LIVING

Sustainable gifts for the holidays

Posted on December 16, 2020 | by Fusia 

With the holiday season fast approaching, we know this year is different as consumers are looking for opportunities to give back, support local and help re-build local economies. Since travel is not as easily available this year, we’ve collected our top sustainable gift ideas for consideration in your upcoming gift guides. 

On behalf of The Travel Corporation’s not-for-profit, TreadRight, you’ll find this list below, followed by organizations that will benefit from donations for the person who already has everything.  

GIFT IDEAS  

• Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot School is a TreadRight project partner in Canada which empowers Indigenous elders, artisans, and youth by teaching the traditional Canadian Indigenous art. 

  • Shop mukluks, moccasins, dreamcatchers, jewelry & more

• Laboratorio Giuditta Brozzetti is a TreadRight project partner in Italy which works to preserve the ancient weaving tradition of the Perugia region, while empowering local women through employment. 

  • Shop woven goods including runners, bags & clothing

• Clean & Proud is a 2020 Tread the Pledge Fund recipient. Based in Malawi, the organization collects plastic waste and recycles it into practical and beautiful goods. 

  • Shop pouches, wallets, totes & other goods made from recycled plastic

• Proyecto Titi is a TreadRight project partner in Colombia working to protect the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin. 

  • Shop totes, ornaments & novelty items 

• Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco is a TreadRight project partner in Peru which works to preserve the ancient weaving tradition of the Cusco region, while empowering local women through employment. 

  • Shop woven goods including runners, bags & clothing 

• Ock Pop Tok Village Weavers is a TreadRight project partner in Laos which supports local artisans and preserves the cultural heritage. 

  • Shop woven goods including clothing, bags, jewelry & home goods

DONATIONS: FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING 

• Support local water projects in developing countries with a donation to Walkers4Water, a 2020 Tread the Pledge Fund recipient which provides accessible clean water for communities worldwide. Learn more

• A donation to the National Kiwi Hatchery, a TreadRight project partner in New Zealand, will support the protection and conservation of the endangered national kiwi bird. Learn more

• Support the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured elephants with a donation to TreadRight project partner Wildlife SOS in India. Learn more

• Your donation to Wilderness Foundation Africa, TreadRight project partner, will fund anti-poaching and rhino conservation efforts.  Learn more

• Adopt a turtle through the Sea Turtle Conservancy, a former TreadRight project partner working to protect the endangered species in Central America and the Caribbean. Learn more

• If you’re looking to contribute locally in Canada, a few organizations that The Travel Corporation supports by offering employees time to volunteer and help with various causes include: Holiday Helpers, Second Harvest or Single Mothers in Progress. Here, you can also choose to offer your time or donations. Food Banks of Canada is another organizations supporting Canadians nationwide that can use some support this year.