child's picture home with them that day. 

We got a break from working in the booth while the speakers at this conference were on stage, and I took that opportunity to wander around the vendors and see who else had booths there. I spotted some super cute tote bags and made my way to that booth, drawn in by the lure of a new purse. 

As I stood admiring the goods, I remembered a friend's birthday approaching. I had her a few small things but thought how much she would like a tote bag to use in school/work. Something clicked in my brain, and I thought how fun it would be to purchase the next few gifts I needed here, with people who were using the goods to raise money for worthwhile causes.

As I wandered to a few other booths, I felt the wheels turning. 

What if I shopped for Christmas and birthday presents that would not only make people feel celebrated but would also help others?

It seems like a simple idea and fairly obvious one at that, but for some reason it had not really occurred to be intentional about gift giving.

Because let's just be real here:

Do we really need anything? 

Oh sure, I pretend I need more shoes or cute clothes or books or Sharpie pens or whatever, but the fact is that I don't need anything. 

Not really. 

And neither do most people I know.

So what if I decided to give small gifts that helped someone know that I love them and was thinking of them on their birthday or wanted to celebrate the Christmas season by giving a gift but really gave gifts that helped someone else in the process.

You know, really helped someone, and I don't mean China.

Try to find something not made in China. It's hard. 

The more I thought about this, the more excited I got about it. 

So.

I thought I would put together a list of people that I either know personally or enjoy supporting. 

 I hope you will take a look at what you could purchase that could really make a difference not only for the person you are giving a gift for, but for the foundation or organization or the person selling the good(s). 

Some of my friends are making and selling goods to help them bring home children they are adopting. There are friends of mine, and I have purchased things from them personally and have loved the things I have gotten:

~My friend Kathy and her mom are making jewelry. I haven't taken this blue bracelet off since I purchased it:

Designed for Hope 

They have lots of jewelry in lots of styles. If you want something custom made, ask! They update with new items too, so check back often!

~My friend Jenny has the cutest Etsy store. She also sells beautiful magazine bead bracelets and necklaces and gorgeous cross necklaces too. I have several of them, and have given them as gifts too!

The Underside of the Universe (link to store and contact info for Jenny)

You could even have a bead party at your house or office and help your friends get stocked up on stocking stuffers and gifts too!

~My other favorite organization is Neverthirst. The men who started this amazing organization are close friends of my husband and mine. You can also sponsor a women or a village through their website for a small charge once a month. Read more about them here. Take a minute to look at their website and see the good that they are doing in places where basic necessities like water are desperately needed. 

I have tee shirts and a hoodie from them, and I wear them constantly. Money made from the sale of items in the shop go towards putting wells into communities that need clean water. They are also about to add more items to their store, so check back and see new things arriving soon! (I really need a travel mug for Christmas. ahem.)

~The organization that I bought tote bags and purses from at the conference is Freeset. I'm not kidding you, these purses and totes are SO CUTE. Every time I carry my purse I get so many compliments on it. The  totes are roomy and wonderful. These bracelets can be purchased individually or in a set of 3 at a discount. They are so beautiful and are made from recycled saris. I am also eyeing some other of the bags for gifts too!

~Another vendor I met that day was an organization called Ornaments for Orphans. The nice man that runs this operation was so kind and I loved their wares so much that I am about to work for them at a local Christmas shopping bonanza called Christmas Village. They have tons of sweet cross ornaments that would be so great for teacher gifts, friend treats, stocking stuffers and present toppers. They have so many great items, and you can even have an ornament party at your home or work to help your friends shop easily. 

And if you are coming to Christmas Village, please look for them (and me)!

~The last vendor I met that day was the vendor that I have thought about a lot since then. Sweet Sleep helps provide orphans with beds and/or mosquito nets. A quick look at their website shows the good that they are doing for these children. It also made me extra thankful for my bed that I sleep in. There are so many ways you can get involved with this organization and get your kids involved too. I snagged a present for myself the day I shopped and it's become my most favorite hat. 

There are so many cute things in their store that would make great gifts. 

~Another organization that we love dearly is Amazima Ministries. Honestly, her necklaces are my most favorite. 

This one was a gift and I love it so much. You can wear it long, double or triple it or even wind it around your wrist and wear it as a bracelet.

I really love the blue one too...

Sponsoring a woman through this organization is also a beautiful way to give a gift that lasts all year long. For a monthly contribution, you can really make a difference in a woman's life.

~And lastly, but not least, if you want a new something for yourself, or want to buy a shirt for a gift, Sevenly is a great place to get something new and help an organization. The organization changes each week, so get on their mailing list or follow them on Twitter/Facebook to get updates. I try to only support them when something is especially close to my heart since it could get a little expensive to shop their weekly (which I could totally do.)

Though my good friend Dave is styling much more than I am here, this is one of the ones I have. I love this style of shirt (and it's super soft). Clothing with a purpose. Good stuff.

I didn't even scratch the surface of all the amazing people and places and organizations that do good for others. I'm sure I left off lots of great ones, but for brevity's sake, I only put the ones that I have purchased from recently or know very well. 

I do hope you'll consider shopping differently this year. Not everyone can do big huge things in this world like starting an organization like one of these, but we can all make small changes that have a big impact. 

Simple things, like shopping wisely. 

Limiting the frivolous things we give. 

Spending our hard earned dollars wisely. 

We can all do that.