A Calculated Gift Guide: Make a Difference with 10 Presents Under $50

I had so much fun putting together this list of ten great gift ideas that support amazing causes around the world.  Spoiler alert: if you're on my Christmas list, you're probably getting one of these (hi, Mom)!

Ever since my first graders voted last year to name our class the cheetahs, I've been keeping up with conservation efforts to save the marvelous cats.  You can help cheetahs by sponsoring a livestock guarding dog in the name of someone on your list.  The Cheetah Conservation Fund's unique project raises and trains Anatolian shepherds to protect local farmers' herds, thus reducing the number of cheetahs that are killed by farmers to save their livestock.  Donations start at $10, and you can download a personalized sponsorship certificate and a picture of one of the dogs.

Arghand is a non-profit that sells amazing soaps made in Afghanistan.  Afghan women from the
Kandhahar cooperative work to make the soaps and balms by hand from local ingredients, working together to create a sustainable business using the wonderful plants that grow nearby, including wild almond, pomegranate, and anisette.  All of their soaps and balms are $9.00.  I have used both the amandine and pomegranate soaps, and love them.  They look like gorgeous, giant pebbles and smell great.

FashionABLE is working to towards a long-term solution for poverty in Africa by creating opportunities for vulnerable women.  The organization works with women to start business cooperatives with fair wages and hiring practices.  I first read about FashionABLE on What's Gaby Cooking--she has a great post about her trip to Ethiopia here.  Their solid-color scarves are $28, and this striped one (pictured above) that I absolutely NEED is $40.  They also have a handmade leather wallet for $22 that might make a nice guy-gift.

I've given species adoptions ($50 each) from World Wildlife Fund as gifts several times.  They come with a really nice stuffed animal, so they're great for kids--or people like me who just love stuffed animals.  This year, I noticed they also have these super cute anti-poaching t-shirts for a $35 donation.  They're made of organic bamboo and cotton and come with a fact sheet about WWF's campaign to stop wildlife crime.

Did you know that there are over 75 million children who don't have access to education?  In some developing countries, tuition only costs about 15 USD.  Esperos uses money from the sale of every tote bag or backpack to fund a child's education for a year.  This printed tote is currently on sale for $43.19 (normally $47.99).  The other side says "carry" because their slogan is "carry hope"!

Grace Hightower sells sustainably raised, directly sourced, fair trade coffee and aims to help Rwandan coffee farmers create a sustainable business that can be passed on to future generations.  A 12-ounce bag of coffee is $12.50, and this Taste of Rwanda gift box is $24.99.  Look at how those spoons go inside the mug handles--brilliant!

Cuipo is an organization that sells rainforest-inspired products, and uses the money to buy meters of rainforest to protect and keep out of the hands of loggers.  Cuipo already owns 3300 acres of rainforest in Panama!  You can buy square meters of rainforest (5, 10, 25 or 50 meters at $1 per meter), and Cuipo will mail you certificates that you can give to your gift recipient.  They also have a line of Sigg water bottles with rainforest designs, ranging from $18.99 to $28.99.  My favorite is the Steve the Sloth bottle.

Jewelry for a Cause sells unique jewelry to support all kinds of good initiatives.  This blue buddha necklace ($32) is raising money for the Philippine Red Cross to help with relief and rescue in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.  Several celebrities, including Demi Lovato and Natasha Bedingfield, have been out and about sporting this necklace.  The company also has a line of jewelry called Caliber, which features pieces made from illegal guns bought back as part of Newark's Gun Buyback Amnesty program, and a portion of the profits from that line go back to the program.  This bracelet ($40) is sponsored by Snoop Lion and carries the unique serial number of an illegal firearm turned in as part of the program.

Rescue Gifts sells aid packages for a variety of causes that you can purchase in the name of anyone on your list.  $24 provides a safe childbirth kit for an expecting mother in Syria, including hygienic supplies for the delivery and a warm blanket for the baby.  $18 buys a mosquito net to prevent malaria in refugee camps in Thailand.  Each gift comes with a gorgeous printed card or e-card to send to that special someone.  Who wouldn't want a gift like this?  Also, now through December 31st, all gifts are being matched dollar-for-dollar up to a million dollars, so your gift will do twice as much good.

La Cocina is a San Francisco-based organization dedicated to helping low-income women become food entrepreneurs by providing training and support as they establish and formalize their businesses.  You can see all the businesses that have grown out of the program here.  Sales of gourmet gift boxes like this Classic "So Sweet" Box ($35) help support what they do.

What's on your gift list to give and get this year?  If you know of any other great charitable gifts, feel free to leave a link in the comments.

**Did you know you can support A Calculated Whisk by clicking here to visit Amazon for your holiday shopping? When you access Amazon through my link, I receive a very small commission based on any items you purchase. It won't affect the prices you pay at all. Thank you so much for your support!

You might also like these recipes that make great homemade gifts:

Salted Pepita Chocolate Bark (Paleo, Gluten-free, Vegan)

Vanilla Salt & Vanilla Sugar

Lemon Cheesecake Truffles (Gluten-free)