Everyone wants to be a good gift-giver and with gifting season in full swing, there are lots of decisions to be made. Buyingifts can become a difficult task, especially if you’re looking for that special, sentimental gift that will make a lasting impression. This holiday season, consider buying from companies whose mission is to support beneficial causes or are environmentally conscious. Shopping in the Northern Jersey area makes this an easy task, as there are so many incredible businesses and gifts to consider that give back to great causes — from food + drink, to home decor, to clothing and accessories. Keep reading for a list of ethical shopping ideas and gifts covering a wide variety of charitable organizations and important initiatives.
Food + Drink
^ Alfalfa
If someone’s love language is through their stomach, we suggest sending a gift from the restaurant, cafe , or bar. A gift card or grocery item (such as coffee beans or other shelf-stable items) from a local store is the perfect present for the foodie in your life. Plus each of these places does good for the community. A win, win!
Alfalfa | 1110 Washington Street, Hoboken
This eatery serves locally roasted, fair-trade coffee, and uses fresh, local ingredients for their recipes, plus uses earth-safe containers with regard to takeout. Free-range chicken broth and some other plant-based options are available for dining in our taking-out. Gift cards are available for purchase in-store as well as a new line of merchandise.
Black Rail Coffee | 800 Jackson Road, Hoboken
Using fair-trade, ethically sourced coffee beans, this locally-owned shop offers up a list of coffees from Mexico and Ethiopia, in addition to a food menu with homemade, unique ingredients. Gift cards are available regarding purchase in-store.
Read More: A Local Hoboken + Jersey City Holiday Gift Guide — Broken Down by Category
bwè Kafe | 1002 Washington Street + 1401 Adams Road, Hoboken
This particular local family-run coffee shop operates with the mantra “Beans. Beliefs. Bucks. ” that helps guide their activities–they sell espresso and other sustainable goods in order to raise money for charitable causes while staying true to the earth. Gift cards are around for purchase in-store.
Java Love | 244 Bellevue Avenue + 49 Church Street, Montclair
The coffee here is either organic and/or sustainably farmed, fair trade, or rainforest alliance-certified, which means it’s the best of the best. Java Love also has great seasonal specialty drinks as well as both sweet plus savory baked goods. Gift cards are available for buy in-store.
Smaak | Jersey City
Smaak is a hot sauce that emphasizes flavor over fire. Each of the sauces highlights a different pepper, pairs wonderfully along with food, and gives returning to the communities the particular peppers came from. This brand is available to purchase online here .
Black River Roasters | 424 US-22 West, Whitehouse Station
Since it opened in 2004, this coffee shop has sourced its beans through small-scale producers around the world. As one of the many lasting businesses within New Jersey, Dark River Roasters ensures that all of its partners meet certain standards. All of their sources produce organic beans, are Rainforest Alliance certified, and uphold fair industry practices for their workers. Gift cards are around for purchase in-store.
Eight + Sand Beer Co. | 1003 N Evergreen Method, Woodbury
Run by three New Jersey natives, Eight and Sand offers fully committed their business to environmentally friendly practices. Rather than brewing with fire plus heat elements, they use eco-friendly steam heat. They also make use of solar panels to cut their own carbon dioxide emmisions by 700 tons per year. Eight and Sand also reduce its waste by sending its spent grain in order to local farms for compost use. Gift certificates are available for purchase in-store.
Green Point Juicery | 97 Baker Road, Maplewood + 532 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona + 28 Speedwell Opportunity, Morristown
Green Point Juicery’s products are organic, vegan, raw, gluten-free , kosher, and eco friendly. They offer their particular patrons a firm pledge against refined sugars, additives, and GMOs, ensuring premier quality fruits and veggies. Eco-friendly Point Juicery also boasts a “leave no trace” policy, meaning that all of its packaging and waste is recyclable or compostable. Gift certificates are available for buy in-store.
