Purposeful Places You'll Want to Spend Your Money This Christmas

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Y'all! Gift purchasing season is right around the corner!  Who needs another soap and lotion gift set? Or a scarf from that wonderful store that gives you an amazing feeling when you step into it that shall remain nameless (::cough:: Target)? Forget about gift cards! It's so easy in the holiday's to buy things that are the most convenient and the cheapest, but what if we actually put intentional thought into where our purchases were coming from, or even better what they are going to!  What if we bought from small businesses, companies that use ethics when creating, producing and selling their products, businesses that give back with your purchase, and women owned companies!?!
If there are purposeful products being sold out there shouldn't we become purposeful consumers?  

 Steering more towards fair wages and working conditions for those inside and outside America.  With the collapses of a garment factory in Bangladesh just over a two years ago, killing over 1,000, it is pivotal to be more aware of where your clothes and products are coming from.  Supporting ethically sourced products from companies starts in the heart.  Knowing that you have a say for where your money goes and that it can change lives is life changing! 

 Check out the companies I have listed below for some great retailers of ethically sourced products! These people are changing the world for sure!

Val Marie Paper //   Instagram // Blog // Twitter
The VMP prayer journals are an intentional gift to help inspire a loved ones prayer life. They are affordable and the perfect gift to have on hand for when you unexpectedly need a gift. So much of their repeat business comes from people who said they got a journal for Christmas as a gift and it was the best present they received and can’t wait to give it to others.
Val Marie Paper is a small business with a heart for missions. Each month we choose a different non-profit and donate $.50 for every journal sold to that cause. Over the last year, we’ve been able to donate thousands of dollars to inner-city kids, adopting families, children in Haiti, former child soldiers in Uganda, women in Asia and Burundi, ebola relief in Liberia and impoverished in local communities.
They offer intentional products that you will love gifting to your friends, parents, spouse, kids (grown or little) and even great for teacher gifts. They are the perfect gift to have on hand when you need a gift last minute. These journals have helped casual prayers radically transform their prayer life and we consider that the gift that keeps on giving. 
Better Life Bags has been hiring women from Detroit who have various barriers to employment since 2011.  All their leather and fabric bags are customized by their customers and their women make each one especially for you. All of Better Life Bag pricing is transparent and shown under each bag listing.  Their women are given excellent wages and become adopted into their community as they seek to meet individual needs in a holistic way. They are a for profit company – seeking to show America that for profit small business can make a huge difference in the lives of people.  This work is not just for non-profits.
LuLaRoe exists to provide an opportunity for people to create freedom by selling comfortable, affordable, stylish clothing, and offering its consultants the independence to set their own pace and schedule. The clothes are American made, on trend fabrics and prints. Each print created in house and only printed in a limited quantity. Jamie Ivey's friend Laura, is a consultant and I am devouring these clothes as fast as I can.
Rey Swimwear was started when founder Jessica started to get frustrated in her swimsuit search with everything barely covering her body. Rey Swimwear seemlessly sews together contemporary fashion with vintage glamour. Their focus is on beauty and dignity of all people- those who wear the swimsuits and those who make them. They are committed to ethical fashion in their manufacturing and sourcing. 
The Decent Exposure book: sexy, cute, classic, frumpy…it’s not easy to dress decently in today’s indecent world. Actress and Designer Jessica Rey and former America’s Next Top Model contestant, Leah Darrow don’t hold back in this book of personal stories and practical advice. This book reveals Jessica and Leah’s answers for young women struggling in today’s media-drive society. You do have options. No compromise needed.  Timeless and personal, this book is both beautiful and practical. 
I love this book and cannot wait to give it to my future daughter/granddaughter.
When you shop Noonday’s collection, host a Trunk Show, or become an Ambassador, you join them in creating a growing marketplace for artisan businesses, enabling them to make a difference in their communities. Noonday partners with artisan entrepreneurs in the developing world, empowering them to grow sustainable businesses and to create dignified jobs that allow Artisans to earn sustainable, reliable incomes. When a woman wears a piece of jewelry handcrafted by an Artisan, she shares in the Artisan’s story of empowerment.
Noonday put together some awesome holiday gift bundles at an even more awesome price, and you need to hurry because these bundles are going fast! They are only available to view and purchase through a Noonday Ambassador. If you don’t have an ambassador, you can find one HERE.  No need to worry if they sell out because the possibilities are endless for gift ideas with Noonday!
If you know someone who isn't in want or need of anything specific then making a gift donation on behalf of them is a great option.  You can purchase a sewing machine for someone so they can make a living, or cows for a family so they can sell the milk or make cheese.  The possibilities for you to help enrich another human being's life instead of buying someone something that is going to be recycled in 6 months are basically endless.  
Purpose Box is mail that matters! Each box contains items that give back while also supporting a featured purpose! Every included product gives back. Every box has a featured purpose that receives all the proceeds. Purpose Box strives to help people realize that their piece of the puzzle can lead to a greater impact overall. Since there are 4-6 items in each box, it’s a perfect gift to share, or buy a box for yourself and keep one item and gift the rest. The possibilities are endless!
Raven + Lily was created to alleviate poverty among women. Raven + Lily currently helps employ over 1,500 marginalized women at fair trade wages to give them access to a safe job, sustainable income, health care, education, and a real chance to to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families. Raven + Lily is committed to providing products that are made by hand, follow fair trade standards, and honor our eco-friendly commitment.
Raven + Lily is a fashion and lifestyle brand dedicated to empowering women around the globe. They carry apparel, jewelry, purses, and home goods made by at-risk women at fair trade wages in 9 countries. They’ve just launched their holiday line with a number of gifts that give back – recycled brass jewelry, hand-embroidered clothing, silk loungewear and eco-friendly home decor, and recycled journals and gift tags.
You can shop online at ravenandlily.com, in a number of retail partners around the country, in their store in East Austin, and next spring, in their 2nd location coming to the Domain in Austin.
I hope you found something that you liked! No go out there and spend your hard earned money on something that will benefit someone else!

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