Everyone loves giving (and receiving!) gifts at Christmas time. This year, why not give a gift that not only brings a smile to its recipient’s face, but also benefits someone less fortunate? In this year’s Gifts that Give Back guide, we’ve divided up our gift ideas according to the “type” of woman who might enjoy receiving them. Go ahead…..play Santa!

Gifts That Give Back Guide 2013

For the “World Changer”:

LiveFully from author Brian Burchik. Brian uses his book to open the eyes of people of all ages to live to their fullest potential and strive for God’s call for their lives. 

A Maps pleated clutch from 3Cords Haiti. 3Cords has changed the lives of men and women in Haiti since the September 2010 earthquake by training them as artisans.

Harmony Necklace from the Ethiopian Metal Collection from Akola Project.  Not only does Akola Project employ women at social and economic disadvantages, it invests in their communities by building schools, vocational centers and clean water wells.

For the “Beauty Guru”:

Whipped body butter from Karama. This Fair Trade centered company partners with African artisans and businesses to provide them with the opportunity to sell their products in the US.

Paint Me Brave lipstick from Peacekeeper Cause-Metics. Peacekeeper Cause-Metics is the first cosmetics company to give donations to women’s urgent human rights issues.

Oh Come Let Us Adorn Yeux gift set  from Votre Vu. Votre Vu donates $3 of every kit purchased to St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which funds childhood cancer research. For every 5,000 products sold, Votre Vu sends 5 children and their mothers “Pick Me Up Packs” of products to help lift their spirits.

For the “Artist”:

The Classic Sandal package from Sseko. Sseko uses the artistic talent of young women in Uganda and helps them create beautiful pieces whose proceeds directly help the women attend university.

No Double Yellow Line CD from Cindy Foote. Cindy Foote produced the album to help raise awareness and interest for adoption, after she and her husband adopted daughters from China, Ethiopia, and Haiti.

A Broken Bangle photo frame from Rahab’s Rope. Rahab’s Rope strives to provide women and girls in India a safe and loving environment that gives hope and opportunity to escape the commercial sex trade.

For the “Professional Christian Woman”:

Participation  in the upcoming Mentor Program session. Get mentees connected with mentors who can enrich their lives and help further their development as professional women. If you would like to give to a particular mentee, email mentormatch@4wordwomen.org after you make your donation.


A donation to 4word in their honor. Donating to 4word impacts numerous lives of professional Christian women across the nation through Local Groups, social media, and the Mentor Program. To donate on behalf of someone, simply add their name in Note section of the Donation page.

Work, Love, Pray from 4word founder Diane Paddison. In Work, Love, Pray, Diane shares the ups and downs of her own corporate, personal, and spiritual life, and notable leaders advise how to progress in your career without compromise.

Video of the Week
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8umFV69fNg[/youtube]

In this remarkable short film, the Pro Infirmis organization shares their campaign for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which will use a surprising visual to bring awareness to the organization and their work.

Top Three

• 3 Common Money Mistakes Women Make – Farnoosh Torabi with Yahoo Finance sheds light on financial blunders women tend to make based solely on how they are hardwired to think and act.
• Finding a Great Husband Doesn’t Just “Happen” – Lisa Anderson writes on Today’s Christian Woman about 5 aspects of dating and marriage that she wishes her mother had shared with her years ago.
• Leave No Trace: The Joy of Giving Secret Gifts – Kimberlee Conway Ireton shares on The High Calling how the folklore of St. Nicholas opened her eyes to the mindset that we all should be in this Christmas season as we seek to touch others’ lives through gifts.

A Pinterest Find

Find something you liked in our “Gifts that Give Back” guide? We’ve created a handy Pinterest board where you can find your favorites from the list and repin them to use as a hint for Santa.