Clothing + Accessories
^ The Margo Market
Below, are some thoughtful gift ideas for fashion-loving/ fashion-forward friends who love wearing the latest clothes, jewelry , and add-ons. From scarves to sweaters, to tops, dresses, and more, the following apparel companies not only offer trendy styles but are ethical in their company practices.
The Bibi Collective | Shirt City — Online + In Various Stores
The particular Bibi Collective is made up of women who fled Afghanistan plus settled their families in Nj-new jersey. Now, these highly skilled women have started their own businesses, creating stunning items including hand-embroidered clothes, tote bags, crochet, ornaments, and components. Visit their site for how to buy + support.
Culture Couture | 53 Church Street, Montclair
Culture Couture is for the eco-conscious lifestyle consumer who strays from mass market trends and values ethically crafted plus sustainably sourced clothing, presents, and accessories. The mission of this boutique is to introduce affordable and high quality products through a variety of countries to our community and to set an example to businesses and the government of a Fair Trade model of business based on partnership, people-centered values, and sustainability.
The Margo Market | 1102 Washington Street, Hoboken
Everything sold at this particular local business is sustainably and ethically sourced and provides insight and stories into every product they sell. This ecological Nj company puts an emphasis on the particular artisans behind each piece in the hopes of promoting eco-conscious fashion. The store mainly caters to ladies with tons of cozy apparel in minimalist colors. They also offer cute add-ons like jewellery, hats, hand bags, and shoes, in addition to their own curated home decor and apothecary sections.
Mint Market | 303 1st Street, Hoboken + 339 Grove Road, Jersey Town
Shopping vintage is a sustainable practice because it reduces waste materials, givingarments a new life instead of sending them to the trash. Mint Marketplace has a selection of vintage designer clothes available on their website, in-store inside Jersey City, or via Etsy.
Hazel Baby + Kids | 199 Montgomery Street + 17 McWilliams Place, Hat City
Whether it end up being toys, clothing, accessories, or nursery items, owners Donovan and Elizabeth Cain offer products made in a socially responsible, environmentally friendly, and sustainable way.
Warby Parker | 538 Wa Street, Hoboken
If someone you know needs new glasses, getting a pair from Warby Parker is a great gift idea that will help you give back. More than 3 million glasses have been distributed across the globe by means of Warby Parker’s Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program. Not only can you try a pair of eyeglasses on before you buy them, but with each pair you buy, you can help the person in need get a pair of glasses.
Sadie’s | 65 Valley Street, South Orange
Cute and lasting clothing is hard to come simply by, but Sadie’s makes it look effortless. All their clothing will be produced ethically, which means that producers are committed to sustainable practices. Even better, Sadie’s donates 1 percent of every sale to charities that assistance vulnerable communities. In terms of selection, expect to find chic clothing, components, and self-care products for all genders.
Nancy Rose Performance | 210 Bellevue Avenue, Lower Level, Montclair
With a focus on women’s workout clothes, Nancy Rose Performance makes versatile pieces that you can wear anywhere. The particular best part about this brand is the exclusive partnerships with eco-friendly factories that uphold fair labor methods. All of their suppliers produce clothes ethically plus pay their particular workers reasonable wages. Any and all waste produced from dying or even manufacturing NRP pieces is usually responsibly reused, recycled, and treated.
BoxLunch | 1 American Dream Way Space B131, East Rutherford + 1400 Willowbrook Mall Space 1825, Wayne
Apparel company BoxLunch provides a meal through Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, for every $10 spent on their products. That means when you gift someone one of their amazing products, you can help BoxLunch relinquish multiple meals for those in need.
Todd Shelton | 450 Murray Hill Parkway, Door C2, East Rutherford
At Todd Shelton, sustainability is a top priority and they operate socially responsible plus sustainable business models. These people buy only from textile mills in nations with similar labor and environmental standards as the US. With a concentrate on men’s basics like T-shirts, button-downs, jeans, and khakis, Todd Shelton aims to make your everyday products last longer plus stay out of the landfill. The brand also caters in order to in-between sizes that don’t exist elsewhere, allowing customers to find their perfect fit.
