Gifts That Give Back: A Local Holiday Gift Guide
The holiday season is an important time to spend with family, to be thankful for what we have, and to give back to others. While gift giving is a traditional part of the holiday season, there are some easy ways to incorporate giving back into your holiday shopping. From supporting Indigenous arts in remote communities, to Christmas sweaters that support local health charities, there are many ways to shop in a socially conscious way this holiday season.
Art for Aid Project
Supporting Canadian Indigenous communities
The Art for Aid Project is an amazing initiative that supports Indigenous art while giving back to First Nations, Inuit and Métis art education programs in Canada. Métis artist Colleen Gray from Smiths Falls, ON has been selling her beautiful and unique art since 2013, and uses the proceeds to ship art supplies to Indigenous schools across Canada. Colleen believes strongly in the power of art to help heal, and as a way to bring light to the isolation Indigenous youth face in remote communities across the country. Colleen received the Governor General of Canada Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteering in 2019, and receives no salary from the proceeds of the Art for Aid Project.
Great gift ideas from the Art for Aid collection include Colleen's stunning original art prints, beautifully decorated note cards, bookmarks, and even masks. Land acknowledgment plaques (customizable to specific territories) and gift cards are also available for purchase.
Fun gift idea: Opt for one of the beautiful note cards as an alternative to a traditional Christmas card.
How to buy and donate: To purchase Art for Aid art, or do donate visit https://www.artforaid.ca. There is currently a winter sewing machine drive for remote community schools in Natuashish and Nain Labrador that needs your help.
Location: Smiths Falls, ON
High Jinx
Second-hand store and community space
High Jinx's mission is simple: neighbours helping neighbours. The downtown Ottawa second-hand store is owned by Leigh Reid and Karen Nielsen, friends who worked together in the social services sector over a decade ago. Frustrated with the social services system, the duo opened High Jinx as a way to help people in the community without restrictions. The shop and community space are open to anyone regardless of their financial status, age, gender, race or religion - a simple concept but a beautiful one.
If you're looking for a gift for someone who loves antiques or unique collectables, then High Jinx is your spot. The store is packed with cool finds from vintage furniture and jewelry, to housewares and one-of-a-kind trinkets. Proceeds from the shop help to provide fresh food, canned goods, bus fare, and to support to those in the community needing assistance.
Fun gift Idea: Putting together a holiday gift basket? Pick up a crate, basket, antique tin or wooden drawer and use it as a creative way to package your holiday gifts. There is also a wide selection of antique vases and bottles. Pair them with some fresh evergreen branches or a colourful bouquet for the perfect vintage holiday centerpiece.
How to buy and donate: Visit the High Jinx antique store at 290 Kent St, Ottawa. To donate visit https://www.highjinxottawa.com or drop off food items and clothing directly in store.
Location: Ottawa, ON
Spread the Joy
Hand-made products providing opportunity and dignity
If you're looking for stocking stuffers that give back, then include Spread the Joy on your holiday shopping list. Spread the Joy is an initiative coordinated by the Innovative Community Support Services (ICSS) in Ottawa. ICSS provides people in the community with developmental disabilities employment opportunities through the Spread the Joy program. The program allows participants to interact with the public, be creative, contribute to society and ultimately, feel fulfilled. All sales from Spread the Joy are invested directly back into the program.
Some of the great products available for purchase from Spread the Joy are homemade jams, salsas, jarred pickles and beets, as well as wooden coasters, bath and spa products and even homemade pillows. Many products are made and sourced directly from the Spread the Joy therapy farm in Navan, ON, including vegetables, herbs and wood, and locally sourced and recycled materials are used whenever possible.
Fun gift idea: Pamper someone with a fun basket filled with local jams and preserves, a cheerful pillow and some relaxing bath products.
How to buy: Items can be purchased at the two the Spread the Joy locations, 108 Mill St, Russel, ON and at 2025 Lanthier Dr, Orleans ON. Orders can be placed by emailing millstreet@icss.ca. The full 2020 catalogue can be viewed here.
Location: Russel, ON
Wear it Forward
Christmas sweaters for good
Photos: Wear it Forward
Who doesn't love a good Christmas sweater, especially a not-so-ugly one that gives back! Wear it Forward is a community-focused clothing company created with the goal of paying it forward. When founder Jasmine Bégin was a child she suffered third degree burns to her body, and spent time receiving treatments at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa. In 2014 she created Wear it Forward to help give back to those who had helped her, and to date the company has raised over $31,000 for various health charities. During COVID the proceeds of all lifestyle clothing sales will go to the Canadian Food Bank, and $5 from each scrubs set will be directed to the Canadian Nurses Foundation.
Along with a festive selection of Christmas sweaters, Wear it Forward also has a trendy lifestyle line, including T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts and hats - perfect for staying comfy at home.
Fun gift idea: Get sweaters for the whole family and have matching Christmas wear that gives back.
How to buy: All sweaters and apparel can be purchased at https://wearitforward.ca/collections/shop
Location: Ottawa, ON
The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada
Provide a home for the holidays
The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, located just outside Guelph, ON, is a refuge for donkeys and mules who have been neglected, abused or can no longer be cared for by their owners. Established in 1992, the Sanctuary is one of only two accredited animal sanctuaries in Canada, and the only accredited equine sanctuary in the country.
A great gift for an animal lover is to sponsor a donkey or mule from the Sanctuary. Each sponsorship (starting at $75) helps contribute to the care of a sponsored animal for an entire year, including feed, vet care and bedding. Sponsors receive a sponsorship package including a photo of their adopted animal, a sponsorship certificate and detailed information on the animal, including an annual report on their well-being.
Another great idea to help support the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada is to purchase products from the Long Ears Boutique. Some fun donkey-themed gifts include stuffed animals, baby rattles, puppets, donkey cookie cutters, kitchen aprons, donkey imprinted wooden coasters and a variety of clothing and books. For holiday-inspired gifts, don't miss donkey Christmas cards, gift tags, and donkey-themed tree decor including beautiful blown glass Christmas ornaments.
Fun gift idea: Sponsor a donkey for a loved one and create a unique gift with their sponsorship package, a donkey canvas tote bag and items from the Long Ears Boutique stuffed inside.
How to buy and donate: To sponsor a donkey or mule for yourself or as a gift, visit https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.ca/give/sponsor. To purchase items from the Long Ears Boutique visit https://long-ears-boutique.myshopify.com.
Location: Guelph, ON
KIN Vineyards
Wines that gives back with each toast
Just a short drive from downtown Ottawa, KIN Vineyards is a small Ottawa Valley winery that's crushing it on the local wine scene, while paying it forward. The small family-owned business believes that giving back is an essential component to both community growth and sustainability. With this in mind, KIN Vineyards is donating a percentage of profits from their UNDERSTORY wines to local arts initiatives, and from their KIN VINEYARDS wines to land stewardship and environmental projects in the Ottawa Valley.
Fun gift idea: Build a case with assorted local wines and have gifts at the ready for everyone on your list.
How to buy: The UNDERSTORY and KIN VINEYARDS wines can be purchased online at https://kinvineyards.com.
Location: Carp, ON
