Another Valentine’s Day has rolled around and no matter what your stance is on the holiday, it’s here to stay. This year, let’s collectively embrace it and explore ways to shower our loved ones with gifts that give back. Here are some traditional gift ideas that stand the test of time but with a charitable twist.
1. Compartes Chocolates – With luxury chocolates ranging in price from $9.95-$99.95, Compartes chocolates deliver a unique flavor profile that is hard to find anywhere else. Compartes Chocolates was founded in 1950 and offers chocolates for a cause, which supports relief efforts in Darfur. Browse their Valentine’s day selection here.
2. Lush – Lush serves up vegetarian, cruelty free and ethically produced bath and body products that smell amazing. Lush even offers a hand and body lotion called Charity Pot, of which 100% of the proceeds go to a grassroots organization. Charity Pot has donated more than $15,000,000 to over 850 different charities since its inception in 2007. For totally luscious bath bombs, soaps and more, click here.
3. Married and Bright- Nothing says romance like beautiful handmade lingerie. At Married and Bright, not only does founder Annika Chaloff design and make each gorgeous piece, she has donated some of the proceeds to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, The Women’s Center of Los Angeles and other nonprofit organizations. One of the most eye catching things about Married and Bright is that real women are wearing the lingerie. No retouching, no photoshop. Just real people with real bodies. See for yourself here
Whichever way you choose to spoil your loved one this Valentine’s Day, you’ll touch their heart with a thoughtful gift that also benefits the community.
Maybe you are single or completely over frivolous gift giving. You can still embrace the concept of spreading love. There are several groups of people you can acknowledge on Valentine’s day (or any day, quite frankly). Veterans, a local children’s hospital, or even a nursing home all make great candidates to be on the receiving end of a valentine. Remember those cute little boxes of valentines you would pick out in grade school to pass out to your classmates? Go and grab two or three of those and head over to one of the places named above. Trust me, this will be an unforgettable Valentine’s Day.