STATE Bags | The Shops at Riverside, 400 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, Online, or Local Bloomingdales + Saks Fifth Method
Regardless of whether you’re looking for a school backpack, a work tote, or a travel duffel, CONDITION ‘s unique collection of luggage has you covered! For every bag purchased, STATE delivers the back pack filled with essentials to families in require. These sturdy yet stylish backpacks and totes are excellent gifts that provide back.
Conscious Step | Kohl’s, 40 Mall Drive East, Jersey City
Who doesn’t love a pair of colorful socks? Mindful Step provides charitable present collections like Socks that Fight for Equality and Clothes that Prevent Breast Cancer . Each pair of clothes represents where the proceeds of the particular gift purchase go, such as breast cancer research, the fight to end poverty, helping fund youth LGBTQ suicide prevention, and much more.
Same Sky | Barnes & Noble, Clifton Commons, 395 Route 3 East, Clifton
Same Atmosphere is a fair business jewelry company that works with females in Rwanda and donates money toward empowerment programs to lift women out of extreme poverty. When you gift someone a Sky Collection Necklace or even Bracelet , Same Sky gives back by providing “a woman artisan in Rwanda with a year associated with healthcare. ”
TOMS | Macy’s, 20 Mall Generate East, Shirt Town
TOMS made a name intended for itself with its charitable efforts and fashionable shoes. The particular company donates one-third of all proceeds to grassroots activism efforts within areas want environmentalism in various community communities. By investing in grassroots attempts, TOMS is able to empower areas to allocate resources according to their distinctive needs. So whenever you purchase a set of TOMS shoes, the tote handbag, or any of their additional accessories plus apparel, you can feel great knowing you are buying a gift that gives back.
Cuddle + Kind | Target, 100 14th Street, Hat City, Online, or Hazel Baby & Kids, Buy Baby
For the ultimate baby gift that provides back, pick up Hudson the Polar Bear or one of the many cuddly animals available at Cuddle + Kind . These soft stuffed animals are perfect for each babies and toddlers. Handmade in Peru, each buy provides ten meals to kids in need through the particular Giving Partners programs. In case you possess multiple children in your lifetime, give each of them one of these types of snuggly stuffed animals in order to multiply your charitable gift several times over.
Parks Project | Free People, 1 Garden State Plaza Boulevard, Paramus
Parks Project is an apparel company dedicated to preserving America’s parks . The company works along with more than 30 park conservancies, helping to preserve habitats plus wildlife, as well as supporting education programs. So when you give this cozy National Geographic and Recreational areas Project Legacy Beanie or some kind of their various other products as a present, a portion of the proceeds go towards charity.
The Tea Selection | Focus on, 100 fourteenth Street, Jersey City, On the internet, or Your Local Purchase Baby, Macy’s
The children’s clothing company inspired by cultures all over the world, and The particular Global Fund for Children , whose mission would be to advance the dignity of vulnerable youth around the world. The Tea Collection gives 100% associated with the profits from the “ Little Citizens ” line to The Global Fund for Children. Similarly, the particular (Product)RED organization, founded by U2’s Bono, is definitely associated with retailers who commit to donate up to 50 percent of the profits from the sale of RED products to the Worldwide Fund in order to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis plus Malaria .
Original Grain | Macy’s, twenty Mall Drive East, Shirt City, or even Target, Sears
This gorgeous watch through Original Grain is more than a show-stopper. For each watch sold, Initial Grain plants the tree to replace it. Partnering with Trees for The Future, which has projects inside Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda, the proceeds from each purchase of this charitable present help with sustainable agriculture programs, alleviate hunger, plus reduce poverty.
Yoobi | Target, 100 14th Road, Jersey City, Kohls, or Walmart
Looking to get a charitable gift for a child in your own life? Whether you’re looking pertaining to educational games and crafts, journals meant for young writers, backpacks and totes, or even simply stocking up on school supplies, Yoobi has everything. And they’re an one-for-one organization. With regard to every purchase made, Yoobi donates one school supply item to a child in need, right here in the US.
Home + Decor Items
^ The Lucky Honeybee
If you have the designer or decor lover in your life , the following home decor gifts are usually the perfect solution. These companies’ tools are not only unique plus practical but are designed with honest practices within mind. Whether or not it’s candles, throw pillows, doormats, or even picture frames, these local establishments have got stylish interior decor items that will are suitable for every type of creative/ style junkie on your own list . They’ll be appreciated by those who strive to make their own spaces while cozy and stylish as possible.
The Fortunate Honeybee | 487 Palisade Avenue, Hat City
Lucky HoneyBee specializes in scented candles, all-natural soaps, and apothecary products using sustainable resources and environmentally friendly packaging. Customers can get refills on hand plus dish soap as well as buy sustainably-made products.
Avocado Green Mattress | 12 Hudson Place, Suite one hundred, Hoboken
These types of natural, natural mattresses are usually handmade within California along with ingredients through the company’s own facilities. In addition to the particular mattresses, bedding, pillows and other furniture is furthermore available.
UNJUMBOLD | 257 1st Street, Hoboken
UNJUMBOLD places emphasis on fair trade and local vendors, specifically from marginalized communities, plus focuses on quality over quantity. Many items sold help to eliminate single-use products and use environmentally-friendly materials. The product assortment at UNJUMBOLD consists of artwork, home furnishings, custom bedsheets, kitchenware, flatware, candles, skincare , and more from brands such as Amante Marketplace, Beaba, Enchanted Home, Kana Goods, and Skin Gourmet. A full list of retail companions can be found on the website .
Culture Couture | 53 Church Street, Montclair
Made for the conscious consumer, Tradition Couture focuses on ethically produced items that bring positive energy into your life. They’re known for their sustainably made statues of deities, yet Culture Couture is also a great place to shop for a housewarmingift, a piece to spruce up your bookshelf, or a feel-good purchase.
Unwrapped | 658 Cookman Avenue Unit 18, Asbury Park
This package-free shop is true to its name: Unwrapped . Customers at this sustainable New Jersey business are encouraged to bring their own containers and refill their particular most basic household goods. Unwrapped offers bathtime necessities for every member of your family, including infants and fur babies . This particular Asbury Recreation area shop is the perfect place to stock your home with environmentally friendly options that you could feel good about purchasing.
Sustainable Haus Mercantile | 221 Broad Road, Summit
In their line of wellness plus everyday items, Sustainable Haus makes zero-toxin products that make for a cleaner, healthier life. Their stock includes household products that help you organize, store, and clean almost anything in your house (including your kids). Keep reducing waste simply by refilling your own favorite products at their Summit or Westfield locations whenever you run out.
See More: Shop Small this Vacation Season inside Essex County
Good Bottle Refill Shop | 179 Glenridge Opportunity, Montclair
Refilling is an awesome way to reduce waste. Instead associated with buying plastic containers more than and over, you can simply refill what you already have at home. Good Container Refill Store does not want you to pay designed for your garbage, so they offer you tons of items that are absolutely package-free. Good Bottle offers cleaning materials, shampoos and conditioners, laundry detergent, plus many other household products. Not only does Good Bottle aim to become waste-free, but toxin-free like well. All their products are safe for a person to make use of and better just for you.
Lush Cosmetics | B59A, thirty Mall Drive West, Jersey City
Give the gift that gives back to environmental initiatives with Lush’s popular Charity Pot lotion. Not only do 100% from the proceeds (minus taxes) go toward grassroots organizations working for human rights, animal protection, and environmental justice, but some of the ingredients are made from Sustainable Lush Fund projects, supporting accountable farming close to the globe.
